This is all going to get a little surreal.
Jeremy Rutherford with the Post-Dispatch made a posting at the Blues Talk Forum that Wayne Gretzky has been sighted in St. Louis and is expected to participate in the on-ice ceremonies honoring Brett Hull for his induction in the Hockey Hall of Fame. It will be interesting to experience the fan reaction.
You have to remember, Gretzky only played 18 regular season games and 13 playoff games with the Blues in the spring of 1996. His last moment wearing the Blue Note was him turning the puck over and then watching Steve Yzerman score over Jon Casey's shoulder.
There were reports the Blues offered a new contract for the soon to be free agent Gretzky, but that the offer was pulled by Mike Keenan after a poor early performance in the playoffs. I remember hearing Gretzky say he would never re-sign after they did that. The Great One eventually signed with the Rangers and his time as a Blue became just a minor footnote in the Gretzky mythology.
Hands down, Gretzky was the best player in the NHL during his prime years. His scoring records are light years from the rest of the league. But it is not reasonable to believe that fans in St. Louis have any connection with Gretzky.
So Blues fans, I ask what your response will be tonight when Gretzky appears on the ice during the festivities? Let us know down below.
This is also your pre-party before the game.