Steven Stamkos Does Not Suck

I bring up Steven Stamkos because he was the 1st overall selection in the NHL draft 2 years ago by the Tampa Bay Lightning. When Barry Malrose made the decision to bring Stamkos directly to the NHL, skipping the minors altogether, the Lightning ownership was none too pleased. Even analyst confirmed that Stamkos was not prepared for the NHL game at the age of 18. Well they were all wrong. Hockey is not a sport like baseball and football where it is essential to develop both your skills and strength in order to compete at the highest level. The history of the NHL has shown that the greatest players of all time were great almost immediately following their 18th birthday. Look it up. Gretzky, Lemieux, Jagr, Yzerman, Messier, Crosby, Ovechkin all dominated the NHL prior to leaving their teens and dominated throughout their careers. Basically, if you're born with it, you will show it.

Just like Patrick Kane was able to flourish as a first overall pick while skipping the minors, Stamkos put together a solid rookie season with 23 goals while playing in the shadow of former MVP Martin St. Louis and 1998 1st overall pick Vincent Lecavalier. This season Stamkos established himself as the new franchise player of the Lightning with a 50 goal season and nearly 100 points. 50 goals is the magic number in hockey. Like 30 points per game in the NBA, 50 homers in the MLB, and 1500 rushing yards in the NFL.