It seems like that Davidson and Pleau missed another opportunity to set the team in a clear direction. They either could have really moved for some help and made a playoff run; or on the other hand unloaded some veterans like Tkachuk, McKee, Jackman, etc for future and to clear up cap room for this summer. Now this sets the stage for another season of futility in 2009-10.
For an honest assessment of the state of this team:
Some of the prospects drafted or obtained from a few years ago already have turned out to be monumental failures of supposed bluechip prospects, such as Baccashua, Shwarz, Barulin, Shkotov, Soderberg, Jackson, etc, and has never made an impact in the NHL; very few prospects seem to be able to develop to full maturity in this organization.
Other prospects like Polak, Bishop, Oshie, Backes, etc, seem to be slow in developing along, and are in danger of stagnating in their careers into perennial underachievers. It's unlikely that many of these would ever be able to reach their potential.
The core of the team has been rapidly aging, with stars past their prime like Kariya, KT, McDonald, etc. And most of them won't be around for much longer.
Some terrible financial decisions over the past years, such as signing McKee to such an incommensurate contract; and lokcing themselves into more financial problems with new contracts like those with Brewer and McDonald.
One of the key players for the future, Johnson, seems to be destined for an injury plagued carrer; and may never be the same again.
It seems that there is not really that much of a way out, except to seriously look at some alternatives; after all, every other teams that was created around the same time or before have had a stanley cup many years ago now. Blues seems to never be in a position to compete. Perhaps some fresh thinking are needed:
It's time to think about trading Boyes, and get some value for him while they still can. He would be an old man when the Blues are ready to compete.
Find some creative ways to unload as many of the contracts that are still plaguing the finances of this organization as possible, such as those of Kariya, McDonald, McKee, etc. After all, they will some day need to give their RFAs bigger contracts.
Seriously look into unloading players like Johnson, Polak, Oshie, and Perron, while there are still some demand for them; before other teams realize that these have some serious development or health problems.
And perhaps start anew from a clean slate, and get rid of the current regime that has not only failed to produce results, but has turned the team intoa a perennial doormat; that goes for no one more than Davidson.
It seems that there is not really that much of a way out, except to seriously look at some alternatives; after all, every other teams that was created around the same time or before have had a stanley cup many years ago now. Blues seems to never be in a position to compete. Perhaps some fresh thinking are needed:
It's time to think about trading Boyes, and get some value for him while they still can. He would be an old man when the Blues are ready to compete.
Find some creative ways to unload as many of the contracts that are still plaguing the finances of this organization as possible, such as those of Kariya, McDonald, McKee, etc. After all, they will some day need to give their RFAs bigger contracts.
Seriously look into unloading players like Johnson, Polak, Oshie, and Perron, while there are still some demand for them; before other teams realize that these have some serious development or health problems.
And perhaps start anew from a clean slate, and get rid of the current regime that has not only failed to produce results, but has turned the team intoa a perennial doormat; that goes for no one more than Davidson.
...Are you kidding me? I see the Blues as being a team that surprises everyone like the Blackhawks did this year... The blues will most likely barely miss the playoffs.. Like the Blackhawks and then next year will be in the playoffs like the Blackhawks... At least that is what I can see happening..
More deep breathes, less high ledges...there's just too much exaggeration and assumption in there to make it a serious thread...it's a shame, the bulleted points were a nice touch...
Erik Johnson is only 21/22, last time I checked. He broke something in a freak accident. Injury-prone? He scored 33 points as a rookie D-man in 69 games. Bust?
Bishop, Perron, Oshie: You must be KIDDING me, right? Kids are supposed to be stars in their rookie year before 23 or they are all busts? Nice to be vague on the 'developmental difficulties' part, by the way.
David Backes: Power Forward. Breaking out. Enough said.
Brad Boyes: 26 years old, 43G last year. Old man? Will be an old man when the future stars, aka. Berglund/Oshie/Perron/Johnson make the team? Oh wait...
Eller, Cole, Junland, Pietrangelo... dime for a dozen, right? I'll take them off you in return for Charles-Antoine Messier. Blue chipper right here, mate.
Also very nice to see you just ignore Berglund in your pessimism. I would gladly take him off your hands for a 7th rounder. Quick, before he drops to waiver wire value!
Some notes:
-Just FYI, Carl Soderberg, if thats who your referring too (the Bruins prospect) still looks very promising.
-Erik Johnson has one incidental injury, and with a whole year to recover he should be okay. Hardly injury prone ?
-David Backes at 24, on pace for 23G, is actually breaking out this season and from what I've seen of him he looks impressive.
-Brad Boyes, age 26, former 43G scorer will hardly be an old man when the Blues contend but rather in his prime
-Why would you trade away a 20year old LW, David Perron, whos on pace for ~50pts, in his sophmore season?
-I see you failed to mention rookie sensation Patty Berglund in your post, 20year old on pace for over 20G-50pts in his rookie season in less than 82games..Also I have heard nothing but praise about rookie TJ Oshie!
-Also failed to mention the bluechippers coming up through the system, Pietrangelo, Eller, Cole..etc They all project to be great NHL players in a few years!
You lost me when you said that Erik Johnson was destined for an injury-plagued career after one freak injury.
He's going to be 21 next year, his career is far from over. And he has so much talent.
St. Louis already has a pretty good core to build around, there's no need to purge the roster for more young talent at this point.
I'm also a firm believer of having veterans around to help out the kiddiiiiies, so I have no problems with Tkachuk/Kariya/McDonald being around. Hell, even McKee.
Other prospects like Polak, Bishop, Oshie, Backes, etc, seem to be slow in developing along, and are in danger of stagnating in their careers into perennial underachievers. It's unlikely that many of these would ever be able to reach their potential.
Bishop, Polak, and Oshie have combined to play in 118 games, 75 of them going to Polak. Slow in developing along? They're all under 23 years old!
Just because Crosby, Kane, Malkin, and Ovechkin jumped in at 18-19 and made a difference doesn't mean any player who doesn't is "developing slowly". Every player has his own pace, and 99.99% of them aren't NHL stars by age 20. Mike Ribeiro didn't have more than 17 points in a season until he was 24, now he's a very regular contributor.
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The core of the team has been rapidly aging, with stars past their prime like Kariya, KT, McDonald, etc. And most of them won't be around for much longer.
If you didn't notice. McDonald signed a 4 year extension, and he's been very good for you when not injured. Kariya and Tkachuk were stars that have aged - every team has a few, and keeping them around isn't a bad thing. The amount your young players can learn from having them around is tremendous.
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Some terrible financial decisions over the past years, such as signing McKee to such an incommensurate contract; and lokcing themselves into more financial problems with new contracts like those with Brewer and McDonald.
Yeah, locking up McDonald (who has 62 points in 76 games) was such a terrible decision... Only McKee has a questionable contract and it expires after next year. Overall the team is in terrific shape.
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One of the key players for the future, Johnson, seems to be destined for an injury plagued carrer; and may never be the same again.
He fell out of a golf cart, and that is an injury plagued career? What are they putting in the water where you live?
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It seems that there is not really that much of a way out, except to seriously look at some alternatives; after all, every other teams that was created around the same time or before have had a stanley cup many years ago now. Blues seems to never be in a position to compete. Perhaps some fresh thinking are needed:
The Canucks haven't had a Stanley Cup ever - it doesn't mean you lose hope, it means you cheer for your team and support them more. Until recently (the last few years) the St. Louis Blues was the best team in professional sports, not missing the playoffs in what, 25 years? The Canucks sucked BALLS in the late 90's. If I can stay a devout fan through that *********, you'll be okay cheering for a team with a bright future like St. Louis.
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It's time to think about trading Boyes, and get some value for him while they still can. He would be an old man when the Blues are ready to compete.
Boyes is 27. Figure most players retire after age 35, and most STARS play until 38-39. He has 10-12 years left in him. Are you suggesting St Louis won't be a competitive team until 2020?
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Find some creative ways to unload as many of the contracts that are still plaguing the finances of this organization as possible, such as those of Kariya, McDonald, McKee, etc. After all, they will some day need to give their RFAs bigger contracts.
They won't have RFAs if you..
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Seriously look into unloading players like Johnson, Polak, Oshie, and Perron, while there are still some demand for them; before other teams realize that these have some serious development or health problems.
Get rid of those cheap young players, what team has EVER been competitive with young players performing well while still on their ELC?
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And perhaps start anew from a clean slate, and get rid of the current regime that has not only failed to produce results, but has turned the team intoa a perennial doormat; that goes for no one more than Davidson.
That's exactly what the Blues did 2 years ago, now they have a slate with some good young players, some good prospects, and things are looking up.
Mod: deleted.
Last edited by Fugu: 03-06-2009 at 11:59 AM.
Reason: Flame
...Are you kidding me? I see the Blues as being a team that surprises everyone like the Blackhawks did this year... The blues will most likely barely miss the playoffs.. Like the Blackhawks and then next year will be in the playoffs like the Blackhawks... At least that is what I can see happening..
Thats a ridiculously young core, and thats your whole top 6, and top 4 set out for you on a platter. Almost all of those players are NHL proven, and the ones who aren't are simply too young.
If I'm a StL fan, I'm getting really excited about the next few years right about now.
Thats a ridiculously young core, and thats your whole top 6, and top 4 set out for you on a platter. Almost all of those players are NHL proven, and the ones who aren't are simply too young.
If I'm a StL fan, I'm getting really excited about the next few years right about now.
...if they can solve their goaltending problem. And that's a big if.
They're basically set everywhere else, but they need a goaltender who can get them there. Legace is not the answer anymore, and I don't think Chris Mason is either.
I think the Blues are fine, a few more years and they might be as good as the Hawks are now. Just need more patience. You guys certainly have a far better outlook than we do.
