Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Tavares still looking for higher level despite breakout season

New Jersey Devils v New York Islanders

UNIONDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 24: John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders controls the puck during the second period of a preseason game against the New Jersey Devils at Nassau Coliseum on September 24, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images for New York Islanders)

Getty Images

John Tavares is just one point away from 80 with two games remaining in the regular season. That’s a nice jump up from his 67-point sophomore campaign and it’s further validation of the Islanders’ decision to take him first overall back in 2009. At this point, Tavares has gone from being a top-tier prospect to a legitimate star, but that doesn’t mean he’s done growing.

“I do feel like I’ve taken a lot of strides this year, and I’m happy to see that the things I worked hard on last summer have paid off in some ways,” Tavares said. “When this season is over, I’ll see some more things I want to improve on and try to get to that next level.”

The Islanders will fall well short of the playoffs again and the only upside is that they’ll probably end up with a top-five pick for the fourth straight year. Still, with Tavares leading the way and some other impressive youngsters developing, it might not be too long before Tavares finally gets a chance to show what he can do in the postseason.