Hey, Andy Murray, Come On In, We Need To Talk.
Hey Andy, how's it going? Got a second? Great, great. Hey, why don't we just sit down for a minute in my office? Great. Yeah, just a little more comfortable in here; more private.
Um, could you close the door, too? Perfect.
Whew. What a day, huh? Have a seat, yeah, right there, get comfortable. Can I get you anything? Water? Soda? No? Protein bar? These things are great... yeah they do taste better now than a couple years, don't they? Yeah.
Yeah.
Listen, Andy, I don't really know how to say this, so I'm just going to say it. I'm not sure this relationship is working out. No, no, let me finish. I just have a couple things I have to get out there, OK? It's just that, well, at the start, when we first got together, it was like chocolate sex money; all the best things wrapped up together, you know? We just, just... It was like we just got each other, right? Like everything you did was magic and everything clicked when we worked together.
And then it got better. And then better. And then last year, after our rocky patch, we were just in stride. It was the wildest ride I'd ever been on, and I'm sure it was for you, too. Those were great times we had together and I'll cherish them forever. I hope you will too.
But I think you'll agree that things have been different between us lately, Andy. I mean I know you feel it too. We've just gotten more distant and we don't seem to be on the same, you know, the same... I guess you'd call it level or wavelength or vibe or something. And don't get me wrong, because I'm not saying this is all your fault. In fact, most of it is me. You know I've just... I've just changed since last year. It happens to even the best of relationships, Andy. My expectations have changed. My needs are different. I need to see more goals. And more wins. The playoffs shouldn't be a goal now, Andy, they should be the norm.
Sometimes I just don't know that we have the same goals and expectations anymore, Andy.
And, well, there's more. Some of this is about the kids, too, Andy. You don't see the toll this is taking on them. I just feel like the pressure you're putting on them, all the hard-guy tactics, they're fine as motivators in the short term, Andy, but after a while they bark has to have some bite, or everyone ignores the annoying old barky dog.
The constant playing with their emotions and switching their lines around, Andy, it's just not... it's just not fair to the kids. They're just kids, Andy, and kids need consistency. They need to know what is expected of them and they need to have it be consistent and fair. Kids want rules and structure, Andy. It keeps them balanced and and it keeps them emotionally sound. Unfortunately, the deterioration of our relationship is having a negative impact on all of them, and it's just not right.
Andy, I said it before and I mean it, this isn't about you, it's about me. I'm the one who has changed. You're the same, but the same just isn't doing it for me anymore. The same isn't doing it for us, Andy. And I have to think about myself and the kids in this situation.
It's just so hard for me to say the words, Andy, but they have to be said: It's over, Andy. You and me and you and the kids, it's just... it's just over. I need you to be a man about this, too. Let's leave it on good terms, you go say your goodbyes to the kids, but know for a fact that this is it; this is the end.
It's been great, Andy, and I'll always speak of you fondly, but we're through. We'll always have last spring, won't we? Of course we will. I mean it, I want to thank you for everything, I really appreciate it and I want to wish you the best of luck in everything you do, OK?
Wanna have a hug? OK, there, there. That's good stuff. Alright. Whew. You need a tissue or anything? No? Alright then.
Whew. OK. That's it then, right?
Right.
Alright. Goodbye, Andy.
Goodbye.
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36 comments
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Comments
Big Smile
On a cold and frosty morning I needed something to make me smile and this read was just that! Thanks, I appreciate it
by Blue Note on Dec 9, 2009 9:53 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I have a question
If Murray gets fired……Who would take his place…and is qualified to take his place…?
STL
by stlracing289 on Dec 9, 2009 10:21 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Let's see...
Craig MacTavish
Michel Therrien (I wonder who would be the first to get called “soff”)
John Stevens
Bob Hartley (NO.)
Mike Kee-hahahahaha, sorry, I can’t finish typing that.
Minds drawing a blank right now…
Reporter: There`s a "stamp out the Beatles movement" underway in Detroit. What are you going to do about it?
Paul McCartney: We`re going to start a campaign to stamp out Detroit.
by hildymac on Dec 9, 2009 10:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My thought
My thought is that if the department head at your job is failing, the company is going to fire him/her, even if they don’t know who they’re going to put in place. The message needs to be sent and a change needs to be made. Why wouldn’t the same hold true for a team? My guess is that the businessmen that own the team are getting tired of the current state of things.
Second, there’s no rule that a guy has to have already been an NHL coach to be hired to be an NHL coach. Dan Bylsma seems to be doing OK and the Penguins were out of the playoff 8 when he took over lat year.
by gallagher on Dec 9, 2009 10:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
John Davidson maybe?
Some days you live some days you die and some days you just want to create a redwing just to kill it......
by Go_Blues on Dec 9, 2009 3:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Two thoughts
1. They just picked up his option for next year right before the season started. You think they’ve changed their mind on him that quickly? Granted, a one year option isn’t exactly a huge vote of confidence, but it’s still something that says they think he’s earned a season beyond this one.
2. I’m still of the belief that the team isn’t in a great position to pay a fired coach the rest of this year and next plus his assistants (if they make changes) and a new coach and his assistants. That’s still a concern, me thinks.
www.stlouisgametime.com
by Brad Lee on Dec 9, 2009 11:04 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
1. I think yes they will change their mind that quickly. Like they always say, you can’t trade the players. And firing Larry Pleau doesn’t make sense since he’s walking out the door at the end of the year. If a trade can’t get done, the biggest shake-up this team can do is fire the coach.
2. What’s worse for the cash flow, paying AM and his crew not to coach or missing the playoffs again?
by averagejoe on Dec 9, 2009 11:12 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My thoughts
Wait until Christmas/New Years. If we aren’t four games above .500 and scoring with more consistency by then, then we need to make a move. That’s a twelve game trial; if things don’t improve and drop off significantly, shit goes down, and by shit, I mean the Green Goblin.
If we win tonight, we’ll be tied for 4th in our division, with a game in hand on Detroit and only a win behind them. I doubt we’ll move up too much in 12 games, but it wouldn’t surprise me if we were in a playoff position (8th or so in the West) by then.
Sometimes, I wonder why hockey came south of St. Louis, and then I realize, I'm south of St. Louis. Coincidence, I think not.
by Will in STL on Dec 9, 2009 11:20 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Something's gotta change.
We’re on the brink – a competent offense and we have a very good shot at making the western conference playoffs.
But right now we don’t have a competent offense, and an abyssmal PP.
I just can’t help but notice. I’ve seen all but about 4 of the Blues games this year, and in almost every one, something sticks in my mind: our offense looks spastic, unorganized, talentless, inconsisent, and ineffective compared to almost every other team we play. It always looks like nothing is set up – we’re just scrambling around trying to grab a dumped puck, throwing some bad-angle shot on goal (or missing the goal entirely)…while the other team has good motion, good cycling, one-timers with people to clean-up teh rebounds, effective screens, etc.
I just refuse to believe that’s ALL the players’ fault. Something ain’t right.
by Washoo on Dec 9, 2009 11:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Almost brought a tear to my eye… poor kids.
St. Louis Game Time
by Marcus E Pettersson on Dec 9, 2009 12:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
my vote is for
john stevens, we have the players to play physical, and i think a 2nd chance for stevens would get him into shape with focusing on offense that and CAM SMASH would get more then 2 seconds of ice time
Pujols takes out "I" in BIG and "A" in MAC, previously considered to be an unyielding, consonant threat
by DESTROYER on Dec 9, 2009 12:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I'm with you
I’m not quite ready to cut the cord with Murray, but looking at Hildymac’s list of unemployed coaches I think Stevens is the way to go.
Hartley and Therien don’t excite me in any way. McT doesn’t seem all that different from Murray, demeanor-wise.
I like Stevens’ philosophy of making the other team pay the price for every inch of ice. But, on the other hand, didn’t he just get fired for taking a team with high preseason expectations and having them stumble out of the gate to a disappointing start? Sounds familiar.
Maybe there’s a good coach in the AHL or somewhere else besides the NHL that would fit the bill.
by Manbones on Dec 9, 2009 1:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The flyers
to me and what i read abandoned him, he lost the locker room and thus werent competing
Pujols takes out "I" in BIG and "A" in MAC, previously considered to be an unyielding, consonant threat
by DESTROYER on Dec 9, 2009 5:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Or else maybe his goalie just played hurt for 3 weeks.
Reporter: There`s a "stamp out the Beatles movement" underway in Detroit. What are you going to do about it?
Paul McCartney: We`re going to start a campaign to stamp out Detroit.
by hildymac on Dec 9, 2009 5:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m sure the injury didn’t help, but I think they got shut out in Steven’s last two games, anyway.
by Manbones on Dec 9, 2009 6:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
With the current officiating, Cam will only get more time in the box.
Refs are not allowing grinding games. they are looking for the tougher players to “screw up”. They already get, a harsher punishment than the rest of the league, but now it seems as if they are being targeted by the ref’s.
It is almost useless to put Cam on the ice, because he will get a Pen. (roughing often the easiest offence, on a usually legal hit) I know he is not the only one who is suffering from this officiating (even Ovi is getting targeted) Some would call it coincidence, or karma (because they play rougher, they get more calls) but looking at the calls/ pens., compared to ice time, it is lopsided to say the least.
So until the higher ups (NHL, not Blues) decide to allow a rougher “fan friendly” game to come back to the ice, Cam will have 4-6 mins a game, when he playes . . .
by breibird on Dec 9, 2009 10:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Linked on Puck Daddy
AM will get the axe for the same reason Coach Q did. The whole team is underperforming. And you can’t fire the whole team.
The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. But that's the way to bet. - Damon Runyon
by baroose on Dec 9, 2009 12:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Gravy even got name checked.
Color me jealous. When my stuff gets linked, I usually get called “the crew at Game Time.”
www.stlouisgametime.com
by Brad Lee on Dec 9, 2009 1:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
But you're the craziest crew I ever did see.
You know he loves you, don’t jealousize my shit.
by gallagher on Dec 10, 2009 1:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
AM Stays
Trust me on this one. Murray is going no where. Berglund gets moved before AM.
North Co! North Co! North Co!
by Answer Man on Dec 9, 2009 12:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
And that's going to fix what, exactly?
Not saying you’re wrong, but unless we somehow trade Berglund for a legit scoring threat…it’s really kind of pointless.
by Washoo on Dec 9, 2009 12:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The Bergulund comment was just more of a statement
I just don’t believe AM gets fired. I think we’ll see trades before AM gets released.
Also, no John Stevens. I would think Hartsburg gets the nod before Stevens.
All of these are pure assumptions on my part.
North Co! North Co! North Co!
by Answer Man on Dec 9, 2009 1:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
why not on stevens
why hartsburg? elaborate please sir
Pujols takes out "I" in BIG and "A" in MAC, previously considered to be an unyielding, consonant threat
by DESTROYER on Dec 9, 2009 5:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Hartsburg = poo.
For real. The day he gets hired we start our new blog FireHartsburg.now
by gallagher on Dec 10, 2009 1:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
I do not see Murray getting the boot. . . unless it is a communication breakdown between him and a majority of the players.
But I do not see that as our problem. . . it is mental, there is a “comfort” in the team’s home play. . . I do not see Murray doing anything different from the winning away games and the losing home games . . . I see other teams bringing their best to our rink. regardless of who is in net for the visitors, they are on and do not seem to give away free goals (Perry’s amazing through the legs was at home, against the islanders, he had to take out all of the stops and simply bring it)
When it comes to the team the problems are obvious “Power Play” and “Home Ice” . . . and the answer has been there all of the time. . . the guys are trying to be to fancy . . . it seems, they are worrying about upper management’s job, trying to provide spectacular moments to fill the seats, when all it takes is winning (or at least a consistent effort).
by breibird on Dec 9, 2009 11:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not saying this is all your fault. In fact, most of it is me.
It’s not you, it’s me. - Brilliant!
Let's go Blues!!!
by Milo. on Dec 9, 2009 12:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Awwwwww . . . Juan and AM split up?
This will be all over the soaps, y’know.
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 Dec 9, 2009 12:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The Photo:
- Willem Dafoe totally into it, check.
- Players into it, check.
- Players looking tired, check.
- Teen girls enjoying Dippin’ Dots. DOUBLE CHECK.
Welcome to St. Louis BLUUUUUUUUES Hockey.
www.stlouisgametime.com
by Brad Lee on Dec 9, 2009 1:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Let my people skate
AM just needs to realize that after you teach responsability you have to show faith. He taught the kids to take care of their own end now let them perform. It’s frustrating to see creative and talented players standing flat-footed in the neutral zone. They are at their best when they are down a goal and have nothing to lose. Up a goal it’s a whole different team. That’s why we can’t close out a game. And can we please put a leash on the goalies so that they stay in the net. I can’t count how many times the D-man gets cut-off 2 feet from the puck and it creates confusion.
BLEED BLUE FOREVER
by Mo Biggsly on Dec 9, 2009 1:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe the the 8th wonder of the Hockey world.....
John Davidson will step down from the presidency and take over as coach…Player, annoucer,president, then coach…as the prophecy has been told of whom will carry us to the holyest of grails…on the plus side he knows these guys in and out since he signs their paychecks.No better motivator then that.
Some days you live some days you die and some days you just want to create a redwing just to kill it......
by Go_Blues on Dec 9, 2009 3:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I give AM until Christmas to get control of this rudderless ship
After that it’s mutiny in the stands. His strawberries will be the least of Capt. Quig’s worries.
Some days its just not worth chewing through the restraints
by spectr17 on Dec 9, 2009 4:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I'm befuddled
I don’t know anything about coaching a hockey club. So I’m hesitant to call for AM to get he axe.
Furthermore, I’m generally a fan of his. I like him, for what that’s worth, from seeing him on TV and running into him in the real world twice (once in Sweden, once in St. Louis).
Is there anything actually wrong with him or his coaching? Or are we just searching for something, anything to change out of frustration that something isn’t clicking? Sure, maybe that “something” is the coaching, but maybe that’s just where we’ve gotten because we can’t single out one single player to blame, can’t figure out how to blame everyone and get anything to go better, and can’t figure out a trade that would seem to help things.
Maybe that’s just the way it goes, if you feel you’ve got the right pieces but aren’t getting the results, can the coach. I dunno, I haven’t followed the coaching side of things too closely in the past.
So anyway, I share frustration and feel something needs to be done, especially after Checketts’ come-to-Jesus talk didn’t seem to get them there. But I’m not sold that calling the headsman for AM is the answer.
So in summary – I love Andy Murray but I’m not sure I’m in love with him anymore?
by BlueMonday on Dec 9, 2009 4:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I have one idea as to what is wrong
I think that Andy sees his success with the style of hockey we played at the end of the season. It is logical to try to continue that and succeed as a team the way they were able to. However, that was when our young players were overly “green”. there is no arguing that they are still young, not strong as most, and going through a learning process. This “learning process” is pivotal to my point. Do we want these kids to learn dump and chase hockey, I know it is effective to get behind the defensemen, when you have a slightly unskilled team in terms of offense. It is time to shift the system to a more aggressive style, too many players seem complacent on putting the puck into their end and getting fresh legs out there. There is no hunger, there is no thirst for blood. We need to play, not only 60 minutes of hockey, but 60 minutes of playing to win, instead of playing not to lose. Sorry for the long post, just a thought ive had for some time now and this seemed like a good time to spout out
"I quit because I didn't feel like the Detroit Lions had a chance to win. It just killed my enjoyment of the game."
-Barry Sanders
(Soon to be the Detroit RedWings - Henrik Zetterberg '11)
by DasBlues74 on Dec 9, 2009 5:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I remember when AM coached in LA ...
and he seemed to have the same arc as we’re looking at here. Takes a young team with some leadership that couldn’t get shit done on the ice. After a year or two with AM, they rise to the challenge, make a little of themselves (the playoffs) and then drop right back off. I kind of hoped this wasn’t going to happen here.
I would give AM longer than New Year’s. I didn’t see the Avalanche game at all, but up until then, we’d been playing a fairly decent stretch of hockey. Maybe not great. But, as Special Agent Dale Cooper might say, “Damn good!”
There has not really been a hammer dropped this year, you know. Maybe Technoviking needs to go to Peoria for a stint so we can give Technoviking 2 (Lars Eller) more than one game to make an impression.
I do agree with Gallgher’s comment that the kids need consistency. AM’s not shuffling the lines on a game-by-game basis. It’s shift by shift! Nobody can learn where anyone will be without regular, consistent time together. Leave them be and realize that no one ends a cold streak in two shifts.
by Liut! on Dec 9, 2009 6:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Lars played 5 games
and put up the exact same stats it took Yan Stasney to put up in 3 games (except Lars got 4 pim, Yan 0)
Though I would like us to both win and grow our youth, I think the fans need to figure out which is more important between the two. If you want to grow your youth, fine drop Cam to AHL (that would be amazing to watch him beat those kids) and bring up Lars, but if you want to win, keep who you have, cause they can play, and going down is not going to raise their game (if Berg can not take Murray correcting his playing publicly, then being dropped to Peoria (esp., when he played an amazing couple of back to back games) is only going to cause him to go legace on us). also, if winning is the priority, if we need to bring up a forward because of injury, we have to take Yan over Lars, he has better stats and more experience, and we know for a fact the boys up here respect his play and trust him when on the ice.
by breibird on Dec 9, 2009 11:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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