Tavares Needs Out of the ‘Shwa

I am not one of those people who think everything that John Tavares touches turns to gold (I don’t work for TSN after all). Tavares is by far the best offensive talent in the junior ranks right now, he knows where to be in the offensive zone for rebounds, he knows how to fly under the radar and sneak into open ice, and he can make the best of players look foolish with his sick stick skills (thanks to his uncle no doubt), but defensively he lacks quite a bit. It is even more than that though. He lacks toughness. Without the puck he is no tougher than a rag doll.

Anyhow, I have had several discussions with friends and co-workers about why I feel Tavares needs a lot more work before becoming NHL ready. In my most recent discussion, my one friend suggested that Tavares is bored; he is too good to be playing in the ‘O’ and therefore, might not give his all every shift. I have thought about this suggestion for the past couple months now, basically since the beginning of this OHL season, and my friend might be on to something. Tavares has already proven himself in the league by breaking Gretzky’s record for goals by a 16 year old so what more can he really do. Sure he hasn’t won a scoring title but he has been in the top three in points the past couple years and is right up there again this year. How can one really top taking a record away from the Great One?

This year, John Tavares is playing on an Oshawa team that was ranked to finish dead last in the regular season. The Generals have had some surprises this year and are currently five points above the bottom of their conference but some games they play down to expectations and look awful. With the lack of talent/experience on the roster, Tavares is trying to do too much on his own. He takes long shifts and tries to make highlight reel plays instead of sticking to the little things. Playing on this team that puts so much pressure, either consciously or subconsciously, on him to perform will only hurt Tavares game. He cannot improve and grow as a player if he is too focused on carrying the team.

Growth is what the junior leagues are all about and is why Tavares needs to be traded to a contender. Oshawa is not going to be playing hockey in May. At best they will get a lucky draw in the first round and advance to the conference semis but they are not Cup contenders. Tavares has the value to get the Generals some good young talent by way of first round picks or solid first year players and get them back to Cup contention sooner rather than later. As an organization, the Generals need to look at what is best for not only their organization but also for the players. It seems to me that trading Tavares is in the best interest of both. Since this will likely be Tavares’ last year in the ‘O’, the Generals only stand to win by trading Tavares.

Helping a team get to the Memorial Cup will have a bigger impact in the career of John Tavares than will leading a team to a first round playoff exit, even with a league scoring title. Tavares needs to get back the fire and his desire to play in this league and that can be given to him by playing for a team with bigger sights then just making the playoffs. Playing alongside players like Nazeem Kadri in London, Matt Duchene and Cody Hodgson in Brampton, Corey Syvret in Guelph, Eric Tangradi in Belleville or even Logan Couture in Ottawa would benefit Tavares and his growth as a player. He can learn from those that attended pro camps while teaching the younger kids as he currently does. After all, as Gilbert Highet wrote in his book Man’s Unconquerable Mind: “The best way toward greatness is to mix with the great.” Getting out of the ‘Shwa and onto a winning team is Tavares’ first, make that, second step to greatness.