Blues Get One More Free Pass For One Year

Why do you hate the Blues?

When the team selected EJ, I looked at the up and comers, drank the Kool Aid, and declared “2010 is our year”. When EJ blew out his knee in a golf cart accident (a premonition of the lack of seriousness in the roster? Looks that way now), I pushed that back to 2011. I started to have my doubts about that timetable last year, with the atrocious home record and the seeming lack of intensity on the team in general. After that incredible start, this team has been nothing but disappointing. As you correctly pointed out, “Every Game Counts” has been shown to be an empty promise. I am very negative on this team, and starting to lack confidence in management’s ability to steer this ship to the inevitable parade down Market Street (it has to happen sometime right? Just once before I die. Please?). All that being said, I remain a Blues fan first and foremost, and will remain one until I die. So I will hold my nose and give them one more free pass.

Let’s Go Blues!!!

Theway things are going, the Blues will be way out of the running So I’m going to gripe about it, drink heavily and wait until next year. As a fan, though, where would I go for a team to support if a bad year was the final straw? Chicago? Detroit? Minneapolis? Those are the nearest teams. Maybe I’d pick a Canadian team and call it close enough.

Screw that.

I was a Blues fan when I first got exposed to the team on television in Witt, Illinois in the mid-1970s. I’m not leaving now. I’ll likely be spending less money on the team, though. There will be less chance of buying that customized Bloozocky #67 sweater and less chance of buying tickets to games. That’s what happens when a team repeatedly fails to make it to the playoffs. Fans spend less to support it. But will I be leaving the team? No. It’ll just take up less time in my schedule is all.

For anyone who thinks the team is somehow cursed: The only cursed team out there is the Chicago Cubs, and the Blues definitely aren’t them. Making the playoffs and getting through the first round next year is still a possibility, not a running gag. This year, though? I’ll say it now: I don’t believe we’ll make it barring some kind of statistical miracle of everyone in the division losing the remaining games and the blues winning all their remaining games. That’s pretty much impossible. Like Agent Scully, I want to believe. I don’t see it happening, though. I’ll be happy to let the Blues prove me wrong, though.

You make very good points, but I disagree with the timing of said “free pass.”

I think this summer is “do something” time to get myself and other fans back on board. They have shown balls with their moves this spring by getting somethings out of nothings (overall). They have shown they can wheel and deal (Khaaaannn, and Chris GD Stuart Stewart). But until they address our holes and sign a big name player, like Kariya, but who can actually score, or like Halak.. oops..

OK, seriously. I think we all know that moves* HAVE to be made this summer. Those moves* will determine (ok, might determine) whether or not I renew my season tix.

 * Roster players who can actually score goals, not more “character” picks in the draft who will take 3 years to develop.

While I agree that fiscal spending may be needed, but hovering around the cap floor to maintain low spending while the arena is full on a nightly basis (well, at least “claimed” to be full) is ridiculous, no, just ludicrous.

My confidence in this organ-I-zation is at the tipping point.

BTW, the reactions and realizations with the past two ownership groups have been strikingly similar.
The Lauries: Excitement that they will finally spend money and sign good players for the “real cup run.”
Years of mediocrity, followed by the “selloff” or tax write off for the losses, then sell.

Checketts and Co., excitement that we have new owners who seem to genuinely care about the franchise. They make a couple of big “splash” moves that showed promise and interest, while also building from within and “stay the course.” They get rid of the old “regime” as well. Now, lack of spending to GET the parts we NEED. Seems like it is now a tax write off again and appears to be dire now.

Ok, maybe I’m reading too much into it. Am I?

Good read. Y’all are a lot nicer and more patient that I am.

Personally, I’ll give them the start of next season. I know they made the playoffs in 2009, but once since the lockout is plenty of time.

New leadership is needed if the team doesn’t show quite a bit of development from here until the start of next season.

Nice read. It is true, I think they are going to lose a ton of fans quickly if they don’t right the ship. I’ll be here though, watching every game, waiting for those moments of brillance. Shudders and he remembers Cajanek

i agree with comments of that a mental block could be an issue.

However i believe two of the biggest guys on this team with “mental blocks” were EJ and Boyes. I love both guys, and i hope they thrive in their new situations. But EJ couldnt seem to turn the corner and become the team cornerstone, shutdown Dman, and most importantly leader. Yeah he’s still developing, but seldom were there games when i saw him and thought, “yeah, we’re gonna be just fine behind this kid..he’s a true leader..he’s goin places.”
And boyes clearly couldnt shake off whatever was bothering him the past two years. Sure hope he does in Buffalo.

But those two guys are gone. And up until 2011 i would have put Berglund in that category. But unlike EJ he seems to have found his place and shown flashes of brilliance and a solid future. I think this team will be alright with Oshie, who if any of u have watched those behind the scenes blues features, is clearly a leader of this team, Backes, Pietrangelo and Perron. They’ve always been here, but now they are out from behind EJ, Brewer, and co. It’s officially their team now, and i have full confidence we’ll be alright with them. Just a positive thought to throughout there. Hope a few of u agree.

Nailed every point. Even though I’ve only been following the Blues since the beginning of this season, even I gave them (the owners) the benefit of the doubt concerning the team’s situation since the start of the rebuilding. But, like you said, I think even the most optimistic of us would agree that 6 years of doing so is enough.

And THAT. Is why YOU. Are a boss. Brad.

If at that time we are in a similar situation, if there is any negotiation it will be on one single thing – how every player and member of the front office is going to leave the team or step down so we can save hockey in this city. There is nothing else to negotiate. The International Hockey Court meanwhile said it would investigate Mr. Checketts and some of his staff for crimes against the sport of hockey.

If our entire first line and half our defensemen get broken again, do we extend the pass line another year? There was no one available at the deadline to aquire so thats a wash. What should Checkets have done to improve our team these last 2 years?