columbia wrote:Jordan said he did not care if he played the wing on Eric's line or if he continued to play center. After being in the shadow of superstar centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in Pittsburgh, Jordan -- who scored 25 goals this season -- likes the idea of getting the chance to be a bigger offensive contributor for the Canes.
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/canes/sta ... rylink=cpy
I'm glad we cleared that one up.
So he's OK with playing wing for his brother, but not for Crosby? Thanks, Jordan.
You know what this smells to me like? I think his brother talked him into playing in Carolina because they've got nothing going for them, so he gave him all the mumbo jumbo about how nice it would be if they both played together, without giving any thought to what it would mean for Jordan to leave Penguins.
Well, the joke may be on them because Jordan is not a #1 center and I can't see such line (with Jordan as center) being ultra productive. If Jordan plays wing, then I think that line has a better chance of succeding, but mostly because Eric is so good. What is probably going to happen, however, is that Jordan will get the #2 center position and since they don't have any wingers, his numbers won't be that impressive. Of course, I'm guessing. Just saying that it will be interesting to see what happens, but once you get past the sentimental BS of two brothers joining forces, it can really go either way.
Here is something I wanted to post, however. I find it very disturbing.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=635910
"I did get offered a deal with Pittsburgh, but when I heard about it I wasn’t really comfortable with it yet. I really just kind of wanted to wait it out and play next year," Staal said. "Without playing with Sid and Geno together in the lineup for so long, I didn’t know how it was going to end up. I kind of wanted to test the waters and see how it is, but obviously Ray was in a very difficult situation and decided to move me on."
"We had talked about it a little bit I think with all my brothers and my parents," Staal said. "It was something that we would all really like to do. It is not too often to have brothers in the NHL, but to be able to play alongside one is a pretty special thing. If I did sign that 10-year extension, my chance to play with Eric would probably have dwindled a lot. It is a very exciting time for myself and for Eric and our family. ... It is going to be a neat time in my career."
Aw. His mom and dad and his brother talked him into playing with Eric. How cute.
But listen. This punk was planning on playing the whole year, then going into summer as a FA to 'test waters'. You know what. I told Malkamaniac that I hope it doesn't turn into rage and hatred with Staal. I change my mind. I think he tried to screw us over and would have if we didn't trade him. A whole lot of respect from me toward Staal is gone.
Malk. Bring on the ragin' hatred, Death Metal style.