ok lots of things to say.
First off stewart made the panthers, but couldn't agree on a contract in time.
The carter and thornton comparison is one i disagree with. Carter i think will be a beast, but thornton is a player who makes everybody around him better and thats where his dominant ability lies. Carter i see as more of a goal scorer and i don't see that "everybody around him better" ability in him, but i do see a solid 40-50-90 guy in him. Its very rare for one player to be able to make everybody around him better, and i don't want to sound like i'm downplaying carter's talent, i just don't see him being a joe thornton esque player.
Also i don't see getzlaf getting better than carter, i'm worried about getzlaf's attitude. Although his WJC was awful good.
Also i heard from a close follower of the AHL that stewart REALLY cranked up his play these last few games in hopes of making the playoffs and showed great leadership.
As for other players to help make the power forward himself better? How bout bertuzzi and naslund. Cam neely and bourque and oates. Although neely is a weaker example because he really played dominant on his own, even if bourque did do his fair share in helping out cam. Billy Guerin and thornton/weight. Thornton doesn't fit in the group of "power forwards who need help", because simply he is a different breed of power forward.