Hockey-Freak said:
I can only see one reason why the Pens drafted Staal over Toews who is the only center that proved to play wing: Staal´s trade value might be higher than Toews.
With the Rangers in desperately need for a big firstline center I wouldn´t be shocked if a Staal - Staal trade would happen. The Pens could also fill two holes at once in a deal with the Rangers, who likely would give up Fedor Tyutin + Petr Prucha for Jordan Staal.
The Pens were hoping for Staal = JJ + Ladd apparently which is very similar to that Rangers deal. I think you're underestimating Staal though.
I've heard that he is 'dominating' away from the puck. If that is true then he is pretty much the perfect LW for Sid.
His size can't be ignored either. He is 6'4" 215 right now (17 years old). In 4 years he will be around 6'4" 230 - 6'5" 245. The epitomy of power forward.
If he plays on Sid or Malkin's line he should score around 100 points/year... maybe more.
Backstrom will score around 100-115 pts/year as will Kessel probably. I think Toews will be a little less like 90-100 pts... depending on who is wingers are. I think Toews will be better all around, especially defensively and on the PK.