Staal's lack of passion for playing hockey...

[Kharlamov]

What do you think the reason is, in a nutshell?

[Idoit40fans]

He is big and thus appears as if he isn't hustling. Thats what I think the reason is.

[Rocco]

What do you think the reason is, in a nutshell?

Insert joke about him being hungover here.

[IronDukes37]

......

[purelebo84]

Facepalm.

[KG]

Not taking a shot at the original poster...but there have been a lot of random threads coming up lately...I am all for free thread enterprise...just stating my opinion...

[Eismann]

Mental, hopefully. Been looking like he's thinking too much about what's he doing at the moment, rather than thinking ahead; sorta like a pool player not setting up next shots.

Meh.

:blarg:

[C4 Row E]

I'd imagine it's pretty easy to "get in your own head" when your the 2nd overall draft pick and you're not producing. He's also living in the shadows of his brothers and bears the weight of getting that big contract from someone. Obviously someone will overpay for a 20 year old who's not yet hit his stride in the nhl. Let's face it, he's not a first or second line winger right now and his role is best played as a penalty killing center on the 2nd or 3rd line.

If it's any consolation to anyone, TOEWS HAS ZERO GOALS THIS SEASON.

[Easton]

He doesn't lack passion. He lacks anything remotely close to confidence right now. He's pushing every shot he shoots wide, or over the top. He cannot hit the broad side of the barn right now. After he nets one, I'm sure we'll see improved play from him -- I question how much, but I'm sure it'll be better than what he's shown us so far.

[wallflower]

He is big and thus appears as if he isn't hustling. Thats what I think the reason is.

This.

Lack of passion? For serious?

[KG]

Mental, hopefully. Been looking like he's thinking too much about what's he doing at the moment, rather than thinking ahead; sorta like a pool player not setting up next shots.

Meh.

:blarg:

Love the pool comparison btw...A thinking mans game indeed...

[Idoit40fans]

He doesn't lack passion. He lacks anything remotely close to confidence right now. He's pushing every shot he shoots wide, or over the top. He cannot hit the broad side of the barn right now. After he nets one, I'm sure we'll see improved play from him -- I question how much, but I'm sure it'll be better than what he's shown us so far.

This is why I answered the way I did. Nothing wrong with his play at all till he gets in an offensive situation. He's even fine carrying the puck through the neutral zone, but when it comes to breaking someone out or having to fire, he isn't confident. That first goal, no matter how bad it might be, could be huge.

[littlemoonboot]

Maybe if he was on a really crappy team that didn't have Malkin and Crosby, he'd have more pressure put on him to perform and he'd give that extra push -- like if people were paying more attention to him as a bigger fish in a smaller pond.

I don't know, I can't claim to know. Just what I've been wondering. It would seem odd that he wouldn't want to be on board with this great team and organization -- but if he'd be happier elsewhere, then so be it and let Shero do his thing.

I don't know -- I'm editing this to add that maybe it is confidence and I've got it backwards -- being with such huge talent would make him feel more pressure.

So I guess this is a whole post of insomnia and pointlessness. But I'll at least admit it.

[IronDukes37]

......

[KennyTheKangaroo]

Staal played plenty hard during the playoffs. He is an asset to this team and he will be fine in the long run.

[dagny]

What do you think the reason is, in a nutshell?

How about feeling like a yo-yo?

Is he gonna be a winger? Is he gonna be a center? How much time is going to get at one position before being moved back to the other?

How does he know where he stands, at this point? Until he does, he won't have the opportunity to settle into a position.

Uncertainty is corrosive to one's confidence, especially one so young.

[meecrofilm]

He is big and thus appears as if he isn't hustling. Thats what I think the reason is.

This.

Lack of passion? For serious?

I agree. To even suggest this is just ludicrous.

[Corvidae]

He is big and thus appears as if he isn't hustling. Thats what I think the reason is.

This.

Lack of passion? For serious?

I agree. To even suggest this is just ludicrous.

I don't think he lacks passion and I agree with Idoit's statement. It's also a matter of him being... well, not exactly the swiftest skater.

[ru10tu10]

He is 20 - maybe just turned 21 - He has got learn to put the puck on the net - mayba not so much shoot for the top corners but just put the doggone thing on net - how many times have you heard Steigy say ''Staal shoots wide" or "Staal shoots into the glass"?

He seems to have woken up a bit lately since playing against his brothers though.

I see him as a third line center, PK guy, sometimes PP - he could fit in well in front of the net like Malone did last year.

Damn, why doesn't this site have spellcheck already?

[MWB]

Ugh... how do we measure passion? Is it the same as "desire to win"?

Maybe he's still just got a bit to learn and still needs to find a comfort level on the ice to gain confidence.

[Digitalgypsy66]

Staal played plenty hard during the playoffs.

[eastonpensfan]

Facepalm.

[Gaucho]

Facepalm.

Harsh, but I agree.

[maudineormsby]

Can't believe nobody's posted this:

Kovalchuk has plenty of passion.

[The Snapshot]

What do you think the reason is, in a nutshell?

Insert joke about him being hungover here.