New York Islanders forward John Tavares is off to a good start in his rookie season, earning lots of praise from his teammates. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

When Doug Weight broke into the NHL with the New York Rangers in 1991, he had one of the best leaders in the game to help him blossom into an elite player. Mark Messier took Weight under his wing, helping him grow as a person and an athlete.

Now, Weight is doing the same thing for his New York Islanders' teammate, John Tavares. It seems to be helping. The 19-year-old rookie has had an impressive start to the season, with 27 points in 35 games.

Tavares attributes much of his early success to the wisdom the veteran Weight has bestowed upon him.

"My first exhibition game," Tavares recalled, "[Weight] said 'You're not going to make the Hall of Fame in your first year or your first shift. So just go out and enjoy it. You deserve to be here.'"

But it's not just advice — Weight has also taken Tavares into his home.

"We figured, we have an extra room, so come on in," Weight told the Inside Hockey segment Saturday night on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada.

The two of them have been linemates at various times this season, and their living situation gives them another opportunity to discuss strategy off the ice.

"After almost every game," Tavares said, "I tell him I should have done this, I should have done that."

"Oh he's nuts!" Weight added. "You can even watch him on the bench. He might have scored three goals, but just had one bad shift, and he'll come back mad and gritting his teeth."

Tavares may be hard on himself but it's because he knows how good he can be, Weight said.

"John's a special player. He only needs a shift or two to play with a guy, and then he already knows their tendencies — where they like the puck, and when they like the puck."

Weight compares him to top players such as Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin.

"He doesn't waste a single shift, and I respect that."

While Weight provides guidance to Tavares, spending so much time with a teenager is also having a positive effect on the mentor — making him feel young again.

"It's really revitalized me."