Tavares makes Coliseum preseason debut versus Devils

September 23, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

The John Tavares Era doesn’t officially start till next week when the No.1 overall pick and the Islanders play host to Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the defending champion Penguins the following Saturday, Oct.3 at Nassau Coliseum.

However, the recently turned 19 year-old franchise center makes his home debut in tonight’s preseason clash versus the Devils who finally are playing their second game following a week off.

Tavares has only played in two of the Isles’ five exhibitions thus far notching a primary assist on a Matt Moulson power play tally in a win over Edmonton in Saskatoon. Now, he’ll get to put on the No.91 dark blue and orange Islander colors tonight before an excited Coliseum hoping to catch a glimpse of the future. Something Kansas City didn’t get to see in a disappointing turnout for the much talked about game the club lost to the Kings 4-2 yesterday. Newsday’s Jim Baumbach takes a look at why less than 10,000 showed at the new Spring Center.

Why would they play a game there and not bring the main attraction? It’s like wondering why Tavares has only played in a pair of games while Ranger prospect Evgeny Grachev has gotten in double and was taken in the third round the year prior. Shouldn’t the Isles be giving their prize as much exposure as possible? Who knows? One can never fully grasp what they’re thinking.

At least he’ll suit up for the hometown fans against a Devil team dressing several regulars including Travis Zajac, Jamie Langenbrunner, Dainius Zubrus, Brian Rolston, Brendan Shanahan up front with Paul Martin, Johnny Oduya and Colin White comprising half the D. So, it should be a good test even if Yann Danis is starting against his ex-club with Jeff Frazee backing up. For more on who will be making the trip for New Jersey, Eric Marin updates the morning skate via the official Devil team site with Nicklas Bergfors in as well as former Sabre enforcer Andrew Peters, who is trying to make the club.

Bergfors main competition for one right wing spot is with Matt Halischuk, who posted 14 goals in 47 games at Lowell. Bergfors paced them with 22. The former 2005 first round pick is a year older and hoping that a fifth camp will finally put him on the Devils as a regular. In eight games last year, he scored one goal- his only career NHL point in nine GP.

As for who else will suit up for the host Islanders along with Tavares, other No.1 pick defenseman Calvin de Haan is included as is Josh Bailey, who continues to impress scoring a goal last nite. Vets Mark Streit and Brendan Witt will also be in action as will Jeff Tambellini. For more on tonight’s match, please refer to the preview on the official Islander team site.

Newsday’s Katie Strang had some first cuts earlier today with Jesse Joensuu, Tyler Haskins, Tony Romano, Nate Lawson, Sean Bentivoglio and Justin DiBenedetto all sent down to Bridgeport. The Islanders are still carrying five goalies including Nathan Lawson and Scott Munroe, who each might get one more look before they dwindle down to Martin Biron, Dwayne Roloson and recovering No.1 Rick DiPietro.

Tonight’s game will be shown on FSNY MSG-Plus with faceoff shortly after 7 ET. It should be worth checking out just to see how Tavares does. Also in action at the same time are the Sabres who host enemy Toronto in a game to be aired on NHL Network. So, there’ll be plenty to choose from for the locals.

In case anyone missed it last night, here was Toronto first round pick Nazem Kadri’s nifty shootout goal that beat the Pens:

Not bad hands on the kid who also scored late in regulation to tie it. Looks like Toronto has a keeper.

Olie The Goalie Retires: Also today, Olaf Kolzig called it a career after 14 seasons. Olie The Goalie spent most of it with the Capitals finishing with 303 wins (21st all-time), a 2.71 GAA, .906 save percentage along with 35 shutouts over 719 career games. Highlights included a Vezina (1999-00) and a trip to the Cup Finals before falling to Detroit in 1998.

Congrats to the former Washington 1989 first round pick on an outstanding career.