Steven Stamkos’ goal-scoring prowess earns him many admirers across the NHL
When the 30 National Hockey League teams make their first-round selections at the entry draft, they often look for a player who they feel can be an asset to the team. Whether it’s a high-scoring
forward, a steady defensive with offensive skills, or a goaltender capable of stealing games, each team is on the hunt for a youngster who could eventually become a franchise player.
In 2008, the Tampa Bay Lightning selected centre Steven Stamkos with the first overall pick. The team had been mired in the bottom of the standings over the past few seasons, and they
were looking for a player who could help to turn things around for them.
In Stamkos, they found a bright, young player who’d had a stand-out junior career in the Ontario Hockey League.
The 20-year-old made the Lightning’s roster almost immediately after being drafted. Known for his goal-scoring prowess in the junior ranks, Stamkos struggled a bit during his first season,
posting totals of 23 goals and assists for 46 points. The following season, Stamkos exploded onto the NHL scene with a fantastic campaign that saw him score 51 goals and 44 assists for a total of 95 points.
So far, Stamkos has been tearing it up in the 2010-11 season. He has an impressive streak of 20 goals in 21 games going, which has drawn comparisons to the superstar players of the past.
Some say that Stamkos is on pace to score 50 goals in 50 games, and that he may also heading for a 137-point season with franchise-player potential.
Stamkos has become a wizard with the puck, and it has drawn the attention of many people around the league, including Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ray Shero.
“He’s one of those guys (that) when he’s on the ice, you're just praying he’s not around the puck,” Penguins GM Shero told
Yahoo! Sports.
“He’s got great speed, a great release, an unbelievable shot – he is a really, really dangerous player. There are only maybe a handful of guys like that in the league.”
Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman is another Stamkos fan, stating that the centre reminds him of a player he once coached.
“He reminds me of Guy Lafleur,” Bowman told the
Tampa Tribune. “He can fly and he can score.”
Only time will tell if Stamkos can join the 50-in-50 club. At the pace he’s going at right now, that lofty status may be within his sights.
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