Player Discussion Eric Staal

[DramaticGloveSave]

Easily his best game since coming here.

Almost as if playoff experienced veterans who have proven to step up in the playoffs, end up being good playoff performers lol

 

[Bee Holder]

In game 1, Staal had a very good/great 1st period. For the rest of the game, I didn't notice any "bad" plays, while not seeing great/good plays either (edit: maybe a couple actually). Adding to that, the pass to Anderson's goal (which was actually overall a veteran (high IQ) pass) that gave the tone to the game.

Considering all that, I'm not as mad anymore about the coaching's choice, he had a good game overall, and good thing we have depth, we can switch him in and out with our youth and bring him fresh when it counts.

Thanks Staal, good game. Don't expect to play every night, but be ready like last night when you will.

 

[Canadienna]

I've been more anti-staal than a formula 1 car, so I feel I need to give credit when it's due.

He held his own last night, wasn't a play driver but was much more reliable defensively. I've got no issue having him in the lineup as a 4C if he can play like that.

 

[Demon Wolf]

Good to see some fire in the old boy for game 1, keep it up!

 

[Miller Time]

Almost as if playoff experienced veterans who have proven to step up in the playoffs, end up being good playoff performers lol

Good thing Spezza & Thornton didn't get the memo ...

But let's hope Toffoli does

 

[salbutera]

He was good in the first and disappeared after that

Didn’t see much TOI after 1st half of game except on PP - didn’t see the ice at all last half of 3rd period, like Merrill

 

[ghost85875]

Nice to see that he has stepped up.

I wanted him out but was understanding of Ducharme's decision. He had to start the veterans to count on their full collaboration afterwards.

 

[frapp10]

Time to scratch this bum

 

[The Great Weal]

Almost as if playoff experienced veterans who have proven to step up in the playoffs, end up being good playoff performers lol

Well that didn't last long. It's almost as if playing the whole year like an AHLer is more telling than 1 game lol.

 

[Miller Time]

Didn’t see much TOI after 1st half of game except on PP - didn’t see the ice at all last half of 3rd period, like Merrill

If Evans gets healthy, hopefully he sits over JKO.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Well that didn't last long. It's almost as if playing the whole year like an AHLer is more telling than 1 game lol.

I didn’t think he was any worse than anyone else really lol

First goal was a turnover by Lehkonen off the refs foot- I know that was his spot but no one coulda predicted that.

 

[overlords]

 

[Censored Toad]

Yeah he shouldn't be on the ice at all...

 

[Miller Time]

wether it's MB or DD, it's just silly. He's been useless all series long, should be either in the press box, or stappled to the bench the way gustafsson has been.

outside of a few nice passes in the first game, he's done nothing of value that would explain keeping him in the lineup.

Put evans at C and get Tatar back in... while Tatar is also underwhelming, he at least can skate, play ok in the dzone, support the transition and sometimes extend possession in the offensive zone. Staal does none of that.

 

[Censored Toad]

wether it's MB or DD, it's just silly. He's been useless all series long, should be either in the press box, or stappled to the bench the way gustafsson has been.

outside of a few nice passes in the first game, he's done nothing of value that would explain keeping him in the lineup.

Put evans at C and get Tatar back in... while Tatar is also underwhelming, he at least can skate, play ok in the dzone, support the transition and sometimes extend possession in the offensive zone. Staal does none of that.

Best thing stall does is wiff Grade A+ scoring chances.. I don't understand it.

I mean I understand first impressions can last... but holy shit this guys bad.

 

[JustAHabFan]

I will play Tatar over Staal in game 7.

 

[Goal Caufield50]

I will play Tatar over Staal in game 7.

I hope so

 

[Goal Caufield50]

I remember when Julien touted Deslauriers Thompson Weise as a line that would play with a lot of physicality, be hard to play against. They didn't last 2 games as they were getting skated circles around and were quickly in the minus. Kind of like Staal himself...

And who can forget the great, physical Martinsen-Ott-Dwight King line.

Love these physical lines in the new NHL.

P.S.: who can forget all the "grit" we were told Weise-Domi-Weal were going to bring to the return to play last year...

I am trying to forget these lines

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I will play Tatar over Staal in game 7.

I would as well.

 

[CheldishGamibno]

His best game as a Hab, created a turnover on Marner on Gally's goal and great puck steal in the dzone to pass to Toffoli for the empty netter. His playoffs have been up and down but still way better than he ever was during the season. Im quite satisfied now

 

[CoopersFalls]

Silence in here when he picks up two apples in the biggest game of the year. Has already surpassed his regular season point totals this playoff.

 

[Doc5]

Good game sir, good game sir. Experienced players came in clutch today as they should have.

 

[Ozmodiar]

Silence in here when he picks up two apples in the biggest game of the year. Has already surpassed his regular season point totals this playoff.

So much for the “Tatar over Stall in game 7” talk.
2 apples and played very well.
2nd in team scoring lol

 

[Habs]

Great game , lots of people eating a Leaf sandwich tonight.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

He's not Perry good but he brings a similar level of smarts and good strong cycling. MB deserves credit for grabbing these two. Perry more obviously but I like what Staal brings. They bring an added dimension to the team.