The Winnipeg Jets have a decidedly different look to them. They sent Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian to the Buffalo Sabres in a package deal that saw Drew Stafford and Tyler Myers return. They traded some assets to the Carolina Hurricanes yesterday for Jiri Tlusty.
They also put Blake Wheeler on the IR, so at least the Blues won't have to worry much about a third of the Jets' top line.
Right now the Blues shouldn't be worried about a team fighting off the Kings, the Wild, and whoever else happens to be nipping at their feet in for a wildcard spot. They need to be more worried about themselves. They've played lackluster, apathetic hockey. Their defense has been terrible, they've left their goaltenders out to dry (how many breakaways/2-on-1s did Jake Allen deal with last night?), and before Tuesday night's game they publicly questioned their coach's line tweaks.
Said Hitch of the team's effort Tuesday:
"We’re a team that’s made a lot of great inroads on playing a certain way and now we don’t want to play that way, and we’re not interested in playing the way that’s been successful here. We want to play a different way right now and it’s really, really hurting us."
They're playing like they don't care, and that needs to stop. Losing Kevin Shattenkirk is tough; it shouldn't be the end of the world.
This is your morning open thread. Check back a little later on for some Road Music from CCR, and while you're waiting for puck drop, head to Arctic Ice Hockey and see what those nice folks have to say about all of their new arrivals in the 'Peg. I hope they brought coats.