Considering we can confirm only one group who has officially made an offer to purchase the St. Louis Blues we’re going to assume only one was made.

I guess we could say Minority Owner Tom Stillman has made the only “known” offer but I need names! In this day and age it’s hard to believe there are multiple bidders out there who’ve found a way to remain underground. The bottom line is there are plenty of pretenders out there and it’s important to try and separate the real players form the phonies.

I would never consider Stillman a phony as his heart is 100% in the right place. I’d love to see a local group get this done but as one individual with firsthand knowledge of the offer tells me, they probably have a “less than 10%” chance of buying the team at their current bid. Besides the fact that it wouldn’t satisfy Checketts, Stillman likely knows this number wouldn’t satisfy the NHL Board of Governors either.

 As I reported on www.twitter.com/andystrickland the offer made by Stillman and company was apparently for $110 million. Well short of the $200 million number that other interested buyers have been told Checketts is seeking.

I do find it very interesting that Stillman, who would know better than anyone what the Blues are believed to be worth, values the franchise at only $110 million.

If the Stillman group is to replace Checketts and TowerBrook Capital Partners as the next Owners of the Blues, they will have to considerably come up on their offer.   

Don’t be surprised if Stillman attempts to align himself with whoever eventually buys this hockey club, even if it means on a minority level. You can be sure he will not enter the same agreement he did with Checketts where I’m told he is in essence helping fund the organization financially. Word is Stillman is not drawing a salary from the Blues like Checketts currently is. There’s nothing wrong with Checketts receiving a salary by the way, I’m just pointing this out. For this reason alone Stillman has to be eager to get the Blues sold.

One guy who apparently is sitting back and allowing things to unfold as they may is Chicago businessman Matt Hulsizer. Here’s a guy that Gary Bettman would likely make a deal with if Hulsizer were to step forward. Time will tell if we eventually get to this point.

Congrats Donny!

I want to send overdue congratulations to Don Granato, brother of Tony and Cammi, on becoming the Head Coach of the U-17 USA National Development team. Granato is truly one of he best people I’ve come across and is a great addition to the NDTP. He will remain as the Head Coach of the U-18 team the following season.  He spent last year as a pro scout with the Vancouver Canucks.

Winchester Close?

Word is Brad Winchester is still talking to four NHL teams all believed to be competitive clubs. I was told he’d likely sign this week so we can assume he’s close.

Marty Turco Still Wants to Play…

Word is Marty Turco has his eyes on a few teams who will head into training camp with limited backup experience. He’s hoping a team will eventually look outside the organization for goaltending help after realizing they aren’t satisfied with their tandem. One thing we do know is that he won’t be heading to Europe, he’s played a long time and has stashed away millions of dollars over his career.

Ramage to Assist the London Knights?

Sources say former NHL D-man Rob Ramage will be helping the London knights coaching staff this season primarily working the defense.

NHL Network Bringing Back Kelly Chase?

Word is Kelly Chase will be back with the NHL Network this season after helping out last spring during the NHL playoffs. Chase also serves as the Blues radio analyst but is only expected to miss about five games or so.

Keith Tkachuk Fantatsy Camp Starts today…

The camp runs through the weekend. Fans are welcome to attend the Hardees Ice Plex in Chesterfield where numerous current and former Blues players will be joining Tkachuk for the camp. The on-ice sessions run from 4-7.

Drury Met with Toronto?

These rumors certainly surfaced but I’m told Drury never met with Leafs GM Brian Burke. Drury had decided to retire several days before making his announcement official.

More to come,
Andy Strickland
strickland.andy@gmail.com