"Any time you're that good a player, you're going to be a leader, regardless. He's out there all the time, and he's dominating offensively. He's going to get better in that role and in the locker room."
—Teammate Rob Brind'Amour

"We like everything about him. This is almost like us winning the lottery. He's a big guy with great character and with a high skill level."
—Panthers executive Jim Rutherford

"He's a gritty guy. He gets his nose dirty in front of the net, behind the net. He puts himself in high traffic areas where you're going to pay the price."
—Teammate Glen Wesley

"I'm amazed how good Staal is for his age. He's an elite player who has everything going for him.”
—Hall of Famer Scotty Bowman

"He's got tremendous skill. He sees the ice well, and he's got a competitive edge to him."
—NHL veteran Colin White

"He’s the next superstar."
—Hockey Night in Canada commentator Don Cherry

"He has a great attitude toward the game of hockey. He really didn't come in and try to change anything and be a world-beater.”
—NHL veteran Mark Recchi

"I got a whole new appreciation for how good he was. It's hard to get a grasp on it just watching the playoffs. You get a new appreciation for players like that when you play with them, especially their speed.”
—Teammate Scott Walker

"He's really taking his place now among the best players in the game."
—Hockey News columnist Mike Brophy

© Copyright 2007 Black Book Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.