Our much maligned local boy Matt Stajan is leading our Leafs in scoring.
Stajan is currently tied with Antropov with 29 points, including 20 assists. At some point between last season and this one, Stajan has channelled his inner Adam Oates and become a playmaking specialist. He's doing a lot of things right at both ends of the ice and has been a genuine treat to watch this year.
Stajan has had a rough go of it since his first year in the NHL under Pat Quinn. While arguably being a victim of the Leafs patented 'Rush the youngster to the NHL scheme' (ala Jeff Farkas), Stajan has toiled with relative mediocrity and 4th line filler status for much of the past few seasons. He has been a victim of fan animosity on more than one occasion for his soft play in the corners and lack of offensive production.
But this season has changed for him. He has put on some weight and has begun to get his nose dirty in the rough parts of the ice; The corners and the front of the net. Stajan is always there working hard, digging and getting those pucks loose for his shooter linemates to bury goals. The ones that dont' go in, Stajan is one of the first there as johnny on the spot banging home the rebounds.
Much like Antropov and Ponikarovsky, it appears Stajan has grabbed the bull by the horns and taken full advantage of Sundin's departure.
Stajan has been one the most improved forwards in the NHL this season and in a season full of positives, has been one of the brightest.
Apologies for my absence. I hope to be back in full gear.
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3 comments:
Stajan's apparent emergence as an offensive threat has, in my mind, been presaged by three seasons of continued growth, strength, and confidence.
At the end of last year we saw a glimpse of what he has done this year but most waved it off as a fluke. Now, if he can do it all season then that makes a much stronger case for him as a breakout player.
Obviously, it doesn't hurt to play with a guy like Antropov ;)
stajan continues to blow my mind.
he's about to surpass his point total of last year...
At the beginning of the year I noticed that Stajan was 29 assists away from 100 career. I thought it was possible, but only remotely, and would likely take all season. Now he only needs 9. Incredible.
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