Calder Watch: Steven Stamkos

Calder Watch, a monthly snapshot of rookies around the league, starts today!

Already written into the Europe opening roster, the Tampa Bay Lightning expect Steve Stamkos to be ready to make a huge impact from the get go. The 18 year-old standout is slated to fill the number two center slot, right behind Vinny Lecavalier.
Fans are expecting results too. Stamkos Lightning jerseys were spotted before the draft upon Tampa's announcement of their plan for the first overall pick. The website Seen Stamkos? spurred recognition in hockey circles worldwide and has almost a viral cult following.
How surprised would we have been had Tampa not drafted Stamkos or traded away that coveted pick. But, this didn't happen and now the college-aged kid calls Florida home. The epitome of a power forward, this speedy sharpshooter is capable of posting top scoring numbers when given the ice time. Slotted to play on the second line before training camp even beginning, Stamkos should have no trouble finding plenty of time.
In two seasons' worth of games and playoffs in Sarnia, Stamkos tallied over 200 points placing him in the top performers the team has ever had. Stamkos can start as well as he can finish, having similar numbers of assists and goals, a true statement to the talent of a forward. We all know OHL numbers don't always correspond to NHL numbers, but Stamkos' ability to adjust his game isn't in doubt.
A lot can be said against icing a rookie who has just been drafted. Not enough time to develop in the system, some will argue. But with the recent successes of Patrick Kane, Ovechkin, and Sid the Kid, the trend in the League seems to be towards playing young talents and letting them learn on the fly. Stamkos has the hockey sense to adapt quickly to the bigger faster players. As for his prominent role with the Bolts, the aforementioned first picks were heralded as the saving graces for their teams and put into high profile and leadership roles early in their careers. And who can ignore the similarities between Stamkos and, now teammate, Vinny Lecavalier? Both are Tampa first overall picks, centers, and power forwards. Can Steve Stamkos follow in Lecavlier's footsteps and become one of the Leagues best forwards in his first few years in the league? Time can only tell but here's one blogger who's more than willing to put money on Stamkos' Calder hopes and his scoring ability in the near future. I can't wait to see him take the ice in Europe. Not much longer now!