Islanders' Tavares outlines goals for offseason

Gripping a bundle of sticks and hoisting an equipment bag over his shoulder, John Tavares was the last player to leave Nassau Coliseum Monday. As he climbed the stairs near the team exit after the team's breakup day, he both literally and figuratively closed the door on his heralded rookie season.

Less than 24 hours after the Islanders' season finale, Tavares already had a laundry list of items to work on heading into a pivotal offseason.

Quickness. Power. Strength. Conditioning. All are elements of his game he wants to improve during the summer to propel him into a successful sophomore campaign.

"Knowing what I know now, preparing for next year will be a lot different," the 19-year-old said. "It's going to benefit me big time."

Tavares' rookie year wasn't too shabby, even by the high standards set for the No. 1 pick in the draft. Facing lofty expectations, a healthy dose of scrutiny and the toughest critic of all - himself - Tavares finished with 54 points (24 goals and 30 assists), only one point behind rookie scoring leader Matt Duchene (24 goals, 31 assists).

A success?

"I think so," Tavares said. "I came in as a 19-year-old, scored 24 goals and contributed on a nightly basis. And I played in all 82 games. I think that's a pretty successful year."

But with Tavares, there is always the searing desire to do better.

"As I mature and experience more, get to know the league better and the players in it, I should know more about how to be successful," he said. "Hopefully, I'll be able to have more success personally and contribute to the team more."

Islanders captain Doug Weight - Tavares' mentor, teammate and landlord - said he's already seen the youngster make huge strides. With an offseason to train like a professional, Tavares should only get better.

"I've never seen a player learn more throughout the course of one season than John,'' Weight said. " could change his career, and he's ready to attack that. You're going to see a stronger, more consistent player."

After collaborating with team training staff, Tavares will return to the Athlete Training Centre in Toronto (where he has worked out in the past with trainer Richard Clark) this summer with a plan devised to address the weaknesses in his game.

"To be able to have the strength - being a step closer to being in a man's body versus a 19-year-old body is going to be significant,'' coach Scott Gordon said after his exit interview with Tavares Monday. "If you're stronger, you're going to be more effective. John wants to get better and he's willing to put in the time and do the work."

Notes & quotes: Four Islanders will participate in the IIHF World Championships for Team USA in Germany in May. Forward Kyle Okposo and defenseman Jack Hillen will play, and Gordon will lead the American team behind the bench and bring video coach Ryan Ward on staff. Frans Nielsen will play for Denmark and Tavares is a likely candidate for Canada.

NHL LOTTERY

The NHL draft lottery will be Tuesday night, and by virtue of their 26th-place finish, the Islanders are one of the five teams eligible to move up and grab the first overall selection, although the likelihood of that happening is only 8.1 percent.

No club can move up more than four positions in the order and no club will move down more than one position as a result of the drawing.