Aside from Doug Weight, the Islanders don’t have any real playmakers and John Tavares needs someone to pass him the puck.
This is where Alex Tanguay fits in.
He’s in desperate need of a change of scenery and is coming off an injury-plagued season last year, where he still managed to score 41 points in 50 games. He also doesn’t need to shoot the puck much, probably about 110 shots will do the trick, and can still score 20 goals a year. He makes the most of his shots and is incredibly unselfish with the puck. Sure, he’s fragile and sometimes inconsistent, but I still think that if he plays with Tavares, it could be something special.
The fact that the rest of league has passed up on him means the Islanders can get him cheaper than they could have done before. If they sign him to a two or three-year contract, they get him through his early 30s and if he doesn’t perform, they could always trade him to a contender for a draft pick.
However, if he performs, Tavares and who ever else is on the line with him and Tanguay, most likely Kyle Okposo, will be able to learn from a guy will some experience and will be able to get more of an opportunity to step up their game as well.
Low-risk, High-reward if you ask me.
Posted under Offseason 2009
This post was written by Patrick Hickey, Jr. on July 11, 2009
Of course he would make sense. He’s still a solid player if healthy. And the Isles need those kinda guys around.
I feel they should try Tavares with Okposo and Bailey. Put your best 3 talented kids together. That’s your future.
They need to make some depth moves. Tanguay if cheap would be nice.