Survivor UFA: Say No to the Waffle Man

Editor's Note: The Blues have quite a few UFAs whose futures need close examination. This is an ongoing pro/con debate on the fates of each of them.

Well it's time to wrap up our big UFA series with Olli Jokinen. Yes, Olli Jokinen. Do you want to know what my argument is for not bringing him back? Here it is:

S/T to PPP

Over the past few years this is what Olli Jokinen has gifted to his hockey teams. While we all need a laugh after such a terrible post season, this Blues team is poised to really be a serious threat and we don't need a laughing stock being one of the main pieces we sign this off-season.

I will admit that DK laid out some very good points as to why he should be back, the best being that Lethera is almost a carbon copy of a young Olli and could benefit from learning from what could have been a hero growing up. But really, do we need another 37+ year old guy with little payoff experience? Fat lot of good that has done for us over the last few years. Plus over the past few seasons he has played on teams with a lot of youth and yet you never hear of him putting himself out there as a teacher for the younger guys he plays with.

Yes Jokinen has stayed consistent scoring even in his advance state of aging but when a team desperate for playoff success won't play you in a single playoff game, that's a sign is it not? While his style and body type are conducive to playoff hockey, having 6 games under his belt does not mean he will shine in the playoffs. Why throw money at a guy who may get hurt, may produce and has no playoff track record? Use that money on Vladi and Jake Allen and bring youth up to get the experience they need.

I thought I was indifferent on bringing Jokinen back but the more I think about it, the more I can't stand the fact that the Blues would just fill their roster with retreads who haven't shown us a thing while here. I am ready for the youth movement and I want to score goals like the Blackhawks and you can't do that with Olli Jokinen. He may be a good guy but he just isn't a fit for the Blues.

In the end, sign Tarasenko and Allen and lets see what Ty Rattie, Robby Fabbri and Joel Edmundson can do for us. We have to wait until Allen develops anyway so why waste a guys last chance at a Cup with a team who is likely another two years away.