Let's See Lemtyugov!

With injuries to NHL-regular forwards Paul Kariya, Andy McDonald, T.J. Oshie and Dan Hinote, the St. Louis Blues have had to mix and match players throughout the entire season.  Blues fans have seen the likes of Rivermen Cam Paddock, Brad Winchester, Steve Regier and Chris Porter so far in 2008, not to mention the waiver wire going directly through the Blues, as tough guys David Koci and B.J. Crombeen were picked up at different points (Koci has since been dropped).  With all of these players bouncing around between Peoria and St. Louis, why have there not been any Lemtyugov sightings for Blues fans?

The Blues feel that they got quite a steal on Lemtyugov when they drafted him in the seventh round in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.  This near-23 year old owns a powerful and accurate wrist shot, along with the ability to get open for a pass at any given time.  He is also known as a strong two-way player, taking responsibility in his own zone when needed.  Nikolay has been the best scoring presence this season for the Peoria Rivermen as well, tallying five goals and fourteen assists in 23 games, which is tops for the AHL club.  Sporting number four in Peoria, this kid has been used in every situation.  Lemtyugov is great at killing penalties and setting up the power-play. 

While players like Winchester and Yan Stastny are skating hard and trying their best, Lemtyugov could possibly be more effective.  Yan had a strong game against Phoenix on Saturday, killing penalties and clearing the puck in tight defensive situations.  But if Lemtyugov is as good as all of the scouts say he is, could he not do it just as well and maybe put some pucks in the net as well?  Brad Winchester has pretty much done his role; crash and bang while never controlling the puck.  I think it is time to see Lemtyugov given one of their roles.

Blues management has to worry that a player of Nikolay’s caliber could just as easy pack it up and head back to Europe, where he could play on a top team in the Russian Super-League.  This young player showed his loyalty to his team though.  Lemtyugov dismissed any allegations that he would go home when speaking with reporters last year, making this statement:

“If I wanted to earn money, if that was my goal, I would stay home in the Super League,” Lemtyugov said. “I came over here to play at the world’s best level. I will work in the AHL, wait for my chance, earn it.”

He also went on to say that, “Too many players don’t have patience.”  While it is clear that he does not want to give up and go home to Russia, it is very apparent that this kid is aching for his chance to get in the NHL.  The Blues should honor his loyalty and give him a chance.

More Thoughts to Ponder:

B.J. Crombeen was strong in Monday’s game against Nashville, when he netted his first career NHL hat-trick.  Crombeen and newly-acquired center Alexander Steen looked pretty comfortable together, don’t be surprised if we see them together more often in the next coming games…

Roman Polak has proven his spot in the Blues’ lineup.  Even though Polak was one of the key guys that goaltender Manny Legace blasted November 30th (stating, “I need some help out there,” and “Not much support”), the Blues rookie has played strong for the most part, blasting shots from the point when needed and picking up the backdoor more often than not.  He currently has an even plus/minus rating this season.

It is believed that forwards Dan Hinote and Paul Kariya will be making the current road trip with the team this time around.  It is unknown as of now whether or not they will see game time, but they are skating with the club.

Peoria Rivermen forward Matt Foy will be returning soon to his AHL club.  He has missed the entire season thus far with a sports hernia injury.