Good thing he held out for that extra 100K. Hope he likes watching the US team from his couch.
Good thing he held out for that extra 100K. Hope he likes watching the US team from his couch.
ImIdaho
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Nah, he's having a bad season because of his foolish actions of missing training camp. He's still a keeper. But he stinks right now and it's clear as day why.
When we do our rebuild, definitely keep him. He'll look nice as a 2nd line C behind McDavid.
Been saying it for a while, Stepan is way overrated and is softer than a case of charmin bathroom tissue.
I knew it would happen. I kept saying the longer Stepan holds out the worse he will be the first half of the season and that has been the case
Colby
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- Mar 2, 2011
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I know that's a popular narrative, but I think it's impossible to quantify the effect of his holdout on his play. What we do know, though, is he has been a slow starter every year of his NHL career. Take out the hat-trick in his debut and he was put on the 4th line for a while early in his rookie season. Through nine games in 11/12 he had 0G 2A. Last year's early season slump was highlighted in this embarrassing thread: http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=1332525
I don't know if four seasons is a big enough sample to say he's a slow-starter, so it could just be noise instead of a signal. Either way, he, like most other Rangers, needs to pick it up.
When he looks back on this season/year and realizes that the reason he missed the Olympics squad was for a 100 grand he's going to be kicking himself. His agent should start looking for a new client.
It's not impossible at all. In those seasons he didn't miss training camp. New coach, new system. He looks terrible. The fact that he missed training camp may not be everything, but it's probably 90% of the problem.
aufheben
#Norris4Fox
It's clearly because he missed training camp. His partner in crime being out doesn't help either. Even with him playing sub par, he's still only a little below PPG. I don't think he'll be excluded from Team USA. Stepan will excel on a deep, talented team like that.
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At first I was like Dubnyk, but that I remembered - we need to tank. Good thinking.
As long as we are getting some good picks and prospects in return that's fine. Don't want him trading anything for Older players/players to try to get us off this schnide. It's tank time baby!
Ricebox
Registered User
It would mean a full rebuild. Which I wouldn't be happy with if Sather is still here.
ImIdaho
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You still need a combination of proven talent with young talent. Getting picks only gets you so far. Ask Oiler fans how they feel, and they garnered 3 1st overall picks.
Ricebox
Registered User
Paulie Walnutz
Make HF Great Again
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Made Dan
Registered User
Teams deprived of offensive talent and clearly Pouliot and Zuc aren't the answers to that. Call up Kristo and Kreider and give them decent minutes, give Pouliot and MZA less. I'd rationalize cutting Pyatts time but that's implied.
I know, but that proven talent has to fit a mold. Young, skilled, on a contract that still leaves them an RFA when done. Gotta start somewhere.
ImIdaho
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And look at where they are. They can score in bunches but they also get scored on in bunches. And they have the opposite problem to us: they can't get a legit UFA to sign there that is worth a damn.
Ok, Trade us Lundqvist (Tampa)
You just cant have Stamkos or St.Louis, or Gudas
Drouin and he's yours.
ImIdaho
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I'd start signing talent that can score 20G, 20A but doesn't disappear and still is noticeable on the ice when the opposition plays rough. We only have one player on the team that plays like that, and he's out with an injury.
