Ironically we have only one opposition player receive a suspension. Just saying a number of hits were up high. A cross check to the head one game, first time offense for one legitimate battle and one for hitting up high equals three games.

Thorton sat out what 2 games... flag this comment

Unfortuantely, I thnk the answer would be "yes" only b/c Huskins is NOT the answer we need and I also think that Colaiacovo is becoming more and more of a liability. Remember, he was really integral to this team's success when he was the sole offensive-minded defenseman back when EJ and Brewer were no the shelf a couple of years back. His role has been reduced and his impact on the blueline has also suffered. Cole is a great stop-gap and I think the kid can really play, but the Blues do need a veteran impact defenseman that brings and all around element to his game. That's going to be incredibly difficult to secure at this juncture as I'm not sure the right kind of d-men are being shopped and if they are (ie. Suter) then it's going to take not only a LOT to get him, but Andy's telling us that Armstrong is hampered with only having the ability to swap dollar for dollar so that will directly impact some current roster players to go the other way....things I don't think we can afford at this time. flag this comment

First of all Suter is not going anywhere. This is the dance to resigning and so far Nashville has responded by making some moves. Gil didn't look too bad out there but he is slow. I guess he works out b/c Nashville is so good at backcheking so when he stands up at the blue line he is able to use his reach and his speed is not easily exploited.

As far as the Blues needing to add another defensemen.... I'm not thinking so much considering what is out there. I put it out there the most likely option is in Washington with especially someone like Schultz.
What they have been looking for and needing is on the left side.

We could have probably got Johnson for Stewart. I'm not sure I'd love the trade b/c both players have question marks but I believe in Stewart's ability to get back to where he was. He showed more and more battle and dominance last night. We are seeing the same from Berglund but he still has NOT answered the bell as a second line center. Though he is getting closer. He's opening his eyes and vision more.

I don't know why the hate for Huskins. He has played well for us and actually makes some very smart plays in the offensive zone and that was not why we signed him. I haven't seen him look weak out there yet. He looked better with Petro than Cola who continues to make some poor decisions. Cola has in my mind gone down the depth chart to below Jackman who has somehow reemerged as a pretty good 5-6th d-man, who can fill in more than that. He still struggles moving the puck but it's not anywhere near as bad as it was at the start of the season or the seasons before.
It seems we are missing that certain type of d-man on our line. Frankly a lot of that has to do with Shattenkirk and Petro's youth.

Right now as I posted that trade rumor about Brown the price for trades seems way too high right now. It's not like Russell has been all that great. He's played better of late but man he doesn't use his speed and puck handling as much as he should. flag this comment

BlueManGuru ~ I know that Suter isn't going anywhere. I'm simply using his skill-sets as an example of a defenseman that boasts quality in all 3 zones. There isn't anyone really to pick from that fits that bill and if there were -- role playing here -- we'd be having to shell out a lot both in quality of players and player salary to match what we'd be surely taking on in additional salary. So it's rather unlikely we find what we need to fill the need on defense.

Huskins isn't terrible, but he's barely an upgrade from Souray as far as mobility. A parking cone could do just as good of a job in the defensive end. I can remember his playoff performances with the Sharks and how much he struggled against quick / shifty forwrads in the defensive end. That is going to hurt us as we go along. However, as stated, he's not terrible...just I'm worried that he might prove to be a weak link....especially considering the 200ft. game that Hitch preaches. flag this comment

NEB-- Gotcha. I read it wrong my bad.

That is true and that's what I feared going into the season but he seems to be doing far better than I have ever seen him play. No one knows when some players turn the corner and it clicks. He still appears to have some skating issues but he seems to be smarter about positioning himself.

Time will tell. I mean I like both Cole and Fairchild but they both have a learning curve as does our best defensemen Petro and Shats but they are already higher up on the learning. IMHO.

It's tough. We have a big guy seasoning down in the minors but I think he's a year or two playing in Peoria away. It all hinges on his skating really.

I think this salary crap is a bs smoke screen. I think Armstrong is playing it smart. The fan base is so hungry, happy and scared they would just about celebrate any player coming here.
But the cost so far has been tremendous. I think Columbus schooled the Kings on that trade. LA's problems are speed and scoring wingers. They bring in a good one who could help them make the play offs if he can stay healthy. But then in the second season he will disappear if his woo-woo isn't hurting him too badly and he doesn't even play. But besides the talent he has a huge contract for a long time. Johnson I think has more upside and less years plus a first rounder and you never know how that will go. What if the Kings take the pick this year and next year they bomb?

So my friend, seeing the price for Gil, and others I am a bit shocked. What Columbus wants for Nash is ridiculous in the big picture. If Howson is smart and that's a big if he'll wait till the draft and also reevaluate his team. There big weakness is goaltending and they failed to get Bernier or any other goaltending prospect thus far.

In taking Johnson I wonder if Armstrong still favors Tutyin and it is a set up to say take Bishop? I would stay away from that. I still believe Bishop is the future. I don't like having two small goalies moving forward. I guess we'll see in the play offs. If Halak thing like he did for Montreal and considering this team is far better than that team of a few years ago well then this is the way to go. But the way this team plays now you have to think if you can get cheaper in the off season then you do it b/c we have a budgeted payroll plain and simple. flag this comment

But the Blues are fairly successful when they suck. While they are still hoping someone buys the team to stay in Phoenix and they want a steady fan base.

It is BS but Bettman wants this to work more so than facing the reality that it will not work. He is hurting the NHL more than anything. When you have franchises move away it just says you failed, it cost you substantial resources, lose fans and you lose legitimacy. flag this comment

Bettman screwed up when he looked at David Stern's NBA model and all the cities that the NBA was flourishing in and decided that it would be a great idea to expand or sign off on re-locating teams to these southern regions (ie. Miami, Atlanta, Phoenix). You can make a case that Tampa works as they have had successful teams down there...but I think it's more of the fair-weathered type of fan-base that unless the Lightning are in the playoff race....the local residents don't really care. Dallas has had a great fan-base ever since moving from Minnesota though they've gone through some struggles and team over-hauls as of late. However, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Florida (Miami) are just ridiculous locations for hockey. Hell...give a team back to Quebec and Hartford again, at least that's more of a traditional hockey market rather than these southern cities that don't even seen temperatures low enough to produce natural ice surfaces!! flag this comment

No team to Hartford there's too many in that small area. Seattle then Toronto and then maybe Quebec. But probably somewhere else.

No to Hartford b/c we don't want to lose a great fan. flag this comment

Thanks, BluManGuru! Didn't think you'd remember (or at least knew) I'm from Connecticut. Yeah, the Whalers leaving was a very sad thing and to be honest there's still such a ground swell of fans that still want the NHL back. It's amazing how people in CT vehemently hate Boston and to some extent the Rangers, so nobody ever really moved on and capitulated to root for either of those two teams. People either still follow Carolina or its as if they are suspended in time and wait until the Whalers return. Corporate sponsorship and a new arena would go a long way...I hold out hope.

Since my dad is from St. Louis and I still have tons of relatives out there I've always been a Cardinals fan and even before the Whalers left I also had an affinity for the Blues so shifting my alligence once Karmanos took from us what we were weened on as kids was pretty simple.

Bring back the Whalers!! Ha, ha... flag this comment

NEB, of course I remember.....errr my memory used to be really good, now it's so-so. Thank you IEDS! ;-)

I used to love the Whalers's uniforms and a number of players were my favorite until many of those guys donned the Red Wings uniforms. Ulf and Verbeek why did you have to do such a thing??? I kind of have the same family thing with Buffalo, my first jersey when I was like 3 or 4.

I'd like to hear your opinion on the trade rumors I mentioned. flag this comment

I'm guessing this is a sign and trade thing Guru only thing that makes any sense. He isnt playing well in Edmonton. flag this comment

reply to stormcujo

i am thinking they have to want him cause who is going to pick up that deal? 5 mill a year? with a player that underproduced this season and has injury problems. i would not want him
flag this comment

Reply to johnny

I was at first thinking the same thing but then again I've seen worse contracts be signed. I bet some team out there would take the risk of that contract
flag this comment

I think he's been tanking it there a bit. He could still be good. I just wonder, a few years ago this guy was dominant. flag this comment