Friday, May 28, 2010
PensU Staff
Throughout the off-season, we here at Pens Universe are going to provide you with player profiles that will summarize our opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of each player as well as highlighting their performance this past season, and we'll also include an outlook for the 2010-2011.
JORDAN STAAL
2009-10 Stats
Salary: $3,500,000.00
Points: 49
Goals: 21
Assists: 28
(+/-): 19
Penalty Mins: 57
Strengths:
Uses his build to his advantage; a big body with a long reach; great composure on the penalty kill; can match up very well with opponents top lines; top 2 way player; good overall physical presence.
Weaknesses:
Puck handling; finding the net; face-offs.
09-10 Assessment:
Throughout his short 4 year NHL career Jordan has continued to improve his game. Despite not being able to match his 29 goal rookie season, he's still considered the iron-man on the Penguins roster by not missing a regular season game in the past 3 years. Having a little bit of a slow start, Staal was once again the victim of scrutiny. But by being apart of arguably the best third line in the NHL, Jordan eventually found his stride. He continued to shine in the penalty kill honing the defensive aspect of his game, so much so he's been nominated for the Selke Award. Couple that with another 20 goal season, most teams would die to have that from their third line center.
Awards:
Up for the Selke
10-11 Outlook:
I believe we will once again have the privileged to see Jordan evolve even more as an NHL player. Heading into next season at the tender age of 22, the four playoff and two Stanley Cup playoff appearances is only going to help him grow and mature. If Shero can lure Matt Cooke into staying with the Penguins, the third line will remain in tact and stronger than ever. We may even see Jordan bulk up that 6'4 frame of his and become the unstoppable monster we're all expect him to be.
Worth his salt?
Staal's consistency is perhaps his greatest asset. You know what you're going to get game in and game out. Is he worth his $3.5MM salary? You can bet your own hard working money he is.
Staal's consistency is perhaps his greatest asset. You know what you're going to get game in and game out. Is he worth his $3.5MM salary? You can bet your own hard working money he is.
Staying with the Pens in 10-11? Yes, signed through 2012-13.
Posted in: Jordan Staal
