Hockey Night in Canada's Scott Morrison delivers his insights into the world of hockey, on and off the ice.
The younger Staal stays put
Comments (2)
Monday, October 30, 2006 | 01:19 PM ET
By Scott Morrison
Doing the right thing shouldn't necessarily earn someone a pat on the back (if it’s right, just do it, no big deal, right?), but in the case of Jordan Staal and the Pittsburgh Penguins, general manager Ray Shero deserves a little acknowledgment for deciding to keep the young centre in the NHL.
The easy and somewhat safe thing for Shero to have done, of course, would have been to return the 18-year-old to the Peterborough Petes for the season, thus protecting himself to a degree from a business stand point. Had Staal been returned to junior, his three-year entry level contract would not have kicked in this year. And if he survives 40 games, the countdown to unrestricted free agency after seven years would not have begun, either.
From a business standpoint, both are significant considerations.
With Staal staying, the first year of his entry level contract begins, meaning that both he and fellow phenom Evegeni Malkin will become restricted free agents at the same
time, after the 2008-09 season and a year after Sidney Crosby has to be re-signed.
It could and likely will be a very expensive time for the Penguins, who could have softened the potential financial pain slightly by staggering the three players over a three-year period, which was the original draft plan, and that's what could have been accomplished still by sending Staal down.
But…
"Jordan has earned a spot on our roster," Shero said in a press release. "We all knew about his skill level when we drafted him (number two overall in June), but his work ethic, maturity and consistent effort have enabled him to make what normally is a difficult transition for a teenager."
Indeed, despite his tender age (he was born five days away from being eligible for this year's draft), Staal has proven he has the size (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) and more importantly strength to play against men. A lot of kids have the skill, but can't compete physically. He can.
A lot of kids also have the skill offensively to play, but don't have the defensive side of their game properly refined. He does. Staal is the Penguins top penalty killer and has three shorthanded goals.
He has also moved into centre on the second line since Ryan Malone went down with an injury. His ice time has gone from roughly an average of a dozen minutes a night, to 16-plus. Overall, he has four goals and an assist in nine games.
So the evidence suggests that not only has he earned the right to stay, but Staal shouldn't drop off now that he is sticking around. He has moved from fourth to second line and neither missed a beat nor been overwhelmed by the responsibility.
Of course, if Staal does, ah, stall the Penguins can still send him back to junior. And while the clock on the three years is running, they can still delay the clock on the seven
years if they return him before 40 games. But it's doubtful that will happen.
Beyond all the other rationale for keeping Staal, not to be overlooked is the fact the Penguins are playing well, off to a 6-3 start and winners of their past four games.
But the bottom line is the Penguins didn't worry about the bottom line and instead did the right thing for the team on the ice. Good for them, not that it needs to be said.
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About the Author
Scott Morrison, the recipient of the Hockey Hall of Fameís 2006 Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award, has been covering hockey for 25 years. The Toronto native began his career at the Toronto Sun in 1979. After spending more than 11 years as a hockey writer and columnist at the paper, Morrison became Sports Editor in 1991 and led the section to being named one of North America's top-ten sports sections in 1999 - the first sports section in Canada to receive the AP Sports Editors North American Award. Scott, a former two-term president of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association, joined Rogers Sportsnet in 2001 as Managing Editor, Hockey, and is currently both a commentator on Hockey Night in Canada and a columnist for CBC.ca.
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Comments (2)
Brandon
Newcastle
Anyone who complains about Staal stayin in the NHL this year is obviously a Flyers fan. Otherwise good on the Pens, young talented team and are showing it on the ice, especially verse the Flyers which is all that is important...Keep Staal and give the rookie a chance, Ray Shero has made the right decision, too bad othe GM's can make the right ones
Posted October 30, 2006 07:27 PM
The Bambino
Way to go Ray Shero. Why send a kid back to Junior when he proved he belongs. He's surrounded with talent and can only get better where he is. Or course, he could go back and play with Daniel Ryder to become probably the best one-two punch in the OHL, but why would you hold him back.
He has Crosby, Malkin, and Ryan Whitney to mature with, and a good core group of veterans to help ease the growing process. What better place to be, than with the Pens in the NHL?
A great move for the Pens and for Staal. Nothing wrong with sending a kid back to Jr. if he isn't ready, but he's proven he's ready to play with the big boys. He is what every GM in the NHL is looking for. A young speedy skilled forward who can adapt to the new rule changes. If the Pens can add a defensive defenceman or two, they could not only make the playoffs, but make some noise. Lets hope these young kids can save the Pens.
I'm not saying they'll win the cup or their division, but the playoffs are not out of their reach.
Posted October 30, 2006 04:10 PM