A fan favourite, Alex Steen, is gone from the Leafs.
Many people are bemoaning this trade, suggesting that the Leafs did not show enough patience with this former first-round pick.
I would have loved to see Steen play better and stick around. Unfortunately, he had to go.
Here's why:
1. Not a 20-goal scorer
Not even close. Steen has netted 18, 15, and 15 goals in each of his full seasons with the Leafs. Over that time, his shooting percentage is 8.8 percent. He is not a sniper by any means.
- B/R Ticket Guide
I doubt he will reach the 20-goal threshold in his career. He has also never cracked 30 assists in a season. These are not special playmaking stats, if you ask me.
2. Unwilling to use his size
Steen is not a little guy. He's listed at 6'1" and 205 lbs. That's solid. Despite this, Steen plays smaller than he is, rarely winning battles along the boards.
If you're on the third line, your job is to get dirty and play gritty. Steen doesn't seem to have that capacity. Ron Wilson must hate to see a guy with this size play like such a lightweight.
3. Not fast enough
Compared to the thoroughbreds—Hagman, Grabovski, Kulemin, that Moore—Fletcher has racing around the ice these days, Steen is just slow. Sure, he was one of the faster Leafs last year—but that's not saying much.
Steen sure seems like a great guy, with great hockey genes, but I can't help but agree that the Leafs had to part ways with the underachieving Steen to make a move for a faster, more-talented player.
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about 1 month ago
I dunno Mark. Everything you said is true to some extent (though I don't think Steen is slow, the Leafs just happen to have some incredibly fast forwards this year). And Steen could stand to use his size more.
The main problem I have is with the first point. He can't really be expected to put up 20 goals with the kind of ice time he's been given. He's pretty much spent every game since the start of his sophomore year on a checking unit. He's blossomed into a great defensive forward in the process, but it's hard to put up good numbers in a role like that.
He came damn close to 20 goals in his first season, but he hasn't spent any time in an offensive role since then. I'm glad his defensive game has developed so well, but I'm afraid the Leafs mismanaged his talent.
from about 1 month ago
you could be right josh - could be that he's been used in the wrong role. we'll see what happens in st. louis
about 1 month ago
As I've said on other articles here about Steen I suspect you will see him blossom in St Louis.
Steen played minor hockey with St. Louis coach Andy Murray's son when Andy Murray was coaching Steen's father in Winnipeg. He should be more comfortable playing for a familiar face rather than Ron Wilson who clearly did not favor him.
Good trade for both teams. Stempaniak fulfills Toronto's need for a right-handed shot, and St Louis gets two former 1st round picks to add to their depth.
from about 1 month ago
the leafs definitely needed another right handed shot...
from about 1 month ago
Good catch Josh, I had forgotten about Steen and Brady Murray playing hockey. (Randy Carlyle's son was with them too)
about 1 month ago
Wait a second, I thought Steen was the next Borge Salming and Colaiacovo was the next Nik Lidstrom?
Of wait, my bad, it's Schenn who is the next Bobby Orr.
about 1 month ago
I've been impressed with Stepniak's play, but I still would rather the Leafs had a little more patience with Steen.
about 1 month ago
By all accounts, if Steen cannot fulfill his projected production THIS season (his 4th in the NHL) - then he'll likely never reach it. As a first round pick, Steen should be expected to produce a minimum of 50-60 points on a team's top two lines. He was expected to "breakout" this season, but has instead lost the confidence of Wilson and couldn't work his way back from 3rd line duty.
6pts in 27 games does not look good for a 4th year pro.
Jer
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