Trade Deadline Looming
As we near the trade deadline we will start to get a better idea as to who is truly on the trade block. Usually this time of year we hear a ton of names but how many of them are actually in play is a different story.
Tuomo Ruutu is a name starting to circulate as the 28 year old is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The Carolina Hurricanes is one team identifying which players they want to move forward with versus the ones they’re willing to move on without.
Bernie Bytes: Blues need scoring Aggressive Blues GM Doug Armstrong recognizes the team's need to finish chances, but he's waiting for
Andy McDonald and
Alex Steen to return. Then he'll reevaluate. Sure, a trade would make sense, but with the ownership situation still unresolved we don't know if the team can add payroll. But it would be a mistake to minimize the lack of scoring. You have to go back to 2003 (Anaheim) to find a Western Conference champion that didn't rank among the top 19 in goals scored. Since the NHL resumed play following the lockout season, 12 teams have competed in the Stanley Cup Finals. And only one, Edmonton in 2006, finished worse than 8th in the NHL in goals scored. The Oilers were 15th in scoring in '06.
Blues Eyeing Another D-man?If you pay attention to Blues GM Doug Armstrong it’s obvious he doesn’t like to sit back and watch. Every day this guy is trying to find ways to improve the St. Louis Blues and he’ll continue to do so leading up to the NHL trade deadline.
Sure everyone wants to get into the playoffs but for most NHL teams, their goals go beyond just reaching the post-season.
The ultimate goal is winning it all and every GM should be focused on putting together the most competitive roster their resources will allow. It takes a little more creativity to manage the Blues compared to some of the higher revenue teams in the league. Finding ways to improve your club can sometimes be easier said than done.
Blues Blues seek help for offense Last season the Blues were hit by a rash of long-term injuries to their skilled forwards, and there was a lesson that came along with it. They'd better be prepared next time by having some NHL-ready depth in the organization.
It's difficult to have replacements on hand for the likes of David Perron (concussion), Andy McDonald (concussion) and T.J. Oshie (broken ankle). Few teams, if any, have that type of talent in the minor leagues, which makes a midseason trade perhaps the only option.
Oshie to sit out two games for unexcused absence T.J. Oshie missed a practice on Monday. He will miss two Blues games as a result.
Blues general manger Doug Armstrong said Oshie will be scratched from the Blues' next two games, beginning with tonight's faceoff with Minnesota at Scottrade Center. Oshie also will not make the trip to Detroit for Wednesday's game with the Red Wings.
Oshie, who has 10 goals and 20 assists in 30 games, missed practice on Monday with what was described as an "unexcused absence."
Blues hit snag in bid to sign Wellwood The Blues' exhaustive search for offensive help has taken them to Russia twice, and now with it appearing that both of those attempts may end up failing, the club has turned to Peoria again.
As much as goal scoring has seemed like a problem for the Blues, in the 16 games they played without Andy McDonald, David Perron and T.J. Oshie before facing Anaheim on Wednesday night, the offense ac*****ulated 46 goals, or 2.9 a game. In fact, in their four-game winless skid, the Blues netted 11 goals, or 2.8 a game. Both of those figures are above the team's season average of 2.6.
Wellwood on way to St. Louis Kyle Wellwood is signing a one-year deal with the St. Louis Blues. The former Canuck would have to clear waivers.
Wellwood was cut by Moscow Atlant of the KHL this season after managing just 5-3-8 in 25 games. He was a plus-6, but was averaging just 8:39 of ice time a game.
With Svatos gone, Armstrong resumes shopping Blues general manager Doug Armstrong was disappointed that forward Marek Svatos didn't make it through waivers.
The injury-depleted Predators put a claim on Svatos, so his tenure in St. Louis lasted a day.
Armstrong will continue exploring other options.
Blues are exploring trade possibilitiesDespite the Blues' determined victory Sunday in Vancouver, general manager Doug Armstrong admits that it could be tough sledding for the club this winter if it doesn't make a move.
Armstrong had been exploring the trade route before Andy McDonald suffered an upper-body injury over the weekend, but perhaps now with the Blues missing three of their top six forwards, action is even more necessary.
Blues Turn To YouthThe time is now for this young St Louis Blues team to step up their game and show their potential. Since the lockout, the team has been building up a large core of good young talent. Some of it was due to their financial situation and how they were no longer capable of playing in the big market. Another reason was that they simply needed to get younger.
But it has been a few years now and now is the time for some of these good young players to step up. Gone are veterans like Keith Tkachuk and Paul Kariya. Thus, the opportunity is there for these kids to deliver as it will be them in the spotlight this year. Armed with a true number 1 goalie, things appear to be looking up.
