By Alexander Monaghan
President

Just 11:14 into Tuesday nights tilt between the St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings, forward Chris Stewart would drive defenseman Niklas Kronwall into the boards. The hit, which was several feet away from the boards, came from behind and was therefore given the appropriate checking from behind major and game misconduct.

See for yourself, Kronwall had close to no way of protecting himself from becoming a human accordion.

Stewart could face further disciplinary action from NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan even though Kronwall would later return to the ice. While the hit appears clear cut, Blues captain David Backes felt the punishment fit the crime. From St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

“Kronwall comes back,” Backes said. “(Stewart) has already been penalized for five (minutes) and missing the game … a five-minute power play against Detroit can be a death sentence. I don’t know. You look at the criteria put forth. (Stewart) has never been suspended before, never had a hearing before. Kronwall looks injured on the play, but he comes back. Is it an ugly hit? Yeah, it’s not pretty. But he’s a hard-nosed guy that has to play with that edge to be effective out there.”

We can certainly understand where Backes is coming from. Stewarts’ clean record could help him out when it comes to judgment day — Stewie holds 209 NHL games on his NHL resume. Then again, just because someone never committed a dirty play in the past doesn’t necessarily mean they are incapable of doing so.

As usual with questionable plays and suspensions we leave a vote to the user, who can help guide us through this much debated topic.

By David Strehle
NHL Hot Stove Managing Editor

Davis Payne was relieved of his duties as head coach of the struggling
St. Louis Blues late last night and was replaced by Ken Hitchcock.

Payne had taken over as interim head coach when Andy Murray was fired last January.  After the team had finished the year on such a positive note with a 23-15-4 mark, he was made the permanent bench boss.

With expectations increased for the new season, the Blues had gotten off to a disappointing 6-7 start in their first 13 contests.

Hitchcock returns to an NHL bench for the first time since February of 2010. (Photo credit: Jamie Sabau / NHLI / Getty Images)

A news conference will be held on Monday to officially announce the hiring of Hitchcock with GM Doug Armstrong, who has a bit of history with Hitchcock.  The two were in the exact roles at the same time with the Dallas Stars, and both have worked together for Team Canada in international competition.

Of course, Dallas is where Hitchcock experienced his greatest triumph, winning the Stanley Cup in 1999.

In a telephone interview with the Associated Press, Payne said he was blind-sided by the decision:

“It’s shocking and it’s disappointing, but in the end, you’re responsible for all the areas of your hockey team.  There were pieces that weren’t firing on all cylinders and it’s under my umbrella of responsibility.”

One of Hitchcock’s first orders of business will be to try to get those cylinders firing again.  Specifically, a couple of Blues that were being counted on for big contributions, but have slumped mightily in the season’s first month.

Jaroslav Halak was acquired last year to become the franchise goaltender and after a promising 2010-11 season, has been terrible in the new campaign.  Halak is just 1-6-0, witha  3.35 goals-against average, and an awful .856 save percentage.  Backup netminder Brian Elliott has played well in relieving the laboring Halak, posting a 5-1-0 record, with a 1.72 GAA and .941 save percentage.

Winger Chris Stewart was picked up from the Colorado Avalanche last February in exchange for franchise defenseman Erik Johnson, and was expected to be a key goal contributor.  After scoring 15 goals and 23 points in 26 games with St. Louis down the stretch following his acquisition, Stewart has gotten off to ahorrendous start this year with just two goals and three points in the 13 contests.

By making the move and hiring Hitchcock now, the Blues locked the coach away from any other teams that may have been eyeing his services.

There was much speculation in the Wells Fargo Center press box in
Philadelphia on Saturday night that Columbus head coach Scott
Arniel was in danger of losing his job, and that Hitchcock would be brought back as coach as the Flyers trampled the seemingly disinterested Blue Jackets, 9-2.  Arniel’s troops basically were sleep-walking through the first two periods of the game, and in the end very much looked the part as the NHL’s worst team. 

With a 2-11-1 record and four days off prior to the Jackets next game – at home against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night – the train of thought was this would be the perfect time for the club to make a move before the entire season was lost.  And the perfect man for the job?  Why not the one that they were still paying since his dismissal in February of 2010?

That’s right.  Hitchcock.  So if the Jackets wanted to bring “Hitch” back, it would have been a done deal, so to speak.

Columbus is already struggling to put fans in the seats, and financially, Hitchcock would have been a good choice – since they were already paying him.  But Jackets brass must have felt that Hitchcock just wasn’t the right fit for the club.

After picking up what the team felt were key building blocks in forward Jeff Carter and defenseman James Wisniewski during the summer, talk of Columbus making a playoff run was coming from everyone in the organization. 

That’s what makes their start that much more disappointing.

If the Blue Jackets are to make a coaching change – which many feel will be the case – they will look elsewhere to find Arniel’s successor.

LATimes.com: LA Kings and defenseman Drew Doughty agree to an eight year, $56 million contract.

 
It appears Doughty and his agent Don Meehan won the showdown with General Manager Dean Lombardi. The blockbuster deal eclipses the $6.8 AAV limit Lombardi had previously refused to budge on by $200,000 per season. Is he worth it? The CEO of AEG, the Kings parent company, Tim Leiweke sure thinks so. He said Thursday, “Let’s go win some Cups.”
 
True, the last major personnel piece has added to in theory push the Kings to an elite level for the upcoming season and beyond. But many more questions remain regarding the team as a whole to fulfill the Stanley Cup finals predictions of some pundits.
 
- A significant roster shakeup and the addition of Mike Richards alters team chemistry and the locker room. How will they respond?
- For as well as Doughty plays he is still being paid largely on potential. Can he return to Norris finalist quality or will 2011-12 be as up and down as 2010-11?
- They are a virtual lock for the top eight in the West. Can they win a playoff round? They haven’t since 2001.
 
Parallels can certainly be drawn between this Kings club and the 2008-09 Chicago Blackhawks. They two were a sexy pick before the regular season began. Prove what you can do first and then the lofty prognostications are a little easier to believe.
 

Puck Daddy: Alex Radulov is none too happy in the KHL right now.

 
As Dmitry Chesnokov points out in his post, the percentage is low that the one time Nashville Predators froward returns to Smashville to finish out the final season of his ELC, but Barry Trotz could sure use him.
 
Heading in to the campaign the Preds leading scorer is lifer Martin Erat who chipped in with just 17 goals and 50 points last season. There is no knowing if Sergei Kostitsyn’s 23 goal and 50 points in 77 games played performance is for real and will carry over  or if he was a flash in the pan. Besides those two their only other “known” scoring threat is Patric Hornqvist. Who is more known for collecting garbage around the net and stirring the pot than his skill level.
 
Radulov would bring an injection of world class skill to be the creator for Erat and Hornqvist and reduce pressure on Kostitsyn. Sure, a full season of Mike Fischer and a year wiser Colin Wilson may make a big difference, but this club is expected to make the playoffs. Wishing and hoping that top six forwards can net more than 50 points is playing with standings regressive fire in the wild west.
 
 

BlueNoteZone: TJ Oshie, Patrik Berglund and Chris Stewart look the part of a top line against the Avalanche.

 
Every team needs a go to line that can jump on the ice in any situation and change the course of a game. The most famous, or infamous to some, example is the trio of Bobby Ryan, Ryan Getzlef and Corey Perry out in Anaheim. The Blues may have found their version last night.
 
While both Blues’ scoring lines were on point in their 3-1 victory over Colorado, the Berglund line was the best on the ice. Consistently dominating the play below the red line and along the boards. The proof was on the score sheet for those who couldn’t see it. They combined for two goals and an assist with seven shots on goal.
 
Berglund has been a beast in camp and the preseason looking to prove he’s worth a big time contract with the two year “prove me” deal expires. Oshie and Stewart are in contract years.
 
Size? Berglund 6’4, 218 lbs and Stewart 6’2, 228 lbs. Check.
Skill? Oshie dangles once and scores from his knees and Stewart streaks end to end and scores. Check.
Chemistry? Developing quickly.
 
The potential for a great line is there. Will the next step be taken (isn’t that always the question in St. Louis in the Checketts era)? Watch out if they do.
 

Edmonton Journal: Will the top selection in the 2011 entry draft crack the Oilers lineup?.

 
Though the article comes from the start of training camp, it poses one of the biggest questions in the Western Conference this preseason. Should Ryan Nugent-Hopkins play out the season in Edmonton?
 
Recent history favors his continued presence in the OIlers lineup. Recent highly touted top picks like teammate Taylor Hall, John Tavares, Steven Stamkos and Patrik Kane have all come in to the NHL and found measured levels of immediate success and continued improvement. Though all considered “smaller” players at the time of their arrival by today’s standards they have not struggled amongst the trees. They’ve all had adjustment periods, but have come out ahead by fighting through it directly rather than by differing to another season after going back and cake walking the juniors scene.
 
The one detraction could be the excessive amount of youth in Edmonton. But teams have learned from the Phoenix Coyotes’ mistakes of overloading a roster with youth. The summer acquisitions of Ryan Smyth and  Eric Belanger as well as (hopefully) full seasons with captain Shawn Horcoff and scoring ace Ales Hemsky healthy should alleviate that concerns.
 
RNH will find success and good advice wherever he plays, but in the NHL he will find success and mentors that are more beneficial to his career.
 

Detroit News: Red Wings owner Illitch says Bettman has promised a move to the Eastern Conference.

 
All is fair in love and war. Hockey is a bit of both so there should be no surprise that the Detroit Red Wings will be pushing every button on Gary Bettman they can find to get a cushy travel schedule. But the issue of realignment isn’t theirs alone to resolve. There are 29 other clubs who have an equal stake in the process. The league as a whole must come first.
 
Taking away the Western Conference’s biggest attraction will negatively impact the revenue of every other western team. For teams like St. Louis, Colorado, Phoenix, Dallas and Nashville , all clubs with attendance or money problems, the Wings coming to town is a sure fire sellout. That’s money they need to not profit, but just to break even.
 
An acceptable compromise would be to alter the schedule composition and reduce the number of games the Wings play in the Pacific timezone, but with a three division system that won’t be easily achieved. Don’t be surprised if the league pushes for the Sidney Crosby philosophy to be applied in realignment scenarios. What is best for the league’s top player/team/franchise is what’s best for the league overall.

By David Strehle
NHL Hot Stove Managing Editor

By now most everyone in the hockey community has heard about the reprehensible and cowardly act of some idiot in the stands at the John Labatt Centre, London, Ontario during the exhibition game last night between the Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers.

The Background

For those who have been without internet or smart phone access, or stranded on a desert island for the past 26 hours, here’s a brief recap of what occurred:

The game was not available to watch in the Philadelphia area as it was not televised, and the live stream available on the Flyers’ official website was not working properly.  So for those of us interested in the play of some of the rookies battling for roster spots, as well as the players that are new to the team through the numerous summer transactions, details would only be forthcoming via Twitter from the club’s group of beat writers.

Simmonds (Photo credit: AP Wire photo)

One of the players of interest in this pre-season has been winger Wayne Simmonds, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Kings along with Brayden Schenn in exchange for former-Flyer captain Mike Richards in one of the summer’s largest-scale blockbuster trades.

And Simmonds has been one of the club’s best players, scoring a goal in each of the two games in which he has appeared.

With the Flyers trailing Detroit 3-1 and less than three minutes left in regulation, goals by James van Riemsdyk (his second of the night, with 2:45 remaining) and Simmonds (with just 53 seconds on the clock), sent the game into overtime.

No winner was determined in the extra five minutes, so the contest would be decided in a shootout.

Philadelphia was the first team to shoot, and Simmonds was the Flyers opening shooter.  When I saw what transpired next through Frank Seravalli of the Daily News, I had to read his tweets multiple times because I didn’t think what I was reading could be correct:

@DNFlyersFrank Seravalli

“And I’m not kidding you, it was a banana. I need to get confirmation when I go down to the locker room. #stunned“

By Alexander Monaghan
President 

Photo Credit: Tabercil

Last night, the Colorado Avalanche officially signed their 2011 first round picks Gabriel Landeskog and Duncan Siemens. We saw this coming when Adrian Dater of The Denver Post explained “it’ll get done soon my little birdies are telling me.” The Avs seemed required to sign Landeskog in order to hit the cap floor next season — his unconfirmed cap hit is $3.8 million according to Cap Geek.

There is no question that signing these youngsters will go a long way. The Avs now hold many, many valuable chips with top prospects Joey Hishon, Tyson Barrie and Stefan Elliott all ready to make the jump into the professional ranks either this year or next. In addition, they currently roster 14 NHL forwards, not counting Landeskog or NHL-ready players like Mark Olver, Greg Mauldin and Ryan Stoa.

On the back-end, the same trend continues as at least seven NHL players have already been signed with RFA Kyle Cumiskey still not inked to a pact. Blue-liners like Jonas Holos and Cameron Gaunce, who played regularly last season, will need to earn their playing time with a big club and could very well be passed on the depth chart by Siemens, Elliott or Barrie for that matter.

About a month ago, I projected Landeskog to not only make the team next year but actually make an impact on one of the top two lines.  If you pencil him into a top-6 wing position — which is again necessary to hit the cap floor — you can also assume David Jones, Milan Hedjuk and a healthy Peter Mueller all fit into the remaining slots. That leaves only six legitimate forward slots if all players remain healthy with Ryan O’Reilly, Daniel Winnik and Jay McClement all-but-guaranteed playing time on a checking line. In fact, those three were previously mentioned in last season’s top 10 penalty killing forwards; expect them to play.

So we have three spots available for some pretty decent talent, including Chuck Kobasew, Cody McLeod, Brandon Yip, TJ Galiardi, Kevin Porter and Swedish import Joakim Lindstrom. Where are the Avs putting these players?

According to James Mirtle of The Globe and Mail, the Avs lost 5.35 players per-game last season. If you were to subtract five players from their current configuration of the 29 players likely to have a chance then the team still rounds out a standard 23-man roster with a few reserves on the Lake Erie Monsters. When you take into account that the Avalanche were pretty good before losing players like Tomas Fleischmann, Galiardi, Chris Stewart for a significant chunk of the season, then they might not be back into the lottery equation. At least GM Greg Sherman prays he did not lose a potential lottery pick in acquiring Semyon Varlamov.

By shaking up a team that nosedived following a momentum-building 1.5 seasons, Sherman gambled with chemistry and consistency. However, should their man-games lost decrease to the median 2.5-3 players-per game then the Avs might just hold enough depth to get them back into the playoffs. Varlamov, in my opinion, should be the most worrisome injury-prone player, but he showed at times he can play at an elevated level. Regardless, this team should be fun to watch with a good mix of young up-and-comers surrounding the core of Stastny, Duchene and Erik Johnson.

By Alexander Monaghan
President

Photo Credit: Brad Jones

At this point in time, the Colorado Avalanche hold the number two selection in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, making them quite the story.  In addition, their blockbuster, mid-season trade in which they sent Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk to the St. Louis Blues netted them the number-11 selection in the draft, making their position somewhat unique.

Despite finishing with the second worst record in the NHL, this Avalanche team actually started the year on fire before key injuries eventually caught up with them. If completely healthy, they still hold a pretty solid top-6 led by Paul Stastny and Matt Duchene and supplemented by Peter Mueller, Milan Hejduk, TJ Galiardi and David Jones. The key word in that past sentence however, is healthy, and the Avs were anything but.

Mueller never played a since game following a preseason concussion. Tomas Fleischmann came to the team and provided an immediate spark before also missing the rest of the season due to a blood clot in his lung. If you wondering if he is healthy enough to start next season, the answer is yes but his choice of sweater is another story. Hejduk battled injuries as did Galiardi and neither seemed to get back on track after returning. In fact, their most consistent winger was probably Jones, who potted a career-high 27 goals — tied for the team lead.

So with these two high first-round picks, the Avs have needs. Considering the goaltending pool is considered to be weak this year, they presumably would not be going that route with either picks. However, their decision clearly remains a mystery, to us. Internally, the team has decided who to select, according to Director of Amateur Scouting Rick Pracey.

From Colorado Avalanche:

We have had our meetings and gone through the whole process.  We are prepared and ready to go.  In our minds, we have made our list and the order has been set.  Everything is taken care of.  At this point in time, everything is set.  Our mind and decision has been made.

Let’s take a look at some likely, and even unlikely scenarios the Avs could go with.

SCENARIO #1: Adam Larsson

Photo Credit: Canada Hky

Assuming Ryan Nugent-Hopkins does not go first overall to the Edmonton Oilers, the Avs may take the top defenseman available in Larsson. Standing tall at 6’3″, this Swedish import could be exactly what this team needs to supplement cornerstone Erik Johnson and top prospect Stefan Elliott which would certainly become a boon for the rebuild. Some teams choose to build from the net out and that would be exactly the direction this team would be going, cementing a solid foundation to continue building upon.

When questioned about Larsson, it seems very clear the brass thinks highly of him.

From Colorado Avalanche:

He is another player of great interest of ours.  He is a defenseman who moves well.  He has experience at a higher league playing in the Swedish Elite League for the past two seasons.  His on-ice development has made him attractive.  He can make plays.  He is an intelligent player with and without the puck.  He has a competitive nature to him.  He is a player that we have seen not only seen internationally (Word Junior Championships) but our scouting staff went into the Swedish Elite League and watched his Skelleftea team during its playoff run.  We have seen him amongst his peers and in his league.  We were very impressed.  In terms of the qualities of an NHL defenseman, we think he is the best (of the draft).  He is another name that is at the top of the board.

To say the least, he should be a nice fit if selected.

Back in April (yes, before the scouting staff was assembled; we know) our Florida Panther correspondent Bill Whitehead leaked a source’s info which indicated the Avs would take Larsson, if available. Although we are called NHLHotStove.com, generating rumors for the sake of it is simply not one of our interests; in fact it goes against our mission statement. With three years of credentialed experience, we trust in our reporter to give factual information with the sources he has accrued over the years.

Our very own guest mock drafter, J. Scott Moore of Real Denver Sports and Hockey Independent also thinks the Avs would take Larsson and their signing of his former teammate Joakim Lindstrom is in fact to make the rookie feel more comfortable in his adjustment. In this case we firmly believe that the Avs take Larsson, if available, but if he is not taken, they could take different route and select…

SCENARIO #2: St. John Sea Dogs

Photo Credit: Resurfacing the Ice

Very rarely does a team have an opportunity to take teammates. The New York Islanders made a variety of moves to do just that back in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by selecting John Tavares first overall and then taking his former mate from the Oshawa Generals, defenseman Calvin de Haan. Typically when two players of high draft rank are teammates they get taken relatively close to each other as Nino Niederreiter and Ryan Johansen proved last season getting selected with the fourth and fifth overall pick, respectively.

Personally, I like winners and so should the Avs. They also like Jonathan Huberdeau as admitted by Pracey. “But this year, the names that are floating out there are Adam Larsson, Sean Couturier, Jonathan Huberdeau, Gabriel Landeskog, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.” In theory, that statement would indicate little separation between Larsson, Huberdeau and even RNH.

Furthermore, we know Pracey likes Huberdeau as a player — and who shouldn’t after he became the top offensive player on a Memorial Cup winning team.

Again, From Colorado Avalanche:

On Huberdeau: He is a player who had a very strong season from start to finish in terms of his Quebec-league season.  He gained a ton of momentum along the year.  He came to the forefront in the Quebec league as a scorer on a consistent level.  He also has size and is good two-way player.  He is diligent away from the puck and he is a player that, in terms of projection, looks like he is on the upside.  Things are going to get better and better.  He is a very interesting prospect.  He has a ton of qualities that should translate into the NHL level.  In terms of projection, it started for him during the playoffs a year ago, continuing onto this regular season and another great playoff run from start to finish as they won the Memorial Cup.  He is a player of interest as well.

In addition, they could find themselves looking at a package deal as his teammate, Nathan Beaulieu, finds himself being selected anywhere between the eighth overall pick and the 20th. As a solid, puck-moving defenseman Beaulieu could spell Shattenkirk while Huberdeau replaces Stewart in the top-6, bringing a winning attitude from the Junior ranks to a very respectable young core.

Of course, there are plenty of other options like…

SCENARIO #3: Trading down for more picks

Photo Credit: Mafue

A somewhat less likely scenario but with such little separation between the top six prospects, the Avs could acquire a second round pick and still get the player they want. With no second or third round pick on a rebuilding team it clearly makes sense to acquire as many assets as possible. Again, this move would be taking a page out of the Islanders playbook when they chose to move down numerous times in order to eventually take Josh Bailey.

How did that play out?

At this point in time Bailey holds the third most points among 2008 draftees with 88, behind only Drew Doughty and Steven Stamkos. An argument could be made for his 211 games played which are fourth behind the aforementioned and Luke Schenn but we don’t deduct points for NHL readiness. In fact, it should almost be applauded that he has been as good as he is considering the circumstances.

When asked, Pracey discussed the advantage the Avalanche had the last two years in holding picks in every round. Right now they lack a second and third round pick, which has been acknowledged by the team.

Again, From Colorado Avalanche:

We have absences of picks in the second and third rounds at this point in time.  But being at the top of every round, it gives us a little bit of an advantage.  It is not always the greatest thing, with the way the season ended, but come draft time one thing we noticed back in the Matt Duchene/Ryan O’Reilly/Tyson Barrie draft, getting those picks that are high in every round certainly puts you in a better position and we think you almost end up being a round ahead in terms of our planning process and what we think will be available in those spots as well.

From the sound of it, Pracey certainly would not object to acquiring a few picks if their player is still on the board. Clearly this approach is unorthodox as the number-two pick in the draft holds lofty value if the price is right. Of course, the team could go their direction from last year and choose a player…

SCENARIO #4: Off the board

Photo Credit: Tabercil

Last year the Avs chose Joey Hishon with the 17th overall pick, seemingly out of nowhere. An undersized center with skill playing on a weak Owen Sound Attack, the team certainly went off the board. The 2010 Central Scouting Bureau placed Hishon 55th in overall North American skaters most likely due to his size. Little did everyone know that Hishon would immediately become their top prospect and carry his team to first place in the OHL Western Conference, not to mention a strong run in the Memorial Cup. The Avs picked a winner and at a severely discounted rate. In fact, one could argue they might have been able to take him a round or two later.

However, in Hishon, the Avs not only have a top prospect, but a player who should either play in the NHL or AHL next year, according to John Canario of Hockey’s Future.

From Hockey’s Future:

With little more to prove in the OHL, Hishon will likely make the jump to either the AHL or NHL next year. Which league he plays in could be determined by his performance at the Avalanche’s training camp prior to next season, though the Avalanche are deep up the middle with Paul Stastny, Matt Duchene and Ryan O’Reilly.

As Cody Nickolet of WHL from Above opines, the Avs would not surprise anyone by taking a player off the board. I won’t pretend to know more than a CHL play-by-play announcer who actually lives in hockey’s motherland but some of those options do look intriguing at the 11 spot. In fact, Boone Jenner is a name heard increasingly more as we near the actual draft with comparisons to current center Ryan O’Reilly. Taking a player like Jenner or even workout-buff, defenseman Connor Murphy could be a somewhat likely scenario, unlike our last option of…

SCENARIO #5: Going right down the ranks

The Duchene pick was right down the middle as the consensus pick and many pundits have given them a predictable player at 11 — names ranging from Sven Bartschi to Duncan Siemens to even Joel Armia. Taking a guy like Beaulieu, as suggested above, would even be considered a consensus pick at the slot. Although we believe this scenario to be the least likely, at least mentioning it gives credence to the idea.

This organization continues to thrive on a high-octane offense but their identity as a team has ranged anywhere from Europeans to players from the Canadian Juniors to plenty of former US collegiate players. At this point, it remains anyone’s guess, but it has been quite fun to prognosticate.

Agree, disagree? Express yourselves in the comments!

There were many holes in the St. Louis Blues organization identified when the Dave Checketts, John Davidson and Larry Pleau rebuilding era began.

1. Organizational depth to counter injuries and free agency churn.
2. Offense from the blueline.
3. Long term goaltending solution.
4. A defensive anchor.
5. An offensive workhorse.

Many have proven difficult to appropriately address. Erik Johnson couldn’t execute and reach the industry standard expectations of a 1st overall selection. Erasing the check marks from numbers 2 and 4. Injures have greatly tested the depth and as the Blues record shows, improved drafting outcomes aren’t ready to show the full return on investment. But that time is coming soon as current General Manager Doug Armstrong retools the lineup. Alex Pietrangelo, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Jaroslav Halak have helped to cover items 2 and 3. Roman Polak has at times adequately filled number 4, but the search goes on for a top level shut down defender.

With band-aids in place and some about ready to be removed, the last gap, the most glaring of them all, has been filled.

Since forward Chris Stewart was obtained from the Colorado Avalanche all he has done is produce points. More importantly, he’s put buried the puck behind opposing netminders with ruthless efficiency. To the tune of 15 goals and 23 points in 25 games. Including 5 multi-goal efforts.

The hockey world (and Blues fans) already knew about his prowess long before the trade. Since 2008 Stewart had been pure kryptonite to the Note. The greatest Blues killer netted 8 goals and registered 17 points in 9 career games against the Note. Goals coming virtually every way imaginable. Power moves to the net, deflections, quick snap shots flying down the wing. You name a way of scoring and he’s done it or come very close against his new club.

With such diversity in his finishing ability combined with the rare blend of size, speed, and skill, (and willingness to drop the mitts) comparisons to two future Hall of Fame power forwards are inevitable. Former Blue, Brendan Shanahan and current Calgary Flames captain, Jarome Iginla.

By the Numbers:
Shanahan: 59 goals in 206 games | .286 goals/game.
Iginla: 62 goals in 234 games | .265 goals/game.
Stewart: 62 goals in 179 games | .346 goals/game.

Don’t care for the Hall of Fame comparisons? How about some similar, “younger” players over their first three full seasons.

Corey Perry: 59 goals in 138 games | .428 goals/game.
Milan Lucic: 34 goals in 199 games | .171 goals/game.
David Backes: 54 goals in 203 games | .266 goals/game.
Brooks Laich: 36 goals in 228 games | .158 goals/game.
Alex Burrows: 22 goals in 206 games | .106 goals/game.
James Neal: 73 goals in 224 games | .326 goals/game.

A pretty respectable group Stewart has surpassed or have kept a close pace to. But stats can’t tell the whole story.

Lighting the lamp and being a reliable fabricator of offense takes more than talent and skill. The mental toughness to grind out every game and the will to win are just as much a requirement. There is no better example of will + skill = results than when Sidney Crosby decided he needed to score more goals. All the proof needed to say Stewart is cut from the same “I’ve got the will to succeed” mold comes in Jeremy Rutherford’s article. Where the Blues beat writer for the St. Louis Post Dispatch covers where Stewart came from and what he has fought through to make it to the NHL. A hard working guy from humble beginnings makes his way to the big show. How can St. Louis fans not buy in to the hype with a guy like that? Especially when Stanley Cup winning defenseman Adam Foote said “‘This [Stewart] is the future captain”.

What the future holds for the Toronto native is unknown. Given who was sent packing to acquire his services, Stewart will be a long term center piece in Armstrong’s vision of the Blues. Every opportunity to develop in to what what the numbers say he could be will be his. If this season’s 26 game glimpse in to what Stewart can achieve becomes the norm, the Blues have found their offensive workhorse.

By Bill Kellett

With that in mind I thought it would be fun to look at some of the things that did happen this year and if anyone predicted things to play out the way they did

Best trade: It is rare when you can look at a deal and say both teams got exactly what they needed, usually one team gains an advantage over the other especially in the cap driven NHL economy, so it is refreshing to see a deal such as the one made by the St. louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche a few days prior to deadline.

Colorado dealt Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk to St Louis for Erik Johnson and Jay McClement. Early dividends go to St.Louis, but the Avs certainly pick up the best overall player in the deal. Both teams improved themselves yet both teams get fair value. There will also be picks changing hands in this deal and in the long run that will ultimately determine who wins, but for now kudos to both these clubs for taking a risk and coming out ahead.

Worst trade: In a season where there arent many deals done, it’s hard to really point to a bad deal per say, so let go back to the summer for a deal which has turned out to be less than expected.

At the draft in June the Vancouver Canucks dealt young forward Michael Grabner, Steve Bernier and their 1st round pick (which Florida used to select Quinton Howden) for Keith Ballard and Victor Oreskovich. The deal was met with much skepticism in Vancouver and for good reason, Grabner was showing the year previous that he was beginning to show the form that made him a 1st round pick in 2004.

What Vancouver ended up getting was a defenceman who is inconsistent and has had his share of a press box view this year. He was also touted as being especially strong on special teams and could pot a few goals. He hasnt. Ballard no doubt strengthened the Canucks back end but this team is deep anyway and with the emergence of youngsters Chris Tanev, Lee Sweatt and Yann Sauve back there, one wonders if Ballard is really the right fit.

On the flip side the Florida Panthers may have committed the biggest indiscretion of the year when they put Michael Grabner on waivers and he was scooped up by the New York Islanders. 30 some goals later and he is making both teams look foolish.

Best non trade: Again we go back to the league leading Canucks. There was much speculation on the team possibly dealing goalie Cory Schneider. It was assumed that since he was a highly sout after prospect that he could bring a lot in return. Many people (myself included) were figuring it was the right time to deal him and bring in some much needed depth to go forward. Instead Mike Gillis ignored the pundits and kept Schneider on payroll and he has repaid them with a sparkling season, one worthy of Calder consideration.

Schneider has been nothing short of brilliant in his time this season. With Roberto Luongo and Schneider the Canucks have the best tandem in the league and possibly one of the best in the last ten years. Not only that but Schneider is making a case for the Canucks to deal him in the summer and get even more than they would have early int he year.

Biggest surprise (team): For the best part of the season I would have to have picked the New Jersey Devils as the most surprising teams, and not for the right reasons. They were awful, looking like a Junior B team on many nights and Martin Brodeur looking like the second coming of Dave Reece. Then with the team seemingly out of it the team fired coach John MacLean just prior to Christmas and brought in veteran coach Jacques Lemaire and it was like a light went on. The team went on an amazing run and by early March had worked themselves into the possibility of a playoff spot. Things were going so wrong and now suddenly are going so right, it has been the ultimate roller coaster ride, the likes I have never seen.

Biggest surprise(Player): This one is a toss up and though it may seem obvious i just cant feel comfortable giving it to just one guy. Both Grabner and Tim Thomas are deserving of this honour. Grabner shocked everyone with his breakout performance this year, especially when you consider he plays for one of the worst teams in the league. After an off season trade from Vancouver to Florida then subsequently being placed on waivers it appeared that Grabner was nothing more than a spare part, but the Islanders took a chance on him and what a payoff they got. Grabner notched 30 goals and brought some hope to the floundering franchise. He has shown the skill that made him a 1st round pick and is making a very legitimate case for rookie of the year.

On the other side is veteran goaltender Thomas of the Boston Bruins. Many believed he had an off year last season and was unseeded as the teams number one goalie by youngster Tuukka Rask. There were trade rumours swirling all summer and at one point it was believed he was close to being dealt to Tampa Bay, for whatever reason it fell through and how lucky are the Bruins that it did. Thomas has been brilliant this season and may end up posting the best GAA of the modern era. He is the runaway winner of the Vezina trophy in my opinion and has instilled confidence in the Bruins, making them almost unstoppable down the stretch. We all knew he was a good goalie, but right now he is proving he is a great goalie.

Most underrated trade: Say what you want about Garth Snow and the New York Islanders, even the dumbest GM sometimes makes a steal, and that appears to be just what Snow did in his acquisition of goaltender Al Montoya. The deal went almost under the radar when made because it was thought that Montoya would be nothin more than a depth guy and he had already been labeled a bust years ago after the New York Rangers, who had drafted him in the 1st round, gave up on him. Montoya spent the last few seasons toiling in Phoenix and Snows acquisition of him for a 6th round pick was viewed as just another failed atempt to add a cheap player, but it turned out to be more.

Montoya played superbly since coming to Long Island and has made a case for being the starter next season. He also earned himself a contract extension for next season. Montoya may be a flash in the pan or it may just simply be a case of a late bloomer finally geting his game together, time will tell but the Islanders are better for the deal.

To say that the 2010-11 NHL season didn’t go as planned for the St. Louis Blues is an understatement.

What started out as a promising campaign, a 9-1-2 record through the first 12 games, succumbed to the pressures of injuries, lack of depth and inexperience. Pacing the Note for their fifth finish outside the playoff picture in the six seasons since the lockout. Such holes proved just far too deep for comparatively shallow pockets who struggle to afford a cheap KHL step stool let alone a well built NHL ladder.

With this season fading in to obscurity, the re-building era will end with a resounding thud. All the “should bes”, “what ifs” and “best case scenarios” parlayed by ownership and the front office haven’t panned out. There is no faulting them for their words and beliefs. Given the circumstances managing owner Dave Checketts and Team President John Davidson did what they could. Working with a shoestring, cap floor scraping payroll budget they had no choice but to acquire as many future assets (and second/third tier free agents) as possible and hope they could catch lightning in a bottle.

Legitimate excuses there may be, but are no longer enough to sate the frustrations of a blue bleeding fan base waiting over 40 years for hockey’s ultimate prize to be paraded down Market Street and 5 years to just to see a glimmer of progress out of the Western Conference’s basement.

General Manager Doug Armstrong appears primed and ready to deliver. To realize the transition from re-builder to contender. His payroll purging and mad grab of draft picks leading up to the trade deadline should supply the needed buffers to allow for an active off season. Just one more variable remains to fall in to place and it is the most important.

The funding.

With the Blues ownership in a state of flux, the great seeing stone only shows cloudy images. Flashes of “what could be”. From adding pay roll and acquiring a a true top line forward and “top 4″ left handed defenseman to barely covering the contracts of key Restricted Free Agents. However, there are some scenario’s that are more likely to play out over the final stretch of games and the off season.

- The youthful, inexperienced core will continue their on the job training. Meaning the likes of TJ Oshie, Chris Stewart, Alex Pietrangelo, Kevin Shattenkirk and Patrik Berglund will continue to be placed in high pressure situations down the stretch. While the fruits of their labor are not reflected in the standings, their effort and proper handling of the situation is showing. Expect confirmation by seasons end that that they are an excellent supporting cast of and one (Stewart) may even become the front man everyone has been waiting for.

- The four to six week depth/role player auditions will carry out for the duration of the season. Who will rise to the top and earn a contract? Ryan Reaves, Chris Porter, Adam Cracknell or Cam Janssen? Who will prove they no longer need additional seasoning in Peoria? Ian Cole, Nikita Nikitin or Phil McRae? It looks like two “tweener” players in Tyson Strachan and TJ Hensick may have missed their last opportunities to get a foothold in the NHL or at least with the Blues.

- David Backes’ case to become the 22nd captain in franchise history will be made in the remaining balance of the season. Assuming Alex Steen would have remained healthy those two would have been tasked with verifying their ascension in to the veteran leadership group with Barret Jackman and Andy McDonald. A group that Armstrong will supplement.

- The search to rediscover the Halakness Monster is on. Jaroslav Halak has struggled more than succeeded in his first year as a clear number one in net. He will be given every opportunity to use the final stretch of games to get his game back to where it was in October. If that means Ty Conklin doesn’t start another game as a member of the Blues, that’s what will happen.

- Roman Polak will continue to lower his earning potential as his level of play has stagnated and even regressed in some aspects since returning from his early season wrist injury.

- There will be trades made on draft day. Whether or not the conditions in the Erik Johnson trade are met, and the Blues lose their first round pick and gain Colorado’s second round pick, or not.

- Prospect forward Vladimir Tarasenko will come over from Russia and factor in to the NHL roster plans for 2011-12.

- Prospect forward Jaden Schwart’s chances of leaving Colorado College after one season are in single digit percentage territory.

- The likelihood of Jonas Junland returning from Sweden is in single digit percentage territory.

- David Perron will continue his post concussion rehab over the summer.

- Oshie will be re-signed to a slightly longer, more lucrative deal than Perron. Think 3 years in the $8-$10 million range.

- RFAs Ben Bishop, Vladimir Sobotka and Matt D’Agostini will return with two year deals.

The future of a few notable names are too muddled with ownership instability to predict at this point. Patrik Berglund has come on strong in the second half and had a bounce back junior effort from a sophomore slump. If budget space becomes available, is he a trading chip to land a more established first line scorer or is he a value signing since he seems to be actualizing some of his potential? Do the potential “arrivals” of Nikitin and Cole make Carlo Colaiacovo and his $2.5 million salary expendable? Could Polak’s rights be moved? Further clearing out the blueline to reinvest in free agency?

All questions and prognostications aside, one thing is for sure. Armstrong is a man of action and will not sit on his hands and just let whatever will be come to pass. He will be proactive in addressing the Blues needs no matter the thickness of fog surrounding financial situation. His transaction history, From Halak to Stewart, in his short tenure at the helm in St. Louis proves that. Just how much of his master plan can be enacted will be storyline to follow.

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As always, you’re welcome to follow me on Twitter: @618_STLBlues and @BlueNoteZone.

By David Strehle
NHLHS Philadelphia Flyers Correspondent

After watching his third defensive pairing struggle during last year’s Stanley Cup Finals against the Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers’ GM Paul Holmgren learned a valuable lesson.

Depth on the blue line during a postseason run to the Finals is an absolute necessity.

As long as the duos of Chris Pronger-Matt Carle or Kimmo Timonen-Braydon Coburn were on the ice, the club was on solid footing.  But with each shift that the Ryan Parent-Lukas Krajicek pairing manned the defensive end, all of Flyers Nation held it’s collective breath.

Holmgren made upgrading his rear guard position an offseason priority, trading for Andrej Meszaros (and Matt Walker, though he has only played in 4 games this season due to salary cap issues and a plethora of injury-related surgeries), and signing Sean O’Donnell to a free agent contract.

Heading into Monday’s NHL trade deadline, the Flyers’ GM is looking to further strengthen his blue line corps.  Adding a defender with a playoff-proven track record seems to be the exclusive focus of the organization at this time.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Rumors began circulating early Friday that the Flyers and Colorado Avalanche were close to completing a deal that would send 39-year-old defenseman Adam Foote to Philadelphia.

This is the 19th NHL season for the rock solid six-foot, two-inch, 220-pound Foote, who is in his second year serving as the Av’s captain.  He has spent all but three seasons with the Quebec Nordiques / Colorado franchise, serving as captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets from the 2005-06 campaign until being deal back to the Avalanche at the 2008 trade deadline.

Even though Foote is in the latter stages of his career, he offers exactly what the Flyers are seeking.   He is still a character player and physical presence that every Cup-hopeful team covets.  He could prove to be a right-handed version of what O’Donnell has brought to the club.  Foote (like O’Donnell) also is a Cup champion, winning with Colorado both in 1996 and 2001.  He has also won an Olympic Gold Medal (2002 for Team Canada), and a Canada Cup (2004).

To say that he would bring additional leadership and experience would be a tremendous understatement, attributes that could be invaluable as the team attempts to bring the Stanley Cup back to Philadelphia for the first time since 1975.

And in the end, that is where Holmgren and the rest of the organization are setting their aim.

Also attractive about Foote is that his $1.25 million contract expires at the end of this season, so the team wouldn’t be tied to any commitment other than what would amount to a playoff rental.

Other defensemen that may be on the Philadelphia radar – Craig Rivet, Buffalo Sabres – 2010-11 salary – $3.5 million – Buffalo is actively shopping the 36-year-old, who recently cleared waivers.  Also a tough blue liner with a right-handed shot, Rivet will be a free agent as campaign’s end; Bryan McCabe, Florida Panthers – 2010-11 salary $5.75 million – free agent after season; Chris Phillips, Ottawa Senators – 2010-11 salary $3.5 million - free agent after season.

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Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Forward:  With the Valentine’s Day acquisition of winger Kris Versteeg from the Toronto Maple Leafs, the club filled another need that it had been searching to fill – a gritty, right-handed shooting natural winger.

Before the season even commenced, two-time Stanley Cup winning free agent Bill Guerin was brought into training camp on a tryout basis.  He was subsequently released and retired from hockey, but the search continued.

When it became apparent that New Jersey Devils captain and two-time Cup champ Jamie Langenbrunner would be traded, Holmgren made an offer to Devils GM Lou Lamoriello.  New Jersey ended up taking a lesser offer to send Langenbrunner back to the Dallas Stars and keep him away from their division-rival.

While the Flyers continued looking, their attention turned to Erik Cole of the Carolina Hurricanes.  Though a left-handed shot, Cole had a direct connection with Philadelphia head coach Peter Laviolette, as the two won a Cup together in Carolina in 2006.

It may have been that the 24-year-old Versteeg was younger and more durable than the injury-prone 32-year-old Cole that Holmgren went another direction.  Or maybe it was the fact that Toronto GM Brian Burke was willing to move Versteeg for picks and not subtract any players from the current roster, and the possible return being required for Cole may have included young power forward in the making James van Riemsdyk.

Whatever the reasoning, Holmgren was able to pick up a young Stanley Cup-winner in Versteeg that is signed through next year at just over $3 million.  Cole makes $2.9 million this season and probably would have been seeking a big raise as an unrestricted free agent this summer, one that the Flyers likely would not have been able to meet.

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Goaltending:  Despite rumors over the past month or so that the team was interested in the likes of Toronto’s Jean-Sebastian Giguere and Florida’s Tomas Vokoun, the likelihood that Holmgren makes a splash for a netminder has decreased over time.

That’s because of the play of Russian rookie Sergei Bobrovsky and veteran backup Brian Boucher.  Though the only NHL club to not have registered a shutout this season, Philadelphia’s 155 goals allowed is tied for fourth lowest in the Eastern Conference. And most importantly, the club continues to win.

In past years there was a need that was not addressed in the Flyers’ crease.  While a move is not completely out of the question, it appears the team is set to begin their quest for the Cup with the status quo.

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Conclusion:  As we head into the weekend preceding Monday’s 3 PM EST trade deadline, the feeling here is that Philadelphia is much like the rest of the league in that the biggest deal has already been completed.

With a couple of blockbusters already consummated in the past couple of weeks – the Tomas Kaberle-to-the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues – Colorado deal of Erik Johnson for Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk deals to name a couple – the time leading up to the actual deadline has likely been more active in major moves than what will occur Monday.

Similarly, the Versteeg acquisition was Holmgren’s major deal.  What will most likely take place from now until the deadline is tweaking the defense.  Foote remains the most probable target, while Rivet is a close second.

In addition to the ages of their two top blue liners, Pronger and Timonen – both will be 36 by the time the playoffs roll around – the recent injury scare has to have Holmgren ready to add able-bodied depth.

In consecutive games, O’Donnell went down with a knee injury that was believed to keep the 39-year-old out of the lineup for 10 days to two weeks;  Oskars Bartulis - a seventh defenseman and long-time healthy scratch that was inserted into the lineup to replace O’Donnell – was leveled by ex-Flyer and current member of the Phoenix Coyotes Scottie Upshall, sending Bartulis head first into the boards.  Bartulis required surgery to repair damage to his shoulder and will be out for 10-12 weeks; Pronger blocked a shot early in the third period last night and missed the rest of the third and overtime.  X-rays showed there was no break to the hand / wrist area, a definite stroke of luck for the Orange-and-Black.

The Flyers today recalled 22-year-old Erik Gustafsson from the Adirondack Phantoms of the AHL.  Gustafsson nearly made the club out of training camp, but was one of the last players cut from the roster.  He has been a bright spot in an otherwise forgettable Phantoms’ season, as he leads the team with 28 assists and is tied for the lead in points with 33.

Danny Syvret remains another option in Adirondack.

One thing that may limit not only Holmgren’s options for trade partners but much of the league is the fact that there are so many teams on the fringe of playoff spots that they don’t know if they’re buyers or sellers.

Colorado has fallen apart and transformed a promising season into a definite seller’s paradise.  They’ve already been involved in a few deals and are in a surprising rebuilding phase, and that bodes well for the Flyers’ chances of picking up Foote.

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If you have any comments or questions, you can email the author at dstrehle@nhlhotstove.com.  You can also follow him on Twitter - @David_Strehle.