Now that the regular season is over and all non-playoff teams are on equal footing with Los Angeles, it is a chance to test Lombardi’s theory that building a deep organization requires some serious “suckage” which nets lottery draft picks thus enabling an organization to be good for years, not just good enough to get in the playoffs or be in contention to squeak in. (Hello Vancouver, Buffalo, Carolina and the like.)
It is neither new nor different information to acknowledge that Kings’ fans have been pinning their hopes on one Steven Stamkos as their next savior the entire year. (Yikes)
The problem is Tampa Bay owns last place bragging rights (between Atlanta's victory over the Bolts and Los Angeles' victory over San Jose). Nonetheless, as of 5 p.m. today PST, the Stamkos derby officially takes place. With baited breath, many a Los Angeles fan hopes to finally win a contest which may change the course of a rebuilding organization. (Other than the play-off dance… *sigh*)
Who is this Stamkos everyone salivates over to such an extent that this is the second time a draft lottery is being televised post lock-out?
Let’s ponder the possibilities….
Here is what his current coaches recently said about him to Hockey Futures:
"You know what, if you met him off the ice you wouldn't know he has all this pressure on him this year or that he was rated the top two or three pick in the NHL draft. He's a well-ground, well-rounded individual," Sting head coach Dave MacQueen explained.
"I don't think you need to shield him too much. His parents have done a wonderful job with him. Obviously he's been a star wherever he's played. We'll try and monitor the extra-curricular activities he's going to have because he's going to be asked to do everything. We may have to shut him down a bit here and there.
"But you know what, everyone's cognizant of the fact that everyone wants to talk to him and well they should. He's just going to have to learn how to deal with it here and it's just going to make him a better player and a better person at the next level."
“He's a mature kid, but he's still only 17 years old. His name's being thrown all over NHL games already. He's a very levelheaded kid and the cockiness thing doesn't come into play with Steve. He's a great man, a great kid, and he'll handle this just fine."
Stamkos’ OHL Coaches Discuss Stamkos
Watch him for yourselves:
Stamkos on Shoot-outs Maple Leafs Look at Stamkos
Stamkos has leadership abilities that peers suggest is reminiscent of Messier (really):
"Oh, he can bark. He has his moments. He hates to lose, he's very competitive. He doesn't say a lot, but the difference is when he does speak up, the guys stop and listen. I never had the privilege of playing with Mark Messier, but I think it's a lot like that. They acknowledge him as a leader on this team."
Added veteran defenseman Steve Ferry: "When you have a player like that, it makes everybody better, it raises the level of the whole team and their game. I'm just glad I don't have to play against him."
BY THE NUMBERS
Born: Feb. 7, 1990
Home town: Unionville
Position: Centre
Height: Six-foot-one
Weight: 185 pounds
OHL: Sarnia's first pick, first overall, in 2006
2006-07: 63 games, 42 goals, 92 points, 56 penalty minutes
2007-08: 61 games, 58 goals, 105 points, 88 PIMs
Stamkos’ Leader in the Making The funny thing is that if Stamkos could pick his destination, it would be the Maple Leafs. With Toronto’s late season wins, Stamkos is out of reach absent some heist-like trade I find unlikely.
"To be a Leaf would be a dream come true," said Stamkos, who already has 80 points in just 46 games. "I idolized the Leafs growing up. I've always been a Leafs fan.
"I'm not going to lie to you. I've checked out the NHL standings. I pay attention to where the Leafs sit. I know they're near the bottom of the standings. The chance of (getting picked by them) definitely is in the back of my mind."
Stamkos Dreams of Being a Leaf but plans no Lindros ultimatums
Before the NHL draft came the OHL play-offs where the match-up between Stamkos of the Sarnia Sting and Taylor Hall of the Windsor Spitfires. Here is a preview of that series:
“Two of the brightest young stars will go head-to-head in this series. Stamkos has an impressive resume which likely will include being the first overall pick this summer in the NHL draft. However, his team's goals remain unfinished and if he moves on to the NHL next season without winning a playoff round, fans in Sarnia will be disappointed.
Each player is blessed with natural offensive ability and has the talent to carry his team's weight offensively. Stamkos plays a very high-tempo game and is very conscious of his defensive responsibilities. Hall, who resembles Stamkos for his work ethic and dedication to defense, could also be the difference-maker. Although Hall's supporting cast is stronger, look for Stamkos to cement his draft status with a big series.”
OHL Play-Off Preview of Stamkos vs. Hall
It turns out Stamkos was the star and stand-out Sportsnet predicted. Stamkos showed his tenacious side by allegedly giving a cross-check that warranted suspension… that was the case the Spitfires made to the OHL without success. Stamkos responded by scoring 4 of the team’s 5 goals in the game the Spitfires tried to put him on the bench.
“Your best players have to be your best players. I know Steve read all the articles in the paper. Elite players use that as motivation and he was motivated tonight."
Stamkos scored Sarnia's opening four goals, giving him nine in the four games after scoring 58 during the regular season.
"We executed our game plan. We knew we had to come out strong, we scored the first goal and then got the lead. That was key. We know they have a strong club and know how to come back."
Stamkos’ Stand Out in OHL Playoffs
Bottom Line:
Los Angeles has an approximately 18% chance of the #1 2008 NHL draft. They at worst should pick no lower than #3. I have thoroughly mixed feelings about whether I want Stamkos or the defensive depth a pick other than #1 overall would return. The Kings’ defensive depth is near non-existent and that may be more of a problem for Los Angeles than goaltending with LaBarbera and Ersberg ready now, and Bernier, Zatkoff and Dan Taylor to duke it out later (or training camp whenever they prove NHL ready).
Regardless of whether Kings’ fans dreams of Stamkos get fulfilled, I truly believe that this organization has a plan that will make this team deep and talented for the indefinite future; rather than also-rans for the play-offs. Los Angeles tried that route under past regimes and it always left the Kings and their fans wishing for what could have been.
Carla Muller Carla.hockeygal@att.net