Jordan Staal

Jordan Staal came back to play his first game at the Winter Classic last year, missing the first half of the season due to multiple surgeries. Despite that fact, he led the Penguins in scoring down the stretch, but many people still found a way to criticize the guy, mostly based on the fact that we was such a high draft pick. With a full off season to be healthy, and the extra conditioning efforts, I expect Staal to have a big season. It remains to be seen if he will center the third line, play wing on a line with Malkin at center, or center the 2nd line with Malkin at wing. It will most likely be all of the above to varying degrees. If the kid gets a bit more physical and is willing to get to the high traffic areas with more frequency, he should net himself 30 goals this year while adding his usual shut down contributions defensively.