Carlo Colaiacovo

ard was not expected to be an offensive force when he was acquired from Toronto on November 24 with Carlo Colaiacovo for Lee Stempniak. Spanning over his two final seasons with the Maple Leafs, Steen played in 86 games and scored just 17 goals, including a minuscule two goals in his final twenty games.  It was even reported that Toronto head coach Ron Wilson was the only member of the Maple Leafs management team to not even say goodbye to Steen the day of the trade.  Steen came to St. Louis looking like another disappointing forward, since his 24th overall selection in 2002 built him up as the gun the Maple Leafs were looking for.  He may have faltered with his former team, but he seemed to fit in with the Blues after just a few weeks.

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th youngster Pietrangelo can be looked at as a great learning experience for the rookie.

Carlo Colaiacovo and Roman Polak will also be vital parts to the Blues' success this season.  Both players were considered by many Blues fans last year as the two best defenseman all-around.  Both players have a slight offensive-upside, but are mostly known for their willingness to track down loose pucks and be stalwarts in their own end.  If these two can recreate their magic from last season, the Blues should be in good shape.

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and healthy.  The Blues have to rely on players such as Johnson and 2009 stand-outs Polak and Carlo Colaiacovo to help take some minutes off Jackman's hands.  If this entire team can make up for not having a number one defenseman, Chris Mason will see less shots against which will in turn bring the goals against number down as well.

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ity to try multiple set-ups on the power-plays that they were given.  Every play was the same; Carlo Colaiacovo would slide it to either Patrik Berglund or Andy McDonald, and he would set Boyes up on a one-timer from the left face-off dot.  The Canucks noticed this trend early in game one, and every time Boyes would either shoot wide or hit a defenseman.  The Blues continued this strategy through game four, and it did not work once.

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ight in Atlanta.  What does this mean for both teams though?

The Blues brought in defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo and center Alex Steen from the deal, two players that have been under fire in a Leafs sweater this season.  Steen, racking just four points in 20 games, is known as a two-way center that can also kill penalties.  After being drafted in the first round (26th overall) in the 2002 NHL Entry draft, Alex has 126 points in 253 career NHL games.  Not too shabby, but his former head coach Ron Wilson showed how upset he was when Steen was traded, being the only member of Leafs management to not say his goodbyes to the 24 year-old. 

Continue reading "Stempniak Trade Analysis"