Derek Stepan

[McRanger]

Stepan would be getting a lot more leeway if he showed something in the playoffs last year. Even on a team that struggled offensively, he was pretty invisible.

 

[Trxjw]

It doesn't. However it does show that their effectiveness waned down the stretch of the season when it really mattered.

All it shows is that you're picking a tiny sample size to try and make a point. You're also ignoring the circumstances around the decline in their production in the post season. Namely Hagelin having played more hockey than he ever had in his life, and Stepan having his linemates plucked off of his wings so he could skate with Dubinsky and Callahan.

 

[NYR Viper]

Stepan would be getting a lot more leeway if he showed something in the playoffs last year. Even on a team that struggled offensively, he was pretty invisible.

As I said 45 minutes ago, he was injured by Orpik at the end of the season. Knee-on-knee. For a player who isn't fleet of foot to begin with, that's a big deal.

 

[mrhockey193195]

I want to see:

Nash-Richards-Cally
Kreider-Stepan-Gaborik
Hagelin-Boyle-Pyatt

 

[Holocene]

I want to see:

Nash-Richards-Cally
Kreider-Stepan-Gaborik
Hagelin-Boyle-Pyatt

That's what I would like to see as well.

 

[The Gloaming]

I want to see:

Nash-Richards-Cally
Kreider-Stepan-Gaborik
Hagelin-Boyle-Pyatt

I've been crying for these lines since the Nash trade.

 

[McRanger]

As I said 45 minutes ago, he was injured by Orpik at the end of the season. Knee-on-knee. For a player who isn't fleet of foot to begin with, that's a big deal.

I am aware of the injury. Its not really relevant. The reality is that on these boards people would be giving him more leeway if he had a great postseason after his somewhat lackluster regular season, . Just as people game him leeway after an invisible post-season two years ago after a fantastic rookie regular season.

Regardless he is playing the game right now the same way he played not just the playoffs but also too much of last season before he got hurt: without moving his legs much, without any edge to his game and (scariest) without much creativity with the puck.

He had the same problem at times in Wisconsin. Stretches of a game or whole games where he was content to let other dictate the flow. And his game always suffered.

 

[nyr2k2]

He's one of a few players that need to step it up.

 

[RangerBoy]

The Rangers have played 4 games. 4. Four.

 

[NYR Viper]

The Rangers have played 4 games. 4. Four.

And he has 3 points. 3 points. 4 games.

 

[msv957]

Derek Stepan
3 points in 4 games

Obviously not playing up to his potential, along with the rest of the team. 22 years old. We all know he is a bit streaky. When he starts to turn it on, what will be considered a success? 1.5ppg?

Are we going to be having another conversation in a month when he is playing well but he somehow isn't racking up the points?

3 points in 4 games.

Stepan is playing first line power play with stars such as Nash, Gaborik and Richards. He will get plenty of points on the first line power play.

The key is that Stepan needs to produce at even strength to make the 2nd line effective.

 

[BlueshirtBlitz]

He needs to play better, yes.

That being said, he's playing better than the board is saying.

He had a great second period yesterday but nobody is gonna bring it up.

Can't wait until we start winning.

 

[Thirty One]

Stepan is playing first line power play with stars such as Nash, Gaborik and Richards. He will get plenty of points on the first line power play.

The key is that Stepan needs to produce at even strength to make the 2nd line effective.

Stepan hasn't been playing on the top PP unit except on 5-on-3. That's where he got his 1 powerplay point.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

And he has 3 points. 3 points. 4 games.

Im sorry, does that actually mean hes playing well?

1 point came on a 5 on 3 and another was a direct result of Nash bailing out Stepan and his painful foot speed.

Nothing is happening on the majority of his even strength shifts. He looks slow and lethargic out there. For a team that has many problems through the first 4 games, I'd say hes the biggest one.

 

[NYR Viper]

Im sorry, does that actually mean hes playing well?

1 point came on a 5 on 3 and another was a direct result of Nash bailing out Stepan and his painful foot speed.

Nothing is happening on the majority of his even strength shifts. He looks slow and lethargic out there. For a team that has many problems through the first 4 games, I'd say hes the biggest one.

No, it doesn't but that is my point. People are calling for him to be traded. I know he has to play better. All I am pointing out are facts. He has 3 points in 4 games. His face-off percentage has increased so far this season as compared to last year and the opponents are normally at the top of the league in face-off percentage.

Good players find ways to get on the scoresheet even when they are not playing well.

 

[BlueshirtBlitz]

Im sorry, does that actually mean hes playing well?

1 point came on a 5 on 3 and another was a direct result of Nash bailing out Stepan and his painful foot speed.

Nothing is happening on the majority of his even strength shifts. He looks slow and lethargic out there. For a team that has many problems through the first 4 games, I'd say hes the biggest one.

Considering how awful our 5 on 3 is, yes.

And Stepan made a great defensive play to get the puck to feed Nash, so yes, that point is also from good play.

Every point he's scored was from good play. And with 3-in-4, he's played better than most of this board is letting on. Not to mention a great second period last game.

He's not playing well, but to see some of the overreactions about how he's a "bust" and whatnot is ridiculous.

 

[NYR Viper]

Considering how awful our 5 on 3 is, yes.

And Stepan made a great defensive play to get the puck to feed Nash, so yes, that point is also from good play.

Every point he's scored was from good play. And with 3-in-4, he's played better than most of this board is letting on. Not to mention a great second period last game.

He's not playing well, but to see some of the overreactions about how he's a "bust" and whatnot is ridiculous.

This exactly. I won't argue he has to play better. He does. In order for this team to do well he has to play better. But he hasn't been terrible. If he was terrible he would have no points.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

This exactly. I won't argue he has to play better. He does. In order for this team to do well he has to play better. But he hasn't been terrible. If he was terrible he would have no points.

I think he has been amongst the worst forwards but, admittedly, thats because I have higher standards for him.

Hes the 2C on a Stanley Cup caliber team - he hasnt played anywhere near it, much like Brad Richards hasnt played like a 1C on a cup contending team. Richards has some points too - doesnt mean hes played well either.

 

[Boom Boom Geoffrion*]

The Rangers have played 4 games. 4. Four.

And he has 3 points. 3 points. 4 games.

 

[Pugs35]

So, when golden boy Chris Kreider (only 1 year younger then that lazy, unproductive bum Stepan) puts up 0 points in his 3 games, is generally awful defensively and invisible or worse offensively, it's because he's stuck playing with Pyatt and Boyle and should be rewarded for his crap play with more minutes and better linemates.

Conversely, when Stepan plays well on the PK and defensively, and puts up only 3 points in 4 games playing with Callahan and that stud Taylor Pyatt, he sucks.

Just making sure I've got this straight.

To be clear, Stepan needs to play better. But the problem he is not.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

So, when golden boy Chris Kreider (only 1 year younger then that lazy, unproductive bum Stepan) puts up 0 points in his 3 games, is generally awful defensively and invisible or worse offensively, it's because he's stuck playing with Pyatt and Boyle and should be rewarded for his crap play with more minutes and better linemates.

Conversely, when Stepan plays well on the PK and defensively, and puts up only 3 points in 4 games playing with Callahan and that stud Taylor Pyatt, he sucks.

Just making sure I've got this straight.

To be clear, Stepan needs to play better. But the problem he is not.

You dont, at least from my perspective.

Chris Kreider just flat out isnt NHL ready at this point. He has stunk.

Derek Stepan, on the other hand, needs to up his game significantly to be a #2C on a Stanley Cup contender team.

2 completely different scenarios when it comes to measuring expectations.

 

[Pugs35]

You dont, at least from my perspective.

Chris Kreider just flat out isnt NHL ready at this point. He has stunk.

Derek Stepan, on the other hand, needs to up his game significantly to be a #2C on a Stanley Cup contender team.

2 completely different scenarios when it comes to measuring expectations.

Fair enough, I agree with everything you said, I just don't think Stepan has been the issue with this team.

 

[Hockeyplayer99]

I don't get how Stepan is the problem when our Captain has looked horrible except for his PK. Offensive wise Capt Cally has don't nothing, makes bad passes loses the puck alot, goes down when he throws a check,but Stepan is the problem. Maybe the Capt needs to wake up a little bit. Cally is a minus 3 Stepan isn't a minus player.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I don't get how Stepan is the problem when our Captain has looked horrible except for his PK. Offensive wise Capt Cally has don't nothing, makes bad passes loses the puck alot, goes down when he throws a check,but Stepan is the problem. Maybe the Capt needs to wake up a little bit. Cally is a minus 3 Stepan isn't a minus player.

Callahan has probably been worse, but I have more confidence he'll turn his game around. I dont know how much more Stepan has to offer - its a real wild card. Hagelin has been bad too. Kreider has been a disaster. All these forwards deserve some blame.

I made the thread about Stepan because, as a center, he has to shoulder a bit more of the load.

 

[Mrpuck]

Im sorry, does that actually mean hes playing well?

1 point came on a 5 on 3 and another was a direct result of Nash bailing out Stepan and his painful foot speed.

Nothing is happening on the majority of his even strength shifts. He looks slow and lethargic out there. For a team that has many problems through the first 4 games, I'd say hes the biggest one.

Agree totally, the points do not say much. He's been pretty invisible imo and doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy feeling as our future 2nd line center going forward. The only good thing about him right now is his cap hit. He needs to pick it up fast.