staal < thornton

Firewagon

Registered User
Jan 26, 2006
525
0
what current NHLer's footsteps do you see jordan staal's career following?

as the "staal = thornton" bandwagon rolls along,
i have to say i don't buy what they're selling.

yes, maybe he's some months younger than other
players were during their draft year,
but based on my own observation of both players
through their junior years,
staal just doesn't have the game presence that thornton
ALWAYS had in the OHL.
besides, thornton was only 2 months older than staal is when thornton was going
though his pre-draft season.

it's true that when thornton went to boston and
started wearing that #6 jersey,
he looked like a great big puppy, and really had to grow into his game
over a number of years.

and yes, staal could do that too,
but he has not demonstrated the offensive vision and dominance
that made thornton a clear-cut number 1 pick.

i agree with those who see staal as a gratton, maybe an arnott
(an on-ice comparison only):
a legitimate top-10 pick.....but not JT.
 

jmelm

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Feb 27, 2002
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Toronto, Canada
There's a pretty darn big gap between "Gratton, maybe an Arnott" and Joe Thornton.

Staal might not be as good as Joe, or his brother for that matter, but I think he will be closer to those guys than to Gratton or Arnott.

He is extremely raw and should be playing nowhere other than in the OHL next season.
 

Transported Upstater

Guest
Staal < Thornton?

That's like saying Martin Skoula has puck poise.
 

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