Staal’s stats don’t prove his value to Penguins

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Penguins coach Michel Therrien hates hearing the question that was asked in numerous NHL cities this season: What’s wrong with Jordan Staal?

Staal’s scoring numbers are down considerably from a season ago, when, as an 18-year-old who wasn’t supposed to play in the NHL so early in his career, he had 29 goals and 42 points — including a league rookie-record seven short-handed goals.