New York Islanders still seeking linemate for John Tavares
By Cory Buck
The New York Islanders are still paring down their options for the right forward to play alongside center John Tavares and winger Kyle Okposo on the team’s top line. It’s an enviable position and one that may require a player moving from his natural position elsewhere. But who would balk at a chance to play with one of the most underrated tandems in the NHL?
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"“Cory Conacher, the 24-year-old free-agent signee, likely will get a chance Tuesday, the fourth wing to work with Tavares and Okposo this preseason.”"
From there, the team could turn to center Brock Nelson or elsewhere to find the right fit for Tavares and Okposo. It’s assumed the team would like Tavares to be the top line center with Mikhail Grabovski — who also spent a few shifts on said top line — centering the second line. After that, everything is negotiable.
Tavares, meanwhile, just wants to learn each player as they’re rotated through the top line. “The more you’re familiar with that, it helps with the chemistry, the more you play together, practice together. So that can help. But the coaching staff is trying to mix things up and I want to be able to play with anyone, just play the way I know I can play no matter who’s with me.”
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