We made it to the stanley cup with Stepan as our #1. How the hell does he suck? Has he improved every season he has been in the league? Yes. The kid is a good two way player who is still growing.
He's never been a good goal scorer. His points have mostly came on assists. 26th among points is a borderline #1 center.
Yeah I know, you've already said it 1 million times. I'm just curious why you are so down on him. Kreider struggled early in his career. Did you feel the same way about him?
Again, let me state the fact that EVERY once of us acknowledge that the number one issue with this team is that they do not score enough goals. Yet the player who plays on the top line in the most prolific goal-scoring position was among the worst centers in the league at scoring goals last season, and I am the only one who sees this as a problem?
Tell me what you see In his play? He's not noticeable on the ice...if you like him fine, this is my opinion...I hope he works out, but unless something changes drastically at this stage, he's not a top 9 forward, and they won't play him on the 4th line...Kreids is bigger, faster, stronger and more skilled
Your opinion I respect, I'm not a huge Stepan guy either, but I give him slack for one reason, he plays with Nash and Kreider, neither have buried the puck consistently, if they do his stats will look better....they keep talking about how he practices his shot after practice everday, hit the god damn net, because he gets plenty of chances....he has to improve his faceofffs too
I'm not saying he is as talented as Kreider. Just comparing that both had similar struggles to stay up with the big club early in their career's. What I've seen is a center with good size who is mobile and could play a two way game. Don't think he will be a star, but I can see a 50-60 point #2 center who plays a good two way game. His 20-21 year old season in the AHL he was over a point per game and thats impressive for a player that age. He's played in the WJC twice for the USA, and he played well in both tournaments. At every level he has gotten consistent ice time, he has played well. It's no surprise that he struggled in the NHL without consistent ice time. The upside play to fill Richards role would be Miller. Lombardi's just a bad stop gap and Lindberg isn't the prospect that Miller is.
I wonder how he'd play if he played with MSL. Playing with inconsistent players like Nash and Kreider doesn't really help.
So what's worse, the big goon falling on Hank in the SCF last season or the botched call in the Jets game today?
Well, that mattered more but this was a worse decision. At least that was a judgement call. This one came down to the ref not knowing the rules. I think its a close between the two.
But Kreider showed glimpses. He showed great speed. He then started to show a meanness to his game. Besides a brief outburst right out of the gate, Miller has shown nothing....you cant even remember him being on the ice. Nothing at all. You have 2 sets of coaches that have publicly called him out. Thats bad...very bad. Lets see if someone got in his head during the off season because his pre pro hockey career showed promise so there must be something there. As far as Stepan goes...I mean...its not even worth talking about. I dont know how anyone could defend him being a number 1 center. I really dont think he has improved at all...in fact it just seems to get worse. Stats may say a bit more here and there but that could also be because of a more offensive coaching staff and game plan. He doesnt do it for me at all.
I met JT Miller today up in Westchester. Didn't seem too happy to be shaking hands & signing autographs, he really wanted to be somewhere else lol
