Everyone saw the talent and the promise. It's why he was given the nickname of "The Next One" as a junior phenomenon. Whether John Tavares had the kind of work ethic—the thing that usually separates the good from the great in the long run—was the question when he entered the NHL as the No. 1 pick in 2009.
Nearly seven years later, the questions about work have been answered. And so, too, have the ones centering on leadership.
At least, they were for one former player-turned-analyst Ray Ferraro, who, along with broadcast partner Chris Cuthbert, met with Tavares before an April 24 Isles playoff game with Florida.