Should we believe the Stamkos hype?

So, let's revisit Steven Stamkos for a bit, here.

There was lots to like about what coach Barry Melrose said about Stamkos' skating ability and ability to get off a good wrist shot. But I didn't get the impression Melrose was being overly optimistic about what he might get out of the 18-year-old in his rookie season. If you read further, Melrose said he knew the skating comparisons to the other players at the prospects camp were not fair and wanted to see the center in an NHL setting. He also was pretty clear that Stamkos needs more beef on his 6-foot-1, 184-pound frame to be able to compete at the next level. But he also pointed out that Stamkos is still a "boy."

So I didn't get the impression Melrose was being unreasonable with his critique.

What is a reasonable expectation for Stamkos? Hard to say. No one is comparing him to Sidney Crosby. He certainly was the best player in the draft, but I can't find any credible "expert" who believes Stamkos is going to put up 100 points. Having said that, though, there is plenty of evidence he is going to be a useful player, and he'll have to be when taking over the second line. Remember, the original plan was to have Stamkos anchor a third line and bump him up occasionally until he got acclimated to the NHL game. But then Jeff Halpern got hurt and, well, all of a sudden, Stamkos' learning curve needed to be a lot shorter.

Dave MacQueen, Stamkos' coach at OHL Sarnia, said for a story we did before the draft that he believes 25 goals and 60 points is not out of the question for Stamkos, who likely will start camp playing with wings Ryan Malone and Radim Vrbata. Still, there is going to be pressure to perform, and that's where I believe Stamkos is well-suited for what's ahead.

I have never seen the kid play, so I'm going on the word of everyone else who raves about his skills. But I have spoken to him at length and found him to be as grounded as an 18-year-old can get. He is confident but not full of himself. He also seems to know his limitations, understands he has to get bigger and stronger. Stamkos seems to understand that expectations should not get in the way of his natural development on the ice.

He also gets the PR aspect of his situation. Talking about the excessive autograph signing he had to do after every practice at the prospects camp, he said, "I have no problem with that."

As for on the ice, it's all wait and see, obviously. But won't it be fun to see how it develops? 

Comments

[léo]

You hear that Guillaume?
You're up.
P.

[Twinebulge]

The way this team has been decimated by injuries of late, if Stamkos makes it past preseason without having his career ended by a 'perfectly clean & legal' blind-side elbow blast from behind driving his melon through the glass, and without needing both knees reconstructed, I'll be elated

[Fortune teller]

Stamkos
76GP 23 G 45 A 68 P
You can put it on the boooooooaaaaarrrrd. YESSSSSS

[McGz]

Check out NHL.com there's an article about the up and coming kids and a good one on Helenius.

[Steve R]

leo,

Truth be told I watched Price's 1st game last season and remember telling my wife that the kid was looking pretty good. Talent is talent, if the kid pans out I have no problem saying so.

[léo]

Same was said of Fleury...
I hope you will all have the same courage to applaud my Boy as you do to bash him, should the time come.
My dear friends.
P.

[Bryan]

If he goes 20/20 on his rookie year at that age, size, i'll be impressed.

Oh, and can stay positive in +/-.

[PD]

Same was said of Price, choked.

He will be seeing a league wide barrage on his glove this year.

Hope they got that hole sewed up.

[Steve R]

leo,

"Well,
I think we should believe the hype if Stamkos shows he deserves it.
And NOT believe the hype if he doesn't.
How's that?"

Same could be said of Price, eh?

[Leanmean43]

I don't want to expect too much out of him his rookie season, he could struggle, or he could win the calder who knows. He is bigger and faster than Patrick Kane so it wouldn't be a stretch to think he could put up similar numbers. I won't be upset if he doesn't though. I hope you guys won't be disappointed if he isn't a star his first season.

[PD]

That's pretty bang on Leo. Lets hold the Kool aid for a while.

[léo]

Well,
I think we should believe the hype if Stamkos shows he deserves it.
And NOT believe the hype if he doesn't.
How's that?
P.

[rob]

i don't think you can compare crosby, ovechkin and stamkos. They all seem like completely different types of players to me.

[jim-nj]

Better yet i think in 3 years ull start comparing Crosby and Ovechkin to him!

[Don in St. Pete]

Steve, I think it probably depends on how well he performs in camp. That being said I believe he'll have every chance to make the team as the 2nd Line center to start the season. If he struggles, then he could be shifted with Chris Gratton or Ryan Craig. He has a lot of speed and great puck handling and positional skills, so it will be to his and our benefit if he can hang on the second line where he'd have a banger in Malone to dig the puck out and slam in some rebounds and a speedster and great open ice guy like Vrbata who will help open the ice up for both Stamkos and Malone.

[Steve R]

Don, with his skill set & playing with those wingers, there's no reason that Stamkos can't pick up 60 some odd points. Will he be starting at 2nd line or pick up some minutes at 4th to get used to the speed to start the season?

[Don in St. Pete]

I'm hoping Stamkos will exceed our expectations, and he certainly has the skills, the drive and personality to do that. I said months ago that 25+40=65 points would be considered successful IMO. It would seem he'll get significant minutes on the 2nd PP Unit and later in the season probably time on the PK. He has a pair of very complementary wings in Malone and Vrbata.

[Mark]

It will be fun to see Steven develop. I believe Steven Stamkos will create his own class for comparison in years to come for not only his play on ice but also off the ice. He's going to be great for the game of Hockey and Tampa. Good luck Steven and Go Lighting!!!