What To Do With Stajan?

[Murph]

Been doing a little more digging on how Stajan's been doing this year stats-wise. Turns out, Stajan has the best offensive zone finish to start differential on the team by far.

Offensive zone starts - 35.9%
Offensive zone finishes - 50.0%
Differential - +14.1%

That's the 9th best differential IN THE LEAGUE for guys who have played 30 games or more.

Still want to get rid of him?

[genetic_phreek]

Everyone wants to build a team the same way they do it in NHL 15.

Stajan is fine, great leader, great on the PK, great on faceoffs, yet could still make plays in the offensive zone for a 4th liner. Leave him alone.

[RoughRiderRowdy]

Originally Posted by Murph

Been doing a little more digging on how Stajan's been doing this year stats-wise. Turns out, Stajan has the best offensive zone finish to start differential on the team by far.

Offensive zone starts - 35.9%
Offensive zone finishes - 50.0%
Differential - +14.1%

That's the 9th best differential IN THE LEAGUE for guys who have played 30 games or more.

Still want to get rid of him?

Yes. Please.

[saillias]

That "too much NHL 15" thing gets thrown around a lot, but do people actually play those games? They are boring and terrible. And EA are the Edmonton Oilers of the video game industry, don't buy from them ever.

[GioforPM]

It's funny how some posters can't figure out team chemistry, role players, and how defensive play and faceoffs contribute to team success.

One day a guy like Shore will take Stajan's job. But that day isn't here. And comparing him to Byron doesn't work for me because I have the same arguments about Byron (except he's still progressing upwards in my book, goals aside).

IMO, when Bennett arrives, as I'm sure he will, Granlund and Jooris and maybe Shore will have to learn some wing, because Bennett will play 3rd line center until he's ready for one or two, and Backlund will then drop to 3rd. By then maybe one of Jooris, Granlund or Shore will have learned a 4th line centre role.

[Fire]

Keeping Stajan this year is fine, but if Bennett makes the team next season, which is likely, Stajan will in the press box a lot.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Fire

Keeping Stajan this year is fine, but if Bennett makes the team next season, which is likely, Stajan will in the press box a lot.

Who's your 4th line centre? Shore?

[heep223]

Originally Posted by saillias

That "too much NHL 15" thing gets thrown around a lot, but do people actually play those games? They are boring and terrible. And EA are the Edmonton Oilers of the video game industry, don't buy from them ever.

I've never, not once in my life, heard this perspective before.

[saillias]

What, about EA, or my opinion that the games suck?

(Sorry for dragging this off-topic)

[Mattman]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

Just looked it up, he has a whopping 26 penalty minutes.

NHL penalty minute leader is Steve Downie at 169

[heep223]

Originally Posted by saillias

What, about EA, or my opinion that the games suck?

(Sorry for dragging this off-topic)

That the games suck. Agree to disagree!

[PeteMoss]

The Flames 4th line was completely awful when Stajan was hurt. He's been back and the 4th line can actually hold their own. He's out there with Bollig and other random winger. He's not in a position to score any points.

He's a luxury right now that the team can afford. If one of the centre go down in game, you can move Stajan up a line without concern.

For all this talk of huge centre depth, we've had games where Bouma had to play centre.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by heep223

That the games suck. Agree to disagree!

They do suck, bar none the worst sports game out there, and quite frankly I think they have contributed to some people going a little overboard when suggesting trades, especially flipping players, and acquiring prospects. It's easy to trade in that game and ignore roles guys play.

The "NHL15" model is just play the best players, and if that was the case, Stajan wouldn't be here and Granlund would, but playing a guy like Granlund on the 4th line doesn't help. He isn't a guy who should be playing that role.

For that reason, I think Stajan is fine where he is. I'd rather see him playing than Shore/Granlund. If we start doing that, we become Edmonton.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Who's your 4th line centre? Shore?

Shore, Jooris, or Granlund. They will move around the lineup depending on how they're playing.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Fire

Shore, Jooris, or Granlund. They will move around the lineup depending on how they're playing.

Not sure they can play 4th line. It's a tricky position. The opposition keeps trying to send their best against it, and you need a centre who make the plug winegrs like a Bollig better. You also need someone to take Stajan's PK centre time.

So far none of those guys have shown the defensive goods to do so (not very fair to Shore because he only had one game). I liked Granlund's defence earlier in the season but it was pretty sheltered and he is really bad on faceoffs. Jooris is better at faceoffs, but pretty inconsistent as a player still. Both Jooris and Granlund have been the beneficiaries of really good wingers this year, playing with Gaudreau and Hudler a lot. When they moved to third line it wasn't as good.

[Calgary4LIfe]

The OP has a point - Stajan hasn't been 'Stajan' lately. I wouldn't automatically associate it with any personal issues he is going through, however - tough to speculate on anyone's personal issues, and hate to suddenly start a false rumor that gets picked up.

I do see Stajan playing hard when he does get the minutes. Things aren't going well for him, and at times you can make an argument as to why he should be benched for a game or two. However, Hartley knows full well what he has in Stajan. Sometimes a benching doesn't solve a problem - may even contribute more towards the problem. You give someone like Stajan a bit more rope to find his game again. Some players just need to play through a funk.

With that being said, I don't think Stajan has been that terrible. There are 'off' games for him, I will agree with that. There are games where he seems to be effective. I am surprised he is still playing a fairly physical game given how hard he has been hit in the last few seasons. Good for him - gutsy player out there, and I am sure the rest of the team picks up on it.

Stajan is also not just one of the vets, but I am betting he is also one of the more important leaders in the dressing room. You simply have to give someone in his situation a bit more time to work through things - but again, I don't think he has been playing poorly given his role and ice-time.

Edit: Would like to throw a name out there since there is discussion around who will eventually take over that 4th line spot. My candidate would be Arnold (and how has he not received a call-up with his great 2-way complete game? - yes, I know he is injured at the moment, but that kid deserves a look this season). He is built like a truck, plays a very mature 2-way game, and I think is gritty enough to be effective as a 4th liner, but with the skill of a 3rd liner. I don't think he is better than Stajan is NOW, and I would question if he is ready to take on that role, just throwing his name out there for consideration down the road.

[Mister Yamoto]

With the number 27 pick in the expansion draft, the Las Vegas (insertnamehere) are proud to select Matt Stajan.

[RoughRiderRowdy]

Originally Posted by Mister Yamoto

With the number 27 pick in the expansion draft, the Las Vegas (insertnamehere) are proud to select Matt Stajan.

Early xmas present. Better be nice this year

[Vulcan]

The return of Stajan has made the rolling of 4 lines a possibility. Stajan has been good but I don't think he's that happy playing on the 4th line. Even when an injury happens, he doesn't move up but the injured player is replaced by someone from the AHL. If we make the playoffs, I think he can be a good and trustworthy contributor over some of our younger guys.

As has been pointed out there is a log jamb coming up at centre so he may be gone this summer.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

One year from today, after Bennett's arrival and play, we're going to bump this thread and create 3 more "Jooris", "Backlund" and "Granlund".

Can't fit them all in, none of them are better on the wing vs current wing options.

Get ready!

LOL. You just couldn't resist, could you.

Backlund has a higher ppg average than any centre on the team and is sound defensively. He may not have Monahan's long term upside, but he's in no more danger today of being buped off the depth chart than he was in danger of heading to the KHL this time last season.