Is it? His playmaking skills are non-existant. Marty Turco has two less assists than him, and he's a freaking goaltender. Assists, whether it's secondary or primary, are going to constitute a bulk of any player's points. And if he can't start setting up any of his team members with any regularity, his point totals are going to suffer something fierce. I know he's still young, but there is a limit to what people can do over the course of their career with the tools they enter the league with.
well, its generally tough to get assists when you play on the 3/4 line. The only reason he has more goals than assists is because he creates turnovers and knows how to capitalize:
Look at his last 7 games while playing with a respectable center:
7 gp 4 g 3 a..
Not too unbalanced for a goal scorer.
Plus, you use junior statistics to compare thornton and staal, which should never be done, especially considering the role staal was given on his team (and the petes style of play). Im not saying staal will be as good as thornton, but i do know this:
1.) He has a great reach with really soft hands.
2.) He has a large, powerful frame, and can easily knock opponents off the puck, and protect the puck.
3.) Has very good top speed, and will only become a better skater as he matures.
4.) He has a deceptively quick shot and a nose for the net.
5.) Is a great defensive forward, and is one of the best in the league at causing turnovers and capitalizing on them.
6.) Is an extremely smart, responsible, hardworking player
Projecting him to be a keith primeau type player is a mistake.