For all we know if Staal was in Chicago getting more ice time at a younger age he might have developed into a better player than he did. Toews also might not have become as good as he did playing behind Sid and Geno.
I really liked Staal as a young kid here. I think you give Staal the opportunity Toews had, and stick Toews on the 3rd line here in Pittsburgh, and not much changes. Also, Toews being number 1 is quite comical. I personally think the top 3 are Kessel, Backstrom, and Giroux from this draft.
Yeah Marchand was a clown early in his career, but he also didn't get much PP time at all and wasn't given a lot of minutes in general compared to guys like Kessel.
They called Staal Hoss here for reason. Big, strong and as the game wore on and others wore down, he prevailed. He"s a huge reason for the first cup in the Sid era. I just think he has what it takes, if, you know how to use him.
They called Staal Hoss here for reason. Big, strong and as the game wore on and others wore down, he prevailed. He"s a huge reason for the first cup in the Sid era. I just think he has what it takes, if, you know how to use him. - powerhouse
Being a little kid, probably 11 when Staal was dealt, I was really sad to see him go. The guy was really good, but Carolina didn't seem to be a good fit or something. Never as good as he was here it seems.
Being a little kid, probably 11 when Staal was dealt, I was really sad to see him go. The guy was really good, but Carolina didn't seem to be a good fit or something. Never as good as he was here it seems. - Thrill81
Staal was only adequate any time he had to jump into a second line role as a Penguin. He's simply not consistent enough offensively and Carolina got him to be a top 6 player. He's certainly paid like it. I always thought he was a pretty terrible distributor of the puck. Good player with many attributes, but over-paid and over-rated.
Staal was only adequate any time he had to jump into a second line role as a Penguin. He's simply not consistent enough offensively and Carolina got him to be a top 6 player. He's certainly paid like it. I always thought he was a pretty terrible distributor of the puck. Good player with many attributes, but over-paid and over-rated. - madmike71
Exactly my thoughts about Jordan Staal. An awesome 3rd C and good 2nd C. Was never someone who could create or pass well but could use his body strength and play a good defensive game. That said I would've liked to re-sign him for $6M per.
Damn Staal's interviews made me mad. So lazy while talking. Geez
Staal was only adequate any time he had to jump into a second line role as a Penguin. He's simply not consistent enough offensively and Carolina got him to be a top 6 player. He's certainly paid like it. I always thought he was a pretty terrible distributor of the puck. Good player with many attributes, but over-paid and over-rated. - madmike71
Certainly not a playmaker. I probably have a bias to my childhood. I wouldn't say he's overrated, he's never been given a lot of credit outside of Pittsburgh I believe, overpaid I can agree though. The contract at the time made sense though. He was coming off of a 50 point campaign in 60 games, and on pace for 60 points the season before that. Now he's just a 40 point guy on Carolina. Although the Staal trade certainly helped us. We got a 3rd line center, and 2 very good prospects. Even if we ended up squandering Pouliot's development, and Sutter not being very good, Bonino and Dumo I think ultimately were a fair trade off for Staal.
in terms of offensive skill, sure. I know Wilson doesn't believe in much other than stats but the fact that one of them is a captain, has played C for the majority of his career and has been a better 2-way player, has to count for something.....
in terms of offensive skill, sure. I know Wilson doesn't believe in much other than stats but the fact that one of them is a captain, has played C for the majority of his career and has been a better 2-way player, has to count for something..... - Nucker101
Cups count too and Phil got 'em. Two of them...and playing really well in the playoffs both times.
in terms of offensive skill, sure. I know Wilson doesn't believe in much other than stats but the fact that one of them is a captain, has played C for the majority of his career and has been a better 2-way player, has to count for something..... - Nucker101
Did that one you describe get anywhere near a Conn Smythe trophy, or is he still standing at the mid faceoff-circle watching they guy who won two of them scoring a hattrick?
Staal was only adequate any time he had to jump into a second line role as a Penguin. He's simply not consistent enough offensively and Carolina got him to be a top 6 player. He's certainly paid like it. I always thought he was a pretty terrible distributor of the puck. Good player with many attributes, but over-paid and over-rated. - madmike71
His strength and endurance were an asset but his hands were not great. However, he was quite an asset on the ice in the playoffs when a lot of players were tired and beat up. Unfortunately in Carolina those assets in the playoffs have been rarely used.
Staal was only adequate any time he had to jump into a second line role as a Penguin. He's simply not consistent enough offensively and Carolina got him to be a top 6 player. He's certainly paid like it. I always thought he was a pretty terrible distributor of the puck. Good player with many attributes, but over-paid and over-rated. - madmike71
He was more than adequate IMO. Him being in his early 20's was why he made some mistakes but him going to the Canes derailed his career. They thrust him into a role he wasn't ready for at that age and didn't give him a whole lot to work with. He is still one of the better 2-way centers in the game. When he went there Eric was the #1 center and that didn't last very long until he was moved to wing. If he would have stayed in Pitt a few more years he would be a top 10 center in the NHL but no way he would still be a Pen.
Cups count too and Phil got 'em. Two of them...and playing really well in the playoffs both times. - Barnaby36
I wasn't aware that Stanley Cups were a reflection of individual success. Would you argue that Kuhnhackl is better than Giroux because he has a pair of rings, as well? Because, you know, Ovechkin wasn't really that good of a player until this past June.
That said, Kessel (like Giroux) is able to play well when the spotlight is on, and I'm sure playing on a better team with better linemates and/or more favorable matchups helps that, too, which is what made HBK so hard to contain.
, just bad for Kuni... 
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