I just saw the newest Central scouting list and noticed that Zach Stepan is ranked #44 in North America. Does anyone know anything about him and should we go after him?
I do know that siblings of successful players tend to get a little overrated historically in the draft process. The examples are far too numerous to list.
Matteau's kid is another possible case of familial ties l eading to higher rankings than they deserve.
2006-2007 Shattuck-St. Mary's-High-MN
63 games 38-32-70
2007-2008 Shattuck-St. Mary's-High-MN
60 games 44-67-111
and ultimately trust the scouts.
So hes on pace for roughly what 83ish points in 60 games? Not terrible.
__________________
I feel like this is such an appropriate quote for these boards...
"Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level, and then beat you with experience"-Mark Twain
So hes on pace for roughly what 83ish points in 60 games? Not terrible.
It's 92 over 60 games. It certainly compares to Derek, but I don't know how it compares to other good players to come through the program (Malone, Okposo, Parise, etc).
Malone went 41-44-85 in 50 games, 2 years before being drafted. He played in the USHL the year prior to being drafted.
Okpo went 47-45- 92 in 65 2 years before being drafted. He also played in the USHL his prior draft year.
Parise, in his years 3 and 2 years before being drafted, put up no less than around 340 points in 2 seasons, averaging well over a goal per game. He played a year at ND before being drafted, which he also lit up. However I can attest to the fact that the longer you go back, the weaker the level of prep-school hockey you are looking at. It is a lot more competitive now than in the late 90's, early 00's.
Guys, I haven't seen Zach play, but this just screams 2nd round ECHLer to me. Call it a hunch.
From everything I have read, the kid has legit talent. This isn't just him being hyped because his last name is Stepan. He has been on teams radars since the year after Stepan was drafted, before Derek was a NHLer.
Malone went 41-44-85 in 50 games, 2 years before being drafted. He played in the USHL the year prior to being drafted.
Okpo went 47-45- 92 in 65 2 years before being drafted. He also played in the USHL his prior draft year.
Parise, in his years 3 and 2 years before being drafted, put up no less than around 340 points in 2 seasons, averaging well over a goal per game. He played a year at ND before being drafted, which he also lit up. However I can attest to the fact that the longer you go back, the weaker the level of prep-school hockey you are looking at. It is a lot more competitive now than in the late 90's, early 00's.
Guys, I haven't seen Zach play, but this just screams 2nd round ECHLer to me. Call it a hunch.
Not sure I follow.
In one sentance you say that the league is alot more competitive than in the late 90's and early 00's
and then you follow that statement with he "screams 2nd round ECHL'er".
If he's posting 90 points in a "lot more competitive" league, how can you make that statement.
Someone posted about Zach and Derek Stepan a while back on here and i remember reading something shortly thereafter,(Wisc. Badger article?) to the extent that Z. Stepan and D. Stepan were in many ways similar players, but also different.. From what i read the younger Stepan compared at the same age is probably a stronger skater, he has decent size, a great shot, works very hard, has excellent hockey sense, but would also send his grandmother into the 3rd row if it meant gaining control of the puck. As he matures and gets stronger he may be just that sniping/power forward with a mean streak we've been waiting for..I say let's get er done, but also keep in mind, that the Derek Stepan's of the world don't come along every day, and not many young players see the ice like he does, so any comparisons may be a bit premature at this point, but a D.Step to Z.Step has a nice ring. We could have an ole fashioned "2 Steppin" country music dance night at the old barn..YEE-HA
Bobby and Bret Hull; Marc, Eric, & Jordan; Sutter Brothers; Dave & Don Maloney etc etc all disagree; I think each player's ability speaks for himself
It CAN speak for itself. It's undeniable that some players are hyped-up due in large part to relation to a current or former NHL player. That's not necessarily the case with Zach Stepan, but it certainly could be.
It CAN speak for itself. It's undeniable that some players are hyped-up due in large part to relation to a current or former NHL player. That's not necessarily the case with Zach Stepan, but it certainly could be.
I think being Derek Stepan's cousin just makes Zach less likely to fly under the radar. More teams will have their eye on him, which means the odds of getting a "steal" in drafting him will be alot lower. I don't think teams necessarily draft looking for a "steal" pick, but scounting departments only have a finite amount of resources, so it's inevitable that certain players are scouted less rigorously than others. No team will be overlooking Zach, so more than likely he's not going to slip much from where the consensus has him ranked.
Never having seen a 16-17 y/o player play and then making a definitive statement he is going to be a bust based on what prior kids that were related to NHL players have done and a stat sheet is beyond ignorant........... It's the standard bearer for ignorant statements...................
It's one thing to be wary, fine great understood.....but to make a definitive statement, it's so lol stupid.
At #44 he will be in some 1st round talks of the teams at the bottom of the draft in the first round. Do we know the draft order yet? Thanks to whoever put his current stats up. Sure looks to be legit when you compare him to the other SSM players. Remember this is just the midterm rankings. If the Rangers continue with the season they are having they would draft late in the first round right?
let's get er done, but also keep in mind, that the Derek Stepan's of the world don't come along every day, and not many young players see the ice like he does, so any comparisons may be a bit premature at this point, but a D.Step to Z.Step has a nice ring. We could have an ole fashioned "2 Steppin" country music dance night at the old barn..YEE-HA
