Derek Stepan and the Stepan line

[Riverdale]

I think Stepan has been pretty good. His production could be higher but he is doing about as well as I expected from him.

Other players *cough* NASH *cough* aren't pulling their weight at all.

 

[CharlieCharleschuk]

Not sure if he will provide what we want as a 1c but he is the best C on open market this year.

This is typical. He's not what we need or want so let's sign him to a market contract which would probably be right in line with Richards'. Then cap issues, problems, underperformance etc etc. three years down the road, as usual.

This is a fact: Stepan is going to be your team's 1C for the immediate future. He's developing so hopefully for all of us he develops into something we like.

I mean, Doug Weight, Marc Savard are two examples of brainy centers that NYR gave up on just because they weren't in the goldilocks zone with them immediately. Stepan could end up having just as good a career. Give him a bloody second to get past his lower 20's.

 

[GAGLine]

Sidney Crosby: 9 points in 13 games (1 goal)
Milan Lucic: 7 points in 12 games
Patrick Sharp: 6 points in 12 games
Dustin Brown: 6 points in 13 games
Derek Stepan: 6 points in 14 games
Loui Eriksson: 5 points in 12 games
Brad Marchand: 5 points in 12 games (no goals)
Rick Nash: 5 points in 14 games (no goals)
James Neal: 4 points in 13 games
David Krejci: 4 points in 12 games (no goals)
Joe Thornton: 3 points in 7 games
Logan Couture: 3 points in 7 games
Tyler Seguin: 3 points in 6 games
Matt Moulson: 3 points in 10 games
Alexander Steen: 3 points in 6 games
Scott Hartnell: 3 points in 7 games (no goals)
T.J. Oshie: 2 points in 5 games
Vinny Lecavalier: 2 points in 7 games
David Backes: 1 point in 4 games (no goals)
Valtteri Filppula: 1 point in 4 games (no goals)

 

[Algernop Kreider]

I think Stepan has been pretty good. His production could be higher but he is doing about as well as I expected from him.

Other players *cough* NASH *cough* aren't pulling their weight at all.

In all fairness, it would take several players to pull Nash's weight.

 

[bernmeister]

For all the killing Rick Nash gets, Stepan has been just as bad....

He completely disappears in the playoffs, and has since he's been here.

So basically we have 2 scoring lines, a productive 4th line, and this line of underachievers/big game Houdinis + Kreider...

Do we just keep sending them out there and hope things change?

Somehow we made it this far with them being terrible, but that's about to change real fast if they don't show up. But can they show up? Is it in their DNA?

Kreider has been back for 3 games and they are still terrible.

Long term should try to upgrade at least Stepan if not Nash too.
going for speed, would put Kreider on line w/MSL --- speed, speed, speed.

Brassard's line is kickin it, leave it alone.
So Miller is best option, and has most speed.

Make a line out of Stepan-Richards-Nash

 

[CDiablo]

I think Nash has been better defensively and been a better passer as well. Stepan has a better shot and has less (blatantly bad)offensive giveaways. Both look like great NHL 3rd liners to me.

 

[LyNX27]

I think Nash has been better defensively and been a better passer as well. Stepan has a better shot and has less (blatantly bad)offensive giveaways. Both look like great NHL 3rd liners to me.

The expectations of this board will forever boggle my mind...