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Q: I was amazed by how Jordan Staal seems to have elevated his game this year. He is becoming a complete two-way player. He gave Philly and Toronto fits this past week and his faceoff win percentage is staggering. Since he plays behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and they get all of the attention, what are the chances of him ever becoming an all-star and/or winning the trophy for the best defensive forward?

Patrick Treese, Gainesville, Fla.

MOLINARI: Although it might seem to some as if he's been around forever, Staal actually just turned 21 little more than a month ago, and likely is nowhere near realizing his full potential yet. That's saying something, because he's already a solid contributor at both ends of the ice and, arguably, the finest third-line center in the NHL.

As long as he has Crosby and Malkin for teammates, it might be tough for Staal to get recognition as an all-star (depending on the roster format in place for a given year), but it's hard to believe that he won't be a perennial contender for the Selke Trophy, which goes to the league's best defensive forward. He not only is very good in his own end and an excellent penalty-killer, but generates enough points that it should get the attention of voters, even though offensive output is not supposed to be a factor in the Selke balloting.

As for faceoffs, Staal had gone 47-47 on draws before the Penguins played Carolina last night. Those 94 faceoffs are more than any teammate except Crosby (125) had handled, and while it's far too early in the season to read too much into Staal's success rate, his 50 percent fits nicely with the steady progress he's made throughout his pro career.

After winning just 37.1 percent of his faceoff as a rookie, Staal moved up to 42.2 the following season and 47 in 2008-09. Getting better on draws won't necessarily do too much to help him win a Selke, but it certainly should help his team to win games.

Q: Who pays for the Penguins' championship rings? Is it the owners? If so, wouldn't that be considered some form of bonus payment? Are there any regulations in the collective bargaining agreement governing the rings?

Greg, Gilbert, Ariz.

MOLINARI: The NHL's labor agreement covers a lot of topics, but jewelry doesn't seem to be on the list.

The rings are, in fact, paid for by the team, but are not treated as a bonus payment. (Imagine players on a Cup-winning team being told they couldn't have rings because it would put the club in violation of the salary-cap ceiling.)

Maybe an argument could be made that the rings constitute a form of compensation, but that could be countered by noting that the rings are earned during the playoffs, when the salary cap is not in effect.

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