New York Islanders Roundtable: Who Gets the Best out of Tavares

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Oct 16, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders right wing Josh Bailey (12) celebrates scoring the game winning goal in overtime against the Anaheim Ducks at Barclays Center. New York Islanders won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Jennifer Lapka

First and foremost, I don’t think Tavares is healthy. The two slashes to the hand had to mess him up and watching him skate off after Kessler got him was very worrisome. But in keeping with the idea that he, himself, wouldn’t use injury as an excuse, there’s more.

The best thing Jack Capuano’s done so far is move Jason Chimera from Tavares’s wing. It isn’t necessarily because Chimera CAN’T play with Tavares, either. As good as the World Cup was for Tavares as an individual and getting him into mid-season form, it took training camp from him.

It didn’t allow for him to practice, get to know, or mesh with any of the newer members of his team. At the moment, he’s got zero chemistry with Ladd and the same went for Chimera. I really think Ladd will come with time. It took Tavares a couple of months to really get a feel for Thomas Vanek and they were explosive once it happened.

I don’t think explosive will be how we describe Ladd and Tavares but they’re going to get their chances and bury them. Tavares’s other wing is still a question mark. Bailey probably keeps that job for the time being and with the CURRENT roster, it’s not a bad idea.

Tavares knows Bailey and vice versa. It’s still a hole that needs to be filled and it needs to be filled by a skill player. My head screams Josh Ho-Sang but rational me doesn’t see that happening at this point.

As far as Chimera goes, I liked him with Nelson. Last night Nelson had the best game I’ve seen play in a long, long time. He did a lot with the puck, but he did even more without it. He WORKED.