The Value of Jordan Staal
by PensFan8725 on May 9, 2010 7:14 PM EDT
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PrintWhen Jordan Staal was signed last year for $4 million a year (don't remember if it was 2 or 4 years), many people were a little upset at the price. Honestly, even though I didn't vocalize it, I was one of those people. I think most of that comes from looking at the players that were drafted around him. With the 2nd pick, GM Ray Shero could've gone with a more offensive guy to add to the club but he didn't. At the time, it may have seemed like a gamble (Geno Malkin hadn't played a game in the NHL yet). Just as Shero has done many times before, he picked up the perfect fit.
Four seasons later, I'm thinking that $4 million is too little. At 21, this kid is already a beast and is only going to get better. What Gronk brings to this club is much more valuable than having a wing for Crosby/Malkin. We witnessed that in the games 2 and 3 of the Montreal series. Some people may say that without Gronk out, the PK is missing an important piece. While that's very true, his play at even strength is key. Dan Bylsma was suddenly forced to pin Sid with not only Gill and Gorges, but the defensive burden of Montreal's top line. Staal could've taken that line for Sid and taken some of that pressure off of him. At the same time, Staal would've taken some of the pressure off of Geno (who did not have a good game 2 at all) offensively with the cycling ability the 3rd line brings.
I think we all saw hows valuable Staal is to this team in recent days and, for me at least, it's safe to say I hope Staal is with us for a long, long time.
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There are no teams in the NHL that can match our depth in the middle… Personally, I cannot imagine this Penguins team without Staal. Sid’s the poster boy, Malkin’s the Conn Smyth winner but to me Staal’s the unsung hero. The guy who does the defensive dirty work that allows the other lines to concentrate on the offensive end.
After about a year and a half, I've finally got around to giving myself a profile. Yay me!
Just so I never have to answer this again. I'm from Singapore so whenever you see me online, I'm either sleep deprived or just waking up.
Nice post. Staal’s under contract for 3 more seasons, btw, to answer your question.
I think I realized how much I took his play for granted too when he was out. The guy played in 383 of 384 games, so I think his consistently solid, not always flashy play became so normal and expected that maybe we all got too used to it to appreciate what we were seeing.
"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."
He is a tremendous player, for any team.If it wasn’t that we are fortunate to have him. Also he has played every game and he is the kind of guy who plays every minute of the game. As pointed out he is getting better at reading plays. Also his passing has considerably improved over the last 4 years. Anyone with knowledge of hockey realizes that there’s no need to be flashy to be a great player. Keep it going Jordan
J.Staal
is the man.
he is a big dude, that plays defense as a center, shuts down the other teams top line, kills penalties, doesnt put up gody numbers, plays on the third line where he could be a #1 somewhere else and at the same time doesnt complain one bit. J.Staal, you are the #1 Penguin.
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