Sunday, March 1, 2009
Pens Should Keep Staal
The Penguins are fighting for their playoff lives, which is rather hard to believe after watching this team make it all the way to game six of the Stanley Cup Finals. As the trade deadline nears, GM Ray Shero will no doubt field several offers for young forward Jordan Staal. My advice to Mr. Shero: ignore them. Staal has certainly been inconsistent since his spectacular rookie season three years ago, one which saw him score 29 goals. Staal is an All-Star in the making and the Penguins would be foolish to give up on him. Staal has the ability to take over hockey games which he's done a few times in his career. The problem? He's should be playing wing, not center. The Pens top two centers, Sidney Crosby and Geno Malkin, are playmakers. Staal is a sniper. He presents matchup problems, especially when he goes hard to the net. The Penguins need to accept the fact that the center project isn't working and put him at wing on the second line with Malkin. The other NHL teams know that Jordan Staal would be a fine addition to their lineup, they know the potential this kid has, but the Penguins should not trade him under any circumstances; even if it means missing the postseason. Yep, he's that valuable.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I agree, one hundred per cent. Don't trade him yet. It is a problem, though, trying to keep him at center, his natural position. Not enough ice time with Crosby and Malkin above him on the depth chart. To change him to wing so early in his career poses a risk to his long-term development. Also, Staal might find it difficult to dominate the game, as he is able, from the wing. Some fans have watched him for four seasons now, and are losing patience, forgetting how young he still is. Two more seasons is time enough for a better baseline on his potential versus his actual development. They've made the playoffs every season with him on the team.
ReplyDelete