Steen and Jackman Sidelined

March 10, 2011, 11:19 AM

Steen and Jackman Sidelined

Andy Strickland | TrueHockey.com | Archive | Contact

Mar 10

Blues forward Alex Steen and D-man Barret Jackman are likely lost for the season after suffering separate injuries Wednesday night in Columbus.

Steen's high ankle sprain, along with Jackman who required surgery to repair a fractured finger, are on a 4-6 week timetable. With 14 games left, common sense tells us any return is doubtful.

I'll have more in the morning.

More to come,

Andy Strickland

strickland.andy@gmail.com

Andy Strickland is based out of St. Louis and has more than 10 years of experience covering the NHL. He is also a full time radio personality in St. Louis and can frequently be heard and seen throughout the United States and Canada on radio and television. He can be contacted via Twitter (@AndyStrickland) or on the Ask Andy page.

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kyle2268 Said:

March 10, 2011 at 11:31 AM

It figures the way this season is gone. The 1 good thing from the season is that trade keeps looking better and better man stewart is a stud. He might even get 30 goals this year.

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bcallaway Said:

March 10, 2011 at 12:12 PM

Of course.

On a side note - Chris Stewart - wow.

I've stated the Blues are still in need of two top level forwards, he might turn out to be one of them.

Which team, if either, will end up regretting this trade?

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BlueManGuru replied to bcallaway:

March 10, 2011 at 12:51 PM

I guess it depends on the draft picks really. Because so far we won even if EJ becomes a stud we got two studs for a potential one. flag this comment

carcus replied to bcallaway:

March 10, 2011 at 1:03 PM

IMO, he is going to be one of them.

He is exactly what this team needed. A big power forward with great hands that can play in front of the goalie on the PP. Anyone notice how much the power play has changed since he got here? The Blues struggled on the PP all season without the net presence that they were used to having. (Walt) Now they have that guy, and he is young and with great hands.

On top of that, we also have Shattenkirk, who has the talant and hockey sense to IMO become a better NHL defenseman than EJ. This trade just keeps looking better. flag this comment

bcallaway replied to bcallaway:

March 10, 2011 at 1:49 PM

It's a win for the Blues for the simple fact that they don't have to face him any longer. Holy Moly he used to destroy the Blues.

The other thing I really like about him at this stage is that he seems to have a personalilty that comes out on the ice.

One of my rants the other day about the coach and his personality trickling down to the team was about the lack of emotion showing.

He's got a bit of flair to his game that I really like. I'm not much for the arm waving after fights but I like players who aren't afraid to let a little emotion show. flag this comment

BlueManGuru Said:

March 10, 2011 at 1:04 PM

I also loved how Stewart talked about the play as something he works on in the summer but never tried in the NHL and it's a beer league move. That's one of my favorites to do in pick up hockey. I think at every level you can get that small hole opening up in the top corner but it's harder in the NHL not to get a stick in the way. The backhander is the hardest shot for a goalie to track, especially that angle because it looks like the shot is going across and you kind of flip it inwards just as the goalie reacts. It's a tough shot to make b/c you shooting at a few inches of space at a high speed.
And Stewart did it with a smoothness, a greasiness.... I love this guy. Maybe we should go after his brother from Atlanta who's found a scoring touch this year.

One thing I'd tell Stewart is to lay off the fighting. We don't need anymore broken wrists or silly injuries from a guy who can lead the team.

BTW Hensick looked great on a scoring line creating chances. Who knew??? he was better prepared on an offensive line versus a fourth line role???? All of us apparently. Cracknell is a beast. He lays people down and looked great on the penalty kill. Bye bye Crombeen and Janssen your time is passed.

With Berglund's play upgrade and the resurgence of McDOnald adding in some other kids giving us three scoring lines and solid fourth line I don't think we need to go after any specific players.

I love our defense more now also. They create openings and move the puck forward unlike alot of what we had in the past. Our depth is getting to the point where I think we can look at trading players for picks the next few years if the development goes smoothly and keeping the major players as a core.

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bcallaway replied to BlueManGuru:

March 10, 2011 at 1:54 PM

Agree about the backhand shot upstairs Guru. Unfortunately, I suck at it. I have a hard time elevating my backhand. I can't seem to get it up (that's what she said).

I don't know about you, but I like shooting the puck if I'm within 10 feet or so of the goalie when it's rolling. That's another shot that the goalie really can tell where it's going to go. (Nor can I, but I've had some success with it for some reason.) flag this comment

carcus replied to BlueManGuru:

March 10, 2011 at 5:39 PM

The Office is a great show.

Now when I read your posts bcallaway I will have a visual of Michael Scott saying those exact same things.

Thanks for making my day! flag this comment

NortheastBlue15 replied to BlueManGuru:

March 11, 2011 at 10:11 AM

I agree with BCall....I can't get my backhand shot up off the surface. It's pretty lame and I really don't put much time into working on it. Yet, being a defenseman, I'm more used to launching bombs from the blueline. flag this comment

BlueManGuru Said:

March 10, 2011 at 1:06 PM

I still don't understand not keeping Bishop up and sending COnks down. I love the guy but seriously when you're this far out time to give it over to the kids and see what you have and quicken the learning curve.

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gobluenotes replied to BlueManGuru:

March 10, 2011 at 2:10 PM

I don't think they could have sent him down do to the roster being set in Peoria for the playoffs. flag this comment

brassman888 replied to BlueManGuru:

March 10, 2011 at 3:19 PM

That is correct about the roster being set in Peoria. The roster was set right around the same time Conk was put on waves. So did not want to waist a spot in Peoria if he did get picked up. Bishop will also get more playing time in Peoria. They have like 2 back to back to back nights. So he will get some time to play. If he were up here, he would get little time to play, plus you would be short in Peoria. I hate to see him down in Peoria, but I understand why they had to do it. flag this comment

Gerk Said:

March 10, 2011 at 5:43 PM

Anyone else get the email today about renewing season tickets at no increase so long as you commit by early April? Guess tickets are going up 7 to 8% across the board next year.

Think its a nice gesture but really would like to put pressure on Checketts to get this investment stuff worked out. Not to mention would like some UFA activity as well.

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Gerk Said:

March 10, 2011 at 5:43 PM

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Goblues86 replied to Gerk:

March 11, 2011 at 4:59 AM

LOL yeah I did but I talked to my rep today and they might do the pay half now pay half when they make the playoffs deal again so I might down grade to 2 seats at the redline in the nosebleed section for 800 bucks maybe haven't talked to the old lady yet. flag this comment

bcallaway Said:

March 11, 2011 at 8:57 AM

1Erik Karlsson
Burried a pair of goals including the game winner to carry the Senators over the Panthers 2-1 in Florida
*************************************************************

Andy,

Why would the #1 star go to a guy that helped one crap team beat another crap team?

My #1 would have gone to Brad Boyes, another solid game from him including the OT GWG to help Buffalo stay in a playoff spot.

Look what can happen when you GO TO THE NET!!!

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NortheastBlue15 replied to bcallaway:

March 11, 2011 at 10:13 AM

Hey, give the guy his due....defenseman scored his team's only two goals (obviously one being the GWG). Who cares if the game is meaningful or not? It's about the performance, not about the position a team is in the standings. flag this comment