Staal’s Strong Play Earning Him Recognition
Jesse Marshall | Pittsburgh Penguins
Jan 7, 11:21 AM | Hype this story!
If you’ve caught any of the most recent episodes of the “Dan Bylsma Show” on FSN, you may have had the chance to see the Penguins head coach talking about the way he wants the Penguins to play.
Tight defensively. Aggressive on the forecheck and the cycle. And, most importantly, he wants to see the Penguins utilize shots to capitalize in rebounds in addition to attacking the soft spots at the sides of the net on the cycle.
The Penguins did just that on Tuesday night, led by their oft-forgotten youngster, Jordan Staal. With a goal off of a Tyler Kennedy rebound and another off of a Bylsma-drawn-up cycle play, it’s no wonder the head coach of the Penguins had good things to say about this third line center after the game.
“Jordan has been playing very well,” said Bylsma. “He’s playing the game the right way every night, and you saw that tonight.”
With 5 points in his last three games, Staal has been earning recognition throughout Pittsburgh this season. Even his harshest of detractors cannot deny that he has been solid at each end.
Frankly, it’s been a treat to watch Jordan Staal play the game. Take a moment, especially if you’re at the Mellon Arena, and watch Jordan Staal take a few shifts. He covers more ice surface than any of his teammates. Being so defensively responsible doesn’t come easy. There’s a ton of skating to be done. Staal covers every inch of the ice with great detail and attention to his assignments. It’s no wonder he nearly collapsed on Tuesday night after attempting to secure a hat trick on a late power-play one-timer.
Staal’s defensive game is steadily improving along with his offensive confidence. Finally, for the first time, Staal is receiving recognition for the Selke trophy via National Media. About time, if you ask me.
Pierre Lebrun of ESPN awarded Staal his mid-season Selke award yesterday in a move that recognized Staal as “the best penalty killer in the NHL.”
And here’s something else to chew on. When all else fails on the top two lines and the Penguins are scrambling, Cooke-Staal-Kennedy line remains a constant. When the opposition gets a game changing goal, the Cooke-Staal-Kennedy line goes out with a 1:30 shift in the offensive zone. When the Penguins have to kill a major Penalty with a lead in the third? You guessed it, it’s Jordan Staal that’s going to get the bulk of those minutes.
In fact, I’d contest that at this point, there isn’t a single forward on the roster that tests opposing PP units half as much as Staal does.
His salary remains a debate, but his offensive numbers are solid for a guy getting third line time, and at his young age, we’ve yet to even hit half of what this player might be capable of down the road.
As Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin go, so go the Penguins. However, if you ask me, it takes guys like Jordan Staal to ensure cup victories keep on coming back to the Burgh.
Comments
Matt Bodenschatz
Jan 7, 12:51 PM
Jesse, I had intentions of writing a similar piece yesterday, but time escaped me.
Staal is extremely underrated, in my opinion, by fans and so-called media “experts” who look purely at his point totals and compare them to his salary.
Staal was given a long-term, lucrative contract based on the assumption that his potential was and is significantly higher than the level of hockey he has showed thus far.
But, to me, that’s scary. We’re talking about a 21-year-old who is considered by some to be the best penalty killer in the NHL. How impressive is that? And when was the last time the Penguins had a penalty killer of this magnitude?
What interests me the most, though, is that many look at his draft position and compare his production to date to that of generational talents such as Crosby, Malkin and Ovechkin and also to players of his draft class, such as Kessel, Toews, and Backstrom.
Staal never was and never will be on the same level as Crosby, Malkin or Ovechkin. And that’s fine! In fact, I think it’s good. If he was that talented and that productive, he’d be gone by now, as the Penguins wouldn’t have the cap space to pay him.
As for Toews, Kessel and Backstrom comparisons, I’d like to know how many of them have a Stanley Cup. And, to those who say “it takes a team to win a Cup and Staal was lucky to be on such a good team,” I respond: “Staal was the third most utilized forward on the Stanley Cup team and scored some pretty big goals.”
When you compare Staal to most players his age, you’ll see a forward who has been in the league three and one half years longer — and there’s a reason for that.
Staal may never be a second line player, but that’s simply because, when playing on a third line, he gives the Penguins an explosive unit that is difficult for opponents to handle, considering their top defenders will take the ice against the Penguins’ top lines.
Staal is a monster and easily the third most important forward on this team. With Patrice Bergeron’s injured hand, Staal quite possibly could get the injury replacement nod for Team Canada’s Olympic roster — and I wouldn’t be in the least bit surprised.
DaBich
Jan 7, 02:18 PM
“Even his harshest of detractors cannot deny that he has been solid at each end. “
I don’t think Mike Adams would agree with that lol.
Great article Jesse. I’ve always said what a monster Staal is. And he IS a monster.
Matt, you said it all. All the players can’t be superstars. It takes the role players and the entire team to win. But look at this: How many players can fill in and do ALL the things Staal does? Not too many. He is so versatile, and that only adds to his value to this team, to ANY team. I hope you’re right, I hope he does get the chance to fill in for someone on the Olympic team. And I hope he shines.
Pens1967
Jan 7, 02:18 PM
I’ve always thought that while Crosby and Malkin get the Lemieux, Jagr comparisons, Staal is getting to be more and more like Ron Francis. Not fancy, just hardworking and dependable.
bag o' pucks
Jan 7, 02:29 PM
I laughed just a couple days ago when Buccigross asked the hypothetical to his readers if they would trade Staal, Kunitz, Letang, and a prospect for Kovalchuk & Afinogenov. Not only is that a questionable, at the least, exchange of talent but when contract situations are included it’s a truly ridiculous proposal.
Natty Lite
Jan 7, 02:47 PM
His career can be simplified for those without the hockey smarts to see past his salary…if he doesn’t score shorthanded in game 4 of the SCF, WE AIN’T GOT NO CUP.
Colin44
Jan 7, 03:11 PM
It didn’t help people’s expectations that Staal scored 29 goals his rookie year, but anybody who has watched him play since Bylsma took over have seen the beginning of a man who is not only an amazing penalty killer but also a dominant net-crasher, puck carrier and cycler.
bag o' pucks
Jan 7, 04:42 PM
Not to hijack the Staal theme, but there’s a retard on JB’s c-blog who’s comparing Tangradi to Kris Beech. What a clueless idiot…
DaBich
Jan 8, 08:57 AM
Pucks, they walk among us…scary eh?
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