But they had the same amount of playoff points and Nash played 6 more games.
- NYI44

Tavares face Fluery and Nash faced Holtby and Rask, don't ignore that

They're different players and both are world class talents, I'd be foolish to say Nash is so much better but yes I do give the edge to Nash because he's established, seven 30 goal seasons out of 9 full seasons, not counting last season because he would scored close to 40 if it were a full season
- cranford93

JT would have had 60 last year.....

Who said he was?

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

totally different players. Bossy is more like STamkos

Tavares face Fluery and Nash faced Holtby and Rask, don't ignore that
- cranford93

Nash was invisible last year in the playoffs.

totally different players. Stamkos is more like Bossy
- mighty13duck

????

XxNYIxX

Its amazing how Ranger fans can never give an Islander player credit. If he was a Ranger you guys would make him out to be Gretzky.

JT would have had 60 last year.....
- mighty13duck

That's more than double his output in 48 games, more like 50

????

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

JT is a more around player. BOssy was a pure sniper. Best ever sniper as well

Nash was invisible last year in the playoffs.
- NYI44

Watching a lot of Ranger playoff hockey were ya?

JT is a more around player. BOssy was a pure sniper. Best ever sniper as well
- mighty13duck

For my books best sniper was Bure

Its amazing how Ranger fans can never give an Islander player credit. If he was a Ranger you guys would make him out to be Gretzky.
- mighty13duck

They dont need to give the islander players credit... The longer you sit here trying to make them, the more fun they are having on the other side of their keyboards.

XxNYIxX

JT is a more around player. BOssy was a pure sniper. Best ever sniper as well
- mighty13duck

what does that have to do with what I asked?

XxNYIxX

For my books best sniper was Bure
- cranford93

XxNYIxX

Its amazing how Ranger fans can never give an Islander player credit. If he was a Ranger you guys would make him out to be Gretzky.
- mighty13duck

Because Isles fans are pumping our tires? Sorry but I don't respect organizations that rebuild for 20 years mainly through top 5 picks, turns out I had no respect before hand either, any objective hockey fan should ignore what the Rangers have done to be in the top 10 teams of this very competitive league and to so with very good draft picks, none of which are top 10 picks, those objective fans can't also ignore the talent that Snow has amassed, they still all have to show it at the NHL but not too many top 5 picks have been flaming out, scouting has gotten easier

They dont need to give the islander players credit... The longer you sit here trying to make them, the more fun they are having on the other side of their keyboards.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

If you could ask many of the Devils fan I work with I told them before the season that the Devils would miss the playoffs and the Isles would make it, so don't think it's a straight hate fest all the time, I'm just telling Isles fans to be patient and not so quick to proclaim contention

I see there was quite the lively debate this morning about John Tavares and where he stands among the best players in the NHL. Someone said top-5. I like Tavares a lot but in my book he is not top-5..... yet. He may get there but as of today and speaking about just this season here is a list of players I take ahead of Tavares, not including goaltenders:

Crosby, Malkin, Toews, Datsyuk, Stamkos, Weber, Chara and Erik Karlsson.

I anticipate I might get some arguments on the defensemen but I agree with the philosophy that you build from the net out and those are the three best defenders in the game in my estimation.

Now, would I deal Nash for Tavares? Yes, I would. Tavares is younger and has a better contract. However, comparing the two solely on talent and I think it's close; pretty much indistinguishable.

Nash was invisible last year in the playoffs.
- NYI44

He wasn't invisible per se, he had moments where he played as we expected. But it did look like in the Boston series he was playing hurt. He didn't seem right. He had some really good chances that he just didn't cash in on. Small sample, some bad luck and yes, it does look like he had a bad performance in the postseason but he wasn't as bad as the numbers indicated. Of course he'd better be much better in the postseason if the Rangers make it this year.

He wasn't invisible per se, he had moments where he played as we expected. But it did look like in the Boston series he was playing hurt. He didn't seem right. He had some really good chances that he just didn't cash in on. Small sample, some bad luck and yes, it does look like he had a bad performance in the postseason but he wasn't as bad as the numbers indicated. Of course he'd better be much better in the postseason if the Rangers make it this year.
- gkmkiller

I agree with that

let's not forget that nash is 6'4" 220.

Yawn, tired of this bickering. So how do Isles fans feel about sharing the Barclays in 10 years when the Garden is Moved across the street?

Yawn, tired of this bickering. So how do Isles fans feel about sharing the Barclays in 10 years when the Garden is Moved across the street?
- GioRock

Sharing is caring!



XxNYIxX

I saw a lot of comments and thought maybe something happened today in regards to the Rangers, I am going back to my weekend

I saw a lot of comments and thought maybe something happened today in regards to the Rangers, I am going back to my weekend
- TPC

First of all, lets stop all this silliness. Tavares and Nash are 2 different types of players.

Tavares is a more complete player, two way, plays all 3 situations and is a natural leader. There is no question about how good he is. He is not as proven yet but there is little doubt that he can emerge to be a top 5 forward in the league within the next 2-3 years.

Nash is a world class power forward. He's not a great defensive player but he's not bad either. Purely offensive skill to skill, Nash would blow Tavares out of the water with his ability to puck handle and shoot.

Last season is a little hard to compare stats to. Nash's 1st season on a good team, new to a defensive first smothering Torts system. No one can argue that the Rangers did not play a system conducive to get the most out of a player like Nash and yet he still led the team in goals. One on one, Nash is a top 3 player in the league which is why he is only 1 of a select few to every score 5 goals in an All Star game against other League All Stars. Its also the reason why he is always selected to play one of the top wing positions for Team Canada on the world stage. It is why he has won the Richard Trophy, it is why he is the top goal scorer in combined goals over the past 10 years.

Would I trade Nash for Tavares straight up? Absolutely, because Tavares is 7 years younger and has yet to hit his peak. Is Tavares the better forward now? Not sure because of their different styles and usages.

Now in regards to Stepan, I expect to get a resolution to the Zuccarello case soon which will lead to a resolution of Stepan's contract. Once we know exactly how many pennies we have after Zucc, Stepan will sign. At this point, the only leverage Step has is by an extended holdout and thats highly unlikely unless he does not value playing in the Olympics. To be quite honest, I don't see much of a difference between Stepan and Tavares right now. Tavares is a little more dynamic, and will probably score about 10-15 more points than Stepan when they both hit their peaks. Both are extremely intelligent 2 way players with incredible vision. Tavares may have better one on one skills, but I think Stepan better playmaking ability. I can see when both are around 26 years old, Stepan being a perennial 80pt. guy and Tavares around 90pts.