I think Stastny just needs to play with players with good offensive instincts. Stastny is best when he knows what his wingers will do. Grinders who forecheck well and can get into good scoring zones fit well because of Stastny's good cycle game and down low passes. McGinn or Jones both fit this mold pretty well.
Stastny has had success playing with more "rush" players (2008 with Forsberg and Hejduk comes to mind), but I don't think we have the personnel and it's not the best use of resources. Stastny can use grinder scorers well, Duchene can't. It only makes sense to give Duchene the Hejduks, Muellers, Olvers etc and to leave those who cycle well on lines with Stastny and O'Reilly.
It seems like the big, fast wingers who give him the puck and let him do the playmaking are the best fit. He doesn't necessarily work great with Duchenes or Hejduks who like the puck on their stick. Guys like Stewart, Galiardi, Jones, and now Ginner have been the best fits with him.
They're opening up a lot of space for Staz, giving him time on the puck, and it's noticable by how many times he's now set up behind the net or on the half boards during even strength plays. Opponents are focused on the two big wingers going to the net and give him that extra second, which is all he needs.
Great stretch of play from him right now.
Which turns out to be pretty conveniently since it seems Dutchy needs those Hejduk'ss and Mueller's who can help him create things to be successful. Plus Staz has had plenty of success with Duke and Mueller, I think the issue with him and Duchene was more of Dutchy not being comfortable on the wing, trying to spark himself and just not making sound decisions consistently. That's why we saw some flashes of the two of them working some magic, but most of the time it just looked like Duchene had no clue what to do and was making it impossible for Staz to figure out how to make us of him.
I'm sure others can say the same about certain players on their team but Stas seriously has been snake-bitten. Buddy should have at least 5-10 more points, he's been MIA some games but in general I like him a lot. Let the people who don't watch Avs game underrate him, he isn't going anywhere unless Sherm get's an unreal return. 70points should not be out of the question next year
