What is wrong with the St. Louis Blues?
by gallagher on Mar 5, 2011 3:20 PM CST
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PrintThe 2010-2011 St. Louis Blues have devolved into an amorphous blob that now looks on most nights like a three-hour old soup sandwich. Sloppy, messy, unappealing. They played a game against Anaheim where they looked re-born after a post-midnight trade sent Erik Johnson and Jay McClement to Colorado in exchange for Kevin "stop calling me Kirk" Shattenkirk and Chris Stewart, putting up nine goals against a decent Ducks team (with bad goaltending).
Since that game, however, the Blues have gone 1-8 and have beaten only Edmonton, the worst team in the NHL. Or, I should say, the team with the worst record in the NHL. If not for the Blues' incredible 9-1-2 start to the season, they might just have the worst record in the NHL.
Because they are certainly playing like they're the worst.
The Blues have struggled in all three zones, have had problems with bad turnovers and blown coverages on odd-man rushes and except for Stewart, haven't had anyone consistently putting the puck in the net. The Blues have had to battle big injuries to big players. They've had to deal with a compressed second half schedule that sees them playing an average of every other day for the entire month of March.
But the biggest problem has appeared just recently. The Blues are playing like they just don't care.
This seemed to coincide with the trade that send Brad Boyes to Buffalo for a draft pick, but I have a hard time believing that Boyes was the quiet leader of the locker room - the team's glue. I don't know if the players have simply perceived that the trade of Boyes, Eric Brewer and Brad Winchester for draft picks only were a sign that the management had given up on the playoffs, so it was OK for them to do so too, but it sure seems like something happened with the whole group.
On paper, the Blues are still a team that can compete. Moving Boyes out simply meant more ice time on a scoring line for Matt D'Agostini. This shouldn't be much of a dropoff, as D'Agostini has 13 goals, one more than Boyes had when he was sent packing. Sure, Boyes had more assists by a bunch, but he was supposed to be the trigger man on his line.
The Blues still have two lines worth of players who should be counted on to score goals in D'Agostini, David Backes, Andy McDonald, Stewart, T.J. Oshie, Patrik Berglund and Alex Steen. Any of those seven should be able to be mixed and matched to create two scoring lines. Granted, an AHL-quality line of Ryan Reaves, Cam Janssen and Adam Cracknell isn't going to do much for the team offensively, but they should be able to hold down 5-7 minutes easily enough. Chris Porter has shown that his top end in the NHL is probably on the fourth line, but he should be able to help out on the third line, especially when paired with the always hard-working B.J. Crombeen.
Defensively the team has been prone to breakdowns in their own zone and most of that should come from having so much youth back there. Unfortunately for the easy answer, it's not the youngsters that are making the glaring mistakes. Alex Pietrangelo and "Don't call me Kyle" Shattenkirk have been the best blueliners on the team - Pietrangelo all season and Cap'n Shattenkirk since his arrival. Roman Polak, while only 24 years old, is a three-year veteran now and should be better than he has been, though it's hard to know how much this season's wrist injury has affected his play, as most of his errors tend to be because of poor stickhandling or passing.
Ian Cole is still rough around the edges for much NHL icetime, but Barret Jackman and Carlo Colaiacovo are getting over 20 and 17 minutes per game, respectively, and they have been prone to as many brain farts as the youngster has.
In goal, the inconsistent play and then absence of Jaroslav Halak has been disappointing for fans and players alike. In just his first year as a bona fide No. 1 netminder, Halak has learned a lot of lessons about how much more difficult the job is than playing back-up. I'm not ready to give up on him because, at age 25, he still has plenty of room to improve and next year should be better for him.
But Ben Bishop and Ty Conklin have done nothing but show everyone why they are back-up quality talent at this point. Both have looked great in some starts and then absolutely awful in others. Consistency tends to be the big line of demarcation between starters and back-ups; neither Bishop nor Conklin have had any consistency this winter and spring.
As for the coaching, I'm still confident in Davis Payne. When he had a full lineup at the start of the season, it was obvious he had made some tweaks to game tactics to introduce a more dynamic transition and offense. Taking advantage of the skill of his younger and most creative players, the Blues were hard to defend. Once his lineup started depleting itself via injury, the team didn't have the talent to operate as creatively and had to play a more conservative, defense-first game. Changing coaches only further de-stabilizes a team and keeping Payne is still the right thing to do for this team. As for the assistant coaches, I am no expert. However, Brad Shaw is in charge of the penalty killers and they are currently ranked 21st in the league. Ray Bennett is in charge of the power play units and they are ranked 19th in the league. Both coaches were leftovers from the previous regime. maybe it's time for Payne to bring in "his" guys.
Doug Armstrong has shown in his first year as the decision man that he can make bold moves. The trade for Halak addressed a specific team need. His trade of Johnson for Stewart and "Sweet Stache" Shattenkirk was bold and shocking. Barely two weeks removed from the announcement of that trade, most hockey minds are saying Armstrong fleeced the Avalanche. His hands are clearly tied by the Blues' current financial situation, but Armstrong has made an impact on this team already by addressing team needs and shipping out bad contracts attached to scapegoat players.
The owners, for their part, have gotten a pretty easy ride from the fans over the last five years. But that is changing. With Dave Checketts clearly struggling to find some billionaire to step in and foot the bill on 75% of the team costs, it is now starting to affect the on-ice product. If the Blues are unable to secure some deep-pocketed owners before this summer's Free Agency period opens, the team will be hard-pressed to sign any kind of impact player to boost the team. If these rebuilding Blues struggle again next year with a payroll near the bottom of the league, the sellouts will cease and the barking from the fans will only get louder.
You could argue that the Blues' trades last month were seen by the players as salary dumps and a signal to them that ownership and management had no confidence in them to make the playoffs. Or maybe the players just did the math themselves and realized that the season is essentially over and they're just playing out the string.
But wouldn't you think that the players would at least be motivated to help themselves by getting their personal stats up? Isn't it reasonable to think that guys like T.J. Oshie and Patrik Berglund, both of whom will be looking for pay raises this summer, would be out there trying to pile up some points for themselves? Alas, that ain't happening.
The Blues malaise is clearly running throughout the locker room right now. The injuries are an old story. Trying to get the coach fired is a trick they've pulled off once before and won't be allowed to use again. The breakdowns in their game are amateurish and should be easily corrected, but they keep happening.
The problem with the Blues? Why, after all this analysis, it's simple: They have quit. The season is done and so are they. They no longer care if they win and they no longer care if the fans love them. In fact, most of them probably don't even care if they get traded this summer. It's obvious that the players' love affair with the fans and the franchise and the city has ended. They don't care anymore and they're now daring us to do the same.
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Like I said during the GDT
I put out a better effort during my morning dump. The team is quitting on the coach as they did with Andy Murray. The organization, from Dave Cheketts down to the guy who cleans the shitters owes the fans and the STH’s a fucking apology on the “runs” we are seeing.
St Louis Blues - Season Ticket Holder - Sec 106
SUTA
What Exactly is a God Wand?
Anyone who says "Nuff said" or "Need I say more?" needs to be elbowed in the cock.
Davidson said in his in-game interview...
…the he was told (presumably by the powers-that-be) that he had the green light to add salary to the team tat the trade deadline if there was a hockey-sensible deal to be made.
Seeing as how the Blues are not in a position to be renting players for a playoff run, there don’t seem to have been any hockey-sensible deals to be made.
That said, I am as disgusted as anyone with the lack of effort being currently put forth.
"If we do not prepare for ourselves the role of the hammer, there will be nothing left but that of the anvil."
-- Otto von Bismarck, 1851
http://futurenotes.blogspot.com
Well, then we better see some SERIOUS effort being put forth in this regard in the off-season.
And I’m not talking about draft picks. I don’t think it’s any secret that this team, as currently configured, is going nowhere fast. We need new blood. We need leadership. We still need scoring – and fuck, at this point it looks like we could use some solid D, too.
army said the same thing
a game or two ago.
however!!!!
1) i believe army said he was allowed to turn the picks he got into players, meaning he wasnt, per se, allowed to significantly raise team salary, rather he was allowed to replace 8 million dollars of gone players with a player.
2) army said what jd did basically, that there was no point in traing with 3 or 4 teams looking to dump rentals, which means the choice to keep the picks was certainly “rebuilding” wise or unwise, you don’t drop boyes and brewer for nothing and expect the team to magicalyl play better, the ej swap was players for players, perhaps that is a different thing.
3) jd pretty much admitted he dont read the post didnt he? lol. or that he has no idea what checketts is doing at the tip top.
And a harvest of righteousness is grown from the seed of peace planted by peacemakers.
by Childhood Trauma on Mar 5, 2011 5:00 PM CST up reply actions
fuck it. the seasons over, the draft class is shallow, play shitty get a higher pick.
when are we going to stop being surprised by this kind of season?
fun game (that in a veiled way displays what I think is so totally wrong with the team even though its pretty obvious): where will the blues leading point scorer end up relative to the rest of the league when the season ends. my guess: 67th overall.
It is done...
What am I referring to?
I love hockey, I don’t love the Blues, anymore.
The Blues are going to have to work their asses off to get me to care again.
By Blues, I mean the front office, the players, hell even the coaching staff and team personnel.
As everyone has stated, I find it hard to care anymore about this team.
The teamwork and effort/heart that got them to the playoffs just a couple of years ago is gone.
So is my attachment to this team. Now, I honestly don’t know if I would even care if they traded anyone but Petro, Steen, McDonald, Steward and Frenchie at this point. Maybe Halak and BJ too.
Maybe after my heart settles a bit after that debacle today, I might feel differently… but I just… don’t know what to say aside from the above…
PC Load Letter? What the fuck does that mean?
I dont give a fuck about FA signings this summer
There is no one aside from Richards who would even be reasonable to try and improve with. We need players who will play every game no matter the circumstance. I want McClement back, that son of a bitch was the hardest worker on this team even when everyone else was balls terrible. I want Big Walt who was playing cause he loved the team. I want Dan “Im fucking a hot Blonde” Hinote to come in and give a shit. We need to pick up a guy or two who will play on the fourth line, do some checking and give a flying fuck.
He raged at the world, at his family, at his life. But mostly he just raged.
Jay McClement for Selke in 2011. Justice will be served. Penalties will be killed.
Forget about free agency, it is no longer a viable way to acquire talent, at least not for the St. Louis Blues. Every team knows who their assets are and they are locked up to big deals, and whenever one does slip through the cracks, like a Richards or a Kovalchuk there’s usually only one meaning everyone is going to want them and none of those guys are going to come here over a bigger market or a team that is further up the ladder winning wise. The blues seem to be a team that was born too late, they didn’t have any big guns going into the new CBA and that has somewhat screwed them for the foreseeable future.
simplify
lets back step the promises
3) every game counts. this is no longer workable
2) fans are the last piece, we have been more than tolerant
1) we will nto be outworked
ok that is the one the need to reboot. so why are the failing to keep a promise they made, and often kept, with what they knew was a dead team?
i think, watching the recent games, there are three steps to take
1) stop drafting character players. stop taking em over talent. obviously character is either overemphized or something that has to be developed along with skillz, and the blues had uber failed at either recognizing, developing, and/or rewarding character
2) set line standards. this team isnt playing as a team. the odd man rushes are a hint, but there is, at even strength, waaaaay to much 1 on 1 moves the players are trying, heck they are trying 1 on 3 moves. lock the lines down, give entire line (or d pair) criteria and bloody hell grade them every game that is left. I don’t need to know what the line was tasked with. i dont need to knpow what the grade was. i have my own system anyway. but flat out reward playing the plan for the teammates you are given and punish not playing with your mates. period. at this point you can damn well sit anyone you want. A N Y O N E
3) at least jd admitted there are known holes. i hadnt heard that in 3 seasons. fill ALL the holes. with spackle if you must, but fill em.
And a harvest of righteousness is grown from the seed of peace planted by peacemakers.
by Childhood Trauma on Mar 5, 2011 5:07 PM CST reply actions
Lame Blues
I may be the one of the few, who says that all the coaches need to go. I have kept an eye on our team like an eagle everyday. Every game and almost every period. This team has lacked leadership on the team and thru the coaching staff and upper management. Where the hell did JD disappear to? There seems to be something sinister within this organization right now (maybe it has been there longer). The great start seemed a little overwhelming, but who was complaining. I remember EJ was fighting guys at the beginning of the season, then lost his nerve? I don’t think so, I think this coaching staff has lost the team many months ago. Who flourished on the Davis (House of) Payne team?? I can’t think of anyone besides maybe Steen. Every game we make the opponents goalie look like the rebirth of Patrick Roy. This team has the talent to score but when we get around the goal they seem lost and confused. The 2nd chances and rebounds seem few and far in between, this includes the the power play even more so. How can this happen every game? In truth one game looks like every game except who we are playing is different. Checking the other team into the boards seems like wanting to contact genital warts-“No way Man!”
This team obviously is in trouble from the top down, but if the coaches can’t get the Boys to play and the coaches can’t rile them up with a timeout within the 1st period of today’s game then Houston we have a problem. I looked at their faces on the ice and on the bench and they look partially brain dead or worn out. It may not always seem fair to blame the coaches but I think bottom line is you put together a staff from outside this organization that has the background talent and track record instead of saving a buck by bringing in a coach from within. Again……Where the hell is John Davidson at much less where has he been when this team needed an ass kicking. Step up Boys and I mean all of ya! The fans are watching closely.
not playing like a team
does seem systemic with bad coaching, btu really, bad 5 coaches? kitchen? maybe. q? not so obvious. murray and payne now too?
if the players havent had a coach in 5 years this character we have should have done it by themselves
And a harvest of righteousness is grown from the seed of peace planted by peacemakers.
by Childhood Trauma on Mar 5, 2011 5:10 PM CST up reply actions
exactly
This core group of guys has been together since about 2008-09. The lack of effort and not showing up for games has been happening on and off since then.
The not playing 60 mins got Murray fired (among other things). They showed they could play hard under him, and under Payne. They need to do it consistently.
I don’t see this team losing by being outcoached. it’s not like Payne is playing Cam 30 minutes a night. It’s mostly just being outworked and outplayed by teams that shouldn’t do it.
Remember when the Blues made the playoffs in ‘09? They were not the more talented team most nights, but they played balls to the wall and never quit on a loose puck. This team doesn’t have that energy/desire.
Can it be some of both?
Maybe it’s selective memory or just my general lack of hockey expertise, but I see some “coachable” problems with this Blues squad as well. Namely, the PP & PK suck, and have all season. And I’m with the OP here – it just seems like more often than not our opponent is much better at setting up an offense, executing it, and collecting rebounds. I can’t even count how many times the opposing goalie’s given up huge rebounds….into open ice. Nobody home.
It seems like other teams have some sort of strategy in the offensive zone – passes that make sense, shots from good locations, etc. Our “offense” looks like a grabasstic clusterfuck. We score goals by accident most of the time, not by design.
i think the PP and PK looked fine
in the first 11 games when things were going well. i know that’s a small sample size, but it’s all we have.
i dont think payne is perfect and i agree that the PK and PP need a lot of work (although having Stewart has helped the PP) and some changes need to be made there.
still i dont think this is the fault of the coaches entirely. the players cant keep getting a free pass.
Oh, I totally agree.
The effort is clearly lacking, and I like what CT said about there being a little too much individualism and not enough team effort & strategy on the ice. Maybe that’s just sabotaging whatever offensive scheme Payne et al have drawn up.
Again – I think it’s some of both.
Giving up
I don’t know if the players have simply perceived that the trade of Boyes, Eric Brewer and Brad Winchester for draft picks only were a sign that the management had given up on the playoffs, so it was OK for them to do so too, but it sure seems like something happened with the whole group.
Sure as hell looks like that’s the case. I’m a little stunned, to the point I hope Stewart isn’t wondering, “WTF is wrong with this group?”
I figured they might treat the Isles on a Saturday afternoon lightly (did they hit the city hard last night?!), but of course this lethargy goes way back before today. I was pessimistic that they could ever climb back in the hunt, but they were in “we believe” territory a few weeks ago, and they crapped the bed before and after the deadline.
I do still think there is a nice core here and Stewart and Shattenkirk help; sorting the ownership drama out would help too. But the folding of the last few weeks has me remembering this group’s previous low moments under Murray.
Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.
What's wrong with the Blues in 2 words
A lot
No beer and no TV make Homer...something something.
by Poor College Student on Mar 5, 2011 5:24 PM CST via mobile reply actions
?
This organization did great PR work on the fans, and at this point over the past 3 years, besides that great comeback to make the playoffs, they have been yanking on our tallywackers. Has this organization ever been this bad over the course of 40 years. We need to see our optomatrists(sp) because what they have been preaching isn’t showing up on the ice. Does anyone remember the Lauries? This group just does better PR.
You know, the Blues PR team does do a pretty good job of getting asses in the seats to be honest. Im a guy who will go to about 5-7 games a year regardless of the team’s record. Sure it was nice getting to stretch out in the years they were drawing 6k to a game, but seeing asses in the seats these past 2 seasons has been kind of nice. Well, actually I kind of dislike it, people are generally annoying, but you know, in principle its good. So there’s one thing the blues do right, promotions and ad campaigns. Sure they’re fun to mock in March when they’ve become punchlines, but man, they sure seem to play in October. Can we build a team from the ad campaign out???
My new fear
By all appearances the organization is in complete fucking shambles. From top to bottom.
If I’m Junland or Tarasenko do I even want to come over here to play for St. Loius?
This is what will keep me awake tonight.
That's what I'm fearing
free agents saying no thanks on coming to STL and good players already here telling their agent "Get me the fuck off this train to loser town. Losing has a stench that most don’t want to breath.
Just a chew toy for the hockey gods
I think you guys are over-reacting just a tad...
…but at the same time, I completely understand why you might feel justified in feeling that way.
Bottom line: Someone needs to step up and put this team on his shoulders for the rest iof the way, and emerge as a leader. The biggest problem I see right now is that there is NO direction whatsoever on the ice. Part of that is on the coach, but the bigger part of it is on the players.
If they all loved Brewer as their leader, as now does appear to be very much the case, then they have to get over it as a group, move on, and let a new leader emerge from their midst. It’ll be interesting, for me at least, to see who that ends up being.
B.
"If we do not prepare for ourselves the role of the hammer, there will be nothing left but that of the anvil."
-- Otto von Bismarck, 1851
http://futurenotes.blogspot.com
by Tomorrows Blues on Mar 5, 2011 9:57 PM CST up reply actions
no leaders
As much as we despise the fuckhawks, Towes is a yell of a leader…we don’t have that kind of leader. Backes showes up in occasion, Seen has flattened, Jaxx is a fuckup.
Am I pissed, yes!!!! We had s great started our D just went from top 5 to being like the runs
St Louis Blues - Season Ticket Holder - Sec 106
SUTA
What Exactly is a God Wand?
Anyone who says "Nuff said" or "Need I say more?" needs to be elbowed in the cock.
by I_AM_SPARTACUS on Mar 5, 2011 5:42 PM CST via mobile reply actions
dude, you’ve gotta pace yourself during these afternoon games you can’t just pile up dead soldiers like it’s a Wednesday night and you’re just going to pass out mode during the post game. there is more to be drank today!!
i have not had a drink...yet
St Louis Blues - Season Ticket Holder - Sec 106
SUTA
What Exactly is a God Wand?
Anyone who says "Nuff said" or "Need I say more?" needs to be elbowed in the cock.
by I_AM_SPARTACUS on Mar 5, 2011 6:24 PM CST up reply actions
Getting my bro to drive me tonight
Chances are good this is gonna be a loss im drinking off. Last time I went out and put em down hard this team got a new right wing. I will see what I can do about getting this team a new right testicle since we apparently lack.
This team is like dating one of my ex girlfriends. Fucking hates me, then loves me, then doesn’t care then nice as can be all in the course of two days. Jesus blues just fucking pick a personality and stop pissing blood everywhere already, I love you but you gotta stop this. Every night I just want to know which team is gonna show up and if you are gonna put out.
He raged at the world, at his family, at his life. But mostly he just raged.
Jay McClement for Selke in 2011. Justice will be served. Penalties will be killed.
Some points
Bishop has played 12 fucking NHL games in his career.
We gave EJ almost 3 fucking years before anybody would say boo about him!
BACK THE FUCK OFF OF BEN.
I was in the get rid of Murray camp – possibly even one of the first to request it. After the past year + with Payne in control, it is apparent that Murray was never the problem, nor is Payne the problem. So if you are calling for Payne’s head, you’re not watching the fucking games the rest of us are.
I can admit when I am wrong. Murray, I am sorry.
You can coach, teach, yell or scream until you’re blue in the fucking face.
These current players lack the ability to learn.
They haven’t learned how to cycle, which is ESSENTIAL to be a good NHL team.
They haven’t learned how to play a full 60 minutes, also essential.
They haven’t learned how to play team defense… essential.
The onus is on the players. The PP and PK suck ass because the players don’t give two shits. Payne needs to sit half the bench and call up Peroria. Sit each and every one of those mother fuckers who don’t give 100% every second of every shift. And not just for a game, not just 2 games. The rest of the year. Show them who’s the boss. And when it comes time to resign them, lowball the fuck out of them or trade them away. We sure as fuck aren’t going to win with them on the team if they keep this shit up.
What difference does it make this year anyway if we lose every game from here on out?
At least the Peoria gang will play hard to show up the NHLers.
If the Blues end up drafting another d-man with a high pick, I will go fucking insane.
If you think the Blues will do anything to improve in the offseason, you’re kidding yourself.
The reality is, they have no money. They might not even have owners. Hell, they might not even be in STL.
jackman is not impressed.
I agree with most.
Except the Blues are not leaving St. Louis. There is no way in the world that would work out.
you think
if Jim Balsillie offered Checketts $212mm, Dave could/would turn that down?
I’d be afraid to find out.
jackman is not impressed.
by keepinthehope on Mar 5, 2011 6:50 PM CST up reply actions
I think...
…if Balls Silly tried to move the Blues out of St. Louis, he’d be lynched.
"If we do not prepare for ourselves the role of the hammer, there will be nothing left but that of the anvil."
-- Otto von Bismarck, 1851
http://futurenotes.blogspot.com
by Tomorrows Blues on Mar 5, 2011 7:18 PM CST up reply actions
What?
I don’t think there is any risk of the Blues leaving St Louis anytime soon. I am a Canadian, and I’ll tell you right now, the perception of St Louis is very high in Canada with regards to it being a Hockey city, as opposed to Phoenix or Atlanta. It is pretty obvious that St Louis just needs to get a couple of winnings years in a row and things will be back to normal. Of course to get to the point of having a couple of winning seasons in a row, we need a long term stable owner who will invest in this team. I can’t say that I could complain about a single transaction this season. I hate to say it but I am looking forward to next season. I dont think we’ll have the team to challenge realistically for the Cup but we will at least make the playoffs at a respectable 4-5 seed. Anything less would be disappointing in my opinion. I can’t wait to have a full season of Chris Stewart, I’m thrilled about that trade. I just wish for ownership stability in order to pick up another impact player as we are certainly missing that. Cheers from Chile!
Thanks for the support from WAY south o' the border, Frank...
"If we do not prepare for ourselves the role of the hammer, there will be nothing left but that of the anvil."
-- Otto von Bismarck, 1851
http://futurenotes.blogspot.com
by Tomorrows Blues on Mar 5, 2011 9:54 PM CST up reply actions
I've had a bellyful of this losing and not making the playoffs shit
I’m not used to dealing with Blues FAIL like this. The first several decades there wasn’t even a thought about making the playoffs, it was automatic. Maybe that’s what the management needs to do with the current players, walk their azzes down memory lane and let it sink in that this weak sauce they call effort in a game IS NOT acceptable. Bring in some ex Blues players and do some heart transplants while they’re at it.
Blues are here in another 10 days to play the Ducks and I really don’t know if I want to brave all the squareheads on the freeway in rush hour traffic to make it down to Anaheim just to see another half azz effort.
Just a chew toy for the hockey gods
The Sugar Glider Could Get It
And El Debarge does not want to get got. There’s a chance El Debarge escapes being terminated at the end of the season. Phyllis may have to go to a 120 inpatient rehab. If that happens, she can’t kill him.
The original deal was that the Sugar Glider is killed if the Blues miss the playoffs. I love the little booger so I’m willing to buy him an extra season. If not, bye bye Glider.
http://twitter.com/GTAnswerManNoCo
I know it would never happen...
But I wonder what message it would send out if our Blues had a home game and a total crowd of ZERO was in attendance. I don’t know if the 19,150 crowd home game after home game is in fact correct, but if it is the Blues should be embarrassed.
I doubt an empty arena would phase these assholes in the long run, I dunno.
"It's not so much me as it is Roenick. He's good." - Trent
"I took the Kings to the Cup" - Sue.
"Yea that was against the computer with the offsides turned off" - Trent
They make me sick… Just watching mistake after mistake. I agree that the Ownership debacle has had a inpact trickling down to the product on the ice.
" Ignorence is Bliss "
by Steve A Reno 1965 on Mar 6, 2011 2:42 AM CST reply actions
Over Paid Prima Donnas
Like many of us who are raising a family, paying a mortgage, struggling to stay ahead, a hockey game whether on the radio, on the tube, or if I am lucky at the areas is a luxury. TO find three hours to follow a game is a big deal. Then to invest time and money into this team is an insult. To be fair, their have been injuries, but how many leads have been given away or lost in overtime is an insult to the fans, and to those who wore the jersey that revered the game and the team. There are no leaders anymore like a Sutter or a Plager. I have to work harder at my job because of layoffs and leaner budgets, so why the Blues cannot do this is puzzling to me. I hate losing, but if we hustle and lose, I get it. But I cannot tolerate the prima donna attitude of these mid twenty somethings. Besides attitude and effort, we have to play smarter. This is where coaching has failed. When the commentators can see the same flaws over and over in each game, perhaps Mr, Payne should listen to the audio feeds.
Cajanek: The Season
I hate losing just as much as anyone, but throwing in the towel as a fan is a bit much. I understand the frustration, this season has tanked like titanic, but I still love the game of hockey. I love that there is a team in my backyard that I’ve been rooting for since I was a kid. I know I will get raked over the coals for this and rightfully so I am sure, but this site has some of the most dedicated Blues fans that I know, and I expected more of you guys. If you are looking for glory years of yore, we’ve got none. We have never won a cup. This team has been a failure since its inception and many of you are giving up now? This season is a dreadful fucking wash, but I don’t think it is indicative of this team’s future.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, losing hockey is still hockey. Support your team through thick and the most anorexic of thin. STL NBA fans have got nothing, I am one of those few. I feel like I sound like a cubs fan
Losing blows
but once the new guys figure out the system we’ll probably win a few games in a row and start feeling better about this team’s future again. There was bound to be a dip after we dropped so many players for draft picks and brought up the scrubs to see what they’ve got. Dags is playing on the top line after being on the 4th for most of the year, and our top D pair is a couple of rooks for-the-love-o-god. Lets not lose our heads here.
by hisTALLness on Mar 6, 2011 8:49 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Q : What do you eat at a Smorgasboard?
A : Smorgasboard food. Good ,but not great , roast beef but no prime rib.
I’ve watched the Blues since 1976 . This years team had me excited , and a playoff run was sure to happen. gallagher makes a great point. At the start of the year the blues were hard to defense ,and they could actually score. Injuries (and losses in my opinion) came due to a lack of depth on the bench. Forced to overuse the top talent he had Payne overexposed them , and having played organized sports myself your greatest risk of injury is when you are tired. Add to this the fact that there is no one (or two) player(s) on the team that strike absolute fear into opposing teams , they became easy to defend against ,and predictable. Add Halak’s growing pains and injury and here we are.
It’s tough to play the role of spoiler or give it your all when you are out of contention , and you see management trading talent for picks. That’s why we see what we see.
This is a young team and it’s tough for youngsters to see their pals traded away ; they are not yet jaded enough to realize this is a business first, and a game second. Due to the age of this team I feel we need 2 -TWO bonafied high powered free agent scoring machines with a few years experience. This deepens the bench and takes the heat off the young talent we expect to shine. Oh, yeah, another decent goalie would work wonders too. I hate the Wings to death! They are the Yankees of Hockey , the best team money can buy. They WIN because they don’t eat at the smorgasboard.
I hate the wings as much as the next guy, but their team is consistently competitive because of their scouting system. They pull the best picks out of their ass. I don’t know how many times this decade I wrote the Redwings off at the beginning of the season and then someone like Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Kronwall, Franzen, Filppula, or Howard comes out of nowhere to be fucking amazing. I’ve drank many a beer over this issue.
Blame Game
I think there is plenty to go around. The “organization” as a whole missed the net this year. Question #1. As the injuries occurred the replacements did not fiil the voids, except at D for Polak. This falls to our hockey guru’s who are paid to asess talent……and find quality players. Hensick, Porter,Cracknell and a couple of other assorted names. Just players to fill a spot, talent in question. Career minor leagues at this junction. Who in the organization was happy that they found these players, should be demoted.
Question #2. Playing a style of hockey that at times looked confusing and in way minor leaguish. Players out of position, not smooth. If a certain style does not fit the makeup of the players-Open It Up a little. Seemed like coach was to much mental about game and emotion seemed restrained. Question #3. Who gave up on themselves, their coaches, their bosses and most importantly their FANS. This whole group needs to apologise to their followers and stop blowing smoke up our asses because the cat is out the bag and the Kool-aid……..is almost empty.
Sean, you hit the nail right on the fucking head, bro.
Nicely done.
Fight Club writer for the print edition of St. Louis Game Time . . . I need another beer.
The Throwdown Lowdown Report, only on The Bluenote Zone.
And I can also write things in 140 characters or fewer.
Too many of these guys didn't have to earn their way to the NHL
Zero games in the minors for a lot of these guys.
by forgetyerskatesdream on Mar 7, 2011 9:40 AM CST reply actions
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