Staple: Taking a look at Islanders' Tavares

The roller-coaster ride of John Tavares' rookie season began with a roar: a goal and assist in his first NHL game against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins. The roar continued with 15 goals in his first 31 games, plus a missing tooth courtesy of a time-honored NHL tradition, Chris Pronger's elbow.

Then, the lull. Three goals in the next 38 games, a mountain of frustration piled on top of trying to be The Man on a team in desperate need of scoring.

Tavares has finished solidly on the stat sheet, with four goals and 10 assists in the last 12 games heading into the finale at the Coliseum against the Penguins, back where it began.

How to assess Tavares' first year with the Islanders?

Here are some pluses and minuses as the No. 1 pick heads into the offseason, soon to be joined by another top-10 draft pick.

Good work

Maturity: During the height of his slump, which stretched through December, January and into the February Olympic break, Tavares hung his head and beat himself up the way any teenager might. "During the last game before the break in Ottawa [Feb. 14], he was kicking himself again and I just told him, 'It has to stop,' " coach Scott Gordon said. "He's not going to score on every shift."

Tavares took the Olympic break to get away and refocus, and he seemed much more relaxed when he returned. His scoring returned with him.

Scoring touch: His 22 goals and 50 points haven't broken any Islanders rookie records, but consider this: His most consistent linemate this season has been Blake Comeau, who was clinging to a roster spot when the season began. Tavares' 50 points ranks first on the Islanders, second among rookies and last among team leaders around the league. He's had barely anything to work with, and he's made it work at times.

Chemistry: He's 19 and he came in with a reputation for cockiness. He's got confidence, to be sure, but Tavares has fit in nicely with a very tight group, never shying away from postgame questions or from joking around with teammates. The presence (and success) of friend Matt Moulson has helped the transition.

Needs work

Two-way play: Gordon gave his young center high marks for working on defense and play without the puck during his scoring drought, but his minus-12 mark (down from minus-19) demonstrates there's room for improvement in his own-zone play. His faceoff winning percentage of 47.4 could use improvement, too.

Strength: Kudos to Tavares for playing all 82 games, a true rarity in the triage ward known as the Islanders' locker room, but this offseason will be the time for the 195-pound Tavares to get stronger. That will help with winning faceoffs, with winning puck battles and perhaps with just winning.

Manufacturing goals: Again, given what he had to work alongside for most of the season, 22 goals is very solid. But there were times during his lengthy drought when he needed to demonstrate that goal-scoring touch and couldn't pick himself out of the hole. He won't have much different teammates to work with next season, so being a self-starter on offense is imperative.

Conclusion

Other than the Islanders' failure to make the playoffs, Tavares has had a notable rookie season. He won't get into the Calder Trophy race because the Avalanche's Matt Duchene, the Sabres' Tyler Myers and the Red Wings' Jimmy Howard all have the postseason ahead. But this was hardly a failure for the Islanders' top pick. He could use a dynamic wing to develop some consistency with, plus a few more pieces around him to help with the drive to respectability.

This is just the beginning, though. And it was a good beginning for No. 91.