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Derek Stepan

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Gotta defend Stepan. Sure, he's been streaky, but in the playoffs points can be hard to come by (see: Ricky Nash). I like what I've been seeing out of him this series and lately. Also, IIRC, he had some late clutch go-ahead or game tying goals in the Bruins series last year. I think in game 1 he scored to put us up 2-1 in the beginning of the third/end of the second.

Still not sure if he can be a permanent #1 center though.
 
Can't believe this thread was all the way back on the 8th+ page.

I thought Derek had a great post-season, especailly after he was invisible in year's past. This was a nice coming out party for him. His line was consistently the most dangerous. 15 points in 24 games isn't bad, especially considering it was said he lost weight due to the jaw injury. How many more points would have had had if Nash could have finished his chances?

Not to mention stellar Defensive play. I'm much more confident in him as this team's #1C going forth than I was before the playoffs.
 
MetalGodAOD said:
Can't believe this thread was all the way back on the 8th+ page.

I thought Derek had a great post-season, especailly after he was invisible in year's past. This was a nice coming out party for him. His line was consistently the most dangerous. 15 points in 24 games isn't bad, especially considering it was said he lost weight due to the jaw injury. How many more points would have had had if Nash could have finished his chances?

Not to mention stellar Defensive play. I'm much more confident in him as this team's #1C going forth than I was before the playoffs.
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If Nash isn't completely scoreless D step has 20 points in 24 games. The derision he gets around here is insane sometimes.
 
Stepan plays an awesome two way game and he anticipates as well as anyone. His downfall is terrible turnovers, he makes a lot of really, really bad plays with the puck when he shouldn't. He can become a very good player if he stops that.
 
NYR Viper said:
He has been much better with Kreider on his wing. I remember when Kreider first came up people said they wouldn't have chemistry. They work really well together.

His defensive game has been superb and he is making very nice passes. There are times I wish he would shoot more but that is nit-picking.
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Stepan is a valued asset, but Kreider is elevating him more than the other way around.

Kreider's natural fit on this team is Miller, and that needs to happen YESTERDAY without further delay.

Like pretty much any other play asset, I'm happy to keep Stepan, or trade him for either direct upgrade or assets that IMO improve our chances to upgrade.
 
I just wish we had another center who was as good or better than him. He'd be amazing as a #2 or #1B guy. He'd also get better matchups in the playoffs and probably produce even more offense.
 
I'm one of Stepan's biggest critics but he had an above average post season even with the broken jaw.

That being said I'm still of the firm belief we will not win a cup with him as our best center. He's a prototypical 2nd center on a contending team. Feel free to dispute this all you want, but LA has 2 (arguably 3) centers better than Stepan and they've won 2 of the past 3 years. You need elite centermen to win in this league
 
I love Step and he fits a great role on this team, but I really wish, just once or twice, he'd attempt to shoot the ****ing puck when he's at the top of the left circle on the power play instead of standing with his back to the goalie.
 
-31- said:
I don't think Messier, Getzlaf, Sundin or Forsberg ever "willed" a team to win, either. When they played on good teams, they performed well and the teams won.
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Do you mean they never "willed" a complete playoffs series, or do you mean they never "willed" a pivotal game when the stakes were high and no one but them could drive the stake?
 
I thought Stepan had a pretty decent postseason. I wouldnt say it was very good but he did pretty well considering the broken jaw. When it cones to the PK stepan is one of our best. My only issues with stepan is his lack of skating ability which hurts becaus ehe plays with kreider and nash who both are much faster. Also i understand he doesnt have teh best shot BUT he waits too long to shoot the puck
 
Raspewtin said:
He's gotten very unappreciated this post season because of his large absence on the scoresheet. However, we lose against Philly without Stepan. He's done such a good job at keeping top centers quiet, that it's given our depth a chance to run rampant. With Crosby and Malkin getting choked by Stepan's line, PBZ were able to run wild in the offensive zone and steal the series for the Rangers.

I believe he'd be scoring more if not matched up against top players, to be honest.
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well said!

Dudes a winner, love his work ethic, attitude, and outlook on the game.. wish he was fast, but he has the smarts to play an amazing 2 way game.. hes a number 1c for sure, and will only get better!
 
If Stepan improves his acceleration to good, he's a 70 point player.

If he improves it to great, he's a PPG.

His skating and his questionable shot selection are his only weaknesses.
 
Does anyone else think of him as a not clutch player? He blew so many empty nets these playoffs like he lacked composure or something.
 
Hopefully we see him return to shortened season Stepan with a full training camp with the team. Wasn't he PPG the last 30 games or something like that?
 
McDonaghisGod said:
He needs to start working out with MSL and/or Kreider. He already a good player but even incremental improvements in strength and speed could make him a great one. Also needs to work on faceoffs.
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He needs power skating lessons first and foremost, and he needs to focus on getting bigger/stronger. Also needs lots of work on getting his shot off quicker (the whole team needs help in this department)

I think if Stepan dedicates himself to working out like a maniac this summer and improves his skating, his natural ability for playmaking/vision can start to take over.
 
SnowblindNYR said:
Does anyone else think of him as a not clutch player? He blew so many empty nets these playoffs like he lacked composure or something.
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I have a hard time calling a dude playing with a broken jaw not clutch. Maybe another time I might, but that is gutsy and that is what I think I'll remember about Step this playoffs... that it took a broken jaw to cause him to miss the first game in his entire career and that he came right back and played.
 
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