St. Louis Blues

Top 5 St. Louis Blues Prospect Defensemen

BallHype: hype it up!
stlblues

Last week Jeff Quirin took a look at the Top 5 Forward Prospects. This week he delves in to the world of puck lugging, shot blocking, and who can log 20 minutes a night. Today, its all about defensemen.

Read more...

1 comment - What do you think?  Posted by Jeff Quirin - August 26, 2010 at 7:24 am

Categories: St. Louis Blues   Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Top 5 St. Louis Blues Forward Prospects

stlblues

The Blues are well known around the NHL for having one of the best prospect systems in the post-Lockout era. Their system has been consistently ranked in the Top 10 by Hockey's Future and other blogs and media outlets. One of the few signs of hope for a franchise gutted of depth half a decade ago.

Read more...

4 comments - What do you think?  Posted by Jeff Quirin - August 19, 2010 at 1:26 pm

Categories: Central, St. Louis Blues, Western Conference   Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Blues Sign Erik Johnson to a Two-Year Deal

NHLHS St. Louis Blues Correspondent Jeff Quirin breaks down the Erik Johnson signing by the Blues earlier today.

There was no doubt that the Blues would sign Erik Johnson. The only questions were for how long and how much? Both were answered today when Johnson agreed to a two-year, $5.2 million contract with the St. Louis Blues.

Read more…

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Jeff Quirin - August 2, 2010 at 8:11 pm

Categories: St. Louis Blues   Tags: , , , ,

Blues Trade King to Caps for Della Rovere

NHLHS St. Louis Blues Correspondent Jeff Quirin breaks down the trade between the St. Louis Blues and Washington Capitals that sent tough guy D.J. King to the Southeast Division.

According to Andy Strickland and Jeremy Rutherford the St. Louis Blues have sent enforcer DJ King to the Washington Capitals. King agreed to a two-year contract extension totaling $1.25 million prior to the trade.

St. Louis Blues DJ King (19) levels San Jose Sharks Jay Leach during the first period at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on February 4, 2010. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

King was the Blues 6th Round pick (190th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Since making his NHL debut on October 5th, 2006 King has appeared in 101 games with the St. Louis Blues. In that time frame he has accumulated 4 goals, 9 points and 185 penalty minutes.

Read more…

1 comment - What do you think?  Posted by Jeff Quirin - July 28, 2010 at 7:45 pm

Categories: Around the League, By Teams, NHLHS Features, St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals   Tags: , , , , ,

Blues Sign David Perron

NHLHS St. Louis Blues Correspondent discuss the new deal for forward David Perron as well as his thoughts on Erik Johnson.

On Wednesday the St. Louis Blues announced that talented forward David Perron had agreed to a two year contract. Per Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch the deal breaks down in to $1.8 million in 2010-2011 and $2.5 million in 2011-2012.

This contract could prove to be a steal of a deal for the Blues. Perron is a highly skilled offensive juggernaut in the making. All the tools are there. The stick skills, the vision, the dangling and the burning desire to score. Take a look at what he does to Mark Striet and tell me he doesn’t have “it”. There are few players out there being paid less than $2 million next season who have the ability to post a 25 goal, 50 point campaign. The relative cost to output should allow the Blues some flexibility down the road to add salary to fill deficiencies elsewhere.

Read more…

1 comment - What do you think?  Posted by Jeff Quirin - July 23, 2010 at 12:10 am

Categories: St. Louis Blues   Tags: , , , , ,

St. Louis Blues Free Agency FAQ

NHLHS St. Louis Blues Correspondent Jeff Quirin takes a look at the organization and presents his “free agency FAQ”.

There has been quite a discourse regarding the Blues perceived lack of inactivity on the free agent front. Angry Blues fans from the water cooler to message boards are chiming in that they are not so happy with Doug Armstrong’s alleged inability and unwillingness to bring in “upgrades”. I mean not to harm the feelings of my Blues brethren, but there is also a fan unwillingness to accept the reality of the situation the team is in.

Read more…

1 comment - What do you think?  Posted by Jeff Quirin - July 21, 2010 at 6:41 pm

Categories: Around the League, By Teams, NHLHS Features, St. Louis Blues   Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

St. Louis Blues Sign Jaroslav Halak to a Four Year Contract

NHLHS St. Louis Blues Correspondent Laura Astorian breaks down the contract signed by recent acquisition Jaroslav Halak and the blues.

In a signing that surprises no one, the St. Louis Blues signed their most recent goaltender acquisition to a four year, $15 million contract deal that is sure to upset Canadiens fans.

Read more…

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Laura Astorian - July 6, 2010 at 3:19 pm

Categories: Central, St. Louis Blues, Western Conference   Tags: , , ,

NHLHS Mock Draft: With the Number Fourteen Pick…

NHLHS Mock Draft is our latest feature where we collectively predict the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The draft is a crapshoot and we will be wrong… …but we thought it would be fun to try.

With the blank overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the blank select…
Read more…

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Laura Astorian - June 21, 2010 at 2:00 pm

Categories: 30 Team Series, Around the League, By Teams, Central, NHLHS Features, St. Louis Blues, Western Conference   Tags: ,

St. Louis Blues Land Jaroslav Halak in Surprise Trade

It’s not even the draft yet, and we have the first big trade of the season. To no one’s surprise, Montreal moved a goaltender. To everyone’s surprise, it was their current goaltender/savior, Jaroslav Halak. To even more people than everyone (and I think that today, yes, that’s possible) the trade partner was the St. Louis Blues.

The Blues were rumored to be working with Chris Mason on a contract extension as a safety net just in case no solid goaltending deals arose at July 1st.

Read more…

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Laura Astorian - June 17, 2010 at 3:44 pm

Categories: Central, Eastern Conference, Montreal Canadiens, Northeast, St. Louis Blues, Western Conference   Tags: , , ,

Norris Trophy Candidate: Roman Polak

NHLHS writer Laura Astorian takes a look at the season Blues defenseman Roman Polak has had and why he could be considered a Norris Trophy candidate.

Roman Polak is neither Italian nor Polish.  Discuss.

He might not be either, but this 6’1″ Czech Olympian has emerged as the St. Louis Blues’ top defensive defenseman.  With 21 points on the year (4G, 17A), he’s offensively solid, though not a powerhouse.  His +7 is second on the team behind the Blues other solid defenseman Mike Weaver and his +9. When you consider that the Blues are near the bottom of the league in GF, a +7 is better than average.

Read more…

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Laura Astorian - April 9, 2010 at 12:57 pm

Categories: Around the League, By Teams, Central, NHLHS Features, St. Louis Blues, Western Conference   Tags: , ,

Behind the Mask: Chris Mason

NHLHS writer Laura Astorian takes a look at current St. Louis Blues netminder Chris Mason in our latest edition of The Man Behind the Mask.

Nashville has a certain reputation with starting goaltenders.  Solid and impressive first year followed by a middling second with the team, which is promptly followed by the starter becoming the back-up, and the back-up becoming the starter.  Dan Ellis and Pekka Rinne come to mind usually the most quickly, because both goalies are still with the Predators (albeit in a 1A/1B tandem).  But what of the goaltender that Ellis dethroned?

Chris Mason learned that turnabout is sometimes fair play.

The back-up to Tomas Vokoun starting during the 2003-2004 season, the 122nd overall pick of the 1995 entry draft caught eyes with his .926 SV% and 2.18 GAA in the seventeen games that he played in.  After the lock-out, he took over the full position of back-up, with a .913 SV% and 2.54 GAA.

Upon Vokoun’s leaving for the Sunshine State after the 2006-2007 season, Mason stepped up and assumed the role of full time starter.  This wasn’t quite a big of jump as one might expect; Mason had played 40 games the prior season, with a .925 SV% and a 2.38 GAA.  2007-2008, though, was not to be as stellar, and left a chance for Ellis to creep up.  Mason finished that season with a lackluster .898 SV% and a 2.90 GAA.  He was a UFA at the end of the season, and with Dan Ellis and rookie Pekka Rinne coming up through the system, the Predators let him walk.

The St. Louis Blues needed a veteran goaltender to stand behind the injury prone Manny Legace.  The previous season’s backup, Hannu Toivonen, had just come off a terrible season and returned to Finland, so there was a perfect spot for Mason. Legace, however, was struggling under the weight of Mason’s similiar-sized contract, and despite it being a UFA season for him, his numbers dropped off terribly and by February he had found himself waived to Peoria.

Mason had overtaken the role of starter once again.  He led the Blues down an astounding 25-9-7 path at the end of the 2008-2009 season, ensuring the team had the league’s best post-All Star Game record, and also ensuring that the Blues returned to the playoffs for the first time since before the lockout.

Despite being swept in the first round by the Vancouver Canucks, the Blues felt sold on their goaltending situation, adding back-up Ty Conklin to the team for this season, but still communicating to Mason and the fans that he was the number one.

Despite the Blues missing the playoffs for yet another season after a second half that was solid, Mason still has put up solid numbers for the season.  The end of the season marks contract renewal time, as on July 1st he is a free agent, but don’t ask him what his plans are for the future.  For right now, Mason just wants the Blues’ opponents to keep on fearing the beard.

Laura Astorian
NHLHS St. Louis Blues Correspondant
lastorian@nhlhotstove.com
@hildymac

1 comment - What do you think?  Posted by Laura Astorian - April 6, 2010 at 7:00 am

Categories: 30 Team Series, Around the League, By Teams, Central, NHLHS Features, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, The Man Behind the Mask, Western Conference   Tags: , , , , , ,

Looking for a Defenseman?

Carolina Hurricanes v Buffalo Sabres

As we approach the midway point of the 2009-10 season in the National Hockey League, many questions remain unanswered.

Which teams are serious about playoff contention?  Who needs a massive upgrade to make the push from a bubble team?  Which team should sell off the year and attempt a mini-rebuild?

Those are some thoughts circulating the League as we take a look at the state of all teams around the NHL.  Now, when perusing through certain rosters some names that could bring in returns which would benefit a team in need of depth.

Today, we look at the defensemen around the NHL likely to be moved by the March 3rd, 2010 trade deadline. As a side note, be sure to tune into “The Hockey Guys” on deadline day as there will be an all day live event with a live chat room for discussion on all the rumors and news as it breaks in the NHL.

Read more…

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Anthony Curatolo - December 30, 2009 at 6:50 pm

Categories: Atlantic, By Teams, Central, Detroit Red Wings, Eastern Conference, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers, Northeast, Northwest, Ottawa Senators, Southeast, St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, Western Conference   Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What Will Washington Do…

Anaheim Ducks v New Jersey Devils

…with all that cap room?

With the loan of Michael Nylander to Grand Rapids of the NHL, the Capitals gained financial flexibility which should allow them to acquire some help in areas they deem necessary.  As of this writing, the Caps 24 wins lead the League making the average fan ask: How can they possibly get better?

Corey Masisak of The Washington Times lists five speculative picks that would bolster this team as they prepare for a lengthy playoff campaign.  As the team stands there is little need for improvement but one could make a case for another top defender.

As we know from our history watching the playoffs, depth is key.  The team’s current construction has featured numerous players shifting up and down the teams forward lines as coach Bruce Boudreau dealt with injuries and juggling in order to find the proper mix.  Still Masisak believes the most glaring need is this top defenseman. His solution: Scott Niedermayer.

Niedermayer currently captains the Anaheim Ducks and has lead them, as well as his former team the New Jersey Devils, to the Stanley Cup.  In addition, this may be the last year in the NHL for the 36-year-old.  Although he only has three goals on the season, he would become a powerful weapon on the Washington powerplay, something dreams are made of.  He along with Mike Green would give them two elite puck-moving defensemen which would be incredibly dangerous for this already powerful offense.

Read more…

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Alexander Monaghan - December 19, 2009 at 6:50 pm

Categories: Anaheim Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, By Teams, Carolina Hurricanes, Central, Eastern Conference, Nashville Predators, Pacific, Southeast, St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, Western Conference   Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Blues, Blue Jackets Trade & Waiver Roundup

Ottawa Senators v Florida Panthers

TSN’s Bob MacKenzie reports the news around the waiver wire.  The Florida Panthers placed defenseman Ville Koistinen on re-entry waivers.  His cap hit is a meager 1.2 million, which if claimed would be split by both the claiming team and the Panthers.  In 17 games with Florida the 27-year-old has one goal and three assists.  In 103 career games between his team and Nashville the Finn has 8 goals and 24 assists.

As we predicted yesterday, Jeremy Reich and Michael Leighton cleared waivers.

In other news, the Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Louis Blues made a minor move.  The Blues get Pascal Pelletier while the Blue Jackets receive Brendan Bell and Tomas Kana.

The largest part of the deal seems to be Bell.  The 26-year-old defenseman posted 17 points in 21 games with the Blues AHL affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen.  The former Leaf draft pick played 53 games last year with the Ottawa Senators and was recently selected by Hockey Canada to represent his country in the Spengler Cup.

Read more…

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Alexander Monaghan - December 8, 2009 at 2:16 pm

Categories: Atlantic, By Teams, Carolina Hurricanes, Central, Columbus Blue Jackets, Eastern Conference, Florida Panthers, New York Islanders, Southeast, St. Louis Blues, Western Conference   Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,