The Next Staal

 

Justin Dahan (HV)

 

When you think of the Pittsburgh Penguins you immediately think of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin so a guy like Jordan Staal can sometimes go unnoticed. Staal has been able to do something that both Crosby and Malkin have been unable to do, and that is score in every single possible situation. Staal proved this against Toronto when he completed his first career hat trick in overtime while playing 3 on 3.

Jordan is the first player since Bill Gardner (1982) to score his first three NHL goals shorthanded. Jordan Staal currently has 5 shorthanded goals, which is more than any other Penguin rookie has ever had in the history of their organization. This record was held by Staal’s teammate Ryan Malone who scored 3 shorthanded goals in his rookie year of 2003 - 2004, but it took Malone all 82 games of the season to accomplish his goals, while Staal has amassed his shorthanded goals in only 54 games.

Staal doesn’t only score shorthanded goals, he has scored 3 power play goals as well as 15 even strength goals. Pretty good from a guy who wasn’t expected to make it out of training camp. When Jordan entered training camp at just 18 years old after being selected 2nd overall it was believed by most that he was just there for the experience and that the top two centers for the Penguins would be Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, but when Malkin was injured after a collision with John LeClar in his preseason debut. The result was that Jordan was signed to an entry level contract where he could be returned back to junior after 10 games, or at least that was the plan. Jordan himself had other plans; he let his play do the talking and that play was so good they could not return him back to the OHL.

What is also astonishing is Jordan Staal’s shooting percentage; he leads the league in that category. “It seems everything is working for me and I just hope I can keep it going and help get this team in the playoffs” was Staal’s response when asked about his current success.

“It’s remarkable to me how he just keeps getting better and better.” Said Mark Recchi about Jordan Staal. Recchi had the chance to play with Jordan ’s older brother Eric in Carolina last year, “ Jordan is only 18 years old and Eric is a 100 point guy and he’s tremendous, but ( Jordan ) Staal is not too far behind” Not so far behind at all; Jordan has scored 23 goals so far this season while Eric has 24. “I told him I was coming for him” Jordan said in regards to Eric goal’s total.

With two more Staal’s on the horizon, Marc who was drafted by the New York Rangers and currently plays for the Sudbury Wolves with the youngest Staal, Jared. So who will be the best Staal in the end? Who knows but as Mark Recchi said, “I’m sure they’ll have their family feud for it”

 

 

Photo: Jordan Staal from Pittsburgh Penguins © Richard Wolowicz (HV)