Derek Stepan
- Thread starter SnowblindNYR
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aufheben
#Norris4Fox
Yes. He was much better last year. I don't think it's out of the question that he returns to that. I think this is his 2nd best year as a pro. Last year he was picking corners and just looking really confident with his shot. I think if he gets his confidence back he can be a very good player.
Agree 100% I think some has to do with the holdout some with the new coach, but I think the Step since the olympic break represents him a lot more accurately than before. I think next year he has a huge breakout.
Am I the only one that thinks he can be a poor man's Bergeron? I mean, I think he can be a 60 point scorer that plays a really good 2 way game. Obviously not as good Bergeron.
Holocene
Registered User
It's definitely nice to see Stepan come alive if not just for the benefit of the team but my own sanity and not having to hear over and over again how much he sucks on these boards.
He's a good player, and in my opinion, more 'core' than Callahan was.
If he centre's great wingers, he could be one of the top centreman in the league. More realistically, he will be a 60 to 70 point player, and that is not anything to be unhappy with when you consider how he keeps proving his defensive awareness game after game. People say Stepan is a slow skater, but I watched him chase a player down on a backcheck a few games ago, where he messed up their offense right in the crease. To me, it was a highlight of the game. That kind of thing is supremely important.
If he centre's great wingers, he could be one of the top centreman in the league. More realistically, he will be a 60 to 70 point player, and that is not anything to be unhappy with when you consider how he keeps proving his defensive awareness game after game. People say Stepan is a slow skater, but I watched him chase a player down on a backcheck a few games ago, where he messed up their offense right in the crease. To me, it was a highlight of the game. That kind of thing is supremely important.
Holocene
Registered User
Stepan isn't that slow... He's just an ugly skater. His stride makes him look like he's skating in mud but he's got a decent pace.
He's overrated. I still think we should try to package him for a top center prospect.
He's never going to be a #1
He's never going to be a #1
I've been saying it all along, he can absolutely keep up with the play, he's no Brad. But if he dedicated himself to improving his skating it could do wonders for him. Also I see him a lot more like a Mikko Koivu than a Bergeron as Bergy's a bit more physical and more of a shooter, Steps game is more subtle. But I actually think he can be better than Koivu, not certain he will but steps one of my favorite players so I might also be a little inclined to see what I want.
aufheben
#Norris4Fox
JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK
Twenty f*ckin years
- Oct 8, 2010
- 80,067
- 17,699
So much this.
Stepan has flaws, yes, but let's take a step back and realize that we have 23 year old, 50 point, two-way center who has shown he has the tools be a difference maker offensively.
DudMan28
Registered User
- Jan 30, 2013
- 3,042
- 2,014
The thing with Stepan is he very rarely carries the play. He racks up his points by being in the right spots at the right time. He doesn't make flashy plays and won't beat the defense for a beautiful goal/assist. It takes good plays by his whole line usually for Stepan/his line mates to score. Not a knock against him, but a bonafide #1 makes things happen more often, which is why he always classified as a high end 2C/1B center.
BlueshirtBlitz
Foolish Samurai
23 year old center who has been at almost a PPG pace since January 18th.
He was ass before the break offensively, but he never quit playing good defense. He turned up his offensive game halfway through Jan. and hasn't looked back.
He's an elite, two-way 2C at this point in his career who has shown the ability to play like a good 1C. At 23 ****ing years old (he'll be 24 in June). This dude is great and we should be thankful we have such a good player.
He was ass before the break offensively, but he never quit playing good defense. He turned up his offensive game halfway through Jan. and hasn't looked back.
He's an elite, two-way 2C at this point in his career who has shown the ability to play like a good 1C. At 23 ****ing years old (he'll be 24 in June). This dude is great and we should be thankful we have such a good player.
BlueshirtBlitz
Foolish Samurai
Of course Steps isn't the elite center we'd expect after his hat-trick debut or after the shortend season who can be packaged for a good get back, but he could be an excellent #2 one day, and plays great defense as a F and is doing a fine job as our current #1 with Nash and played very well and improved greatly playing with Gabby
BlueshirtBlitz
Foolish Samurai
He's ALREADY an excellent number 2.
The question is, is his ceiling 60 points or 70 points? That will decide how good of a 1C he will be.
JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK
Twenty f*ckin years
- Oct 8, 2010
- 80,067
- 17,699
Stepan was a legitimate catalyst last year - Nash being at the top of his game helps, but Stepan was a lot more involved in the play physically and on the forecheck, and it made him a lot more effective. He's been getting a lot more involved as of late and is starting to shoot the puck more, which was another aspect of his game last year that was better. Stepan looked incredibly confident in his shot last year. Hopefully that confidence starts to come back down the stretch.
He was picking corners. His shot looked honestly better than Nash's at times last year.
DudMan28
Registered User
- Jan 30, 2013
- 3,042
- 2,014
Yep last year he seemed to have more jump to his game. Idk if its his conditioning but he just seems a little sluggish and soft this year. He has such a good feel for the game though which helps him put up points. Man if he just could skate a little bit better he would be a beast.
He has a good shot, but has trouble creating room for himself to get it off. Every now and then he get thats space and lets a laser go. The reason we are all disappointed with his play this year is we saw him take it to another level last year.
DudMan28
Registered User
- Jan 30, 2013
- 3,042
- 2,014
I never said it didn't. Was simply saying he isn't good at creating something out of nothing. A lot of his goals this year come from smart plays from his whole line.
BlueshirtBlitz
Foolish Samurai
Fair enough. I'm just saying that his solid play in all zones sets up his teammates to be in the situations where they can score. He's not a passenger on the line by any means.
