It’s only logical that the deeper the Islanders advance in the postseason, the more the players will hear comparisons to franchise heavyweights with names such as Nystrom, Bossy and Trottier.
But that shouldn’t bother John Tavares. He knows a thing or two about living up to big names. Long before Tavares ever donned an Islander uniform, he already had a name to live up to in his own family.
His own.
The Islanders’ captain shares his name with his uncle, who is often referred to as the greatest indoor lacrosse player ever.
The elder Tavares, now 47, made his pro lacrosse debut with the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League in 1992 when young John was only 2 years old and learning how to walk, let alone skate.