STANDING BY MATT AND TAVHEDUCH
Plus: Profiles on Hedman, Duchene and Kane
Please note: The PB Reader Poll on the first overall pick continues in the next thread until noon on Thursday. If you haven’t yet cast your one vote, please do. Thanks to the more than 500 readers who have participated so far.
The Tavheduch Watch was created for a post on January 4, when we started keeping track of the race for the worst record in the league. Ten days earlier we wrote the first Point Blank Draft Preview and ranked Matt Duchene as No. 2, with John Tavares and Victor Hedman as No. 1s (a cop-out, we know). We made our first mention of Duchene being right behind the top 2 in a story all the way back on Dec. 2, 2008.
And yet, some conspiracy theorists thought we invented Duchene’s rise a few weeks ago. To be candid, we’re proud that we had the Brampton center a close third before most media outlets. We’re standing by our man. Shoot, the well-regarded scouting publication Red Line Report has Hedman 1, Duchene 2 and Tavares 3. We’re not that crazy, but it’s nice to see some pub for our man Matt.
Who knows for certain if Matt Duchene will be the third player chosen in the 2009 NHL Draft? All we’re saying - and have for the last four months - is that he’s the third-best player available. We called it Tavheduch, our loyal readers joined in, and in two and a half months we believe Tav, Hed and Duch should and maybe will be the first 3 picks, in order.
As promised, and courtesy of the NHL, presenting your profiles of Hedman, Duchene and Evander Kane.
VICTOR HEDMAN
MODO • Sweden
6’6” 220 lbs. Defense, shoots left
Born: December 18, 1990 in Ornskoldsvik, SWE
Mid-Term Ranking: No. 1 European Skater
QUICK FACTS
• In 2008-09 he was a big presence on the blueline in the Swedish Elite League for Modo, recording 21 points (7-14-21) in 43 games to earn Rookie of the Year honors.
• For the second year in a row, he represented Team Sweden at the World Junior Championships, winning a silver medal each year. In 2008 he was an All-Star selection. Hedman also represented Sweden on the Under-18 team, winning a gold medal at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament and a bronze at the World Championships.
• He was born in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden; a town of less than 55,000 people known for producing star NHL players, including: Peter Forsberg, Markus Naslund, Daniel and Henrik Sedin and Niklas Sundstrom.
• A familiar opponent this season was his brother, Oscar, who plays for Frolunda HC. His oldest brother, Johan, plays for Morrum in the Swedish Elite League Division II. Outside of hockey, he has a love for flying and just like his grandfather, who was a pilot in the military, Hedman hopes to get his pilot’s license in the near future.
HE SAID IT
On patterning his game: “(This season) I played with Mattias Timander who is a former NHL player; I really look up to him and try to listen to him. He gives me good advice all the time. That’s a player I look up to and try to play like, but of course young defensemen like Tobias Enstrom and (Alexander) Edler, it’s good to see that young Swedish defensemen are doing well in the NHL. Of course I would like to follow in their footsteps.”
On competing with his older brothers: “It made me tougher because when I was younger I always played in our basement and was always the goaltender. They were always shooting hard and I went up crying all the time, but then the next day I was down doing it again. It really made me tougher. My brothers helped me a lot during all these years so I have a lot of thanks to give them.”
SCOUTING REPORT
Director of European Scouting Goran Stubb
“For being that young, he’s very mature, and he’s big, but moves like a smaller guy. Very mobile, and his puck sense is excellent. Hedman is dominating the game, playing on the first defense pair on MODO. He’s playing around 20 minutes per game.”
STATISTICS
2006-07 Modo Jr. SWE-JR. 34 13 12 25 30
2007-08 Modo SWEDEN 39 2 2 4 44
2008-09 Modo SWEDEN 43 7 14 21 52
*
MATT DUCHENE
Brampton Battalion • OHL
5’11” 200 lbs. Center, shoots left
Born: January 16, 1991 in Haliburton, ON
Mid-Term Ranking: No. 2 North American Skater
QUICK FACTS
• Through the first eight games of his 2009 OHL playoffs, Duchene has 11 points (6-5-11) as Brampton takes on Mississauga in the second round.
• In his second year with Brampton, Duchene was third on the team in scoring with 79 points (31-48-79) in 59 games and was voted the Best Playmaker and Best Stickhandler in the OHL Eastern Conference Coaches Poll.
• His 2008-09 season was highlighted by the 2009 OHL All-Star Classic, the CHL Top Prospects Game and a gold medal as captain of Team Canada at the Under-18 Ivan Hlinka tournament. He won three international gold medals in an eight-month span in 2008, also winning gold at the Under-18 World Championships and at the World Under-17 Challenge with Team Ontario.
• Hockey is in his bloodlines; Duchene’s uncle is Anaheim Ducks’ assistant coach Newell Brown – a Stanley Cup champion in 2007 and a member of the 1980 Memorial Cup champion Cornwall Royals and his father Vince backstopped the Ontario juvenile champion Minden Monarchs in 1984-85.
• Duchene played on his very first hockey team with the Haliburton Huskies. His current Brampton Battalion teammate, Cody Hodgson, was also a childhood friend, teammate and backyard rink opponent.
HE SAID IT
On his style of play: “I try to be one of the fastest players on the ice. Usually when I’m playing a good game, I’m keeping my feet moving and playing at top speed. I’d say that’s probably my biggest asset as a player. Things seem to go better if I’m moving my feet than when I am not.”
On his backyard rink: “We have boards. We have fishing line mesh up behind for glass. I made a goalie in shop class a couple years ago out of sheet metal and wood. He stands in there and takes the brunt of Cody (Hodgson) and my shots in the summertime.”
SCOUTING REPORT
NHL Central Scouting’s Chris Edwards
“Duchene has the ability to dominate a game. He is an excellent all-round skater with great speed, his playmaking, ability to see the ice and move the puck through traffic to create offense are outstanding. He has a very good shot, but I see his best asset as his speed and ability to beat defensemen to the middle or outside.”
STATISTICS
2007-08 Brampton OHL 64 30 20 50 22
2008-09 Brampton OHL 57 31 48 79 42
*
EVANDER KANE
Vancouver Giants • WHL
6’1” 176 lbs. Center, shoots left
Born: August 2, 1991 in Vancouver, BC
Mid-Term Ranking: No. 3 North American Skater
QUICK FACTS
• Through the first eight games of the 2009 WHL playoffs, Kane has seven points (2-5-7) as his Vancouver Giants take on the Spokane Chiefs in the second round.
• After a successful rookie season of 41 points in 2007-08, including 24 goals in 65 games and a nomination for WHL Rookie of the Year, Kane doubled his goal production (48) and totaled 96 points (48-48-96) in 61 games to rank second in the WHL.
• He won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2009 World Junior Championships recording six points (2-4-6), including two assists in Canada’s 6-5 semi-final win over Russia. Kane was initially cut from the 2009 roster, but joined the team a few days before the tournament, replacing injured forward Dana Tyrell.
• The World Junior gold medal was his second international gold in six months as he was also a member of Canada’s Under-18 team that captured gold at the Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament in Piestany, Slovakia.
• He was named after professional boxer Evander Holyfield – a favorite boxer of both his dad
and grandfather.
HE SAID IT
On his style of play: “I’m a goal-scorer. I like to score goals. That’s what I do best. I also like to bring a physical element to my game and try to be a complete player.”
On winning the Memorial Cup with Vancouver as a 15-year-old: “It really helped me a lot going into my 16-year-old year. Being able to play in such a big tournament like that as a 15-year old was obviously a good accomplishment. Playing with players like Milan Lucic and Brett Festerling, you get to learn a lot. It all happened pretty quick, but learning from Don (Hay), getting to know him better, him having more confidence in me was a real key to my success.”
SCOUTING REPORT
NHL Central Scouting’s Blair MacDonald
“He has power forward qualities from the blue line in. He’s the type of player who doesn’t like being denied access to the net. You can almost see when he’s got the puck he’s going to the net and defying people to stop him. He’ll be a 200-pound forward in the National Hockey League. He plays like he’s 6-2, 6-3, bigger than his size. He’s surprised a lot of people with his strength going to the net.”
STATISTICS
2007-08 Vancouver WHL 65 24 17 41 66
2008-09 Vancouver WHL 61 48 48 96 89
Comments. The PB Reader Poll in next thread closes at noon on Thursday. If you haven’t yet cast your vote, please do. Thanks to everyone for participating.
61 Responses to “STANDING BY MATT AND TAVHEDUCH
Plus: Profiles on Hedman, Duchene and Kane”
Please Wait
Nice post CB, you definitely started all the talk about Duchene. The more I read about him the more I …
Don’t say it derek!
Anyone who would pick Duchene over JT is nuts.
Great Job, Chris. Any of these players as a SECOND pick after JT in the first round would be great!
perhaps snow sees something in duschene that others don’t to take him first overall.
matt - If snow wants duchene he will trade the first pick. you can get him at 3 or 4
Kevin, what do you think the fan reaction would be if Snow were to do this?
Mutany!! I am not suggesting he does this. I was just saying that if he wanted duchene he would trade down. a la bailey
duchne reminds me of okposo, a playmaker. we need a pure goal scorer and that is tavares.
This team needs finishers with it’s playmakers. Bailey is only going to get better learning from Weight so imagine him setting up JT for the next 10 years… I can only hope this works out.
We pick JT with the first pick. Do we try and trade back up into the low teens or better with the combo of the 31st(or whatever it ends up being) and a 2nd rounder. I am not sure what it would exactly take.
CB is it a deep draft or top heavy?
Right Matt, because Snow is the absolute genius of the NHL.
Keep in mind that as good as Duchene sounds, Tavares scored 27 more goals than him this season! I think the fans are making it pretty clear who we want, I hope Snow reads PB! As interesting a read as this is CB, I think at this point most of us are really interested in what talent will be available later in the first round!
Those other guys sound great too, CB.
Sigh.
In a way I feel a bit bad for John Tavares. Hear me out on it, though. I dont mean right now of course, because he has got to be on top of the world knowing that everyone wants him on their team. And, reading terms like “savior”, “hero”, “face of the franchise”, “generational player”, all of that has to be pretty wild for him, too- especially since he was touted to be a reat player and NOT a “savior”. Proud? Sure… but he has to be scared, too- and I think I saw that in his face last night. He will be picked 1st overall, I am pretty certain of it. But Im thinking about after that. I fear that the expectations- no, demands- of Islanders fans are going to be quite a heavy cross for him to bear night in and night out. I think most of these other guys are going to start their NHL careers with far less thrown on their backs. And I worry that Islanders fans are going to tear this kid apaprt if he turns out to be “only” a good player. Its a shame, but I can really and truly see it happening. I hope not.
Tell you the truth I think that Garth is saying nothing so far for two reasons- 1, to weigh all his opinions… and 2, so that they dont burn this kid out with all of this any earlier than they have to and have him questioning himself before he even plays his first NHL game. If Tavares can handle it, then good for him. I think that may be the most important question of all for our scouts to figure out when deciding among the top players.
Tavares. Then sign Kenny.
please tmc,
the kid has been appointed the anointed one since he was at least 15, if not earlier.
i’m pretty sure the kid must have developed enough of an ego at this point to drive him to be great and to drown out any criticism-which has been pretty constant with the nitpicking of his game.
if he wants to be great(which i bet he does) then he has to be able to accept the responsibility that comes with it. and if he fails, hes still a millionaire, so no need to waste time feeling sorry for him
14-I really think you overrate the pressure that comes with playing here. Are Isles fans expecting him to save the franchise? Yea probably. But its he same pressure he would get in Toronto or wherever he goes. There is so much hype that he’s going to be seen as the savior regardless. The difference is that if he plays on Long Island he will have so much less media pressure than in markets like Toronto or even Colorado. He will walk around long island and no one will even know who he is. He’s handled this pressure since he was 15, i really doubt some Long Island hockey media (really lack thereof) will be difficult for him. This isn’t the Yankees.
Just my view
Hedman styles his play after Mattias Timander?
Hell, maybe Tavares styles his play after Jason Krog!
Pete
The Leafs aren’t all that great either, if you thought all those assets are worth JT, why not keep them for yourself?
eye on the island (17) I hope youre right. Thing is, has he really been “appointed the anointed one” all that time, or have people just said he has the potential to be great? I worry that Isles fans are going to have extreme expectations that players just cant live up to. If youre right and he is the kind of guy who thrives in that kind of pressure, then he is the right choice for this team.
just read on tsn that burke already contacted the isles AND lightning about their picks… DONT DO IT GARTH!
To whom it may concern,
I haven’t purchased season tickets yet because of the uncertainty of this teams future but I am excited to see a player like John Tavares wearing an Islander jersey…Please notify me if Garth Snow commits to Tavares before the draft in June…I will be ready to purchase season tickets as soon as the announcement is made…I believe Hedman can be a great player and lead a team to the Stanley Cup some day BUT this team and it’s fan base needs a shot in the arm and an offensive guy, described as a “pure goal scorer”, is just what the Dr ordered…
Sincerely,
RJC
PS. Who was the last player the Isles drafted who was touted as a “pure goal scorer who needs work on his skating”???
Cough cough, Mike Bossy!!!Lets get him while we have a chance!!!
Agree with the poster at 17. If JT fails to live up to the hype he’s certainly not going to get flayed by Isles fans but by the media up north. They’ve been hyping him for 4 years while a a handful of Isles fans have been declaring him a savior for four months (weeks?). I’m really beginning to feel that Tavares is the right choice for the Isles because we need some excitement and positive buzz and he will help us win games. However I for one don’t think he’s going to single handedly put the shovel in the ground on the LH or bring the cup back to Uniondale. I don’t think many other fans realistically feel that way either.
As for Duchene, I’d love to have him in Orange and Blue if we held the third pick but we don’t and we’d better not find a way to trade down for it!
(21) Don’t worry about it. Garth was interviewed on a Toronto radio station yesterday after the “news” of Burke’s maneuver broke on TSN, and Garth didn’t sound like a man who would be interested in doing any kind of deals with Burke. He even refused to mention Burke’s name, clearly very annoyed with Burke’s grandstanding.
HEDMAN.
A question to the amateur GM’s in the audience:
Would you be willing to trade our number one pick (Tavares?) to Toronto for Luke Schenn, their number one pick (#7 over all) and their number one pick next year?
I would.
In fact, with Burke being so publicly passionate about wanting Tavares, maybe we can get even more than that from him.
What say you?
Bobby Cee - I’d have to consider that one at least. The Leafs stand to be bottom 10 next year as do the Isles even with Schenn and whoever they take with the 7th. That would give us two top 10 picks in another reportedly strong class next year. I still think I take Tavaras over that deal…
Take Hedman! I don’t like Tavares primadonna attitude toward the Isles! I think he may throw a fit when drafted by Isles. Defense wins! Think Potvin! We can get offense anytime we need Defense especially when you have a decrepit Goaltender. C’mon Caps bench Theodore! You gotta beat the Rangers!
This is going to be a very interesting next couple of months. This sauga is a long way from playing itself out. It is a good thing that arm-chair GM’s can’t get fired.
There will be no trade. Garth has known for awhile, if they finish last, win the lottery, he’s going right for Tavares. When they announced the lottery winner, Morrow looked like he got a boner under the table. He knows, as does the rest of Islander country…we couldnt be in a better situation. All 29 teams, including playoff teams want to be in our skates right now. We bombed on a year that couldn’t have been better timing. Garth will take Tavares and move on to Rebuild Year 2. If he strikes gold on July 1st. It will probably only be one player. AKA MARK STREIT. He already announced it. Don’t look for much over the summer. So with that said, Tavares will be in Orange and Blue. However, what else do we need to attend to? A scoring winger. A Rock Steady D Man. And another scoring winger to play with Neilson. Heres how I see it.
_______, Weight, Tavares
Comaeu, Bailey, Okposo
Bergenheim, Nielson, Hunter
Tambilini, Park, Jackman
Streit, Gervais
Witt, Martinek
Hillen, Sutton
DiPietro
Danis
There has to be a way to implement an HTML device that will allow you to conduct a poll with clickable options (Tavares, Hedman, other) so that you don’t have count all those votes.
Johnny Islander on Apr 16th, 2009 07:40:12 said:
4)The old addage, “You build a team from the net, out”
i normally adhere to this but i’m wavering for 2 reasons:
1) tavares can help sell the LH in ways hedman can’t, and if the LH doesn’t happen the team goes and - who cares who’s on the team?
2) the ‘build from the goal out’ philosophy really starts with the goalie himself. the latest info about DP is troubling. if you already believed his future is tenuous at best - as i did - that’s a new and major issue for this team separate from the tavares/hedman question. barring an unlikely mega trade involving an nhl ready goalie.
Ouch - with everyone focusing on who will be our draft pick, I think someone ought to be thinking about our goaltending. With new reports about DP on crutches (yet another surgery?) just who will be there to stop those pucks once they get past the rest of the team? I think Danis and Joey Mac did yeoman jobs but as a forever #1 goalie - not so much. Is Dubie going to be available. How locked up is he in his present contract. I feel no confidence in a bionic goalie - I think he’s fragile and will remain injury-prone. We NEED a genuine #2 in goal. Best case scenario, a two platoon goalie system whereby 2 good guys alternate, thus saving the risk if devastating injuries. What say you out there in Islander country. We need to think beyond the quick fix of a #1 draft.
Chris TMC(14) I understand your concern, however, I think we have to remember that John Tavares and his agent wanted to enter the NHL entry draft last season already. That alone tells me that this kid has the confidence to play at the NHL level. Whether he succeeds or not remains to be seen.
Suddenly, it seems that Luke Schenn has become very valuable in some peoples eyes. So valuable that some might consider giving up a chance at Tavares for a Defenseman that amassed 14pts in 70 games with a -12 rating a 7th rd pick and a 1st rd next year? Burke’s comments about Schenn being untouchable has already increased his value as a player in some Islanders fans eyes. Eyes Wide Shut?
Man if Duchene doesn’t sound like a Scott Gordon player than I don’t know who does: “Usually when I’m playing a good game, I’m keeping my feet moving and playing at top speed. I’d say that’s probably my biggest asset as a player. Things seem to go better if I’m moving my feet than when I am not.”
That being said, I still think we have to go w/ Tavares or Hedman, but Duchene wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize if we got blown away by an offer.
I’d just like to throw this on the table…what if JT really doesnt show as much enthusiasm in becoming an Islander as say Hedman? WHat if he wants to play for a better team? I think Isles fans should put more thought into the pick than just blindly drinking the JT kool-aid like youre all doing so haphazardly. Just my .02 sense…
#27 Nope no deal. We need a world class player and #7 aint gonna get it done. Schenn was passed over last year what makes you think Snow would have any interest in him this year?
Toronto doesnt have the horses and Burk, their media, and their fans can suck it!
Here is the only way I trade the right to draft Tavares…
Toronto acquires the #2 pick from Tampa Bay for Tomas Kaberle +
Toronto acquires the #3 pick from Colorado for Luke Schenn +
Then Toronto trades us the #2, #3 and #7 picks for #1 and #31.
They get Tavares
We draft Victor Hedman, Matt Duchene and Brayden Schenn.
That is the only way I pass up Tavares (guarentee Hedman and Duchene)…plus another top 10 pick.
I want JT, not Schenn, if I wanted a D-Man, I’d take Hedman before dealing with Burke. I just don’t think it makes ANY sense to trade down for a dman when there is a top prospect in the draft.
T to O #41, Great, Great point!! Why would Schenn excite Snow when he can have Hedman? The only way Toronto can get in the mix is if they can somehow move down to the #3 or #4 pick, otherwise I don’t think Snow should take Burke’s calls!!
Bill Jaffe is the Man (#32) - I like the lineup. But I will take Freddy Meyer over Hillen.
Why would Tampa want Kaberle instead of Hedman? He’ll cost more and Tampa Bay is trying to cut costs. Why would we want Schenn when we passed on him last year and we could have Hedman instead? The Islanders control their own destiny at number 1. I’d like to see them keep it that way.
Toronto would have to look at acquiring the number 3 slot (guarantee Duchene will be there) and then move that along with Schenn (which isn’t going to happen) for this to make sense to the Islanders. Then again never say never.
The only way I wouldn’t mind getting Duchene is if Snow trades to Atlanta’s spot and somehow gets Kovalchuk back in any deal. Other than that, although I think Duchene is going to be a fine player, I wouldn’t take him first.
Tony(40) If Burke could orchestrate something like that, I just might consider it if I was GM.
FYI, here’s the answer I got from my email to Isles.
Thank you for the email.
Unfortunately we would not be able to notify you of Garth’s and the team’s
decision, until draft day, which is June 26th. One thing is certain; we’ll
get a player that will help our organization for many years to come.
If you are looking to get Islanders season tickets, I would suggest putting
a deposit down at the least, this way once the demand for tickets heats up
you assured yourself the best possible seating. Please feel free call me
at (516)501-6876 or reply to this email and I’ll be happy to assist you.
Thank you for the support.
Theresa Coscia
New York Islanders
why is this kid duchene in discussion. why are we even commenting on top 10 picks
we have #1 and that should be our focus. If anything CB good thought piece on who could be available between 26-30 might be good.
I dont get some of you fellow fans that are saying we shoudl get Kovalchuk. He is in last year and will want huge contract. did you not learn from Smyth?
I swear, its like when you tell a kid not to put hand on hot stove or you can get burned and they do it anyway.
I guess you just stirring the pot CB. get people all worked up. SNOW is drafting Tavares or Hedman. Make no mistake about it. He is not Mike Milbury.
Does anybody else like Craig Anderson as a potential #1 goalie and or sidekick to DP?
Tavares is the choice here, though I am still having a tough time seeing someone born in 1990 play in the NHL.
If anybody needs a reason why the Islanders shouldnt trade with the Leafies, read Augnello’s article on that other site (e.00). What a clown
Tavares
Hockey1919
My trade scenario was to show what kind of ridiculous deal Brian Burke would have to orchastrate in order to acquire #1.
Would Tampa trade for Kaberle?…maybe…not out of the question…especially if Toronto takes back some salary as well (Radim Vrbata’s contract maybe?) also the + sign means it would take more than just Kaberle to get that deal done. Same with Schenn going to the Avalanche.
Regardless….I would need 3 1st rounders back to relenquish Tavares.
Burke has made some wild draft day deals….but I don’t think he has the players to get this one done.
A little off topic…but i hate it when people say the islanders “tanked” this season and how its “hurting the integrity of the game” and how “bad teams shouldnt get rewarded”… First of all, a team does have to come in last place overall, and the Islanders were by far the least talented (at least in the beginning 2/3 and last 2 games of the season) as well as the fact that their games lost to injury must have been of historic proportion. Second of all if the worst teams DONT get the best picks, you pretty much ensure that they will remain in mediocrity creating a perennial “elite” class of hockey teams while never letting the bad ones get out of mediocrity…THAT would hurt the integrity of the game not to mention the fact that there would be no whining from them if they “tanked” and won it…I guess its mostly jealous fans from other teams but still…would you REALLY want to come out saying “We were worse than the Islanders this year, and we DESERVE that pick?”…I think not…
All the bloggers that play down the public relations, media, lighthouse, free agent attraction, intangible benefits of Tavares would normally have a valid argument if they really think Hedman is the better pick, build from the defense out, etc. etc. etc.
However, this is a unique circumstance - this franchise is in trouble regarding its future.
I fear you are underestimating the value of these benefits, but I hope Snow & Wang arent.
…….or maybe you just live in Kansas City
do you guys think snow can add another top 3 or 4 pick… i would do it if the price is right.. kane and duchene look good!!!
tavares and kane or duchene would be awesome
In 1973, Bill Torrey had the #1 pick and the crafty GM of the Montreal Canadiens wanted that pick. Sam Pollock was the guy and he couldn’t get Torrey to part with that pick. Pollock is the guy who got Guy Lafleur by acquiring the California Golden Seals #1 and then trading Ralph Backstrom to the LA Kings to make sure they stayed ahead of the Seals. Torrey, of course took Denis Potvin with that pick. I believe Garth is more like Torrey than Milbury. Take Hedman. If he was North American he’d rank higher. Defense wins championships.
hey geduffer. would the isles have won all those stanley cups if Mike Bossy was not on the team?
TAVARES.
CB - Don’t know if anyone has mentioned this yet, but your stats on Duchene are off (I assume you had this piece in the can for a few days).
As of last night’s action, Duchene has 8 goals for 16 points in 11 playoff games. He’s currently 10th in playoff scoring. Today Duchene won the OHL’s Scholastic Player of the Year award.
Tavares has 6 goals for 14 points in 10 games. He is currently 17th in scoring. He was held off the scoresheet in London’s OT loss last night.
Hm. Duchene sounds like a good fit..I better stop reading these things.
(62) - There’s actually a good article on Sportsnet. Despite being off the scoresheet, it sounds like Tavares was one of the best players on the ice last night with a strong two-way game.