Faceoff Factor

Because You Asked

Mike Adams | Pittsburgh Penguins

Aug 14, 11:01 AM | Hype this story!

This week, we poll our writers on a question submitted by John in Pittsburgh:

Where do you see Jordan Staal fitting in the Penguins’ lineup?

First up is Mike Wilson:

Excellent question! I was just talking about this to someone the other day. If Jordan Staal wants to make a name for himself in the NHL (which he does), he’s going to have to realize that he is not a Crosby/Ovechkin-like player. In Staal’s favor, however, if I were a 2nd overall draft pick, I’d be a little disappointed at being a third-line center as well. So where do we put him you ask? The big 11 will have to fill in where the big 12 and big 10 used to be.

A big-bodied guy like Staal isn’t going to be making a living for himself by winning skills competitions, being the team’s superstar, and making the girl’s hearts melt (though I hear some ladies love him). If Staal wants to be on the top two lines and maybe a powerplay, he needs to use that strapping Ontario farm country frame of his and get traffic to the net, redirect some shots, and learn how to be a little more physical.

Jesse Marshall kind of agrees

As a matter of pure opinion, I’d want to see Jordan Staal playing the wing on a line with Evgeni Malkin and Petr Sykora. Let’s not forget that Staal and Malkin showed quite a bit of chemistry two years ago during their rookie campaigns. What allows me to move Staal out of a third line defensive role is the emergence of Max Talbot as a competent two-way player. If Staal moves up, and you place Miro Satan and Ruslan Fedotenko with Sidney Crosby, that leaves a probable third line of Pascal Dupuis, Max Talbot and Tyler Kennedy. That line is not only apt at back-checking and defensive play, but they instantly become one of the better energy lines in the East. Staal is ready to be placed in a position to score. It’s time to give him the chance. Forget what impact a breakthrough year could have on his contract negotiations, we need to get the maximum potential out of him now.

Matt Bodenschatz is on the same page

Jordan Staal is a tricky situation. If he comes into camp looking like the player who netted 29 goals in his rookie season, it’s safe to say he’ll best serve the team in a top-two line winger capacity. But if he looks like the snake-bitten sophomore slumper (offensively) of last season, there’s no question that he should be on the third line.

Word broke this summer that Staal was unhappy as a third liner and would not sign a contract at this point because of it. That’s a convenient rumor that really doesn’t fit the player. What seems more logical is that Staal is unhappy with his performance from 2007-08 and realizes he’d be signing a contract without any leverage. Waiting until next summer is smarter for him, as he might be able to improve his statistics and, thus, increase his contract.

The way I see it, if Staal is to be a long-term Penguin, he must be a winger. He’s not, and never will be, good enough to unseat Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, making him no better than third line center. His defensive game suits him as a third liner, and his faceoff stats improved drastically in the playoffs, but if his offense comes around he must be moved into a scoring role.

At this point, basing this prediction on his playoff performance and on comments made by Ray Shero that Staal will take over Ryan Malone’s role, I would pencil Staal into the second line left wing role, with Fedotenko, Dupuis and Pesonen fighting for the first line left wing role. Basically, what I am saying is, I think the plan is for Staal to play on Malkin’s wing and, while he must earn such a promotion, it essentially is his to lose.

As is Eric Politowski

I can see Jordan Staal in two places in the Penguins line-up this year. One – remain the 3rd line center from last year, and put up 15 goals. Two – play on the first line as a left wing, with Sidney Crosby and Miroslav Satan, and put up 30 goals.

Justin Maffei sees it a bit differently

Most likely Staal will get a look at being either Crosby or Malkin’s
LW. Whether he stays there depends upon his production. If he is the rookie version of Jordan Staal, he will stick on one of those lines. However, if he is last year’s version, then he will be relegated to third line duty. Staal sticking as a first or second line LW would not be ideal. The Penguins would prefer not to lose Staal’s defense in the middle, but Staal has expressed disappointment at being a third liner. It would be interesting to see Staal centering a line flanked by Malkin and Sykora, but it would be a surprise if the coaches gave that idea much thought.

Kyle Dreibelbies joins the majority

When talking about where MT will put him, nobody can predict. However, I would like to see him play at 2nd line LW. This would leave a top line of Fedotenko-Crosby-Satan. A 2nd line of Staal-Malkin-Sykora would allow a line 1 and 1a. Realistically, though, if an extension can’t be reached, I think a trade is very possible this summer.

And, as for the moderator of this (egad, see what he’s done to me). And, as for me…

I also side with the majority, for several reasons.

First, I am not sure his talents are suited for a center role. Yes, he is very strong defensively. But he really has little true offensive instinct other than shooting. He is a terrible passer. He sees the ice much better defensively than he does offensively.

Next, I think the Pens have a bigger need for a top 6 winger than they do for a third line center. Staal thrived in that role two years ago, then slumped offensively last year while playing center. If he can adapt to playing on the wing, that gives you a good top-level winger at a pretty reasonable salary if they sign him. It’s easier to find a cheap third-line center than it is to find a cheap top winger.

Finally, it will give us a chance to figure out which Staal we will see—the one with the incredible 22.1% shooting percentage in his rookie year, or the one who couldn’t buy a goal last season. I would bet on something in between. In other words, if he gets as many shots as he did last year, and has a reasonable shooting percentage, look for 25 to 30 goals if he gets to play with Malkin or Crosby on a regular basis. And don’t forget, he will definitely get more power play time with Ryan Malone gone. He’s really the only “wide-body” option they have.