GDT: Gm 24, Ducks vs Avs @ 6pm Pacific

[The Mighty Duck Man]

I wouldn't say the Wisard was a need

At the time? Absolutely there was. Getting a top four D to upgrade on Lovejoy was by far the most talked about thing on here at the time. Things didn't exactly go according to plan there but people seem to completely forget the context.

 

[duckpuck]

The Terry supporters see that occasional elite skill play and think that is who he can be. With Steel, you have to look a bit deeper. Winning draws, learning to play solid defense, improved speed. Steel has also proven that he can play center, a bigger need on this team than wing. Steel does more for a team at this point (IMO), but wishing on a star is OK, too.

I think this is correct. Steel's floor is a very good 3rd line center who wins faceoffs, plays defense, and chips in offensively. Not what we are hoping for, but still a very useful player. And hopefully he turns into more over time. I think there's a chance he shows better when playing on a better team.

Terry is a one trick pony - a supposedly skilled scoring winger - and the trick isn't working. If he can't produce offense, he adds nothing.

 

[KyleJRM]

I think this is correct. Steel's floor is a very good 3rd line center who wins faceoffs, plays defense, and chips in offensively. Not what we are hoping for, but still a very useful player. And hopefully he turns into more over time. I think there's a chance he shows better when playing on a better team.

Terry is a one trick pony - a supposedly skilled scoring winger - and the trick isn't working. If he can't produce offense, he adds nothing.

Steel's floor is a tweener who scrapes out another 100 NHL games after this season, spread out over three or four seasons.

The only reason he's in the NHL right now is because the Ducks aren't trying. He has to get better to stay there.

 

[OCSportsfan]

I see Steele's upside as Bonino, but faster, maybe not as good defensively.

 

[McDonald19]

I think this is correct. Steel's floor is a very good 3rd line center who wins faceoffs, plays defense, and chips in offensively. Not what we are hoping for, but still a very useful player. And hopefully he turns into more over time. I think there's a chance he shows better when playing on a better team.

Floor or ceiling? You think he is guaranteed to be a very good 3rd line center? I’d say his long term floor is journeyman AHL/NHL tweener.

 

[Mr Rogers]

Watching the highlights of his hat trick game in Vancouver. I haven’t seen him skate like he did on that breakaway since then. He’s a bizarre player.

 

[duckpuck]

Steel's floor is a tweener who scrapes out another 100 NHL games after this season, spread out over three or four seasons.

The only reason he's in the NHL right now is because the Ducks aren't trying. He has to get better to stay there.

Floor or ceiling? You think he is guaranteed to be a very good 3rd line center? I’d say his long term floor is journeyman AHL/NHL tweener.

People like to bash Steel because he's disappointed (and I agree he's a disappointment and frustrating to watch given the potential). But even the current Steel, playing on a bad team with no talent around him, is a 25-30 point center who wins faceoffs, plays good defense, and actually is a decent power play option (again, on a god awful power play). That's pretty much what a third line checking type of center does. And I do expect him to improve, though I think its fair to doubt he ever reaches the ceiling we had hoped for.

 

[McDonald19]

People like to bash Steel because he's disappointed (and I agree he's a disappointment and frustrating to watch given the potential). But even the current Steel, playing on a bad team with no talent around him, is a 25-30 point center who wins faceoffs, plays good defense, and actually is a decent power play option (again, on a god awful power play). That's pretty much what a third line checking type of center does. And I do expect him to improve, though I think its fair to doubt he ever reaches the ceiling we had hoped for.

Fair points, and I’m not completely anti-Steel. I hope he has a break through. I just think the floor you gave him isn’t realistic.

 

[Ducks DVM]

Hell people were ready to write of Lundestrom just earlier this season.

Earlier this week...