Alex Steen: The Forgotten Man in Blues town

(In case you missed it in Friday's STLGT paper)

Forget Tuesday's shitty loss in Florida, let's talk about big nosed lefthanded shot forwards who wear #20.

I'm talking about Alex Steen. A guy I don't hear enough about in the land of the Blues.

While people wax poetically over the graceful contributions of Tarasenko or the latest wow save from Jake Allen, Steen's givings often find little thanks. Yes, he is paid handsomely but that's not our money necessarily. I am talking about hype, chatter and stars. There was a time when Steve Ott got a star of the game this season and Alex Steen wasn't recognized. That is not a crime but I still didn't like it.

Steen is second on the team in points to TarasenkoMania with 21. He has nine goals, also second behind the Russian. Steen has produced four seasons of 20 goals or more, and is on pace for another this season. Steen also plays on the top line, and that means logging minutes against other teams best players. He is skilled on both sides of the ice. He can kill penalties, work the power play and is one of the first guys on the ice for a 3 on 3 overtime or shootout session. Wherever plays are needed, Steen is there and he often doesn't get the accolades.

Fan forums will take wild swigs of Red Bull and rant about trading Alex Pietrangelo and demoting David Backes, but they won't praise Steen or rip him that much. Since he has come over from the Toronto Maple Leafs for Lee Stempniak(Carlo Colaiavovo hid in Alex's luggage), Steen has been an above average addition to this Blues team. A versatile threat.

He makes 5.8 million this season and will make 6.5 in 2016-17. He isn't cheap. I still think he is under-appreciated in this city. He joins the rest of the Blues veterans in their playoff futility but that's like complaining about a brother when the entire group of siblings shits the bed. Steen has one of the best shots on the Blues and is deadly from anywhere on the ice. The next time you make a stupid trade proposal, at least include Steen with Jake Allen and Pietrangelo.

Show some damn respect!

Final thought while one wonders when the Blues will stop playing down to the competition. Is it entirely possible Brian Elliott finishes the season with the Blues? The man isn't playing and could bring a fine return(maybe a second line center) from a team needing a starting goaltender. Just saying.

Thanks for the time and stay caffeinated out there.