Here's a very interesting stat line, no names but can we guess who they were

48 18 26 44 +25

48 28 19 47 -2
- cranford93

The first is Stepan. Is the second Taveres?

I think Hrivik has a better shot at starting the season here than Lindbergh. The latter has tailed off in recent exhibition play. Hrivik and Fast have looked better than him lately.
- MidnightMarauder

Pelle?

I think we all need to stop second Sather so much. He is by far the best GM in the Cap Era in terms of getting everyone together to fit the cap. His crutch is clearly the UFA signings, but then again, we all know that is the MOST difficult part of GMing. Competing in an open market for a proven Veteran that may not be as good as they use to be. Its a calculated risk that every GM in the league has struck out on before.

The first is Stepan. Is the second Taveres?
- Pete V

DING DING DING WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!

That's becaue he went to his wallet and found it empty
- cranford93

True, plus it didn't help that the UFA market was weak.

DING DING DING WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!
- cranford93

Which stat line would you rather have?

The first is Stepan. Is the second Taveres?
- Pete V

Stepan was beastly last year; hopefully he can continue to trend upward this season and beyond.

Here's a very interesting stat line, no names but can we guess who they were

48 18 26 44 +25

48 28 19 47 -2
- cranford93

Stepan.

Stepan was beastly last year; hopefully he can continue to trend upward this season and beyond.
- MidnightMarauder

You know, I am o.k. with last year being his plateau, and him producing those type of numbers, while playing all situational hockey for the rest of his career. If he gets even better, that that is just icing on the cake as far as I am concerned.

Which stat line would you rather have?
- Pete V

Let's not get blinded by allegiances. Tavares is better. But I'll take Stepan over a lot of other guys.

Pelle?
- cranford93

Oh boy

DING DING DING WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!
- cranford93

I got it too but others were too quick, and I'm sorry but even based on stat lines give me the second guy. 28 goals in 48 games? That's dynamic. Plus, +/- is really a bullpoop stat IMO.

I called it out to my friend 2 years ago. Derek Stepan will be the next Franchise Center for the Rangers. At 19 years old, he possessed a calm cool game like a 20 year vet. His +/- stat however and defensive IQ is something I never would have predicted. Give Stepan another 2 years, he'll be drawing comparisons to Datsyuk.

Let's not get blinded by allegiances. Tavares is better. But I'll take Stepan over a lot of other guys.
- blacksheep1

I didn't say Stepan is better, nor do I believe that. But, I do think that stat line is better, in that a +25 is absurd. Tavares was a Hart Finalist with that stat line, which is very comparable to Stepans.

You know, I am o.k. with last year being his plateau, and him producing those type of numbers, while playing all situational hockey for the rest of his career. If he gets even better, that that is just icing on the cake as far as I am concerned.
- Pete V

Same, wouldn't complain with a well rounded 75 point per season center. Not one bit.

Jan just went full Cloutier.

Let's not get blinded by allegiances. Tavares is better. But I'll take Stepan over a lot of other guys.
- blacksheep1

Tavares is an animal; nobody is suggesting Stepan over Tavares.

Jan just went full Cloutier.
- ChetManly

It was a guest blogger.

Same, wouldn't complain with a well rounded 75 point per season center. Not one bit.
- MidnightMarauder

I would definitely take that in a second every year from him.

Jan, don't forget about the smaller pads. Lundqvist is doomed, he was only good because of the size of his gear.

what relief hearing of the Stepan signing! I can finally stop checking forums every 15 minutes waiting for the news.

Why would they have Stepan meet the team in NY after the last preseason game? I would have him on the first plane to Vancouver and get in 2 good games. Maybe AV doesn't want him "messing" things up for the players who are already practicing the new system. I dunno. Still think he should get in some game time right away.

I called it out to my friend 2 years ago. Derek Stepan will be the next Franchise Center for the Rangers. At 19 years old, he possessed a calm cool game like a 20 year vet. His +/- stat however and defensive IQ is something I never would have predicted. Give Stepan another 2 years, he'll be drawing comparisons to Datsyuk.
- xcheckmajor

Me and Alex were the only two that didn't want Richards because we wanted to leave that spot open for Stepan. And in a bittersweet way he took over that role anyway.

I got it too but others were too quick, and I'm sorry but even based on stat lines give me the second guy. 28 goals in 48 games? That's dynamic. Plus, +/- is really a bullpoop stat IMO.
- mrhattrick27

I can't agree on the +/- stat. Sometimes the stat can be deceptive (i.e., if you play with Crosby and Malkin for instance), but when a young player is a +47 in three years of his career on a team that doesn't score much that says something.

I would definitely take that in a second every year from him.
- pcjr307

No question, glad he is in the fold. Now, have to get Hagelin and Callahan healthy and we are looking at a pretty formidable forward group.

Tavares is an animal; nobody is suggesting Stepan over Tavares.
- MidnightMarauder

I do think that the comparison of stat lines is interesting in that line for Tavares was enough to secure him a Hart Nomination last year. And Stepan's stat line was arguably equivalent.