Blues chat at 1 p.m. Thursday
Bring your questions and comments about the Blues and talk to Post-Dispatch hockey writer Jeremy Rutherford.
- Hope everybody's doing well today. The Blues just wrapped up practice and interviews at the Mills. Hopefully I have some info to answer your questions. Let's get chattin...
- I know the Blues are trying to use the Halak/Elliott tandem but don't you think they could get more from a Brian Elliott trade since he's fresh of an All-Star selection and a relatively cheap contract extension. Bring up Bishop, if he can be the AHL all-star MVP can't he be a NHL backup goalie?
- Perhaps if the Blues hadn't re-signed Elliott that would be an option. I like Bishop and think he has a great future, but the Blues want two NHL-tested goalies going down the stretch and there are no plans to trade Elliott.
- JR, with the returns of Steen and McDonald on the horizon, what does the future look like for BJ Crombeen for the rest of this season and beyond? Any possibility he could be packaged as part of a trade?
- Crombeen isn't the only one in jeopardy of losing his spot in the lineup. Hitchcock said today that effort isn't going to cut it from here on out. Playing time will be based on performance. When I asked if that meant established forwards, he said everybody. The Blues like Crombeen's toughness, so I think he has a future here. He just may not be in the lineup every game if everyone is healthy.
- Besides Chris Stewart, who on the Blues roster really needs to step up their play for the Blues to be successful?
- Berglund somehow needs to find a way to finish more of his chances. D'Agostini can be more effective in a few areas. And Langenbrunner is playing smart, but he could add a little more offense.
- Good Day Jeremy,
Obviously the Central Division appears it will be represented very well in the playoffs should all the teams continue the pace they are on. Let’s say the Blues do make the playoffs (which is a huge success) but have a 1st round matchup with Detroit, Chicago or Nashville and get bounced in the 1st round….do you still consider that a successful year? - I suppose it would depend on how long the series goes. My initial reaction was no, not a successful year. But if the Blues play a seven-game series against Detroit and lose 3-2 at Joe Louis to end their season, there are some positives in that type of season. This is a franchise that hasn't won a SINGLE playoff game in quite a long time. However, I think many fans would not be happy unless this team could make an appearance in the second round. The club has proved it can play with many of the top teams in the league.
- This is Mike Smith: Hang in there, please ... Jeremy is working the chat from the Blues' practice rink at St. Louis Mills and temporarily lost wireless access.
- OK, I'm back. I must be too close to a Blues' power play meeting. I was going to the (inter) net and couldn't make a connection.
- What is the time frame on AMac and Steen? Any chance of them playing tomorrow night?
- I don't think there's a chance Steen or McDonald will play Friday and probably not Saturday either. Both skated with the extra line in practice today and Hitchcock said afterwards he hasn't heard a peep about them being ready.
- JR, Given that Halak's been announced for Friday versus LA, with a game the next night against Nashville, and then a couple days off before Ottawa, what is the likelihood that Elliot will get Ottawa as a homecoming game like Halak did in Montreal?
- Halak is confirmed for Friday. Hitchcock said he wasn't sure about Saturday, but he hoped to give Elliott the start Tuesday in his return to Ottawa.
- I've seen a lot of speculation on whether the Blues should trade for a veteran defenseman if they are not able to get their hands on a scorer. Is this a smart move when they already have a core 7 (assuming a healthy Huskins) plus Cole and Fairchild?
- There is a chance Huskins could be ready by Tuesday. That gives the Blues seven and either Huskins or Russell is likely a healthy scratch. The team could win with that, but I think they would like to explore the market for another defensive-minded guy with playoff experience. San Jose people have told me Huskins was very good in the playoffs when healthy, but coming off a long-term injury, I don't know how much you can count on him.
- What are the chances that the Blues get Luke Schenn
- Slim to none. Don't need another young guy, plus his asking price is going to be more than he's probably worth. What would you give up? Not going to give up a young forward.
- What's the latest on the conference/division realignment? Is the NHL starting from scratch with a new proposal or are they simply trying to modify the original one?
- It's kind of unclear at this point. The NHL says it will postpone realignment for one year, but if they don't come up with a plan that the NHLPA will sign off on, then it could be different or it could be postponed longer.
- I saw Alex Khavanov made some comments about the city of St. Louis which a lot of people took umbrage to. As a former St. Louisan living in Italy I totally understand what he meant about St. Louis not being the best place to be a foreigner. The Blues have an awful history with their European players, and other than Demitra and Jorgen Pettersson, really haven't done too well with them. Do you agree?
- You're referring to Khavanov's comments about why Tarasenko might not be ready to come to the NHL. I did not see where Khavanov specifically discussed St. Louis as being a negative. From what I read, he mentioned the upcoming CBA issues and Hitchcock (who for whatever reason has a reputation of not liking Russians) being the coach. Whether or not St. Louis has a reputation of not being a favorable place to play for some Europeans, my guess is that they're many more with a different opinion.
- What is your thoughts on Hitchcock loading all the top players on the top PP line instead of spreading the wealth over two lines? I think it's a good start and am on board with anything that sparks the man advantage, however, I think the Blues also play too high when attacking on the PP. There is minimal good movement and chances in the slot and lower circles where better-producing PP teams seem to have success. Has the team been looking to change the PP "system," as well?
- The Blues had no choice but to change the personel groupings. It's nice to have two decent units, but if neither are scoring, it's not helping the team. I'm interested to see how the No. 1 unit with Backes, Perron, Oshie, Shattenkirk and Pietrangelo fares Friday.
- What's the outlook on Stillman's ownership of the Blues (assuming the sales closes successfully)? From a very outside look at it, I think it will bring much-needed financial stability, however, I don't see the deep-pockets spending that some fans might be looking for. It seems like him and his group bring just enough to the table, but aren't going to commit a lot in reserves to make big FA splashes down the road. Fair assessment?
- I don't think we can assess what type of spenders the Stillman group will be until they take over. I agree, though, that the perception coming in that they won't be making headlines across the league with massive free-agent contracts. That doesn't make sense in the St. Louis business model until the franchise is on firm footing. But what the group does bring is stability, as you said, and any stability at this point would be a good thing.
- I know it's two years from now, but who you think will represent the Blues in the Olympics that's on the roster now (and hopefully two years from now)?
- Backes, Shattenkirk and maybe Oshie (USA), Pietrangelo (Canada), Halak (Slovakia), Polak (Czech Republic) ... and possibly Berglund (Sweden).
- The NHL announced Saturday that the Columbus Blue Jackets will host the 2013 All-Star Game at Nationwide Arena, Jan. 26-27. What does ti take to get a bid like that or a bid for the WC in St. Louis? It's not like Columbus is a highly valued market. Is it Bettman with the final say?
- If the current ownership were staying in place, and the last couple of years had been smooth, it's very possible the NHL would be interested in bringing an NHL all-star game to St. Louis. Dave Checketts has discussed the AS game and the Winter Classic with the league. But when the air started coming out of this ownership group, that stuff has been put on hold. Even with a stable ownership, the Blues will have to wait their turn on the Winter Classic. The league is doing Columbus a favor by bringing the spotlight to a market that has a solid ownership but has a team that has been struggling on the ice.
- With two good veterans we have in Jamie Langenbrunner and Jason Arnott what kind of chances do u think they have of addind another veteran before the deadline looms?
- Arnott and Langenbrunner are enough up front, unless they Blues go after a goal scorer who also happens to bring veteran experience. But if the Blues decide they want to get an offensive player, I don't think that player has to be mid-30s or older.
JR, do you see the Blues having enough talent that bringing on someone like Parise would make them cup contenders. This team reminds me of the Blackhawks before they won the cup and signed all of their players to monster deals. That said, we don't have a Kane or Toews type player but I think that Parise could be the icing on the cake similar to Hossa was for them. Would you give up a 1st round pick for him? I would think that NJ needs to get some cheaper talent in their pipeline because of huge contracts...- If you could lock Parise up long-term, I would definitely give up a first-round pick. I understand your comparison to the Hawks, and while I believe the Blues' young forward are talented, Toews and Kane have proven more and Hossa is a premier player. I like Parise, but I don't think Parise is Hossa. So it's close, but the Hawks at that stage might have been just a notch above where the Blues are now.
- JR, what are your thoughts on how the ownership situation might affect what Army can do at the trade deadline? How likely do you think it is that Stillman will be able to close on the deal before the trade deadline? If he does, any clue as to if he and his group would approve spending a few million on a playoff rental/possible improvement? If the deal’s not done by then, do you think Army would even be able to make a trade that adds money to the payroll?
- I was in Ottawa and asked the NHL about a timetable on the Stillman purchase. Bill Daly said March, which is obviously after the Feb. 27 trade deadline. Another source has told me that it could happen sooner. If the sale happens before Feb. 27, even days before, I'm told it is possible the new ownership could give the go-ahead to management to infuse more money into the payroll. So yes, Army could have more flexibility if the sale is completed before the deadline.
- JR, with steen and mcdonald coming back here hopefully shortley do you think that the blues will go to 4 scoring lines instead of 3 and a checking line?
- There will be a trickle-down effect and you might have a guy like Stewart on the third line and Sobotka, D'Agostini or Langenbrunner on the fourth line, but that doesn't mean the fourth line is a scoring line. It would add offensive depth for sure, but you still need a hard-checking line.
- In regards to concussion prevention and research in the league, do you think the right amount of due diligence is being done? Too little? Maybe over-sensitivity causing them to go too far (if that's even possible with injury)? With the biggest name in the game being out again due to a concussion, this is usually the time a league will go all-out on their focus. Or is hockey simply just a fast-moving, violent game with little chance of avoidance/prevention?
- I believe the NHL has taken a big step in reducing concussions and changing the culture of players playing through them, as they did in the past. It would have been better if some of these measures were taken years ago, but you can't go back now. You're never going to take the potential of serious injury, including concussions, out of the game. I don't know how much more the league can do than it is right now.
- JR, do you think Army could get a NHL 20 goal scorer for Ben Bishop? or will we most likely get a 2nd or third round draft pick for him?
- In a straight-up one-for-one trade, I don't think they could get a player who has 20 goals at this point in the season for Bishop. I think Bishop's stock is very high right now, but people have to keep in mind that there are a lot of teams in the hunt right now. If you're in the hunt, you have a good goalie. You're thinking about your backup goalie, or your No. 1 goalie for the future. As teams fall out of the race, that may happen ... but not now. I've said that I think trading Bishop would be beneficial to the Blues if they deal him in a package for a scorer. You might have to give up more than Bishop, but he would be really attractive to teams if more was included.
- What's Hitchcock strategy with the older players? Might he sit players like Arnott and Langenbrunner a game here and there to keep them healthy for the playoffs? Or do you see them getting their minutes reduced to keep them fresh the remainder of the season.
- That will be interesting to watch. If the Blues are completely healthy, I could see them sitting a game or two down the stretch. But more likely, you will see their ice time decrease on some nights.
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