TJ Oshie the Blues next Scott Stevens?

by jreel1978 on Nov 10, 2010 12:54 PM CST

I remember back in 1990 the Blues had this guy on defense, and i think his name was Scott Stevens. Stevens was captain of the Blues for one year during the 1989-1990 season. Lost in arbitration when ST. Louis signed then RFA Brendan Shanahan from the New Jersey Devils. According to the CBA the Devils had the right to match the offer put on the table by ST. Louis, but declined because they wanted Stevens. The Blues offered goalie Curtis Joseph, forward Rod Brind'Amour, and two draft picks as compensation, but New Jersey declined and the matter went to Arbitration.
   What does this have to do with Oshie? The Blues have not had a player on the ice that can deliver such crushing blows since the one year Stevens was on the team. Do not get my words twisted I am not saying Oshie is the next Scott Stevens considering they do not even play the same position.
   what I am saying is early in the 2010-2011 season opponents are finding out the hard way that if you run TJ Oshie and think you will plow him down they had better think again! Oshie is in one word a beast. Solid on his feet no matter where he is on the ice. it does not matter if he is forechecking on the half boards, back checking behind his net or grinding out a battle for the puck in the neutral zone. If you run Oshie be prepared for him to meet you with his shoulder to your chest.
   Oshie is not just a guy who can keep from getting knocked down either. Keep your head up in the neutral zone because he can and will knock you off the puck and turn the play into your zone. What is really refreshing about the hits Oshie has been putting on his opponents is they are clean. After a game go to the opponents sbnation site and read the posts and reply's about the big hit Oshie put on their player(s). I have still not found one fan screaming dirt on him. That says a lot in Today's NHL.
   So to make my point yes the Blues have a few guys on the team that can really take it to the opposition. Backes is a name that comes to mind, but it seems like every game I have the pleasure of watching this year TJ Oshie is right there dishing out the pain.
   It is Nice to see a solid checking presence night in and night out on the ice willing to make the other team play for crossing his path or going after his puck. Oshie may not score 86 goals like Brett Hull, but his contributions to the team will certainly make him a long standing fan favorite of all those who bleed blue.

Sources of information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Stevens

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Really?

A long post that only said that Oshie can hit. Thanks, it was greatly appreciated.

by mulax6 on Nov 10, 2010 2:31 PM CST reply actions

At least he didn't say that Oshie was gonna leave

because the Blues sign a slightly worse player in the offseason and a judge screws us over and makes us give them Oshie and several years worth of first round picks…

by stlfan on Nov 10, 2010 8:19 PM CST up reply actions

Uncalled for

The person put some effort into looking up exactly what happened 20yrs ago.
Oh Lord was it that long ago, holy shit.
Many people may not know how it went down or how big of a hitter Stevens was.

There was absolutely no need for the sarcasm.

Hockey players wear numbers because you can't always identify the body with dental records.

It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. Laura Ingalls Wilder

by luvhockey on Nov 10, 2010 8:51 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Everyone,

should know what happened with Stevens and what type of player he was. I was born after he played for us and I know how it went down. First we lost 5 first round picks to get him and then we lost him for Shanahan. Every NHL fan remembers him from his years with the Devils winning 3 cups and I will never forget the hit he put on Eric Lindros in the playoffs. The whole Stevens saga ultimately kept us from winning a cup in my opinion.

by mulax6 on Nov 10, 2010 9:42 PM CST up reply actions

I'm with luvhockey.

No need to bust the guy’s balls over the post. Most of us remember the Stevens incident far too well. Doesn’t mean everybody does.

Sadly, after tonight, I’m just hoping Oshie isn’t the next Lee Norwood.

"You suck, but at least you know you suck. That's what I like about you." -Brett Hull

by hullnoates on Nov 10, 2010 11:23 PM CST up reply actions

Hey now

I liked Norwood lol. I watched an NHL classic game between the Blues and North Stars and he held his own out there. Paslaski scored a trick in that game too. Lol Even though the game happened when I was like 3 years old originally, I was screaming every time the Blues scored. It was a hell of a game.

by Whatablue on Nov 11, 2010 12:31 PM CST up reply actions

I mean no disrespect to Norwood.

Just making a reference to the injury that more or less ended his career.

"You suck, but at least you know you suck. That's what I like about you." -Brett Hull

by hullnoates on Nov 11, 2010 5:41 PM CST up reply actions

A Norwood story.

I was went to a Blues game against Toronto a few games after the Norwood accident. Yep this was at the old arena on Oakland AVE which made me about 12-13 years old. The Blues lost a heartbreaker in OT (this was pre OT Points for a loss) and my step father who always knew how to say the exact wrong thing in the most uncalled for time made a comment to Brendan Shanahan after the game as he was leaving. “Hey Shanny you gonna let Norwood ride your bike again”. yes true story..as I went palm-to-face Shanahan responds with clentched teeth….“his bike my garage”. I truly thought Shanahan was going to pummel him and I would have to say I couldn’t have blamed him for it. Would have been a much better story than the one i have though for school the next day..yeah my step dad was the one Shanny beat to a pulp after the game…I had front row seats to that one!

by jreel1978 on Nov 12, 2010 4:46 PM CST up reply actions