Was Jordan Staal a mistake at #2?

[IBLeaf*]

1. Erik Johnson
2. Jordan Staal
3. Jonathan Toews
4. Nicklas Backstrom
5. Phil Kessel
6. Derrick Brassard
7. Kyle Okposo
8. Peter Mueller
9. James Sheppard
10. Michael Frolik

[DG]

Toews taken right after? I think that's an easy answer... it's a blowout when you add Backstrom and Kessel to the mix.

I think the results would be similar if you used Jack Johnson's name instead.

[Brian28]

I'd say 4th/5th overall depending on what the team needed more. Staal/Kessel

[The Big Swede]

I'd take any of those 9 players before him

[Warren Piece]

Yup, Toews was the consensus number 2 draft day and is proving why.

[Legionnaire]

Originally Posted by Darth Gerber

Toews taken right after? I think that's an easy answer... it's a blowout when you add Backstrom and Kessel to the mix.

I think the results would be similar if you used Jack Johnson's name instead.

You're right. We should include Jack Johnson too. They both seem to fit the general criteria...Players that fans of other teams don't watch enough to make a clear judgment could be the title.

[TheDevilMadeMe]

I still remember him being a rookie of the year finalist over Kopitar, based entirely on the fact that he was Canadian and a favorite of mokes like Don Cherry.

[broad]

Originally Posted by TheDevilMadeMe

I still remember him being a rookie of the year finalist over Kopitar, based entirely on the fact that he was Canadian and a favorite of mokes like Don Cherry.

more like based on the fact he scored 30 goals.

[TheDevilMadeMe]

Originally Posted by HayleysHandMotions

more like based on the fact he scored 30 goals.

Staal - 81 games, 29 goals, 13 assists, 42 points
Kopitar - 72 games, 20 goals, 41 assists, 61 points

Kopitar was clearly better.

[Rayne*]

The 3 players taken after Staal are clearly better than him, so yes.

[LAX attack*]

Originally Posted by TheDevilMadeMe

Staal - 81 games, 29 goals, 13 assists, 42 points
Kopitar - 72 games, 20 goals, 41 assists, 61 points

Kopitar was clearly better.

B-B-But Staal had more shorthanded goals

[Canuckaholic19]

I would have taken Kessel 2nd overall on draft day, and i still would have now.

[Modo]

Not only was Staal a clear mistake at number 2, so far EJ has yet to prove he was worthy of being picked 1st.

I'm sure he's eager to prove me wrong next season, though.

[MLSE]

Originally Posted by Modo

Not only was Staal a clear mistake at number 2, so far EJ has yet to prove he was worthy of being picked 1st.

I'm sure he's eager to prove me wrong next season, though.

He will.

and I agree, total mistake at #2

[DapperDan]

Am I really off-base if I still expect Staal to have a huge break-out season still? I just don't know if he's getting enough of an opportunity in Pittsburgh.

[TheFountainhead]

I would take Backstrom, Toews and Kessel before him without hesitation.

[TheDevilMadeMe]

Originally Posted by DapperDan

Am I really off-base if I still expect Staal to have a huge break-out season still? I just don't know if he's getting enough of an opportunity in Pittsburgh.

It's possible.

On Pittsburgh, he's shown that he doesn't adapt very well to being put on the wing. And he obviously won't get much of a chance at center in Pittsburgh. I think he's likely to be trade-bait in the offseason.

[Red Alberks]

It clearly was a mistake.

[Scott Hall]

Originally Posted by MLSE

He will.

and I agree, total mistake at #2

You never know though, a major injury like that could mar someone's career permanently.

[CapitalsCupFantasy]

I wanted him to slip to the Caps on draft day. I thank the gods every day that didn't happen. I would take 6-7 guys on that list before him now.

[JonathanK81]

Anyone can always look back. Hindsight is 20/20, but for me that year, I had Toews pegged as my #2 behind Johnson. And that was only because franchise type d-man are harder to come by. Similar to this year for instance, it depends on the need of the team. But for myself it was EJ then Toews.

[OrrNumber4]

Pittsburgh must have drafted him because they were going BPA, but I have always felt that is only a viable strategy outside of the top-6.

[timw33]

Originally Posted by superroyain10

Pittsburgh must have drafted him because they were going BPA, but I have always felt that is only a viable strategy outside of the top-6.

So they should've drafted by position and not drafted a centre (Kessel, Backstrom, Toews or Staal)?

[Garl]

Originally Posted by HydroFluoric

Yup, Toews was the consensus number 2 draft day and is proving why.

He wasn't. There was a TOP 5 EJ, Staal, Toews, Backstrom and Kessel. EJ had slight advantage and was consensus ¹1. But any of other 4 wouldn't surprise anybody at ¹2.


I must say, that when Staal had his impressive 1st year, I said that he will not be a big superstar and probably Backstrom and even Kessel(who had so-so 1st year) would be better. Right it looks that at least here I was right. From TOP 10 of 2006 draft, I would have taken EJ, Toews, Backstrom, Kessel, Brassard, Mueller and probably even Frolik ahead of him.

[Super Reverse Homer]

Staal will be no better than Jason Bonsignore. Mark my words. All my fellow Pens fan thinks so.

HF posters know exactly how to judge NHL talents and can pinpoint the rest of a guy's career at 20 yr old.