Staal Named NHL's First Star, also Trashed on Puck Daddy

by Bob Wage on Mar 9, 2009 3:16 PM EDT

Eric Staal was named first star of the week by the NHL. He was also kicked around a bit in a Puck Daddy article this morning.

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Thats about right

We have all seen Staal turn it on when he wants to. When he does he is one the best players in the league. He reach Maine from Texas,has a great shot and is practically unmovable infront of the net. When he is on, he is on. The best players in this game have a way of being noticed every game. Maybe not the whole game, everygame but atleast you see flashes every game. Staal has been know to disappear for stretch at times. So im not mad or even shocked at this article (though I am impressed with his data backing it up. you can see he spent some time on this)

Saying all of that, we all know that Staal is a game changer. He may oneday break into the top five player we all think he can be. Im actually pretty sure he will.

He might make more than players that are putting up better numbers, but i think he is worth the money. Its kinda like what everyone was saying about manny. The canes get more than 8.5 mil back from him every year. He is the face of the franchise and is still VERY young.

He has shown the ability to take this team on his back, I think he will do it again and it started vs tampa.

by CarolinaCanes on Mar 9, 2009 3:43 PM EDT reply actions

Hate to agree, but...

Staal contract is going to burden this franchise for a long time if his level of play doesn’t improve drastically. 8million+ for a 70 point scorer sounds like Isiah Thomas was handing out deals.

Still not a crook!

by TrickyD26 on Mar 9, 2009 3:47 PM EDT reply actions

If Isiah was handing em out he would get 25Mper. Maybe it was Matt Millen,lol

If we can start making the play-offs on a regular basis and the budget goes up (to I don’t know, maybe the cap!) I dont think it will be that bad.

like i said, he is over paid but…. There are certain things that he brings tothis market that he would not to others. So im ok with it…. Not great with it but just ok.

If he can show the leadership of the two captains that came before him and come close with the face-offs and get to 100 points on a consistant basis than its a winner (there were alot of “ands” in there)

by CarolinaCanes on Mar 9, 2009 4:05 PM EDT reply actions

Staal is a hockey GOD.

Don’t forget Staal has been playing all season long with a shoulder injury. If you are a real fan and watch the games you can tell anytime Staal gets hit at a weird angle he comes off the boards with one shoulder jack all up. He runs to the locker room gets tape all up and goes back out. A TRUE IRON MAN. Think about how much tape they must use to keep his shoulders even every game night. If he can score all these goals hurt imagine what he would’ve done this season healthy. Whatever, the man scores 4 goals in one game and people still want to talk neg. about him. Ridiculus.

by canescup on Mar 9, 2009 4:40 PM EDT reply actions

you say negitive

as if it were untrue. Im as much of a staal fan as anyone. But the truth is the truth.

nice point though. just might want to calm down a little bit,lol. no one is calling for his head here. just wishing he would step it up a little. (which as i said, i think he is doing)

by CarolinaCanes on Mar 9, 2009 5:21 PM EDT reply actions

I take issue with pointing out just Eric. What about Nash (similar numbers to Eric), Brad Richards (who underproduces AND gets hurt). Heatley and Spezza average $8M a year, an neither has been as productive as Staal. Zetterberg is having a less productive season than him (tho his new deal kicks in next year). Oh, right … so does Staal’s. He makes $5 million this year, $250K less than Jeff Carter (similar output).

Why not point out that Eric always plays. Same can’t be said for Briere, Gaborik, Kariya or Stastny.

Weak article.

CanesCountry.com: An Eye On Carolina Hockey

by Cory Lavalette on Mar 10, 2009 2:46 PM EDT reply actions