Why does Stamkos suck this year?

[Hellraising Senator]

He looks terribad each game I have watched him play. Lazy, bad decision making skills, short seems weaker. What is going on here?

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[JoVel]

He hasn't looked good since that hot streak with Kucherov ended. He'll put up points on the PP but he can't drive offence on his own.

 

[Absolut]

Playing with Kucherov and Namestnikov (of all people) did wonders for him. It all went downhill after Miller was brought in, and even further downhill after Stammer and Kuch got split up.

 

[bluedevil58]

Too early in the season. He is a finisher.

 

[JoVel]

Playing with Kucherov and Namestnikov (of all people) did wonders for him. It all went downhill after Miller was brought in, and even further downhill after Stammer and Kuch got split up.

What...? You could've had my grandma playing with Stamkos and Kucherov early last season and they still would've put up those points. Miller had 10 goals and 18 points in 19 games with Stamkos and Kucherov. You won't find too many Bolt fans who miss Namestnikov.

 

[Varan]

suck is a harsh word

 

[Hellraising Senator]

Hf jinx is real lmao

 

[Diddy]

Cuz i took him in my fantasy draft. Same reason nylander wont sign i think .

 

[ricky0034]

that timing

 

[Hockeyholic]

He must be approaching every game as if it's game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Only explanation for his play thus far.

 

[Frosty415]

Hasn’t been the same since he broke his leg

 

[Samsquanch]

Because I took him with my second pick in my fantasy pool. Thats why.

Edit: I see that Im not the only one.

 

[WesMcCauley]

What...? You could've had my grandma playing with Stamkos and Kucherov early last season and they still would've put up those points. Miller had 10 goals and 18 points in 19 games with Stamkos and Kucherov. You won't find too many Bolt fans who miss Namestnikov.

As a NYR fan, Miller is easily better than Namestnikov. Miller gives you more in terms of twoway play and Miller is a better offensive player on his own than Namestnikov is imo.

 

[Absolut]

What...? You could've had my grandma playing with Stamkos and Kucherov early last season and they still would've put up those points. Miller had 10 goals and 18 points in 19 games with Stamkos and Kucherov. You won't find too many Bolt fans who miss Namestnikov.

Namestnikov stinks. He is a borderline NHLer. But he had great chemistry with Kucherov and Stamkos. Miller never seemed to fit in. This is not a question of who's a better player; obviously Miller is. There is no debate on this whatsoever.

 

[Scott Stevens]

 

[LightningStrikes]

He had a pretty strong game last night: 1 goal (game winner), 10 shot attempts, 5 shots on goal.

That said, what you're seeing is what Stamkos is and has been for several seasons. He's a finisher and sniper who just doesn't want to shoot the puck anymore for whatever reasons (injury-related or just a "I want to become a more complete player so I'll try to become a playmaker and two-way player" which he just is not, not yet). Let me tell you, it's super frustrating to watch. He still has one of the deadliest shot arsenals in the league, he is still quite the skater, he's still one of the fittest players in the game.

He has (had?) the ability to disappear and fly under the opponent's radar only to re-appear out of nowhere in an open spot. The opponents only realized it when the goal horn already sounded. He's best when the puck is on his blade for no longer than a second. Now he's trying to drive the play or do a nifty pass - and fails more often than not, unfortunately. Sorry Steve, you're not a Crosby or McDavid.

It's also no surprise that his numbers went down last season and at the beginning of this season as soon as Kucherov turned dead cold. They fed off of each other last season and formed one of the best duos in the league. Now they're trying to make the pretty plays all the time, always a pass too much, always a dangle more which results in puck fumbles and giveaways left and right. Once Coop broke them up (Stamkos is now with Point and Gourde, Kucherov is with Johnson and Palat to reform the once great Triplets line) they both look better.

 

[Khomutov]

Who is on his line now? Isn't he playing with Kucherov this season?

 

[third man in]

He had a pretty strong game last night: 1 goal (game winner), 10 shot attempts, 5 shots on goal.

That said, what you're seeing is what Stamkos is and has been for several seasons. He's a finisher and sniper who just doesn't want to shoot the puck anymore for whatever reasons (injury-related or just a "I want to become a more complete player so I'll try to become a playmaker and two-way player" which he just is not, not yet). Let me tell you, it's super frustrating to watch. He still has one of the deadliest shot arsenals in the league, he is still quite the skater, he's still one of the fittest players in the game.

He has (had?) the ability to disappear and fly under the opponent's radar only to re-appear out of nowhere in an open spot. The opponents only realized it when the goal horn already sounded. He's best when the puck is on his blade for no longer than a second. Now he's trying to drive the play or do a nifty pass - and fails more often than not, unfortunately. Sorry Steve, you're not a Crosby or McDavid.

It's also no surprise that his numbers went down last season and at the beginning of this season as soon as Kucherov turned dead cold. They fed off of each other last season and formed one of the best duos in the league. Now they're trying to make the pretty plays all the time, always a pass too much, always a dangle more which results in puck fumbles and giveaways left and right. Once Coop broke them up (Stamkos is now with Point and Gourde, Kucherov is with Johnson and Palat to reform the once great Triplets line) they both look better.

who's centering the line Stamkos or Point? I always thought Stammer would be better on the wing personally.

 

[Jtown]

I like Stamkos, and he has been through hell with injuries, but this is Brayden Point's team.

 

[LightningStrikes]

Who is on his line now? Isn't he playing with Kucherov this season?

Miller-Stamkos-Kucherov was broken up two games ago. Stamkos is now with Point and Gourde. Kucherov with Johnson and Palat. They reunite on the PP though.

 

[Atas2000]

Playing with Kucherov and Namestnikov (of all people) did wonders for him. It all went downhill after Miller was brought in, and even further downhill after Stammer and Kuch got split up.

Never liked the Miller trade. It just destroyed the chemistry. Miller is good in his own right, but somehow the subtraction of Namestnikov(of all people) messed it up really.

 

[gtrower]

It's not just this year. He's looked slow/passive for a few years. Can't really create for himself, but still has his shot so is dangerous on the PP. Borrowing what somebody else on here posted after the ECF last year:

"Stamkos is the manifestation of what people (incorrectly) thought Ovechkin had become."

 

[DFC]

It's been ongoing since the broken leg, but outside fans have been slow to catch on. Stamkos really only ever had two major weapons: his speed and his shot. Both of those have been dulled, at the very least. He can still shot the puck, but not like he used to, and his mobility has declined to the point that his first step is non-existent.

Stamkos scored 12 goals at ES last year. Yeah, he had a lot of assists, but if you look at that and think Stamkos has playmaking hands, I've got a bridge to sell ya.

He's pretty much a PP specialist at this point. TB's offense has masked his decline for years. He appears to have taken another step backward this year though, and I'm not sure he cracks 60 points, unless somebody like Kucherov goes white hot again.

 

[DFC]

Never liked the Miller trade. It just destroyed the chemistry. Miller is good in his own right, but somehow the subtraction of Namestnikov(of all people) messed it up really.

That's just not true. You could have plugged anybody into that top line when Kucherov was hot. When Kucherov cooled down, Stamkos and Namestnikov's flaws showed up. Namestnikov was a frustrating player to watch in TB.

 

[LightningStrikes]

It's been ongoing since the broken leg, but outside fans have been slow to catch on. Stamkos really only ever had two major weapons: his speed and his shot. Both of those have been dulled, at the very least. He can still shot the puck, but not like he used to, and his mobility has declined to the point that his first step is non-existent.

Stamkos scored 12 goals at ES last year. Yeah, he had a lot of assists, but if you look at that and think Stamkos has playmaking hands, I've got a bridge to sell ya.

He's pretty much a PP specialist at this point. TB's offense has masked his decline for years. He appears to have taken another step backward this year though, and I'm not sure he cracks 60 points, unless somebody like Kucherov goes white hot again.

He's on pace for 33 points.