Tuesdays With Hildy: Stay, or do we Pet him go?

by hildymac on Nov 17, 2009 3:10 PM CST Comment 28 comments

Is the Petro-dactyl in danger of becoming extinct for the rest of the season in St. Louis?

I'm horribly sorry for the pun in today's title. I am currently running on about four hours of sleep, had to talk about fascism *all day long*, and now I get to sit here until 5 (4 Central) listening to 7 high school boys yell at each other about policy debate. I know that's not a viable excuse for bad pun-age, but it is seriously the best that I can manage right now.

Anywho, for those of you who are not as sleep deprived as some of us, the title is in reference to our youngest defenseman, Alex Pietrangelo. The article in this morning's Post Dispatch raises a question for the Blues, the ownership, and the fans hanging in the balance - do we let half of our 2nd coming of MacInnis and Pronger go back to juniors?

The Blues are carrying eight defensemen right now: Brewer, Jackman, Polak, Colaiacovo, Johnson, Weaver, Sydor, and Pietroangelo. Steen is going to have to return here eventually, probably sooner than later, which means that someone on our roster is going to have to be moved. That, and the next game that he is on the ice for is the magic 9th game, after which the team needs to decide to keep him up here, or send him to his OHL team, the Ice Dogs (he is too young per AHL rules to be sent to the Rivermen). Despite being a scratch for the past three games, no one has had a negative thing to say, but would anyone say something bad about a 19 year old first rounder who is trying his hardest to stay in the league?

Let Him Go

You can make a valid argument for sending him back to Juniors, albiet it is focused more on the team and less on him as a player - we already have seven defensemen. Yes, one of them is the constant talk of 100111001 and whatnot, and the other is yelled at for every atrocious play on the ice regardless of if it's fault or not. But they're both serviceable and they have both paid their league dues. There is nowhere for them to go but a trade, but that trade'll get us probably a few forwards, and then we'll be having this discussion about one of our young kids.

If we can't move Brewer or Jackman, that leaves either Weaver or Pietroangelo to be moved. Weaver could be moved to the Rivermen, but has shown enough competency at the NHL level to warrant him staying put. Petro, if sent down, doesn't lose a year of contract eligibility, gets to hone his skills, and develop a little more for next year. That, and if all else fails and we need to call someone up, we could always call up Junland, though that would deprive Peoria of one of their top scorers.

One other thing is that Petro gets no ice time with his butt in the pressbox. How does he get better without practice?

Keep Him Here

Petro might still be learning the ropes and is prone to rookie mistakes, but would we rather see that from a rookie with room for improvement, or a vet who should just flat out know better? Petro has a tremendous skill set that can only improve with ice time if put out there. He has chemistry with Johnson, and quite frankly he's too good for the OHL.

Look at that. How do you justify a defenseman who can net 40 assists with his eyes blindfolded going back to someplace where he's going to stagnate? Very few people in that league have the skills to challenge him to raise his game - he gets that at the NHL level every night. Even when he's on the bench, he can still watch and learn. He's never going to get any better at the OHL level. Unfortunately, with his age, he can't go to the AHL, which is a skill set that could do him some good. His choices are either stagnate or work up to a new level, and Petro seems like he's a quick study.

0 recs | Comment 28 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Keep Him

The dude can play, He kept more pucks in the offensive zone in his short stay then Jackman keeps in all year. The puck seems to go to him and he is only going to get better. He can help our powerplay and we need to score on the powerplay. He will help with that. Get rid of Brewer, take his C and put it on McDonalds Jersey. Better Yet get a freaking goal scorer and put the C on his Jersey. We don’t need a streaky goal scorere either, we need someone who can put it on net or better yet in the freaking net. Go Blues….The idea is to win the cup, I don’t see us winning the Cup with what we got right now. So do something about it. Let AM, Walt and Kariya enjoy their last year wearing a Note, we want the cup, they apparantley Don’t.

by Blue Note on Nov 17, 2009 3:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Pet Stays.

If I could only watch one sport for the rest of my life? That's easy. Hockey. Saint Louis Blues Hockey.

by bleed-blue on Nov 17, 2009 3:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

keep him.

by birdie27 on Nov 17, 2009 4:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Keep Him.

He won’t get better in the OHL.

He will need 2 full seasons or so before reaching anywhere near full NHL maturity. With the rest of our “kids” getting this experience, we need him up to speed.

Based on what I see of “The System,” we’re depending on home-grown products and not purchases/trades for our eventual serious Cup run. I have to think Petro is part of this picture. As such, get him up as soon as possible.

Is he really going to cost us anything Weaver doesn’t? Couldn’t he reasonably spell someone like Cola?

by Washoo on Nov 17, 2009 4:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

we’re going to have to make a purchase at some point because we don’t have anyone who can come close to touching 50 goals on the season in the system. I dont think you were trying to suggest that “buying” is evil, just wanted to add that its something we’re pretty much going to have to do to get better. This trade deadline/free agency period should be hella interesting for us, and if its not management isnt doing their job right.

by bzgea2 on Nov 17, 2009 6:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

Personally, my wet dream is to see Kovalchuk in the ’Note.

But you’re right. Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think Kariya nor Boyes nor Backes are the Sedin/Zetterberg/Crosby/Malkin/Kovalchuk/etc. offensive powerhouse we need to become a serious contender.

Maybe Perron is developing into that kind of player. I’m interested to see what becomes of The Oshie when he comes out of his sophomore slump.

But we need something.

by Washoo on Nov 17, 2009 6:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

keep him

’cause I said so

"It’s a brand new day
And the sun is high
All the birds are singing
That you’re gonna die" ~ Dr. Horrible

by Carnie on Nov 17, 2009 4:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

This^

Some days its just not worth chewing through the restraints

by spectr17 on Nov 17, 2009 4:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

if he doesnt play

he has to go. period. hell the blues send under-used guys to the a when they get 5 days off every once in a while so the scratches and4th liners can play a few down there making a mockery of the thought that practice keeps you game ready, or is enough.

and again, junland is nhl ready as well and at the “a” who is dominating down there and cole coming next year most likely from notre dame.

so why would we burn a year of petro ownership without a place for him.

rundbland will be here in 2 seasons. so over the next 3 seasons we alrady got to gut the entire blues defense as it is. no need to start today, is there?

the point of having these guys is to make use of their skills either on the ice or via trade, and keeping petro up does neither of the two.

A strong anvil fears no hammer

by Childhood Trauma on Nov 17, 2009 4:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Why can't you just play him?

What does Weaver bring to the table that Petro doesn’t?

I’m not being sarcastic (for once); serious query.

by Washoo on Nov 17, 2009 4:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

weaver was signed to be a spare part

he is a depth d-man in case someone goes down. he has played well, don’t get me wrong, but he doesnt fit into the organizations long-term plans. same with sydor. petro is the future let him play.

by averagejoe on Nov 17, 2009 4:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i've wanted weaver out for a while

still call him jeff weaver a lot cos the blues were so interested in him in st. louis (instead of peoria where he was supposed to playu) they introduced him as jeff weaver acciedentally to the crowd

but weaver is- or maybe was- a plus/minus leader and for all that means and doesn’t, he ain’t sucked or made a ton of rookie mistakes. so will AM sit him? and if so we still have 1 d man too many :)

weaver has had games in the brewer injury time, where he had more minutes than ej. so AM has used weaver more than anticipated and that would have to end. and maybe it will. with eric back, weaver and sydor’s ice time is dissapearing faster than ice in the arctic circle

A strong anvil fears no hammer

by Childhood Trauma on Nov 17, 2009 4:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

if he plays

he stays. maybe. might prefer looking at junland BECAUSE junland is due a new contract. would like to see him before the blues raise him for 4 years or whatever they plan.

but alex ISNT playing now. and cola is back so he is even further away from the ice as far as i can tell. and cola is due a contract too, so ya gotta fish or cut bait with cola who is still a “young gun”

AM starts feeling pressure to “win now” and youth will never see ice as i don’t know a coach alive who doesn’t saddle up his vets andride them, when that kind of pressure is going on. hopefully we won’t get there, but AM already has a slight anti-rookie rep

A strong anvil fears no hammer

by Childhood Trauma on Nov 17, 2009 4:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think they'll find enough room for him here.

Keep him around and dump Brewer. If it’s possible.

I know that leaves a lot of right-handed shots on the blue line, but performance is what I’m looking for, and Petro has performed admirably. Brewer kicks the puck into his own net amongst other shenanigans and is overpaid (admittedly the albatross-like contract would be a detriment to his release).

One day, David Backes and Albert Pujols will combine forces to become the most awesome piece of violent force known to man.

by Donut King on Nov 17, 2009 4:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

And I just realized . . .

that I’d broken my own rule of leaving the Blues’ team captain nameless from here on out.

Goddamned anger.

One day, David Backes and Albert Pujols will combine forces to become the most awesome piece of violent force known to man.

by Donut King on Nov 18, 2009 1:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Let's go Blues!!!

by Milo. on Nov 18, 2009 1:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Err.. wait...

we have a team captain?
1011001010

You can't call me a fair weather Blues fan.

by DanGNR on Nov 18, 2009 2:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

keep him

Yes, he’ll make mistakes…but what D-man doesn’t? Let him learn up here…I say get shot of one or two of our spares.

BLUE SKIES - new St Louis Blues hockey blog.

"If you prick me, do I not...leak?"
"I could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without cause."
"I am programmed in multiple techniques, a broad...variety of pleasuring..."
RIP Lt Commander Data

by drfrankentweed on Nov 17, 2009 4:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

hes the future

you hav to keep him. hes young, tons of potential, and hes been playing better than a good number of our other defenders, i dont see why you would put him down. he wont progress if hes not in the NHL with the big boys.

by StLbluesfan43 on Nov 17, 2009 4:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Keep him

He’ll make mistakes just like Eeej does, but until they are aged veterans some mistakes are acceptable and coachable. We have a few Dmen that still make those mistakes and are qualified veterans and alleged leaders of the team.

Perhaps it is about time to take stock at all of the Blues’ assets and see if there is room for improvement. We have some kids that will never make the team, some regulars that are about done serving their purpose, and others that should never have been given as many chances as they have. I like the idea of getting a more consistent goal scorer. No one ever won a cup being streaky(see Demitra). Besides if Chicago can have a few(injured or no) then I want one too.

by Bleedbluecp2 on Nov 17, 2009 5:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Keep him, play him. Theres really no reason why he shouldnt be playing every night, not with the way this team has been playing lately. I cant see any logic behind sending him down due to a feeling that this team is primed to win it all right now without him gumming up the works with his rookie mistakes. Face some facts, LA, Colorado and Dallas all look pretty legit and they all missed the playoffs last year, with all of that improvement theres going to be some teams on the outside looking in longingly with memories of last years playoffs wondering what happened. Not saying for sure it will be the blues (im a pessimist, but not that much) but if this “slow start” keeps up they may find themselves too far behind to catch up to the much better pack that is forming up at the top of the conference this year, so what the hell do they have to lose by playing the kid?

by bzgea2 on Nov 17, 2009 6:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wouldn't shock me to see Brewer get traded sometime this season

He’s probably our best defenseman, but the fans in STL are never going to get over the fact that he’s not Chris Pronger. He’s not a scorer, so the common fan doesn’t see what else he brings to the table and is less likely to give him credit when he does well. He’s only signed for another year, and i can’t imagine us resigning him after that, so if we can get something out of him now from a team thats desperate for a Dman, why shouldn’t we? We can use that extra 4.5 mill in cap space on EJ, who is a restricted free agent after this season. We’re probably gonna have to pony up some big bucks for him.

Sydor, Weaver, and Cola are all unrestricted free agents next year, too. So why devote tons of ice time to guys who might leave when we could develop one who’s gonna be here a long time. If we send Petro away now, he’s gonna come back next year in the same spot he is now, he’s got very little to learn from guys he’s better than. If we trade Brewer and resign one of our free agents, our d-men would look something like this next year……. Jackman, Polak, EJ, Petro, Junland, Strachan (+ Cola, Weaver or Sydor being resigned)

I think if we keep Petro and shop Brewer, we’d end up the better for it down the road. We wouldn’t be better right now, so it’d be tough to do for Murray and JD, since the owner just made that dramatic speech about now being our time to win, but I say it’d pay off down the road.

by hisTALLness on Nov 18, 2009 3:43 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Cola is staying

unless he demands a ridiculous amount of money; which he won’t, because he knows we have depth (and because I simply want to believe that he is a good sort of guy).

I do not see all three (Strachen, Petro and Junland) up here next year, I think we will see all of them in two years, and if there is an injury. . . but not next year.

But i do think it is interesting that they may try to deal Brewer. . . I do not know if it will happen because of his contract and rustiness after being gone . . . but it would free up funds and leave an extra spot on the roster.

by breibird on Nov 18, 2009 3:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It depends

If sending him to Niagra will delay, retard, stunt or hurt his development in any way he should stay with the Blues this season even if it burns a year off his first pro contract.

If playing in the OHL won’t hurt his growth as a player, send him so he can play as much as possible.

Contractual / CBA considerations come second in my book.

I’m not one to recommend trades [or firing] just to “shake the rest of the employees up”. Remember the cardinal rule — never fall in love with the players. It always depends on what you’re offered and whether it makes the club stronger.

by briandunne on Nov 18, 2009 7:49 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

for those who said keep...

i am curious as to just what d pairs you put on the ice with him here. I suspect you want alex here AND playing, and i suspect the two likeliest candiates for a screw job are weaver and brewer, but i am curious to really see what pairs you want.

again i don’t see andy gutting vet ice time to make room, if he DID i’d want alex here, and i suspect the lines i want are

ej/ polak #1 (ej not a #1 yet, but i’d still do it. balanced with polak hopefully will push them both and not end up with more than one mistake in our net due to age per week)

brewer jackman #2 (brewer aint going anywhere anytime soon imho so im dealing with it)

alex/ cola #3

and #3 is going to be fun, lots of potential skill and offense, a lot of potential risk. I’d guess, for even strength of 60 minutes we would see line one with 24 minutes, two with 22 minutes and three with 14 minutes. again this is assuming AM is picking time. and again i half expect it would be brewer and jackman leading in ice time, but i’m still holding out them being #2.,

A strong anvil fears no hammer

by Childhood Trauma on Nov 18, 2009 11:33 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

p.s.

i screwed weaver, one of the few blues players to have played up to his abilitiesso far this year, and i am ignoring sydor.

again we have at LEAST 2 too many d-men with alex here.

A strong anvil fears no hammer

by Childhood Trauma on Nov 18, 2009 11:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

D- Pairings

Murry really likes Polak and Jackman together. I also think EJ and Cola will stay together for a while. . . that leaves three vets to each work with AP, should he stay up here.

by breibird on Nov 18, 2009 3:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs