Confirmed Signing with Link: [MIN] Eric Staal (3 years, $3.5M AAV)

[BeautiPhil]

In the times I saw him with Carolina this season, and in the series against the Pens, Staal looked like a straight-up 4th liner. He was slow, ineffective, bad defensively, and whenever he found himself in good scoring position he'd chest snipe or miss entirely.

He just isn't what he was. Maybe he could be a decent 3rd liner but not much more.

 

[57special]

I'm well pleased with this signing and I think there's little real risk considering how many players we have that can play C (if not all that well).

The people who think this is a bad deal have neglected to mention the one thing that worries me about Staal's drop off. If it was frustration that caused the drop, then what happens here if BB is shaking things up and Staal loses his spot with Parise? Is it unmotivated Staal all over again? or will he be a Stewart who will be happy about playing any role.

I don't think it'll be much of a problem, but who knows. Still pretty low risk. I have a feeling in three years we'll feel better about this than some of the teams who have signed 5 or 7 year deals with the big names.

What are the odds that his play is related to frustration rather than age and injury. Pretty poor, I'd say. The guy has logged a ton of minutes in his career. If we keep his TOI low, perhaps he will be able to be more effective. People expecting him to be challenging Koivu for the #1 C role are going to be sorely disappointed.

I wish we could've made a trade for a younger C. We had some pieces. Either Fletcher overestimated their value, or the players rumored to be in play really weren't, or weren't at reasonable prices.

This move feels like treading water. Yet another aging, slowing player. Remember when the Wild used to be fast?

 

[57special]

In the times I saw him with Carolina this season, and in the series against the Pens, Staal looked like a straight-up 4th liner. He was slow, ineffective, bad defensively, and whenever he found himself in good scoring position he'd chest snipe or miss entirely.

He just isn't what he was. Maybe he could be a decent 3rd liner but not much more.

I hope you're wrong. If it does turn out that he is nothing but the new Jared Stoll, then it won't be a financial disaster, but certainly a setback. You would think if it gets to that point Stoll would retire out of pride. He's made his money.

I'd far rather the Wild made this move than go after Backes or Okposo.

 

[rynryn]

I'm skeptical about his ability to play with Parise minute for minute but we'll see. Still not much to complain about. I'm still going to guess that he + Dumba will outscore any number of other options we might have had in trades for less money even if he does play a 3C/PP role.

 

[BHD]

Hard to rip this move, unless you think Staal is that bad.

 

[mashedpotato]

Replaced Vanek's scoring touch with Staal's scoring touch.

Bravo.

 

[bleedgreen]

Canes fans have watched this guy play through it all obviously. Summing up everything that went wrong in a paragraph and thinking it's all fixed with Parise is the obvious rose colored way of looking at this.

He can still be strong around the net. He sees the ice well generally, though playmaking was never his thing. He was never a great shooter and he doesn't skate very well so he's at his best down low.

Wild fans saying the only problem was the team he played for are kidding yourselves a bit. We used to make the same excuses for him 5 years ago. He used to have a "beast mode" where he could still get it done when he so chose. Hasn't had that in years. I'm sure things will improve some with better linemates, but not to the level I think any of you are expecting.

 

[Wabit]

Canes fans have watched this guy play through it all obviously. Summing up everything that went wrong in a paragraph and thinking it's all fixed with Parise is the obvious rose colored way of looking at this.

He can still be strong around the net. He sees the ice well generally, though playmaking was never his thing. He was never a great shooter and he doesn't skate very well so he's at his best down low.

Wild fans saying the only problem was the team he played for are kidding yourselves a bit. We used to make the same excuses for him 5 years ago. He used to have a "beast mode" where he could still get it done when he so chose. Hasn't had that in years. I'm sure things will improve some with better linemates, but not to the level I think any of you are expecting.

This is what I'm expecting. A willing to shoot the puck, go to the front of the net, big body center. He's something the Wild haven't had.

Since Parise/Suter signed we've had 1 total year where a centre had 15+ goals (I'm not counting Coyle this year, he played more wing).

 

[Blueline Bomber]

Well, he's definitely willing to shoot the puck. Depending on how he's feeling in any particular game, he may go to the front of the net (though he's more likely to hang out near the boards and wait for a pass), and as far as a "big body center", it all depends on what you want from that. If you're expecting physicality or defensive play to go with that big body, you're going to be disappointed.

 

[eco's bones]

He played his first several games with the Rangers at center. It wasn't working out. The Rangers moved him to left wing. That didn't work out either. After that they plugged him in at either position. Truthfully he sucked for us. He sucked a lot. The Rangers gave him plenty of ice time. The Rangers play by play people and analysts kept telling us to be patient--'it takes time for a player to learn a new system'. He didn't improve. He looked confused and he looked slow.

I'm not saying he's going to be terrible for the Wild. I don't know--but he was awful for us. Would I have given him a 3 year contract at $3.5 mil per? No. Is it going to be one of the best contracts this free agent season? We'll see--but I wouldn't be too hopeful.

The silver lining is it's only $3.5 mil a year. What else were you going to spend it on anyway?

 

[NYRFAN218]

He played his first several games with the Rangers at center. It wasn't working out. The Rangers moved him to left wing. That didn't work out either. After that they plugged him in at either position. Truthfully he sucked for us. He sucked a lot. The Rangers gave him plenty of ice time. The Rangers play by play people and analysts kept telling us to be patient--'it takes time for a player to learn a new system'. He didn't improve. He looked confused and he looked slow.

I'm not saying he's going to be terrible for the Wild. I don't know--but he was awful for us. Would I have given him a 3 year contract at $3.5 mil per? No. Is it going to be one of the best contracts this free agent season? We'll see--but I wouldn't be too hopeful.

The silver lining is it's only $3.5 mil a year. What else were you going to spend it on anyway?

I don't think I agree with this assessment. He struggled for sure but a lot of it was him being misutilized. He played his best centering Lindberg and Stalberg and that line was inexplicably split up by AV. He was then put on 3rd line wing with Hayes centering who was also struggling a ton. He got one actual shot at playing in the top 6 which was quickly scrapped.

From what I saw, he's slowed down a step since earlier in his career but he can still get going when he skates up ice. Very good along the boards and can drive the net pretty decently still. It seems though he's really lost his scoring ability. He drives possession pretty well, good in the faceoff circle, etc but the points just didn't seem to come.

His play with the Rangers was ultimately very disappointing along with the way he was utilized. I said at the time with the way the Rangers were constructed it didn't make any sense to trade for him. Square peg in a round hole. They had more concerning issues then trading for a guy they were going to play on the 3rd line. Ultimately, I think this contract isn't that bad and it could work out well for the Wild.

 

[SirPaste]

Seems like a pretty solid deal

 

[vadim sharifijanov]

dany heatley, pt 2

 

[FLYLine27*]

dany heatley, pt 2

Yup.

 

[eco's bones]

I don't think I agree with this assessment. He struggled for sure but a lot of it was him being misutilized. He played his best centering Lindberg and Stalberg and that line was inexplicably split up by AV. He was then put on 3rd line wing with Hayes centering who was also struggling a ton. He got one actual shot at playing in the top 6 which was quickly scrapped.

From what I saw, he's slowed down a step since earlier in his career but he can still get going when he skates up ice. Very good along the boards and can drive the net pretty decently still. It seems though he's really lost his scoring ability. He drives possession pretty well, good in the faceoff circle, etc but the points just didn't seem to come.

His play with the Rangers was ultimately very disappointing along with the way he was utilized. I said at the time with the way the Rangers were constructed it didn't make any sense to trade for him. Square peg in a round hole. They had more concerning issues then trading for a guy they were going to play on the 3rd line. Ultimately, I think this contract isn't that bad and it could work out well for the Wild.

On the question of his being misutilized--the Rangers stopped playing Lindberg--no one knew exactly why when it happened but the answer came after the Rangers were eliminated by the Pens. Lindberg had ****ed up his hip--off season surgery out until November or whenever. Here's one thing I saw with Eric Staal---no chemistry with any of his new teammates and we can say he's not being used right but he got ice time including power play time--he got shuffled around with other players--most of whom were bigger threats to score than either of Stalberg or Lindberg and basically there was zip for production. He'd have one good game and then disappear for the next 6 or 7. He was good on the walls--but he was average on face-offs--123 wins--118 losses. 6 points in 20 games. 16:15 avg. time on ice.

 

[sheriff bart]

Any Wild fan that is hoping for EStaal to be a net front presence is going to be disappointed. He is a shell of his former self, and he has never been a player that used his size to be physical. If he does change his game t do this, it will be something that he has never done in the past. He's still good on puck possession, but that is his role now.

 

[Casper]

Replaced Vanek's scoring touch with Staal's scoring touch.

Bravo.

Well, its for half the cap hit. Plus, if he isn't scoring he should be better defensively than Vanek. Unless his demise is truly that steep.

 

[NYRFAN218]

On the question of his being misutilized--the Rangers stopped playing Lindberg--no one knew exactly why when it happened but the answer came after the Rangers were eliminated by the Pens. Lindberg had ****ed up his hip--off season surgery out until November or whenever. Here's one thing I saw with Eric Staal---no chemistry with any of his new teammates and we can say he's not being used right but he got ice time including power play time--he got shuffled around with other players--most of whom were bigger threats to score than either of Stalberg or Lindberg and basically there was zip for production. He'd have one good game and then disappear for the next 6 or 7. He was good on the walls--but he was average on face-offs--123 wins--118 losses. 6 points in 20 games. 16:15 avg. time on ice.

Well my biggest issue was you acquire a guy like Staal where you pay a premium (2 2nds and a pretty decent prospect) and he outright states he prefers playing center an he predominantly plays 3rd line wing. Why are you acquiring this player if you're going to play him there and pay that kind of price? My biggest gripe was not giving him a chance in the top 6 wing for an extended period of time. He was tried with Nash once and that was immediately deserted.

You won't get an argument from me about his tenure here. It was a failure. But what I saw from him in games leads me to believe he can still play and contribute relative to the cap hit he was just signed at. Are you going to get a 50+ point player? I don't think so. But you'll get a player that can contribute in the ways I highlighted in my last post. At $3.5 million, I don't think that's bad at all.

 

[57special]

Replaced Vanek's scoring touch with Staal's scoring touch.

Bravo.

Total ignoring Vanek's abysmal defensive game. His forechecking, backchecking, and bodychecking was non existent, and his giveaways were epic.

 

[TaLoN]

Canes fans have watched this guy play through it all obviously. Summing up everything that went wrong in a paragraph and thinking it's all fixed with Parise is the obvious rose colored way of looking at this.

He can still be strong around the net. He sees the ice well generally, though playmaking was never his thing. He was never a great shooter and he doesn't skate very well so he's at his best down low.

Wild fans saying the only problem was the team he played for are kidding yourselves a bit. We used to make the same excuses for him 5 years ago. He used to have a "beast mode" where he could still get it done when he so chose. Hasn't had that in years. I'm sure things will improve some with better linemates, but not to the level I think any of you are expecting.

I don't think anyone has said his ONLY problem was the team he played for. Everyone knows he's slowing down, the debate comes in the "how much has he slowed down" category...how much of the collapse last season was him, and how much was frustration that caused lack of motivation?

The question is, can be regain even a little bit of form to be a 40-50pt second line center?

I think it's a real possibility at least that he will.

Not a single person expects the elite Staal of old.

 

[DaveG]

I don't think anyone has said his ONLY problem was the team he played for. Everyone knows he's slowing down, the debate comes in the "how much has he slowed down" category...how much of the collapse last season was him, and how much was frustration that caused lack of motivation?

The question is, can be regain even a little bit of form to be a 40-50pt second line center?

I think it's a real possibility at least that he will.

Not a single person expects the elite Staal of old.

Trust those of us who've watched the guy for years on end: It's Eric. And it's not entirely his fault either. He just doesn't have the speed he once had after that dirty POS hit by Edler. So much of his effectiveness in the past was based on having a strong first step. He was merely "OK" the first season after that hit, after being the #2 ES scorer in the league the year before, and was just frankly garbage the next two. He's never had an especially quick release and if he can't get separation then it greatly hinders his effectiveness. And he just stopped being able to get separation. Add to that Tlusty going back to mediocrity and Semin completely falling off the earth after being a dominant line just 2 years prior, and his production is done.

We're not saying expect him to be godawful, we're just saying don't bank on a bounce back. He's being paid in line with what his ability is now, and playing him with Coyle and Parise is probably going to end up being a total waste of Coyle and Parise.

 

[Roboturner913]

I get the sense he's more motivated of a player with the opportunity he's being given here.

He was played as a 3rd liner at a position he didn't like to play when he was in NY, not exactly a motivational situation for him.

I guess the chance to win a Cup wasn't motivation enough?

The guy doesn't have the legs to play center anymore, plain and simple. He's an awful leader and mopes/whines when things don't go his way. He never really played physical, his defensive effort throughout most of his career has been laughable, and he peaked as a player in the 2008-09 season.

You can blame the Canes all you want for his issues, but 2008 Eric Staal ain't walking through that door. If you can find a place that fits him, great, but don't expect anything more than a solid possession guy who can get you 35-40 points. He can be useful in that role and the money he was signed to reflects that. Expecting to make him your 1C or 2C will only end in disappointment.

 

[TaLoN]

I guess the chance to win a Cup wasn't motivation enough?

The guy doesn't have the legs to play center anymore, plain and simple. He's an awful leader and mopes/whines when things don't go his way. He never really played physical, his defensive effort throughout most of his career has been laughable, and he peaked as a player in the 2008-09 season.

You can blame the Canes all you want for his issues, but 2008 Eric Staal ain't walking through that door. If you can find a place that fits him, great, but don't expect anything more than a solid possession guy who can get you 35-40 points. He can be useful in that role and the money he was signed to reflects that. Expecting to make him your 1C or 2C will only end in disappointment.

I don't think anyone has said his ONLY problem was the team he played for. Everyone knows he's slowing down, the debate comes in the "how much has he slowed down" category...how much of the collapse last season was him, and how much was frustration that caused lack of motivation?

The question is, can be regain even a little bit of form to be a 40-50pt second line center?

I think it's a real possibility at least that he will.

Not a single person expects the elite Staal of old.

Don't read the posts in the thread you're responding to?

 

[eco's bones]

Well my biggest issue was you acquire a guy like Staal where you pay a premium (2 2nds and a pretty decent prospect) and he outright states he prefers playing center an he predominantly plays 3rd line wing. Why are you acquiring this player if you're going to play him there and pay that kind of price? My biggest gripe was not giving him a chance in the top 6 wing for an extended period of time. He was tried with Nash once and that was immediately deserted.

You won't get an argument from me about his tenure here. It was a failure. But what I saw from him in games leads me to believe he can still play and contribute relative to the cap hit he was just signed at. Are you going to get a 50+ point player? I don't think so. But you'll get a player that can contribute in the ways I highlighted in my last post. At $3.5 million, I don't think that's bad at all.

It was a horrible deal for the Rangers. They overestimated how good they were. Overestimated how good Eric Staal was. Gave up two 2nd's and Saarela who looks like he's going to be a pretty good player. It is what it is.

Can Eric Staal bang in 40-45 points this year. I think it's very possible but even if those are 2nd line numbers I don't look at him as a 2nd line player. He's not a guy who is going to lead an offense anymore and his ability to play an effective 200' game night in and night out isn't what it used to be. The pace of the game is passing him by. He's going to be a bit of a drag on whoever his line mates are.

 

[Roboturner913]

Don't read the posts in the thread you're responding to?

bold one clause in a sentence and only respond to that instead of other points directly addressing your quote?