If all the NHL fans were to sit in a first grade classroom and talk about “what they did this summer,” some would speak more highly of their team than others.  Chicago Blackhawks fans would talk of their excitement for Brian Campbell coming to the big city, and Cristobal Huet being the new saving grace of Chicago.  Tampa Bay Lightning fans would regale stories of celebration, after drafting number one pick Steve Stamkos and locking up captain Vincent Lecavalier for the rest of his career, while Red Wings fans would boast about signing the most-sought player this off-season, Marian Hossa.  What would the Blues fans say though?

“We heard Cam Janssen interview Cleveland from Family Guy on the radio.  We had the rights to Steve Bernier for about twenty-five minutes too!”

Continue reading "What It Will Take to Win"

When the Hartford Whalers drafted Chris Pronger second overall in 1993, they had no idea what type of player that they would be getting on their roster.  The Blues are hoping that they drafted a player fifteen years later that might have the same upside as the All-Star defenseman.

Alex Pietrangelo, selected fourth overall in 2008, signed a deal to lock him in as Blues property for the next three seasons Thursday afternoon.  Pietrangelo will be skating in training camp with the rest of the Blues team starting September 19.  It is believed that Alex has a good shot at making the club to start the season, but the team may want him to mature in Peoria of the AHL before he plays on the big club.

“We are excited to have Alex signed as he will be a key component to our youth movement for years to come,” stated Blues President John Davidson. 

Continue reading "Pietrangelo Good Fit for Blues"

When the Blues selected forward David Perron at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, many heads were turned towards Blues management.  The QMJHL’s Lewiston MAINEiacs head coach Clem Jodoin, David’s coach before being drafted, even had some discouraging words when asked of Perron’s abilities.  He claimed that he was not very good in his own end and that he “needs to improve on his skating.”  But the Blues found something in the young player, and drafted him late in the first round, 26th overall.

Despite all of the criticism, Perron came to play in the St. Louis Blues’ training camp in 2007.  He really showed that he was ready for the big time when he made it past all of the pre-season cuts.  When it was announced that he would be on the opening day roster, fans were stunned.  Very few players stay on a team’s roster the season after being drafted, let alone players that are drafted late in the first round.  When asked of Perron, Blues President John Davidson said that the nineteen year-old rookie “needed some structure.”  Not only was Perron’s play needing work, but it was obvious to his teammates that he needed an attitude-adjustment.  Perron even stated to his team that he felt he deserved the puck more and would get angry at how many minutes he was playing every night.  But the player seemed to develop more as an adult than a hockey player.

Continue reading "Perron the Man to Watch"

Let’s face it; the St. Louis Blues do not exactly strike fear into the hearts of opposing offenses.  The Blues allowed 2.83 average goals against per game last season, which sat them at 21st in the league.  They also tied for 26th in the league last season with a total of ten goals against in four-on-four play.  As if these stats were not an eyesore enough for Blues fans to look at, they also ranked dead last in the league in power-play percentage.  Where do our answers lie to fix these problems? 

The easiest answers come from within the organization.  Erik Johnson, who amassed five goals and 28 assists last season, will be coming in for his second full season as a NHL defenseman.  Alex Pietrangelo has an adequate shot of making the team, tallying 53 points in 60 games for the Niagara Ice Dogs of the OHL last season.  And to repeat what critics were saying last season about the current defense of the team, Eric Brewer and Barret Jackman are expected to contribute more offensively than they have in the past.  Looking at the situation on paper though, both players only totaled three goals between them in 2007-08.  It is almost foolish to rely purely on two players under 21 years old and to hope for two veterans to all of a sudden light the lamp constantly.   Bringing in a veteran who is known as a power-play quarterback and a great puck-handler may not be such a bad idea.  Mathieu Schneider is just that man.

Continue reading "Schneider a Must for Blues"

The first day for the Blues’ training camp is officially in the books.  I was only able to stay until noon, but got a pretty good look at what the coaches were expecting.  They pretty much took the day to get the players ready for more vigorous training in the next few days.  They ran one drill in the hour and a half that I attended, and it seemed to just give an idea of how in shape the players truly are after their long summer.  They set up cones at the ends of the rink, and they had about eight players at a time skate back and forth at the sound of a tone played over the loud speaker.  Each time the players had to skate a little harder, and stop on a dime when hitting the next set of cones.  This is a drill that is run purely for endurance and agility training, not to mention speed and quickness of the feet.  I was able to make many observations while watching.

Continue reading "Training Camp Day 1 Wrap-Up"

One season.  82 games.  246 periods.  4,920 minutes. 

That is most likely how long the Blues organization will be without up and coming star defenseman, Erik Johnson.  The 20-year old, coming off of his rookie season, tore his ACL and has some damage to his MCL in an off-ice accident on the golf course.  With a defense that sees more of a turnover rate than McDonald’s, where can the Blues turn to try and fix this hole in the lineup?

“Camp is only a few days old,” stated Blues President John Davidson earlier this week, “There will be some movement with players headed to Peoria and other kids going back to Junior. But we're going to look at people and see what we have. Again, it's opportunity for other people, too.”

Continue reading "Where can the Blues Turn?"

It was reported Monday by various websites that the Chicago Blackhawks have placed goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin on waivers.  The former Stanley Cup winner has had an uncertain future in Chicago since the team decided to sign Cristobal Huet to a four-year deal over the summer.  With goaltenders Jonathan Bernier and Jason Labarbera projected to be on the opening-game squad, is there room for veteran Khabibulin to join the mix?

The 35-year old Khabibulin has played for three different NHL organizations, most notably his time with the Tampa Bay Lightning.  Khabibulin posted a .930 save percentage in the 2004 NHL playoffs, the year that the club beat the Calgary Flames in the Stanley Cup Finals.  His last three seasons have not been as extraordinary though.  Winning just 65 games in 160 opportunities, it is obvious that Khabi has not been held with such high regard in Chicago.  After an injury-plagued first season that saw a lackluster 3.35 GAA, he has better numbers (2.75 GAA) over the last two seasons.  But Nikolai is still believed to be a strong veteran goaltender, and that is something that the Los Angeles Kings are in desperate need of. 

Continue reading "Khabibulin Could be a King"