Jordan Tootoo and the Nashville Predators clash with St. Louis tonight in the Blues home opener.
If you are a Blues Fan Here’s what you’ll see besides the unveiling of the Blues new mascot.
Barret Jackman seeing plenty of ice time on the power play. It wasn’t too long ago that Jackman was considered a one way D-man who didn’t have the ability to adjust to the new NHL. I have been writing for a while now that Jackman is no slug, he has the ability to move the puck and make safe plays in the offensive end. Is he your prototypical defenseman on the pp? No, but when you look at the Blues options on the blue line they are pretty thin in this area. Jackman has an underrated one timer. His shot gets to the net which is what you want. He pulls the puck across the line very well and is maybe the smartest defenseman the Blues have. Will Jackman lug the puck up ice across the line? No, but he will more often than not make the right decision. He has been the Blues best D-man since the start of camp and is playing for a contract, all this PP time will only raise his value. Too many people stereotype players in this game and Jackman is stiff arming his critics. The Blues need him in the worst way, if he stays healthy the Blues will have a difficult time allowing him to walk at the end of the season.
With all this being said, Jackman will mostly see pp time with the second unit. Christian Backman and Erik Johnson will be the pair on the top unit.
Lee Stempniak will drop back with Jackman and man the point when Backman and Johnson come off.
What you won’t see tonight-
Dan Hinote is in the second year of a three year deal worth three million bucks, but he can’t seem to crack the lineup right now. The Blues have lots of depth on the roster who play a shutdown role and as we sit today Hinote is the odd man out. Look for him to get in there sometime soon and replace Ryan Johnson, he has more offensive upside than R. Johnson. I would like to see Hinote find his rhythm as a St. Louis Blue. He was a popular player in Colorado because he brought tons of character to the table. He’s a very good situational player, meaning if you need a big hit or a fight to electrify the crowd he will do it. He has a very strong understanding of how to execute his role. Injuries forced him to miss 41 games last season. Hinote has no physical excuse for not being in the lineup which is the hardest part for him to deal with. Last Saturday was the first time since his rookie season that he was a healthy scratch.
You also won’t see rookie David Perron Wednesday night. People are criticizing Andy Murray for not using him. I laugh when I hear people say “what’s the point of having him here if he’s not going to play”. Perron was kept here to learn how to be an NHL player. Here’s why he in St. Louis as opposed to Lewiston in the QMJHL.
So he can practice at an NHL tempo every day. Every practice for Perron is like a game to him. He’s facing quality D-men like Jackman, and Bryce Salvador every practice, receiving passes from Doug Weight, Keith Tkachuk, Paul Kariya and most importantly is getting stronger. Working with the Blues strength and conditioning coach is the biggest thing for this kid. Keeping Perron is just as much about the future as it is about right now.
Rink rats!
Sources tell me Islanders forward Jon Sim is out for the season with a knee injury.
Look for Hockey Night in Canada to rotate other former NHL players on the hot stove roundtable in a few weeks the same way they are using Scott Mellanby.
Blues Clues!
Blues Owner Dave Checketts hosted all the players and their wives at his St. Louis condo following practice on Tuesday. Checketts gave a nice heartfelt pep talk concentrating on the importance of strong character. Checketts talked about how the Blues have a big opportunity to do something special this season. President John Davidson and Coach Andy Murray also spoke to the players and their families.
Eric Brewer was scheduled to put the boots on this morning in attempt to keep up his conditioning. He is still expected to miss a few more weeks with a shoulder injury. This is the same shoulder he separated a few seasons ago. Brewer has already started range of motion exercises. Brewer does not regret coming to the defense of Jackman last Thursday in Phoenix. Brewer who played in the Western League realizes this is just how it works. He initially thought the hit on Jackman was much worse than it was.
Jay Mckee skated for about 20 minutes with pucks on Tuesday as he tries to recover from a fractured foot. He quickly realized skating is much different than walking. Mckee is still at least a few weeks away and will continue skating every day to keep his groins and hip flexors strong.
After the Blues returned home from Los Angeles late Saturday night Andy Murray hopped in his car and drove several hours up to Minnesota to watch his son Jordy play a game for Shattock St. Mary’s.
Erik Johnson has a hairline fracture in his foot. Not extremely serious, but it will hold him out a few days and will not play in the home opener.
The 1997 AAA Amateur Blues are ranked #1 in North America. Former NHL D-man Jeff Brown is the Head Coach. Keith Tkachuk is quick to remind you he’s Brown’s assistant.
Big Congratulations to Blues Public relations assistant Scott Bonanni and his wife Jen on the birth of daughter Alaina Marie who was born Monday morning at 11:12. Alaina weighed in at seven pounds and eleven ounces!
My NHL radio show, Blues Buzz, will come your way this Thursday evening at 6:00 as opposed to 7:00 on 1380 espn.
More to come,
Andy Strickland
[email protected] 
St Louis Blues Blogger •1380 ESPN • 
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