Melrose: Stamkos a "beautiful" skater

Lightning coach Barry Melrose liked so much what he saw of Steven Stamkos at the team's prospect camp in Victoria, British Columbia, Melrose spoke in terms uncharacteristic of the rough-and-tumble NHL.

"He's one of the most beautiful skaters I've ever seen," Melrose said Wednesday. "I hate to use the word beautiful in hockey, but skating ability like that, you're eyes are drawn to him on the ice. I know he was with kids and stuff, and it's not a fair comparison, but a great skater is a great skater."

The camp that ended at the beginning of the month is still fresh in Stamkos' mind. He said it was great for him to meet the other prospects and coaches, and putting on a Lightning jersey, even a practice jersey "was a whole new level for me."

"But as far as people watching me and the pressure, I try not to let that affect me," Stamkos said. "I just went out there and my main objective was to just work hard and have fun."

If Stamkos did nothing else, the draft's No. 1 overall pick created even more anticipation for his first NHL training camp. Beyond Melrose's critique about Stamkos' skating, he also praised his wrist shot.

"It's real quick," Melrose said. "It's the shot you want to have in today's game."

Melrose agreed Stamkos, at 6-foot-1, 184 pounds, has to keep working on his size and strength.

"He's cut," Melrose said. "He'd be a male model if he wasn't a hockey player. But he's slim. He's 18 years old. He's not a man yet. Vinny (Lecavalier) looked like a beanpole with shoulder pads on, too. Matter of fact, Stamkos is thicker than Vinny when Vinny came in."

Still, Melrose continued, "He's got to realize that's his biggest weakness right now is his size. He's going to be playing against men now, and that's his biggest adjustment, playing against guys who are as fast as he is and bigger than he is. That's what he's got to work on. We've got people talking to him every week, got him on nutritional programs, and we have strength and conditioning coaches talking to him every week, so he's going to get bigger fast and heavier fast, but he's sill a boy right now, so it's going to take time."

Having said that, Melrose said he can't wait to see Stamkos in an NHL setting.

"What happens with guys like that is he plays better with better people," Melrose said. "If you watch him play with the kids, he gives them the puck and goes to an area and he expects it back, and doesn't get it back. But if he's playing with (Ryan) Malone or a (Radim) Vrbata, he'll get the puck back. I think it's a case where the better people he plays with, the better he'll look."

"It's going to be a different atmosphere, and the competition will be at a whole new level for me," Stamkos said. "So I'm going to try to prepare myself as well as I can the next couple of weeks here, and go in there and try to make a good first impression."

Oh, and by the way, Stamkos made it clear he wants to be called Steven, not Steve. Never mind that I asked him that question before he was even drafted and said he liked Steve. No matter ...

"That's what it says on my birth certificate," he said of the name Steven. "For me, it's not a big deal. Lots of people call me Steve. But I go by the official word and that's with an N on the end, so I'll stick with it."                

Comments

[léo]

What do you mean "trade up"?
Trade what? Prospects? A player? For a num5 draft?
No thank you.
We're ok.
At num 1 in the East.
I understand it would seem "a bad week" for a leafer. We have contrary views on hockey.
leafers are perennial losers.
We are champions.
Like I said, contrary. It's only NATURAL we don't see eye to eye on club manoevers.
You leafers do YOUR thing and We'll do Ours.
Cool?
P.

[PD]

Uh wrong Leo, you are having a bad week.
Montreal or anyone else could have traded up to grab a top 5 pick like the Leafs did to grab Schenn.

[Steve R]

And for your viewing pleasure leo, Habs prospects ranked 4th. Granted it's a little dated, but still an interesting read. You're welcome.

Tampa should be ranked higher than they are with Stamkos in the fold.

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/nhl_organisation_rankings/

[léo]

PD,
Best in the East.
Steve,
OF COURSE I'm piling it on. That's the whole fun of it.
But ok, seriously? It was the 25th pick, Steve, whaddaya want from Us? What does hockeynews want from Us? We got 25th pick because "averagely", only 4 teams finished better than Us, agreed? "Averagely" speaking, right?
Now, ever since Trevor Timmins Joined 5 years ago (HE who built Ottawa), EVERY draft has paid out. Paid out GOOD. REAL good, agreed?
We will only see the dividends of this year's draft about 4 years from now.
And there's NO reason to think Timmins has goofed THIS time, is there?
Regardless of what the precious hockeynews says.
And the ONLY way We coulda picked a Stamkos, a Doughty, a Filatov or a PD Schenn is if We had "stunk" and finished, "averagely" speaking, in the WORST five instead of the five best, agreed?
Whaddaya want from Us, Steve? I'm SORRY We couldn't've picked better hockeynews-evaluated players in the draft, ok?
I'm sorry about that. For YOU, I'm sorry.
For Us, We'll worry about that in 4 years.
We got other more important things to concentrate on this year.
IF you know what I mean.
Aw'ight?
...hockeynews-lover...
P.

[Steve R]

leo,

You said: "We didn't get a pick til the second round. Know why? Cuz We didn't finish LAST! We didn't stink!"

Which is false. Pick 25 for Habs was traded away.

When called on it, you added: "Gainey himself said the pick was worthless. Calgary wanted it more than We did, I guess".

Be a lot easier to wade through your posts if you wouldn't heap the BS so high.

[PD]

Best in the east Leo? Let's wait a while on that one.

[léo]

Us being the best team is the East ISN'T as important as having a good 2008 draft? Is that what you're saying?
I think the VERY reason We became the best is by HAVING excellent drafts since 2001, no?
2008 draft or "last", is that it?
Oh Stevie,
My dear, dear, friend.
Prioritize, padawan!
Prioritize.
P.

[Steve R]

leo,

"If you ain't first, you're last"

[léo]

Same thing, Steve.
Gainey himself said the pick was worthless. Calgary wanted it more than We did, I guess.
Besides, with Trevor Timmins as scout, it don't matter WHERE we pick.
But if it makes you feel better? Then the hockeynews is right; We had a terrible draft and now, We are doomed to fail. And that, right promptly.
Cool?
P.

[PD]

Well I agree that the Hockey news is just a rag.
Bunch of wannabee's

[Steve R]

leo,

"We didn't get a pick til the second round. Know why? Cuz We didn't finish LAST! We didn't stink!"

Dude.... Your 25th pick in the first round went to Calgary, remember?

Janik.

[léo]

Anybody catch the USA vs Serbia volley-ball game?
Check it out. There's a Serbian who is the SPITTING IMAGE of Vinny.
Guess what number he's got?
4!
Spittin' image, I swear!
P.

[léo]

No need to be sorry for what the hockeynews says of Our draft THIS year, Steve. We didn't get a pick til the second round. Know why? Cuz We didn't finish LAST! We didn't stink!
We got Danny Kristo, Missien and Tuniev. Who are they? Who cares? By the time they see the ice, We'll have Crushed you 5 years straight.
That's 1st of all.
Second of all is the hockeynews having placed Us 13th in the conference the past season, ok? When I had them 5th with Ott winning the div. Soooo...
Grain'o'salt with the hockeynews, ok? With ALL "news" pertaining to my Boys, for that matter.
Except Leo "news". I thought Ott's firepower would exceed Our speed and smarts. Didn't think anyone else could MATCH, except NJ and Car. 5th place.
That's where I made ONE mistake. I forgot Ott's lack of Will. And NO ONE matched. 5th became 1st.
...the 2008 draft...???
The Future is Now, Steve!
Hey, I bet TSN is knocking Us as being the worst team in the league for not having enough BLUE on Our sweater, so what?! Or the cooking channel knocking as as having a "bad year" BBQ-wise, so what?!
Our 2009 TEAM is gonna Crush you, Steve.
That's ALL that matters to Us.
P.

[Steve R]

Atta boy Don for including Boyd in your list. Guy is as unflashy as they come, but he does shut people down.

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, I swore those guys were retired like 20 years ago. Gainey was one of the best defensive forwards of all time though. Currently, I think guys like Datsyuk, Grier, Langkow, St. Louis, Pomminville and Gordon are the best. Madden is certainly up there.

[Steve R]

Here's how the hockey news is viewing the last draft for all of us.

Sorry leo, Habs get a lower grade than the Leafs, Bolts and the Caps.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/17586-Mark-Seidels-Blog-2008-NHL-draft-grades-Part-3.html

[PD]

Actually pounding Little Saku and Plekanic is innovative because depth at center will kill Montral. Why reinvent the wheel? One of them goes down its over because Mats ain't coming to Gaineys all the eggs in one basket 100 anniversary party.

Sakus best years are behind him and if he has tp play top 6 minutes then for sure he gets hurt, he always does.

Don my 5 best d forwards play on only 3 teams.

In no order: Madden, Zetterburg, Spezza, Alfie and Yimmy Datzuk.

On Stammy who's to say they start him at center? Melrose does all sorts of batshit crazy stuff. He could be on V4's wing for year one. What does that do to the ole point total?

[léo]

Bob Gainey.
Guy Carbonneau.
P.

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, Since you know everything ( and you're not bashful of reminding us ) who are the best defensive forwards in the NHL? Please oh Leo Swami, grace us with your precious knowledge on this subject.

[léo]

PINK, Priceberg underoos, I'll have you know, sir.
And I think I can get'em framed.
Whereas it's your NET that's gonna go in the Hall of Fame as the one wherein the most goals entered since the beginning of Mankind, courtesy = Theo. Whom you love and are confident with, regardless of the fact that he has proved AGAIN AND AGAIN that when the Pressure's on, he's a big zero. SEEN it.
My Boy's gonna be a Star. I've SEEN it with me own eyes as well.
Slight dif of goalie-lovin'.
But quite noticeable.
P.

[Steve R]

leo,

Theo-lover...? This coming from the guy wearing the Price underoos...?

[léo]

What're ya talkin' about, Steve?
That scenario I drew up wasn't based on ALL of them leaving. It was based on any ONE of them leaving.
If they ALL leave, We'll have a 20mil margin. What, We won't be able to buy ONE? Doesn't make sense.
Straight dope?
I think We'll lose Higgy to the Isles.
Dandy, We don't care about.
Tanguay, We don't know WHAT he'll do so how can We care NOW?
Bégin is sign for for cheap or retire.
Bouillon is sign with Us or go to foreign lands.
Koivu will stay.
Kovy will stay, I think. If he leaves? Hey, he'll be 36, We'll make do D'Agostini. (the kid scores, scores, scores, scores, this side, that side, on his face or upside down, winning or losing, score, score, score)
And like you say: Komo is Priority One.
So. At the VERY, VERY worst? Kovy and Higgy.
Higgy is good but underachieves. Kovy is mysteriously GREAT but will be 36.
Feh. D'Agostini, Pacioretty.
We'll make do.
Believe or not.
What do I care?
Theo-lover.
P.

[Steve R]

leo,

No, I don't believe you. Proven NHL talent gone (aside from Komo) replaced by unproven rookie's and you'd be OK with it? I don't buy it.

It would be fun listening to you wax poetic on how the #1 spot was a lock for the Habs if your ufa's all departed though. I for one, would enjoy the spin you would have to put on things to justify how all was right in Habland.

Brilliant post, Don!
Like I said: ME, I never hearda him. Doesn't mean he was never heard OF.
I accept the possibilty of Stammy being more defensively reliable than Toews ONLY because Toews is such a SUPREME scorer and ya tend ta think "if he's so good one way, how can he be as good in the other?". Haven't seen enough of him to judge his defense, though.
But NO WAY can he be more defensively effective in his 1st year as Kane'll be in his 2nd.
At his size, ALL his plays are due to his defensive strengths; there's NO OTHER WAY for a guy his size to be so excellent, make no mistake. If you don't see THAT, you still have much to learn padawan.
Now, before the wire on Kane and Toews had opened, I had hearda THEM. I'd SEEN them.
Up north, it's ALL hockey; you know that. And Stammy doesn't rate as high as those other two. Not saying that means it's the gosh's honest "pontificatin'" truth; just sayin'.
He's defensively reliable, great, so is Saks.
He's a playmaker: great, so is Saks.
Oh, but he can score better than Saks?
Ah, but Saks has got more experience of the NHL grind.
An even bet. No one is arguing Stammy vs Kovy, here; that's an uneven bet, even if it COULD go Stammy's way (based on your "meteor" theory). No. Stammy vs Saks. A cool bet.
Like you say, the bookies'll see it MY way too, regardless of what the kid can do. I'm sure they woulda called Alfie over Sid the Kid in HIS 1st year too and how did THAT turn out? Everyone KNEW Sid was all that.
Safe. Conservative. Smart. This bet, I can't lose. I'm too wiley. (snort)
So Don,
I guess yer money's on Stammy?
...kid hasn't played ONE game and he's better than Koivu...
I love TB!
P.

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, Here you are, the master pontificator, accusing me of not being objective? If I were a bookmaker, I'm sure the odds would be against SS. However, I'm betting there would be a lot of guys like PD, willing to take that wager. I personally heard about Stamkos in 2006 when he was the #1 pick in the OHL junior draft. He had 95 points as a 16 year old, so I guess you'd better pay closer attention. I see SS as different than Kane and Toews but I'd wager better defensively than either. Kane is a better playmaker at this point and Toews a more polished scorer, but I think overall Stamkos is more talented than either. I guess we'll see it all play out over the next year.

[léo]

Ok, Don.
In that case, I think The Priceberg is gonna score more goals than Vinny.
That's based on biasness too.
In fact, I'm wondering why I even posted that.
Let's stick to objectiveness in our arguments, whaddaya say?
P.

[léo]

No spike, Steve.
I'm saying that Koivu had a GREAT season last year (look it up). This year's point production suffered cuz of Higgy's lack of finish and Ryder's lack of everythin'.
I'm saying the same thing as Don, that with a BETTER team and not a bunch of hacks from 3years ago and before, he's got something to WORK WITH.
63.8? That sounds about right. Let's say 63. I say Saku EASILY gets that this year; looks like he'll have Tanguay on one side and K the Younger on the other.
Can Stammy hit 63 in his rookie season? I DON'T know.
Either way, I'm taking the chance he doesn't get as much as Koivu because how can ANYONE realistically project that a rookie (regardless of how much TB thinks he's the bomb just because THEY had 1st pick, wonder if TB woulda thought Stammy was all that if they had SECOND pick, but that's beside the point) will score MORE than a national team captain.
I doubt that very much.
I'm not saying it's impossible. I am even prepared to accept that Stammy will ONE DAY be better than Koivu.
Just not next year.
This thought is based on the fact that I NEVER heard of Stammy before the 2007 draft-wire opened.
If he's so superifical, I woulda heard of him before then.
Hey, he's good, he's great, he's smart. Yahoo. So are alot of guys. SOMEONE has to be picked 1st.
The fact that TB got it makes them believe that they got another Gretzky on their hands simple BECAUSE he was picked 1st. Doesn't work that way.
Like I said before: in 2005, Stammy wouldn't've cracked the top 10 in the draft.
So if TB had picked 10th THEN, would they be as hyped up THEN as they are NOW with Stammy?
I don't think so either.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, if TB had picked Lidstrom 270th back in 199-I-don't-know-when, would TB've been excited?
Well, they shoulda been!
Works both ways and in BOTH cases,
We gotta wait and see.
I might lose the bet, sure, but I consider it a VERY safe and conservative nonetheless.
I probably won't win BIG but I think I'll win anyway.
Safe, conservative,
Smart.
Leo.
Ha!
And Steve,
About Our UFA's "scattering to the four winds" point brought up the other day.
Cool? Do you believe me?
P.

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, I personally think SS WILL outscore Koivu this year. However my belief is biased upon being a Bolt fan and hating the sHabs, not necessarily what would be reasonably expected. SS will have a pair of bonafide NHL scorers on his wings in Malone and Vrbata and will most certainly see time on the 2nd power play unit.

[Steve R]

leo,

Saku has averaged 63.8 points over the last 5 seasons. Are you saying that he's going to have a spike in his production or are you guessing that Steve S will not crack 64 points?

[léo]

"Our biggest worry", PD? Since when?
We are used to Saku missing 10-15 games a year, why should it be Our biggest worry now?
As for pounding on them, GREAT idea. Good golly, NO ONE has EVER thought of that. NO coach, no GM has EVER thought of pounding on Saku and Plecky all during 82 games last year, not ONE game, not EVER, right?
If they had ONLY pounded on them, We wouldn't have finished first, right?
What an innovative thought, PD.
Easy. Just pound on them.
Wow. I am AMAZED that NO ONE besides you, PD, thought of that.
Easy. Pound away. Listen to PD, NHL guys: while you are wasting your time with strategy and positioning, PD has cut to the straight dope. Pound on'em! Can't BELIEVE you didn't think of that!
Pound on'em. And you will EASILY stop Saku and Plecky. Cuz We got nuthin' else...
(snort)
Good luck with that.
Hee-hee-hee.
P.

[léo]

You're so wishy-washy, Don.
May as well not bet that Crosby'll get more points than Donald Brashear cuz Crosby could POTENTIALLY be hit by a meteor and that would ruin his output.
C'mon.
I'M telling you, aw'ight? LEO is telling you that Saku WILL play 75 games, ok?
Stammy too. Aw'ight?
So.
75 games each. Set it in stone.
Now.
Call it, Don.
C'mooooon.
Call it!
P.

[Don in St. Pete]

PD, I agree that Stamkos is much better than your average rookie. Leo, I'm not going to speculate on what type of season Koivu has. I only said I wouldn't have taken that bet. There are a number of things that could happen outside the normal realm of possibility that could make of breat it either way.

[PD]

No doubt 50 pts is a good rookie year but Stamkos is a cut above that.
I see some mix adding to 60 points.

Koivu getting in 70 games will be Habs biggest worry. If I'm a visiting coach I just pound both him and Plecanic cuz they have nothing else.

[léo]

That's what I was trying to explain to PD, Don. Maybe you could give it a go cuz my Habnicity tends to make any thought I might have about any of my Boys seem biased. Perfecetly understandable, mind, but that shouldn't lessen the overall point being made.
That Koivu, an EXPERIENCED veteran with excellent vision, fantastic passing abilities, a gritty disposition and SUPERB clutch performances whose career average totals 65-70pts a season should surpass the output of an -A rookie.
(Nash, Phaneuf = A
Crosby, Ovy, Malkin = A+
Koivu = B+, heck, B even, if you want)
Rookies need to adapt; veteran don't.
The Crosbies and Ovies are few and far between in the world and, verily, the exceptions to the rule.
Stammy is NOT a Crosby.
Nor is he a Kane or a Toews for that matter.
Just sayin' that I find it odd that I never hearda Stammy before 12 months ago...when the ranking-wire opened.
Hearda Tavares though. We ALL have. And HE, is still a year away!
I hear comparaisons to Sakic. Them's are near blasphemous words. But I hope so for you guys. Personally, I'll believe it ONLY when I see it.
50pts is a SUCCESS story for a rookie in the new NHL. That's 25goals - 25passes. That's huge! Excellent for a rookie.
Look at Us: K the Elder absolutely EXPLODED this year. Highlight after highlight. Power, speed, finish.
26goals - 27passes. 53pts.
In french, we call that: L'éclosion.
We believe it cuz We SAW it. NOW We expect more, not the 1st year when the kid adapts.
You should do the same.
Put yer money down, Don; yer arm is being twisted.
Who wins the bet?
No lily-liverin'.
White or Black?
P.

[Don in St. Pete]

Well at least Koivu won't have Ryder to drag him down this year. If he doesn't score more than Stammer, you'll probably have worse things to worry about than how many points Stamkos scored, or we'll be very pleased with his output. Tough bet to make that a rookie, even a potentially excellent one, will score more that a seasoned veteran with talented linemates.

[léo]

He always does. It's his regular season output. If Ryder hadn't stunk and if Higgy hadn't missed so many OPEN nets, he easily would've attained it again.
Whaddaya think Don? Objectively, if ya can.
Think I got a good chance to make that bet?
I've SEEN Koivu. NO ONE has seen Stammy.
P.

[Don in St. Pete]

If you want to win that bet with PD, then you'd better hope Koivu can bag around 70.

[léo]

I'm guessing less than Koivu, no matter what.
P.

[Steve R]

Atta boy leo.

I'm guessing 60ish points.

[léo]

Yeah, 80pts. Yeah.
As many as Kovalev, Marty St-Louis, Eric Stall, Getzlaf and Dany Heatley.
Yeah, that makes sense.
Hey, what about Tavares? He should get 110 pts his first season!
Sheesh.
Get a hold a yehself, Bruno.
P.

[bruno]

Will he play on the first powerplay.and how many pts do you think he will get,80pts maybe.

[Hockey Chic]

DC,
Well I know you may still be on vacation but Erik Erlindson from the Tampa Bay Trib is reporting that training camp may be at the SPTF and not in Brandon.

Any news on this happening? I understand that the team will be busy getting ready for the pre-season, however, if this is the case somebody should be telling the fans as some plan vacations and all around it.

Just a thought and if this is the case OK that is not a very fan friendly way to start the season....

Please elaborate.

Go Bolts!!

[Steve R]

ntmm,

As good as Crosby? Dude, get a grip. Stamkos was the best in this draft, but if Tavares was a year older, Stamkos wouldn't have been the #1. We'll see how Stamkos stacks up against the best in the league, but don't hype it up too much or you might end up disappointed. Not every rookie scores 100 points.

[PD]

Man its early to be hitting the Kool Aid, even for Tampa.

[Kenb]

Watch the videos from the camp. Kid is a fantastic skater, and I like the way he goes to the scoring spots of the ice. Having a natural nose for the scoring seams will be a great asset. Haven't seen yet how he will handle the traffic,. but he seemed to be looking backdoor, hiding behind the play after the pass. Instinct can't be taught.

[Nate Dogg]

And although Ovechkin isn't as agile as he is quick, the man defines "pure explosion." I would have to wait and see SteveN in person before making that comparison.

If he can hang with the likes of Jason Blake, Brian Rolston, Scott Gomez, or Ovechkin, then the dude can skate.

Nonetheless, it's always good to hear compliments about your #1 pick.

Take'r easy
ND

[Mike13]

I think highly of the kid too, but to compare him to Crosby or Ovechkin is more than a bit of a stretch NtMM...

Let's see him score 100 points in his rookie year and 100 again in his 2nd year before we start making those kinds of claims.

Better than Bobby Ryan, okay. As good as Toews or Kane, we can hope so. Better than Crosby or Ovechkin, come on. Let's be real...

[léo]

Whoa, whoa, Marlo. I'm sure the kid looks real good in PRACTICE against guys who finished LAST in the NHL.
But let's wait and see what he does on gameday against Big Boys who don't care AT ALL who he is, before we start comparing him to Crosby.
Whaddaya say?
"I really believe people will say Sidney who?" (in comparaison to Stamkos)
...good golly...
What next?
Gotta say, though: That's why I love TB fans!
P.

[Not the Marlboro Man]

I really believe in a few years that people will be saying Sidney who! THis guy is a better skater than either Ovechkin or Crosby and has allot of finess. He's a finisher and has a great shot. I'm just hoping that this team protects and nurtures him into being a great team player at least as good as V4.