Yeah, I left because of you.
So saying he isn't a lock like you believe is the same as far from a lock? I'll admit, Stepan stepped his game up to a new level and I didn't think he had it in him. His play/role reminded me of Parise in 2004 in a lot of ways. I know Ranger fans like to think they're the only ones that knew about him, that's fine. I've watched him for longer than you've known how to pronounce his name. Just because I doubted his ability to reach this level doesn't mean I didn't know who he was.
I could also go on about how I was one of the only ones on this board for the past few years who have been able to contribute on players like Bourque, Ramage, Campbell, and in particular D'Amigo. Do you see me saying "I told you so" about D'Amigo? Go read my post history about him. I think I'm the only person on this board not surprised by his play or Bourque's. This generation of NTDP alums are the hardest working I have ever seen and it isn't the first time I've said that on here. Stepan fit in quite nicely with their smart, hard working play. However, that also doesn't mean they have the highest of upsides. I still don't see Stepan as an all-star first line center in the NHL as you and others believe. They are collectively just talented enough, to go along with their great heart, work ethic, smarts, poise, discipline, and never-say-die attitudes to be stars at the junior/college level. They'll be Joe Pavelskis and Ryan Callahans at the NHL level if they reach their peaks.
Everytime a player that's unknown to fans of the other 29 teams does well in this tournament the fans of that team will always come out with a "we knew about him and you underestimated him!" crap. Well I don't have an emotional attachment, sorry. I look at ability and potential and compare it to trends of the past and hope for the best. Sometimes I'm right, sometimes I'm wrong.