The Hockey Guy's posts tagged St. Louis Blues

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• St. Louis Blues needs to retool

  9 days ago

  The Blues have built the framework for a winning program in the ultra-competition Western Conference.
  
  But the project remains incomplete. The Blues are good enough to play the defending Stanley Cup champions to a virtual standstill, but not quite good enough to beat them.
  
  They earned respect from their rival but they did not advance. The Kings set the standard in the NHL these days and the Blues don’t quite measure up.
  
  So now the hockey operation goes back to work. Here are some thoughts about the task at hand:
  
  Ken Hitchcock is still the right coach for this team. When the Blues fell into some funks during the lockout shortened season, we all wondered if message fatigue was setting in. But this team finished the season with an impressive push and then delivered a big effort against the Kings. The Blues fell just a bit short, so the same coach with a refreshed roster could take a big run next spring.
  
  Doug Armstrong must resolve his goaltending situation. Brian Elliott gave the Blues a chance to beat the Kings, but he did not elevate the team. He wasn’t quite good enough, especially with Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Quick on the other side. So what is a general manager to do? Jaroslav Halak was not happy watching the playoffs as the back-up. Then again, management was concerned about Halak’s inconsistency and inability to stay healthy. Rookie Jake Allen, the mid-season lifesaver, is an X-factor. The sensible call is to move Halak and go with Elliott and Allen. But Armstrong is a bold leader, so nobody should be surprised if he looks outside and bids for a veteran like Ryan Miller.
  
  The team nucleus appears to be a bit stale. Crossing off veterans like Andy McDonald, Scott Nichol and Jamie Langenbrunner seems easy enough, but what about David Perron, Patrik Berglund and T.J. Oshie? They have been around for a while. They have become perennial also-rans wearing the Note. Fans are clamoring for change and that prospect doesn’t scare Armstrong. On the other hand, Jaden Schwartz, Vladimir Tarasenko and Dmitrij Jaskin could assume bigger roles next season and freshen up the group -- just as Adam Cracknell and Chris Porter did this season.

  For more on the Blues, check out my post on STLToday.com.

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• Game 4 could define several St. Louis Blues

  15 days ago

  The Blues play the swing game of their best-of-seven series against the Kings tonight. If they win the game, they will take charge of the series.
  
  If they lose it, the series goes back to square one. Such a challenge defines what sort of players the Blues really have.
  
  Do they have a bunch of good players? Or does this team possess players who are ready to break out and become difference makers?
  
  For instance, goaltender Brian Elliott has played brilliantly in the playoffs. He followed a strong final month with even stronger play during first three postseason games.
  
  If he keeps it up, Elliott will prove he more than a reliable back-up or co-starter. Games like this one give him an opportunity to make a strong statement about his future.
  
  Other Blues will get that opportunity as well. Patrik Berglund is a classic example.
  Can he become a really good No. 2 center in the NHL? Is he even a center at all?
  
  Berglund scored 17 goals in 48 games this season, which is notably by Blues standards. But he only dished eight assists, leaving many knowledgeable hockey people wondering if he should permanently relocate to the wing.

  For more on this match-up, check out my posting at STLToday.com.

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• St. Louis Blues hit stride as playoffs begin

  20 days ago

  The Blues took their first step toward Stanley Cup contention by just reaching the playoff bracket, which was no small feat during this lockout-shortened season.
  
  As Los Angeles Kings coach Darryl Sutter notes again and again, games were “crammed down the throats” of players during the condensed schedule.
  
  The Blues took their second big step by starting the postseason with a stellar performance. They were a buzzsaw for much of their 2-1 overtime victory over the Kings Tuesday.
  
  So far, so good – but now the Blues must raise their play again and again to keep going. They must build on their success by achieving more success. They must reach previously unseen levels of performance.
  
  This team is one game into process. Will the Blues morph into a serious Cup threat? Or will this team plateau well short of the goal?
  
  All Game 1 provided was a starting point and some reaffirmation that the Blues have potential.
  
  “We’ve played a lot like this . . . in the last month,” coach Ken Hitchcock said during his post-game media session. “We did this against Chicago. We did this against Vancouver. We did this in Minny twice. We’ve played a lot like this. Maybe not as physical or as emotional – that’s what playoffs are. But we’ve been playing at least every second game like this for over a month now. This is the way we’ve been playing.
  
  “That’s why, when I said to you folks ‘we’re confident,’ we’re playing as well as we’ve played all year. We’re playing that way right now.”
  
  But . . .
  
  “All that does is give us an overtime win,” he said. “That’s how good the hockey club we’re playing against is. So we’re going to have to find a way to keep getting better and better as this series moves on, because we know in that room, they will.”

  For more on the Blues, check out my post at STLToday.com.

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• Jay Bouwmeester sweepstakes underway in Calgary

  March 30, 2013

  Now that Jarome Iginla has departed Calgary, teams have stepped up their bidding for defenseman Jay Bouwmeester.
  
  Since he has a year remaining on his contract – at $6.6 million – contenders might be willing to spend more for him that they would on a rental player like Iginla.
  
  The St. Louis Blues are shopping for a defenseman to pair with Alex Pietrangelo. That team could offer winger Ty Rattie, who excelled playing with Flames prospect Sven Baertschi in the Western Hockey League. The Blues could easily part with young defenseman Ian Cole and draft picks to make a deal.
  
  The Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins are just some of the other potential destinations.
  
  Bouwmeester, 29, isn’t a physical player. But he can rush the puck and he his famously durable, with 620 consecutive games played and counting.
  
  He has no-trade protection in his contract, so the Flames are already discussing trade possibilities with him. The Flames need to rebuild and Bouwmeester has an opportunity to orchestrate his trade to a contender.
  
  “I understand it. It’s the situation we’re in,” Bouwmeester told the Calgary Herald. “It’s been the same the last two or three weeks, people have mentioned stuff.
  
  “But again, until it’s brought to you and you have to make some decisions — or they make some decisions — you can’t worry about it. I’ve been, really, in that situation before where there was stuff flying around and something potentially could have happened, but you really just have to separate yourself from it and go about your day-to-day business.”
  
  Playing for a winner appears to be his top priority.
  
   “It doesn’t matter who you are — that’s why you play,” Bouwmeester said. “I want to be able to play in the playoffs. I’d really like to do it. That’s No. 1 for me right now.
  
  “You think about things, but again (a trade) is not something that’s been really brought forward, so you’re not going to preoccupy yourself.”

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• Please explain why this is not a goal

  March 04, 2013

  The broadcast crew was puzzled by this call. Francois St. Laurent offered a mute explanation, thanks to his inability to work his microphone. The Blues player involved, Adam Cracknell, is tied up and shoved toward the net. The puck caromed off his skate into the net. Nothing in his replay suggests the puck was directed into the net in an illegal fashion -- since the impetus of Cracknell's leg motion came from the defender's push. And certainly the was not advanced illegally with a hand. 

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• Are the St. Louis Blues scouting Danny Briere?

  February 27, 2013

  The St. Louis Blues have more salary cap space than any team in the National Hockey League today, more than $20 million.
  
  The franchise is operating on a tight budget. But the new Tom Stillman ownership group would consider adding some salary this spring if the right trade opportunity presented itself.
  
  So general manager Doug Armstrong has hit the road to survey some possibilities. His regular presence at Philadelphia Flyers games leads the Philadelphia Daily News to believe he doing some business.
  
  Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren is feeling some heat with his high-paid team struggling. This man loves to sign players to comically oversized contracts and then dump them so he can sign different players to comically oversized contracts.
  
  How Holmgren keeps his job doing this year after a year is a mystery, but, hey, good for him.
  
  If Holmgren could convince Danny Briere to waive his full no-movement clause – which would take some doing – the Blues would have to at least consider the scenario.
  
  Here is why:
  
  A recent five-game point streak reminded us that Briere, 35, can still generate offense during the twilight of his career.
  
  He is small (generously listed at 5-foot-10) but tenacious and somewhat versatile. It would not be hard to imagine him fitting into Ken Hitchcock’s system.
  
  The Flyers could can $6.5 million in annual cap space by moving him. That would help this season and really help them handle the upcoming cap reduction.
  
  Philadelphia could use the salary cap space to shore up their blue line, while is still reeling from the demise of Chris Pronger.
  
  The Blues could afford the back end of Briere’s contract is not onerous. He will make $3 million next season and $2 million in 2014-15.
  
  Holmgren just added old friend Simon Gagne for a draft pick, so that could help offset the Briere subtraction.
  
  The Blues just lost forward Andy McDonald to a lower-body injury after losing Vladimir Tarasenko to a concussion. Their admirable offensive depth took a big hit.
  
  Of course, all of this speculation means nothing unless Briere agreed to leave Philadelphia. Right now he does not seem so inclined.

  For more on this story and other NHL notes and links, check out my post on STLToday.com.

   

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• Vladimir Tarasenko will learn to keep his head up

  February 21, 2013

  Or else he won't last long in the NHL. Consider this a lesson learned.

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• St. Louis Blues still celebrate the Erik Johnson trade

  February 20, 2013

  Tonight long-frustrated Colorado Avalanche fans got to relive the disastrous Erik Johnson trade tonight as the St. Louis Blues visited Denver.
  
  That was the deal that helped propel the Blues toward perennial contention while keeping the once-mighty Avalanche back in the Western Conference pack.
  
  Back on Feb, 19, 2011, the Blues sent Johnson, checking center Jay McClement and a first-round pick in the ‘11 draft for Kevin Shattenkirk, Chris Stewart and Colorado's 2nd-round pick on that draft.
  
  Wow. The injury-plagued Johnson has just one point in 11 games this season with the Avalanche. He is currently sidelined by a head injury. McClement exited as a free agent and relocated to Toronto, where his penalty-killing skills are greatly appreciated.
  
  Meanwhile Shattenkirk has emerged as one of the NHL’s most productive offensive defensemen. He leads in the NHL in scoring at his position with 14 points in 16 games this season.
  
  After struggling through much of last season, Stewart worked himself into top physical condition for this lockout-shortened season. He has six goals and added six assists in 16 games.
  
  The long view is not better. In 106 games with the Avalanche, Johnson has produced 37 points and a minus-11 rating.
  
  In 123 Blues games, Shattenkirk has produced 74 points and a plus-29 rating. Stewart has 65 points (including 36 goals) in 121 games with the Note.
  
  As for the draft pick swap, we’ll see how much it benefits Colorado. The Avalanche used their pick to select rangy defenseman Duncan Siemens, who appears to offer a nice mix of size and toughness. He could eventually join a strong young defensive corps that could include Stefan Elliott and Tyson Barrie.
  
  The Blues used their pick to take forward Ty Rattie, a prolific (but undersized) Western Hockey League scorer who showed well during the recent World Junior Championships.
  
  Which player will have the better NHL career? Normally we’d bet on the rangy defenseman, but the new NHL does give smallish forward an opportunity to excel.
  
  We’re guessing this deal won’t look much better for Colorado in five years than it does today.

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• David Backes will keep playing the hits

  February 04, 2013

  Power forward David Backes has set a physical tempo for the St. Louis Blues with his bulldozing style this season.
  
  And, no, he can’t change the way he plays just because he got ejected on an erroneous and costly penalty call at Detroit. He plowed over former teammate Kent Huskins and got sent off for phantom blow-to-the-head penalty.
  
  “Finishing a check, and it’s Huskie, he’s a guy who was in this room last year,” Backes said. “I’m not going to play any lighter against him, but not a guy I’ll be taking a cheap shot at either. Just finishing a hit.”
  
  The Red Wings scored the decisive goal on the resulting five-minute power play. The NHL subsequently rescinded the match penalty, but it couldn’t take back the power-play goal or change the game’s outcome.
  
  So the Blues move on and Backes moves on, promising not to alter his robust approach.
  
  “We’re trying establish us as a tough team to play against,” he said. “That physical play, we’re not going to back down and there was no exception in that game. Trying to block the situation, the outcome out of mind so we can pick up right where we left off as far as physical play and not shy away from anything as a result.”

  For more on this topic and other NHL news and links, check out my posting on STLToday.com.

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• Explain this penalty, Brendan Shanahan

  February 02, 2013

  David Backes earned a match penalty for hitting his old teammate Kent Huskins in the head. Even the Detroit Red Wings broadcasters were incredulous. Maybe Brendan Shanahan can uncover the illegal hit with a frame-by-frame breakdown. We'll await that with great eagerness.

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• Rookie forwards impress in first NHL weekend

  January 21, 2013

  The kids were all right during the first weekend of the NHL season. Rookie forwards made their mark as teams got back to work.
  
  Here are some young gunners who could do some real damage this season:
  
  Jonathan Huberdeau, C, Florida Panthers: He scored twice in the season opener, setting aside doubts about his ability to function as a 19-year-old in a big boy league. Huberneau toyed with opponents in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this season, scoring 16 goals and dishing 29 assists in 30 games for the Saint John Sea Dogs. He also starred on the international stage for Team Canada on the World Junior Championships for the third year in a row. He will fill out his 6-foot-1 frame some day, but he can put up points right now.    
  
  “That was a pretty good snapshot of his high-end skill set,” Panthers coach Kevin Dineen said. “A fairly impressive debut to say the least.”
  
  Vladimir Tarasenko, W, St. Louis Blues: He scored twice in his NHL debut, clicking on the power play and working well with Andy McDonald and Alex Steen at even strength. Tarasenko, 21, came into the league flying after consecutive productive seasons in the NHL. This season he scored 14 goals and added 17 assists in 31 games for St. Petersburg SKA during the lockout. Last season he scored 23 times in 54 games for Novosibirsk Siber and SKA. Two years ago he was captain of Russia’s gold-medal winning team in the World Junior Championships.
  
  Mikael Granlund, C, Minnesota Wild: He scored a goal in his team’s opener, offering reassuring scoring depth behind Mikko Koivu’s line. “I just got lucky, tipped the puck,” Granlund told the St. Paul Pioneer-Press Saturday night. “I just tried to play how I can play. Just a great feeling the whole game. I was so excited. I can't wait for tomorrow.”
  
  He played 18 shifts and 14:43 during the second game, winning three of four faceoffs and a plus-1 rating. Last season Granlund culminated his time in Finland’s elite league by scoring 51 points in 45 games last season. He stayed in North America during the lockout, scoring eight goals dishing 13 assists in 21 games for the Houston Aeros of the AHL.
  
  Nail Yakupov, W, Edmonton Oilers: He spent his lockout time productively, scoring 10 goals and adding eight assists in 18 KHL games for Nizhnekamsk Neftekhimik. Prior to that, he abused Ontario Hockey League goaltenders for the Sarnia Sting, scoring 90 times in 107 games. For Edmonton he settled onto the second line with center Sam Gagner and playmaking winger Ales Hemsky. He played 22 shifts and 16:20 Sunday night in Edmonton’s 3-2 shootout victory.
  
  Mikhail Grigorenko, Buffalo Sabres: The 12th overall pick of the 2012 NHL Draft played a third-line role in his debut, playing 15 shifts and 11:13 during Sunday’s 5-2 victory over the visiting Flyers. He put two shots on goal and earned a minus-1 rating. The big man dominated the QMJHL during the lockout, scoring 29 goals in 32 games for the Quebec Ramparts. He also played for Russia’s disappointing entry in the World Junior Championships.
  
  Jakob Silfverberg, W, Ottawa Senators: He played 21 shifts and 14:02 during Game 1, putting three shots on goal and earning a plus-1 rating. He used the lockout to adapt to the North American game, scoring 13 goals and earning 16 assists in 34 games for the Binghamton of the AHL. Before that he progressed nicely during four seasons with Brynas IF Gavle of the Swedish Elite League. Last season his 24 goals and 30 assists in 49 games earned him league MVP honors.
  
  Sven Baertschi, W, Calgary Flames: He played 21 shifts and 12:47 during his first game this season, putting two shots on goal and delivering two hits. This Swiss import blew up the Western Hockey League for the Portland Winterhawks, teaming up with Blues prospect Ty Rattie to wreak havoc the past few years. He scored 94 points in just 47 games last season and then dazzled in his brief NHL trial, scoring three times in five games. During the lockout Baertschi played 21 games in Abbotsford, producing six goals and 12 assists.
  
  “It’s a big opportunity for me to open up that door and show that it’s possible to play in this league as a 20-year-old,” Baertschi told the Calgary Sun. “I want to be that guy. We’re such a small country. It’s not like every year there are five more guys coming into the NHL.”
  
  Jaden Schwartz, W, St. Louis Blues: Last season he scored twice in seven games after arriving late in the season from Colorado College. This season he had nine goals and 10 assists in 33 American Hockey League games for the Peoria Rivermen. He didn’t score in his first game this season, but he looked good setting up big center Patrik Berglund and power forward Chris Stewart.
  
  Alex Galchenyuk, C, Montreal Canadiens: The super-sized pivot played 18 shifts and 13:06 during his pro debut. He missed all but two games last season due to a knee injury, but he was an 83-point scorer the year before playing with Yakupov for the Sarnia Sting of the OHL. During the lockout he scored 27 goals and added 34 assists in 33 games for the Sting.
  
  Brandon Saad, W, Chicago Blackhawks: He played 22 shifts and 13:31 Sunday night as the Blackhawks won 6-4 at Phoenix. He put two shots in goal and earned a plus-1 rating after stepping into the lineup for Dan Carcillo, who will miss the next month with a knee injury. Saad got a quick NHL look last season, then returned to lend a hand in the playoffs. He has skill (61 goals in 103 OHL games for Saginaw) to got with his size.

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• Vladimir Tarasenko shows off for St. Louis Blues

  January 20, 2013

  Also, his girlfriend was in town to see this goal and another one in his NHL debut. The already deep Blues are that much better now.

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• Now THIS is how to convert a penalty shot.

  January 15, 2013

  St. Louis Blues draft pick Jori Lehtera, a former Peoria Riverman, shows you how to get in down in the KHL.This took some serious nerve.

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• Matt Duchene, Peter Stastny ready to bounce back

  January 05, 2013

  When the National Hockey League gets back to business, several once-prominent centers will strive to regain their old scoring form.

  The Colorado Avalanche have players in that category, Matt Duchene and Peter Stastny.

  Back in 2010-11 Duchene broke out with a strong 27-goal, 40 assist season. He followed that by scoring 16 points in his first 21 games last season. But then a knee injury derailed his campaign. He worked his way back onto the ice, but produced just one assist in 12 March games. He switched trainers during the off-season, got back into top shape and then put up numbers in Europe during the lockout. It will be interesting to see how all the offensive pieces coming together in Colorado this season.

  Stastny was a point-per-game scorer until the last two seasons, when he slipped to 57 and 53 points. Not surprisingly he became the subject of many trade rumors, especially with center Ryan O’Reilly on the climb. He scored just 21 points in his first 37 games last season, then picked up his production to 32 points in his last 42 games. The addition of physical winger Steve Downie for the final quarter last season (13 points in 20 games, plus-9) gave Colorado new life up front.

  Here are some other centers looking to get back on track:

  Ryan Getzlaf, Ducks: Remember when he was a Top 10 center in the league? That seems like a long time ago to fans in Anaheim. Getzlaf averaged 1.09 points per game during a four season span. So how does a player like that fall to 11 goals, 46 assists and a minus-11 rating? Coach Bruce Boudreau hopes to solve that riddle while trying to re-ignite this formerly explosive offense. Getzlaf scored four goals in October, then scored just seven more all season. He scored at a 54-point pace in the first half and a 61-point pace in the second half. Yeech.
  
  Travis Zajac, New Jersey Devils: He scored 25 goals, dished 42 assists and earned a plus-22 rating during the 2009-10 season, He appeared to be a star on the rise. Then he slipped to 13 goals with 31 assists and a minus-6 rating the next season and then missed most of last season after tearing his left Achilles tendon. He scored 14 points in 24 playoff games and figures to center a scoring line this season.
  
  Alex Steen, St. Louis Blues: The departure of Jason Arnott via free agency could move the versatile Steen to center on one of the top three lines. He could also man a point on one of the power-play units. Alex scored 17 points with a plus-14 rating in his first 24 games last season, but a concussion ruined his campaign. He recovered during the offseason and spent some of his lockout time in Europe. In his previous two full seasons he scored 98 points.
  
  Derek Roy, Dallas Stars: He was scoring at a point-per-game pace in Buffalo two seasons ago until he suffered a torn quadriceps muscle. He never got back to full speed last season as the big-budget Sabres struggled for much of the season. Roy was especially bad on the road, scoring just 16 points in 40 games while earning a minus-16 rating. Then he moved on to Dallas . . . and almost immediately underwent shoulder surgery. The lockout gave him a chance to heal and the talented Stars will give him every chance to revive his playmaking ability.
  
  Jeff Carter, Los Angeles Kings: After scoring 115 goals during a three-year span for the Flyers, he scored just 21 for Columbus and Los Angles last season – and six of them game in two games. He showed a bit more life during the playoffs, scoring eight times in 20 games. Perhaps flanking his buddy Mike Richards on a full-time basis will revive his finishing skills. Also, Carter makes $6 million a year. If he doesn’t pick up his play he could become the target of a compliance buyout in the next collective bargaining agreement.

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• St. Louis Blues prospects show well at the WJC

  January 04, 2013

  St. Louis Blues prospect Ty Rattie scored Canada’s lone goal against the United States in the semi-finals of the World Junior Championship in Ufa, Russia.
  
  Goaltender Jordan Binnington, another Blues prospect, played the second half of game after Canada fell behind 4-0. Both he and Rattie should benefit from their participation.
  
  But hockey fans in the Great White North were pretty sour after the U.S. stunned Canada 5-1 to advance to the gold medal game. The Canadians will play for the bronze medal, which was definitely NOT their goal coming in.
  
  Losing, Rattie told reporters after the game, is “the worst feeling in the world.”
  
  What went wrong?
  
  “They came out quick,” Rattie told reporters. “We didn’t. We didn’t respond until the third – and that was too late.”
  
  Team USA coach Phil Housley, a former Blues defenseman, earned a big victory in his second career. One of his key performers was Harvard forward Jim Vesey, son of a former Blues and Boston Bruins forward by the same name.
  
  “We got the start we wanted, scoring the all-important first goal,” Housley told reporters. “We wanted to dictate the pace of the game early and we were able to do that and then it carried into the second period. We're going to enjoy this win tonight and then start thinking about the gold medal game tomorrow.”
  
  Blues fans can look forward to seeing Rattie and Binnington in future Blues training camps. Both players factor into the organization’s plans.
  
  Rattie is a small but persistent scorer.  In his last 99 games for the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League, he has scored 168 points.
  
  If he can add the strength needed to fend off NHL checking, he could rise to the highest level. He has a great feel for the game and a knack for converting opportunities around the net.
  
  Rattie batted in his own rebound for a shorthanded goal Thursday, catching the Americans anticipating a stoppage in play. That was the only the Canadians got all game.
  
  Binnington, backed up Malcolm Subban in the tournament, is trying to follow Jake Allen’s path from major junior hockey to the American Hockey League. He could earn a depth role for the Blues organization next fall.

  For more on the Blues at the WJC, check out my story at STLToday.com.

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