What does that give us boys? Options.

by WhoLeTheDagsOut on Sep 19, 2011 4:19 PM CDT

First of all, +1 if you know the title reference.

As we all know the STLBlues camp is underway, and Preseason is right around the corner. The Blues have said they want to go into the 11-12 season with a 23 man active roster. The team has 12 forwards and 5 D-men and 1 Goalie on 1 way contracts. 2 more D-men who are slated to start on the NHL roster are Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk (both on 2-way Entry Level contracts). So that leaves 2 forward and 1 goalie to be determined in camp. Lets take a closer look at the poeple who are fighting for those 2 open spots at forward.

Jonathan Cheechoo, Phil McRae, Evgeni Grachev, Chris Porter, and Ryan Reaves are among the most talked about prospects/players. While i do think that whoever performs better in camp will get a shot, i also thing "team need" is a big factor. If you look at these 5 players you have 5 different types of players.

Cheechoo - Sniper

Put away shot after shot at the beginning of drills in camp and looks to be a force their year no matter what level he plays at. Looking to prove himself after a few years of slump after a 50-goal year in the NHL

McRae - Playmaker

Shined at the Traverse City Tournament and looks to be conditioned well after an impressive performance in the Beep tests the first day of camp.

Grachev - Power Forward

Looking for a fresh Start with a new organization after a draft time 3rd round trade to the Blues from the Rangers. Shoots well, has a big body and uses it well around the boards

Porter - 2-way Forward

Gritty forward that is looking to stick around after extended exposure last season with minimal success.

Reaves - Tough Guy

Looking to be a force for the blues and fulfill the Enforcer role this season.

You have 5 different types of players that are battling for 2 spots. Each player is trying to establish their niche in the NHL for the first time, or in some cases again after previous success. Also, not to be discounted. are the less talked about prospects that also have a chance of making the blues roster.

Stefan Della Rovere, Adam Cracknell, and TJ Hensick are among them.

While these 3 are not "in the running" as far as the fans are concerned, but the coaches are certainty watching them and considering them for the jobs.

My personal thoughts and instincts lead me to think that Grachev and Cheechoo will be the 2 that make the roster at the start of the 11-12 season. Take a look at the enclosed poll and pick who you think will make it.

We also have a battle for the Backup Goaltender position between Bishop and Elliot. More on this later.

Thanks for the reading, Lets go Blues!

-Scott

(WhoLeTheDagsOut)

Poll

Who will start the 2011-2012 season on the Blues roster?

Grachev

86 votes

Porter

15 votes

Cheechoo

39 votes

Reaves

40 votes

McRae

13 votes

Other

4 votes

197 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

I think it's Cheechoo

Provided he can play at the clip he was in camp, its almost dumb NOT to bring him up.

Barret Jackman is my hero.

In remembrance of Pavol Demitra and all our fallen Blues brethren.

by BluesTiger on Sep 19, 2011 11:13 PM CDT reply actions

I haven't been impressed with Cheechoo.

The player at Camp that has me most surprised is Porter.
Dude has performed very well and works EXTREMELY hard. He reminds me of Cam with his work ethic.
Bonus? The kid has hands. He has been up with the big boys and didn’t hurt the team at all last year.
In camp he’s scored several goals in the drills and scrimmages. Prob the most of any except the IceBerg.

I had / have high hopes for the much touted McRae and Cole. While McRae did well in Traverse, he has been “average” or “just there” in camp so far. Cole is the same. Actually, I think Cole has been disappointing so far this Camp. (Although, he did look sharp in the one one one drills.)

While I am not a scout, nor did I stay at a holiday inn express last night, I have attended every single session of the Blues camp this year. (Vacation well deserved I might add).

All that being said, I bet Cheechoo comes out of camp. That’s why we got him. He’ll start the year and rediscover his scoring touch and boost our dire offense. If he doesn’t, then plan’s B and C will be implemented.

Wow… I just made a fairly lengthy somewhat coherent SLGT HOCKEY post. (was it coherent?)

FUCK YA hockey is back…

PC Load Letter? What the fuck does that mean?

by DanGNR on Sep 20, 2011 12:54 AM CDT reply actions

Very coherent

for 1am.
Thanks for the insight

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 Sep 20, 2011 7:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks.

It’s good to be talking hockey again.

PC Load Letter? What the fuck does that mean?

by DanGNR on Sep 21, 2011 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions

I think we keep one guy who we are confident in a top 6ish role...

And one Energy Line/PK guy. So I think it would breakdown to this.

Cheecho, Sterling, Grachev, Hensick

Reaves, McRae, Porter, Cracknell

I’d say we take 1 from each list. However, I think the Blues might come in with the mindset to not just promise guys with a 1 way contract they make the team if they get outplayed in camp. I think there is one forward and defensemen who I would say should probably be watching their back in camp, and that’s Crombeen and Huskins. Crombeen is coming of a very mediocre season, and basically Reaves is the exact same style of player, and I don’t see a reason to keep both on the team. Huskins is solid, but is it out of question that Cole, Syvret, or even Ponich could possibly outplay him? So I’d say there are 4 spots up for grabs, with the competion looking like this for each one (in my rankings thinking who’se most likely to get it)

Cheechoo, Grachev, Sterling, Hensick

Crombeen, Reaves

Porter, Cracknell, McRae

Huskins, Syvret, Cole, Ponich (total darkhorse)

… I overthink this stuff, don’t I?

Is willing to go to the mattresses with the lot of yous.

by Novacain on Sep 20, 2011 1:51 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

I WANT 'EM ALL!

But if I have to pick a winner right now, I will say Grachev.

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.

by Donut King on Sep 20, 2011 4:27 PM CDT reply actions

BTW WhoLeTheDagsOut

Nice post.

PC Load Letter? What the fuck does that mean?

by DanGNR on Sep 21, 2011 10:29 AM CDT reply actions

I think its Grachev and Reaves

Grachev if continues to score goals and use his body. We have to also keep the Russian factor as well. I think it helps make Nikitin feel more at home, and is more likely to keep Grachev over here rather than pulling a Junland and going home.

Reaves just because we need another fighter on occasion. We can’t have BJ fighting 40 times this year.

by Holiday86 on Sep 22, 2011 12:47 PM CDT reply actions