John Tavares’ confident stride, friendly wave, broad smile, and polished words didn’t give away nervousness that had to be running through him on his first real day as the face of the New York Islanders.
Not even two weeks after the 18-year-old center from Ontario lived a dream by going No. 1 in the NHL draft, Tavares dealt with the reality that he is joining a team in the early stages of a rebuilding process and coming off the worst record in the league.
He said the right things Wednesday after he was introduced to a crowd of about 500 loyal fans and drew applause and cheers from the die-hards, who came to Nassau Coliseum in the middle of the summer with hopes of better times ahead in the winter.
Tavares’ name and face were plastered on the center-ice scoreboard that was lowered to provide a backdrop to the makeshift stage on the bare arena floor. Season-ticket holders bought T-shirts with his name and No. 91 on the back, and yelled encouragement at him.
To say he is being counted on to restore lost glory would be a gross understatement.
“I don’t think I’m looking to be the savior. I’m just one player of many, part of a team and an organization to bring a winning tradition back here,” Tavares said.
The trouble is, playoff-starved Long Islanders are expecting big things from him and the young core of players such as past first-round picks Kyle Okposo and Josh Bailey.
“I know it’s been a long time since the city and the team have had that (success),” Tavares said. “I’m looking forward to working with a young group of guys to grow and contribute in a big way.”
SHARKS — Claude Lemieux announced his retirement again, wrapping up a 21-year NHL career with four Stanley Cups.
The 44-year-old forward came back from a five-year retirement in December to sign with San Jose, where he had one assist in 18 games last season.
“I want to thank my former teammates from my entire career for all of their support,” Lemieux said in a statement. “I feel very fortunate that I was able to have a career like I had.
“There have been many great NHL players who did not get the opportunities to win that I had. I played for a long time but it went by so very fast.”
Lemieux won four Stanley Cups (Montreal 1986; New Jersey 1995, 2000; Colorado 1996), one of only eight players to win the prize with three different teams.
BLACKHAWKS — Chicago agreed to terms with left wing Kris Versteeg on a three-year contract, effectively ending a free agent signing headache that prompted a grievance from the NHL Players’ Association.
The NHLPA filed the grievance this week, saying the Blackhawks had missed the deadline for delivering qualifying offers to restricted free agents, including Versteeg. All seven of those restricted free agents who played at some time with the Blackhawks last season are now signed or have agreed to sign. The team would not discuss terms.
DUCKS — Saku Koivu has left the Montreal Canadiens after 13 seasons to join Anaheim.
The two-time All-Star center, who turns 35 in November, signed a one-year deal Wednesday.
STARS — Dallas has filled its big need for a backup goalie, getting Alex Auld from Ottawa.
The Senators had a logjam at the position, so they were willing to give up Auld for merely a sixth-round pick in 2010. The selection actually belongs to San Jose, having been acquired for Dallas’ seventh-rounder at this year’s draft.
WILD — Minnesota has signed defensemen Jamie Fraser and Jaime Sifers to one-year deals.
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