Tavares Sticking It to His Critics

He Who Hits Bombs is at it again. Check out his comment on yesterday’s Biggest Loser column. Interesting stuff to say the least, although I am impressed he used references to back up his claims—something that is generally frowned upon here at Talkin’ with Tewks.

Also, thanks to HWHB for providing the lady of the day (I’ll bet she does a lot of squats).

The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the New York Islanders 3-2 last night, despite the best efforts of local boy, John Tavares (Yes, the Leafs are playing well but it’s only been ten games; try not to sprain anything jumping on the bandwagon just yet).

Tavares scored the Islander goals, both with the man advantage, giving him an NHL rookie leading fifteen on the season. His 26 total points lead all first year players and he has New York on the brink of a playoff spot, which is quite a feat for such a moribund franchise.

Of all the accolades Tavares has garnered throughout his junior hockey career, he has surprisingly taken a lot of abuse from critics saying that he doesn’t have what it takes to play at the next level.

The impetus for this outlandish criticism is that Tavares, while supremely gifted offensively, lacks the skating ability to play at a high calibre in the National Hockey League. Correct me if I’m wrong, but do the following accomplishments sound like they belong to a guy who can’t skate very well:

Granted exceptional player status and entered the Ontario Hockey League at 14 years old. A Canadian Hockey League record of 72 goals scored in one season by a 16 year old. A total of 215 goals scored over four seasons to set a CHL all time record (the guy in second place scored 213 and it took him five years). An incredible 15 points in 6 games at the 2009 World Junior Hockey Championships, a tournament in which he was named an All Star, Top Forward and MVP.

I may not be a hockey genius, but I’m pretty sure the point of the game is to put pucks in the back of the net. Therefore, I think it would be prudent to have a guy like Tavares on my team, who seems to have a knack for doing just that.

Is he the fastest player in the league? Of course not. Is he the fastest player on his line? Doubtful. Do I want him on the ice late in the game and my team down by a goal? Absolutely.

Do you know who else wasn’t a very good skater? Wayne Gretzky. I think Johnny Tavares will be just fine.

I have a theory why critics have tried to nitpick Tavares’ game and downplay his tremendous talents. The kid has been in the public eye for so long, it’s inevitable that people will try to find chinks in his armour.

If you stare at anything long enough, you are bound to start looking for flaws, whether real or imagined. Try staring at the picture of Carrie Underwood from Tuesday’s column for thirty minutes.

You’ll start asking questions like “Is she really that attractive?”, “Her chest could be a little bigger”, “She could be in a little better shape”, “Is her face slightly asymmetrical?”

Are the questions ridiculous and stupid? Of course they are. Carrie Underwood is a goddess visiting us from Mount Olympus. She’s perfection personified.

It is just as stupid asking questions like “Is John Tavares a terrible skater?” The kid is a great hockey player.

Case dismissed.