Derek Stepan

[BrianLeetch2]

The problem with stepan is just like the rest of this teams problem. When they step on the ice I really think they become mentally challenged. I see way too often guys not getting into open space. When our dmen are pressured in our zone they never look for another outlet besides just ringing it around the boards. So some of this is torts fault, Scared to make a play and possible turnover and then getting sreamed at by torts, so just ring it around the boards. The best time to make a play is when they are forechecking our dmen hard. One good breakout pass and we have them caught. But we go back and forth on the boards until they have time to move it and by then all 5 of thier guys are in perfect defensive position and we have no where to go with the puck. Its like our players are contenet skating next to our opponent and not getting seperation. Obviously this team has talent but there is so much going on early this season and its all mental.

 

[MetalGodAOD*]

The kid had 6 SOGs in a dreadful game yesterday. I don't think he's the entire problem.

 

[Wamsutta]

D. Step is one of many kids on this team who overachieved last year and were expected to do it again this year (including by management) and now that they can't do it it's like BLAMMO bye bye secondary scoring

 

[ColonialsHockey10]

The kid had 6 SOGs in a dreadful game yesterday. I don't think he's the entire problem.

9
Did you see the shots? He gets credit for those Stepan-esque blue line meatballs, and he had at least 4 of those last night (the ones where it looks like he's about to do the Michigan).

 

[Trxjw]

The real irony here is you can go back to the beginning of last season when Stepan had 1 assist in his first 8 games and see the same kind of posts being made. Then two months later, Tortorella calls him our best player over the last 15 games, and everyone loves him again.

 

[NYR Viper]

The real irony here is you can go back to the beginning of last season when Stepan had 1 assist in his first 8 games and see the same kind of posts being made. Then two months later, Tortorella calls him our best player over the last 15 games, and everyone loves him again.

It's a maturation process that many don't understand. It's ironic when people clamor for youth and energy and then don't want to let it develop. If he was 26 then I could understand. He is 22.

 

[nevesis]

It's a maturation process that many don't understand. It's ironic when people clamor for youth and energy and then don't want to let it develop. If he was 26 then I could understand. He is 22.

Maturation does not bring the ability to not skate like a duck running in mud, nor does it improve the ability to actually have this thing called hands. ie. see Jordan Eberle...

Stepan is overrated by the organization and even more by the fan base who claim him to be some ultimate home grown, American talent.

He is an average hockey player, with below average 'god-given' talent.

The amount of points he racked up in two years does not equate to the skill level of a player. So many other variables are involved.

 

[Jabroni]

Maturation does not bring the ability to not skate like a duck running in mud, nor does it improve the ability to actually have this thing called hands. ie. see Jordan Eberle...

Stepan is overrated by the organization and even more by the fan base who claim him to be some ultimate home grown, American talent.

He is an average hockey player, with below average 'god-given' talent.

The amount of points he racked up in two years does not equate to the skill level of a player. So many other variables are involved.

Where do you rank him?

I see him as a 2nd line center.

 

[NYR Viper]

Maturation does not bring the ability to not skate like a duck running in mud, nor does it improve the ability to actually have this thing called hands. ie. see Jordan Eberle...

Stepan is overrated by the organization and even more by the fan base who claim him to be some ultimate home grown, American talent.

He is an average hockey player, with below average 'god-given' talent.

The amount of points he racked up in two years does not equate to the skill level of a player. So many other variables are involved.

Like what? Defensive play?

People underrate how good even a 50 point NHL player is to have on this team. Oh, and that is 50 points at the old age of 21.

Stepan has good hands. You can critique his skating. Same with Brad Richards. But hands and hockey IQ and overall play? Above average.

 

[Thirty One]

The amount of points he racked up in two years does not equate to the skill level of a player. So many other variables are involved.

The skill level of a player does not equate to the quality of the player. Otherwise Korpikoski for Lisin would have been a great trade.

 

[nevesis]

Stepan has good hands..

The day Stepan can dangle like Eberle, let me know.

 

[NYR Viper]

The day Stepan can dangle like Eberle, let me know.

Eberle is one of the best young players in the league.

That's like saying the day McDonagh can score like Karlson or Staal intimidates like Chara let me know.

He doesn't have to be the best player in the league to be a good player.

 

[Trxjw]

So the standard for "good hands" is now one of the best young players in the NHL.

Saying Eberle has "good" hands is like saying Lundqvist is a "decent" goalie. Kid has some of the best hand/eye coordination I've ever seen.

 

[nevesis]

Eberle is one of the best young players in the league.

That's like saying the day McDonagh can score like Karlson or Staal intimidates like Chara let me know.

He doesn't have to be the best player in the league to be a good player.

Yet Eberle only had 52 points in his first two years as a pro, to Stepan's 96 points.

Derek Stepan first two seasons played 164 games total: 96 points.

Jordan Eberle first two seasons played 147 games total: 119 points.

Stepan's numbers are a result of who he played with, not of how good of a hockey player he is.

I want a guy who can skate, has good hands, and plays a good two-way game.

I'm sorry, I just think Stepan is overrated.

 

[NikC]

The real irony here is you can go back to the beginning of last season when Stepan had 1 assist in his first 8 games and see the same kind of posts being made. Then two months later, Tortorella calls him our best player over the last 15 games, and everyone loves him again.

no, not everyone. don't over generalize.

Stepan is not a difference maker. Outside of his first season, he has not shown he has the skillset to be a dominant 2C. He's regressed. He lacks size, strength, speed, and shot...

He's an intelligent player, but really needs to get himself together fast...

I'd have no problem packaging him with a prospect to upgrade 2C.

 

[Trxjw]

Yet Eberle only had 52 points in his first two years as a pro, to Stepan's 96 points.

Derek Stepan first two seasons played 164 games total: 96 points.

Jordan Eberle first two seasons played 147 games total: 52 points.

Even if Eberle played the same amount of games, I don't think he would have hit the point total Stepan did.

But Eberle is a far superior talent. Point total doesn't equate the skill/talent level of a player.

Stepan's numbers are a result of who he played with, not of how good of a hockey player he is.

I want a guy who can skate, has good hands, and plays a good two-way game.

I'm sorry, I just think Stepan is overrated.

I really think your calculator might be broken. Eberle had 119 points in his first two NHL seasons...

 

[Florida Ranger]

The real irony here is you can go back to the beginning of last season when Stepan had 1 assist in his first 8 games and see the same kind of posts being made. Then two months later, Tortorella calls him our best player over the last 15 games, and everyone loves him again.

I will agree. It's the beginning of last year all over again.

I'm not a big Stepan fan to begin with

 

[Trxjw]

no, not everyone. don't over generalize.

Stepan is not a difference maker. Outside of his first season, he has not shown he has the skillset to be a dominant 2C. He's regressed. He lacks size, strength, speed, and shot...

He's an intelligent player, but really needs to get himself together fast...

I'd have no problem packaging him with a prospect to upgrade 2C.

Outside of his first season? How about the second season when he increased his production, became a staple on the PK, and improved his overall defensive game?

 

[nevesis]

I really think your calculator might be broken. Eberle had 119 points in his first two NHL seasons...

Oops, added up the wrong totals...assists, rather than points.

Makes me feel better about Eberle though...haha


Point is, I think Stepan's first two seasons, point wise, were an anomaly. It truly isn't indicative of his talent/skill level.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Oops, added up the wrong totals...assists, rather than points.

Makes me feel better about Eberle though...haha


Point is, I think Stepan's first two seasons, point wise, were an anomaly. It truly isn't indicative of his talent/skill level.

I literally have no idea what point you're trying to make by bringing Eberle into the conversation.

 

[NYR Viper]

Oops, added up the wrong totals...assists, rather than points.

Makes me feel better about Eberle though...haha


Point is, I think Stepan's first two seasons, point wise, were an anomaly. It truly isn't indicative of his talent/skill level.

Okay, then go back to his NCAA stats where he was Wisconsin's #2 center. Or were those an anomaly too?

 

[nevesis]

I literally have no idea what point you're trying to make by bringing Eberle into the conversation.

Same age, same draft class.

I prefer hockey players that are very skilled in the most fundamental aspects of being a hockey player. Skating, and hands to name a few...Eberle being this type, over Stepan who lacks those two fundamental parts of being a great player.

 

[nevesis]

Okay, then go back to his NCAA stats where he was Wisconsin's #2 center. Or were those an anomaly too?

If Stepan holds up his point totals over the next 5 years to what they were his first two seasons, I will gladly eat crow.

I don't think he will maintain those types of numbers over a consistent amount of time.

 

[NYR Viper]

Same age, same draft class.

I prefer hockey players that are very skilled in the most fundamental aspects of being a hockey player. Skating, and hands to name a few...Eberle being this type, over Stepan who lacks those two fundamental parts of being a great player.

Well I would lean towards a team full of Crosby's if possible. Screw Eberle.

It's the hindsight argument again. Unbelievable.

 

[nevesis]

Well I would lean towards a team full of Crosby's if possible. Screw Eberle.

It's the hindsight argument again. Unbelievable.

Derek Stepan = modern day Sergei Nemchinov.