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Bolts Need To Dial Down Stamkos Hype Machine

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By JOE HENDERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 21, 2008

Steven Stamkos 'has yet to lace a skate in the National Hockey League, but that hasn't stopped the Lightning from making him the center of the next season's marketing campaign.

Seen Stamkos? Those billboards are all over town, touting the virtues of the 18-year-old the Bolts chose Friday with the No. 1 pick in the draft.
I have a better idea, at least for incoming owner Oren Koules.

Seen Jordan?

That would be Michael Jordan, who has never played hockey (so far as we know). That didn't stop former Bolts owner Art Williams from declaring 10 years ago on a night just like this that Vinny Lecavalier would become "the Michael Jordan of hockey." Then, as now, the Bolts built the kid into Superman without bothering to wait for him to grow.

They made Vinny the savior of the franchise before he even knew his way around town.

The Bolts put the captain's "C" on Lecavalier's sweater before he was ready and put the expectations of a franchise on his then-tender back. Although he handled it well and obviously is an elite player, it wasn't easy, and it certainly wasn't always smooth. The early hype wasn't fair to Vinny, and it wouldn't be fair to Stamkos now if the infatuation with him goes beyond billboards and videos.

"I tried not to get caught up in it," Lecavalier said. "I just tried to focus on being the best player I could. Fortunately, we had a lot of veteran guys then and they helped me stay focused and not pay attention to the outside pressure."

Koules and soon-to-be coach Barry Melrose have a road map of what not to do, courtesy of Art Williams. For the kid's sake - for the franchise's sake - they should follow it. Give him a chance to learn to be a pro, to handle money and fame, to learn how to travel and to handle the rigors of a season that seems to last forever.

Where Does He Fit?

If all goes well, Stamkos could fill the second-line center role left vacant (OK, someone was actually there, but you get my point) when Brad Richards was traded. The kid will certainly be given every chance to do just that; he'd have to really flop in training camp not to be with the Bolts on opening night.

At that point, everyone needs to take a deep breath and a couple of shots of patience. Stamkos is trying to make the jump from the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League to the big time.

Lecavalier had 13 goals and 15 assists in 82 games as a rookie.

Not bad, but also not exactly Jordan-esque.

Sidney Crosby of the Penguins, who is sure to launch a generation of players - Stamkos among them - whose first name should be legally changed to "The Next …." - had 39 goals and 63 assists in 81 games over his first season. But as we look for "The Next Sidney Crosby," we have to remember that a player like him is the rarest of finds.

Stamkos is considered a great puck handler and skater with an explosive shot, but he'll be going against some of the best players in the world now. It's a time to be excited about what might be coming over the next several years while keeping things realistic for the time being.

It's hard, though.

Great Expectations

He has been compared to Steve Yzerman. Others say he could be like Joe Sakic. Scouts rave about his overall game. If there is solace in finishing last among NHL teams this season, it was the chance to draft this kid.

"He's the first overall pick, so it is a big deal," Lecavalier said. "He is the best junior player in the world. He is young - that's a fact. I think he's going to be fine, though. He seems to have a lot of talent. I know he'll get better over time."

Time.

That's the key.

It's hard not to get excited, though. Even Vinny sneaked a peek at the "Seen Stamkos?" video.

"It was pretty incredible," he said.

It will be fun to watch him develop. The chance to see the kid do something special will be draw people to the Forum. He appears to have too much talent to miss.

"I think any time you're a first-rounder like him, you have the pressure on you automatically," Lecavalier said. "As veterans, we'll try to help him - especially in the beginning. He'll be all right."

For now, though, he is an 18-year-old kid who has hit the big time. A little patience wouldn't hurt.

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