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Stamkos Geared Up For First Game

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 20, 2008

PITTSBURGH - Steven Stamkos walked off the Lightning team bus early Friday evening, and as he made his way into the team hotel, he obliged two autograph-seekers who politely asked him to sign their paraphernalia.

"Hey Stammer, your first mark," goaltender Mike Smith quipped to the 18-year-old Stamkos.

Tonight will mark a much more significant first in the early stages of Stamkos' hockey career as he suits up in his first NHL game, albeit a preseason one against defending Eastern Conference champion Pittsburgh.

Yet considering the lineup the Penguins are expected to put on the ice - a loaded group that includes Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, Sergei Gonchar and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury - Stamkos is going to be tested when he steps on the ice.

"There's no better test than the best player in the league," Stamkos said. "It's going to be a good experience - hopefully a good experience - and we'll have to see how it goes."

It's likely that Stamkos is going to go head-to-head with Crosby - the current face of the league and the youngest scoring champion and league MVP in league history two seasons ago - during parts of tonight's game.

Stamkos didn't admit it, but the nerves will no doubt be revved up when it comes to game time and he is staring across at No. 87 in the Penguins' jersey.

"It's going to be pretty surreal to play against a guy like Crosby, a guy who I idolized growing up, and he's obviously a great player and if I go against him I'm going to have to be at the top of my game," Stamkos said.

Lightning coach Barry Melrose, however, doesn't want Stamkos thinking about who is on the ice against him. Instead, he would like the 18-year-old first overall pick in the 2008 draft to concentrate on what made him the top pick in the draft.

"What I'm going to tell Steven is to play the exact same way you played in junior; try the same things, do a lot of the things that made you great, play with confidence, shoot the puck, make plays and just work your butt off," Melrose said. "He'll work some on the power play, and that's what I want to see out of him."

Tonight's game will cap a busy first week for Stamkos, who reported to his first NHL training camp following a busy summer in which he enjoyed the fruits of being the first pick and the recognition that comes with it. He was the center of a marketing campaign set up by the Lightning featuring a Web site, www.seenstamkos.com, that turned out to be a worldwide hit that launched T-shirts and wristbands with the "Seen Stamkos" tagline on the products.

But after all the hype and expectations that come with being the first pick in the draft, tonight marks the first time he gets to see where he stands with his abilities and skills matched against NHL competition.

"My first camp, I think, has gone pretty well. I've been able to keep up with the pace, and the guys are great," Stamkos said. "I'm really excited about tonight."

Melrose is excited for him, as well.

"It's his first pro game, and I'm sure he'll be very nervous," Melrose said. "And if the Penguins dress a guy like Sidney Crosby, that would be awesome for the kid. But I just want to see him compete and play with confidence."

Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835 or eerlendsson@tampatrib.com.

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