Debunking Puck Daddy and the "Mystery" of Eric Staal
by Bob Wage on Mar 11, 2009 7:00 AM EDT
39 comments
On Monday, a new author over at Yahoo's Puck Daddy Blog took the time to write a spiteful editorial about Eric Staal. While most of his facts seemed to be accurate, one might ask, why Staal and why now? In the author's viewpoint, is Staal the only inconsistent superstar in the league?
The timing of the article is kind of weird because Staal is certainly not in a slump. Carolina's franchise player was just named the NHL's first star of the week. He recently scored more points in one game, (six), than any other player in the league has scored in a single game this season.
"Puck Daddy" informs it's readers that Staal has scored 10 of his 32 goals against "bad" teams, apparently implying that the NHL All Star is a choker? Then he goes on in an attempt to discredit him even further.
He also benefits heavily, of course, from playing in the Southeast Division, where two of the worst three teams in the league play his Carolina Hurricanes six times a year each.
wow...
Apparently, Alexander Ovechkin, Mike Green, Ilya Kovalchuk, Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, Jay Bouwmeester, and every other player in the division doesn't share this same benefit.
The author goes on to analyze which teams the center scored against the most. But let's be fair. Eric Staal led the entire NHL in scoring during the 2006 playoffs with 28 points in 25 games played. He could have easily been awarded the Conn Smythe. Does that not count for anything? Were all those playoff teams "weak sisters"?
If "Puck Daddy" wanted to write up an Expos'e about Staal, why not at least make an attempt to sound somewhat unbiased and impartial?
They could certainly find a few positive things to add if they wanted to. How about the fact that Staal has played in 322 consecutive games, the second longest streak currently in the league? The 24 year old has only missed ONE game in his entire NHL career. But something like that is certainly insignificant compared to how many goals he has scored against Tampa Bay.
Staal also has four consecutive 30 goal seasons, a rarity no matter what division you play in. He is presently tied for sixth in the league with eight game winning goals. (Patrick Marleau is first with 10). One could go on and on with the player's attributes and achievements, but let's see just how "poorly" Staal stacks up against a few of the other superstars in the league.
First we will compare salaries of some of the highest paid players this season:
- Brad Richards: 7.8 million
- Marian Gaborik: 7.5 million
- Dany Heatley: 10 million
- Danny Briere: 8 million
- Vincent Lecavalier 7.1 million
- Jason Spezza: 8 million
- Scott Gomez: 8 million
- Chris Drury: 7.1 million
- Ryan Smyth: 7.2 million
- Eric Staal: 5 million
Now compare total goals scored over the past four year period, (including YTD):
- Heatley: 173
- Lecavalier: 155
- Staal: 145
- Smyth: 114
- Gaborik: 113
- Spezza: 110
- Drury: 108
- Briere: 93
- Richards: 84
- Gomez: 76
Now compare total points for the same players during the same period, (including YTD):
- Heatley: 351
- Lecavalier: 337
- Spezza: 323
- Staal: 310
- Gomez: 261
- Richards: 260
- Smyth: 251
- Drury: 236
- Briere: 234
- Gaborik: 211
What have you done for me lately? Compare total points year-to-date:
- Lecavalier: 62
- Heatley: 61
- Staal: 58
- Smyth: 56
- Spezza: 54
- Richards: 48
- Gomez: 47
- Drury: 42
- Briere: 9
- Gaborik: 5
So let's get this straight. Eric Staal is the inconsistent one who is not living up to his contract? (besides the fact that he has not even started his new contract yet). If you take the time to actually look at the numbers and see what he is doing compared with what other highly paid players in the league have done, he is near the top in every category.
Is Eric Staal inconsistent at times? Of course, but is he any worse than most of the other highly compensated in the league? Why wouldn't "Puck Daddy" do an in-depth analysis about what teams Scott Gomez scores against? Or Brad Richards? Or Ryan Smyth?
It's not the first time our friends at "Puck Daddy" have slammed Carolina. They have gone from calling the Glen Wesley retirement ceremony a joke, to even saying that the team, (as well as the division), should be contracted.
The very popular blog can be called a lot of things, but unbiased is not one of them.
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Why wouldn’t “Puck Daddy” do an in-depth analysis about what teams Scott Gomez scores against?
Because we already know the Rangers suck.
There, I can start my day now.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
Bubba… this is why you are our “enforcer.”
Great article and rebuttal… Puck Daddy even went so far as to pick apart the Scott Walker bobble head give away…. must be a slow news month over at yahoo…
Perhaps you could talk oll puck daddy into consulting you for the actual real facts before he writes his opinions….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Mar 11, 2009 9:27 AM EDT reply actions
agreed … there are a lot of guys on the top of the scoring list that have never won a Cup. I’m sure Eric could care less about personal accomplishments if the team goals are fulfilled. To be fair, those goals were fulfilled when Eric had his best season, so there’s something to that. But this is a guy who plays every night, doesn’t back down and wants to win above all else. I’ll take that on my side any time.
CanesCountry.com: An Eye On Carolina Hockey
I REALLLLLLLLLY hope FLA and the Canes make the playoffs. 3 teams in the SE making the playoffs would really silence the haters. I feel the SE has tons of individual talent. Don’t bash the rest of the division because TB has insane management!
Great article Bubba, PD has been way too harsh on the Canes lately, and the Staal article was just completely over the top and reeked of some personal vendetta.
(Must be a fan of the Oil)
I had this same thought a few days ago…. I can’t stand Florida… or their lame Radio play-by-play guy… But I would LOVE it if 3 teams from the “South-least” division made it into the playoffs… hell… Lets have Florida and Carolina in the conference finals (I knocked on wood)…. The rankings would have to line up right…. but that would silence all the contraction-cry-babies around the league….
Contract Pheonix if you want to contract someone…. oh…. wait… I forgot that Wayne Gretzky is god….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Mar 11, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
“I can’t stand Florida… or their lame Radio play-by-play guy”
That guy is the one thing Florida has going for it! “He shoots he scores! Who is your daddy and what does he do?” Anyone who quotes Kindergarten Cop during a hockey broadcast is OK by me. ;)
You bring up a good point about Phoenix. How come no one ever has a go at the Pacific Division? Do LA, Anaheim, San Jose, Dallas, and Phoenix “deserve” an NHL team more than Atlanta, Florida, and North Carolina?
by nomadologist on Mar 11, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
That guy lost me on “you did the motor boat… didn’t you?”
I wonder if he has ever said: “The pass goes to Stillman at the top of the circle… he waits… heshootshescoooooores….. LUKE…. I AM YOUR FATHER!!!!”
Then he would be on my good side again….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Mar 11, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Although my personal favorite was: “he sends it back to BOW-MEEEESTer HE SHOOTSHESCOOOOOORES…… AND I DRAW DING-DONGS ON PEOPLE…”
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Mar 11, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Ah, we’ll never silence the haters. But we can always just tell ‘em they’re wrong and laugh at them when/if 3 SE teams make the POs because I’m sure they’ll feel like they are cheated out of watching ‘good’ hockey… Too bad for them.
by Andrea's evil twin on Mar 11, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
You mean “Good Hockey” like they have in Ottawa and Toronto… right?
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Mar 11, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Don’t forget the amazing run of Hockey being played on Long Island… they do great up there!
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Mar 11, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
First, hi to all posters. Many of you may have seen me before Bubba and Cory jumped over here.
With that said, I have to agree with most of Puck Daddy’s assessment. And while he does bash the Southeast division for no good reason consistently, the core statement that Staal isn’t worth 8.25 million over 7 seasons may be true. For one, Staal is a center. He shouldn’t need someone to get him playing his best, he should be helping others play their best. For another, he, like the rest of the team, can be inconsistent or non-existent for long stretches.
Three things I think Puck Daddy should have pointed out:
1) Staal is 24 and is still getting better. That needs to be factored in.
2)Carolina is a long way from Canada and a small market. Some times those teams have to pay more for players. Heck, even Chicago had to pay a lot to sign Havlat when they were struggling a few years back. You take your chances and you hope you guessed right.
3) Staal didn’t offer himself that much money, the GM Jim Rutherford did.
All good points…. I do disagree w/ your point # 2 though (I mean…. I do realize that Carolina is a long way from Canada…. both in body and in spirit… ) Around here we actually hear talk of GOOD players who are willing to take LESS money because they WANT to be able to stay here….
It’s almost like we pride ourselves in being hockeys best kept secret…..
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Mar 11, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Raleigh isn’t my favorite city in the state, but come on guys it can’t be so bad that it warrants a contract premium.
My point was to the contrary… We have had (and will have) good players willing to take less money so they can stay here….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Mar 11, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I know, it was a tongue in cheek comment meant to respond to C-Leaguer. my bad. I totally agree with you.
Surely some players thrive in the Canadian markets, but is it that stunning that a guy might want to live in a beautiful place like NC, where the tiniest mistake won’t be endlessly brought up. (Uh-Oh Corvo in ottawa, etc…)
hey C-Leaguer, glad to see you make the jump here.
First of all, how can anyone logically determine whether or not Staal is worth a contract that has not even taken effect yet? Can we at least wait until the first day of it, before we say he isn’t worth it?
Secondly, compared to the others in my comparison, where does Staal not add up? Why is he getting the criticism when he is performing better than several other, higher paid players in the league? Regardless of the market, if they are worth their salaries, why isn’t he worth his?
Last, I agree that he is an unusual center in that he shoots first, and passes second. But, he is second in the league with shots on goal. Earlier this year, if he had the line mates to keep up with him, they could have had some juicy rebound opportunities. But when no one is there for the rebound, I can’t see that as being his fault. In every season up to this one, he has had more assists than goals.
Staal certainly is not perfect and I agreed that he was inconsistent, but in my opinion, there are very few players better than he is in the league. I would choose him over any of the 9 other players on my list.
And the future money isn’t that bad if you make valid comparisons. I don’t think the Canes could afford to take the chance to lose him to an offer sheet., or would you prefer Rutherford be faced with having to match a 10 million dollar per year offer sheet, or more, from Kevin Lowe?
GM of CanesCountry.com
Bubba, I would say the difference between Staal and most of the guys you named above is the leadership they bring to their teams. Other than that I think you make a pretty good comparison. As for criticism, we all know that is Puck Daddy and his hatred of the southeast.
I’ll agree with you on the judging him against a contract that hasn’t even begun. That is an unfair comparison. This season needs to be judged against the contract he signed after the cup. I think it may have been more prudent for JR to sign Staal to a shorter contract and go for a longer deal later. I don’t know that he had that opportunity. As you note, an offer sheet may have come or maybe Staal said two years and I walk or seven years and I stay.
Personally, I’m just a bit upset that Staal who is one of the better centers in the league needs a winger to get him going. I was pretty happy after last season when the deal was signed, especially given Staal’s play down the stretch last season. I think Ward’s struggles have more directly lead to the position the Canes find themselves in right now but Staal is the guy. He needs to be more present in more games. It’s not to say he might not get there. He’s still improving. Look at his faceoff win percentage this year compared to previous seasons. Monday against the Rangers Staal made a great move with his feet to win a face off, something that I didn’t think he had in him.
I just think Puck Daddy’s article had some truth in it.
Hey, C-Leaguer long time, no read!! I must say as long as they keep winning like they have, I don’t care, but, the Cole signing to get Staal to play still rubs me wrong. I guess it was a stroke of genious if they make a good PO run and dismal stupidity if they fail. I’ll let you know in a few weeks…
A
See above on the Cole item, I agree with you on that!
I’ve been going back and forth all season on whether this is a playoff team or this is a team that needs to start re-building to get better. Before the deal for Cole I was firmly on the re-build wagon. As of now I’ve switched. Not for the play, which is nice, believe me, but because Williams, a guy who had enough value while injured to get O’Sullivan and a second round pick, is gone and Cole, a UFA with no value after the season unless he is re-signed is in. That makes re-building that much more difficult.
Bubba- BRAVO.
I’m a friend of Cory’s who lurks here mostly and I enjoy your site and all the hard work you and Cory put into this gig I while I lurk here & post elsewhere, but I HAD to register and chime in and say- THANK YOU for such a well thought out and informed post. I’m just one of many in line as an Eric Staal fan. Saw him drafted in NSH, and have followed him all along and was THRILLED when we drafted him, and will not wane in my personal loyalty to Eric, or my assertion that he is just now hitting his stride. That this blogger came out and slammed him in for me, seemed like a personal attack, when the NHL is as you pointed out, littered with guys who have not added value to their team with their fat contracts (that are well in play) just makes me boil. So Kudos for the facts.
While Eric has been maddeningly inconsistent for all of our tastes at times, he has shown up when it matters most, has at times (last year this time) taken this team on those big shoulders and tried to will the bunch right over the line. We all know it can’t be done alone, but it’s certainly not for a lack of trying. Those who question Eric’s “effort” or “heart” (which has happened) or ill informed people using an alias as a name, aren’t paying any attention- at ALL.
Eric was chosen 2nd overall in 2003, when it was my hope and belief, had we not ‘lost’ the lottery ball sweepstakes, we would have drafted him 1st, in what was easily one of the deepest drafts, and in hockey circles, ‘the best’ drafts in years. People in hockey will argue it til the cows come home, but I won’t budge from my belief Staal should’ve gone #1, and to me, he remains the best pick of the draft. He would’ve been the Conn Smythe Winner in 2006, but who won it? Yeah, we all know who.
We will pay him a boatload of money starting next year. If we’re going by Bubba’s list, I take Staal all over again, hands down, and I pay him exactly what we’re going to pay him. He’s worth it to me. Period.
Bubba I hope you posted your blog entry on that post on Puck Daddy’s site. It’s important that we inform the ill informed about the franchise player (and any other player for that matter) for this team. Great work.
Patty
Bitch Slap in Prose!!!!
I love it Bubba. But I don’t mind the whole weak division argument, we’re going to have 3 teams from the SE in the SC Playoffs. What more validation do you need?
Satan is just a coping mechanism for monotheists.
Gee Paladin,
What did Erik Cole ever do to you? Why all the hating? I mean, he has made some of the most memorable plays in this team’s history. He won a cup here, and oh by the way he broke his neck for this team. They did not bring Cole back to get Eric Staal going….they did it because he was the best fit for the team. Are you even a Cane’s fan? Really, who do you like on the team. Are you even watching this team play since the Cole deal? I don’t think so. Perhaps you should stick to basketball or Nascar it is less complicated.
My response:
Yes I wrote this dastardly anti-Staal criticism and took time out of my busy day to post what i feel is a reasoned response.
http://thetwolinepass.com/2009/03/oh-no-canes-country-is-mad-at-me/
Calling me “ill informed,” by the way, is ludicrous.
Where did I call you “ill informed”? I said that your facts seemed to be accurate.
I will respond to your response here when I have the chance. Thanks.
GM of CanesCountry.com
Then I’m “woefully off-base” just like Jim Rutherford I guess. For now, I will take the side of a GM who won Executive of the Year two times, over someone who stands in judgement about a future seven year contract based simply upon a few cherry-picked stats from a partial season.
GM of CanesCountry.com
“yeah i don’t really care that much.”
It’s true; “twolinepass” doesn’t care AT ALL!
Folks, please try & understand: “twolinepass” just happened to stumble upon a Carolina Hurricanes blog. (The internets are way big.) He wasn’t desperately hoping people had read his ruminations on Eric Staal – because remember, he REALLY doesn’t CARE that much. (He’s actually quite nonchalant, you see.) But purely by coincidence, he found Canes Country. And while perusing the contents of this blog, he was stunned to find a person meticulously dismantling his spiteful, envious drivel about Staal. And that’s it – end of story!
So in summary, “twolinepass” is NOT an attention-seeking wannabe. I’m happy to have cleared this up!
Nice job, Bubba
I know this post is old now, but just wanted to share my appreciation.
Irrespective of Staal, the first “exhibit” in the Puck Daddy piece surprised me because, “Hello?!” — every star makes his records by piling up goals against weaker teams! Gretzky, Hull, Lemieux: they were all stars no matter who the opposition was, of course — but their numbers wouldn’t have been nearly as gaudy without four-goal nights or five-point nights against teams that had no answer for them. That was just a bizarre, selective bit to start out with.
Lighthouse Hockey: SBN's New York Islanders blog with hip issues.
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