First of all, thank you to everyone who participated in this, the second edition of the Blues approval ratings.
When we did the
first quarter ratings some people questioned if the data really meant anything. My answer to them is: Nope. I just thought it would be entertaining to get the opinions of a bunch of fans and put them together like Presidential approval ratings.
Enjoy...
Martin Rucinsky - 0.0% (-7.1%)
No – Like everyone else that voted, I don’t give Rucinsky any leeway for his injury. He’s provided virtually no value to the team this season and the signing as a whole has been a disaster.
Christian Backman - 9.5% (-33.4%)
No – The problem with Backman is that he isn’t especially good at anything. He’s okay offensively, which is why one goal on the season is embarrassing. He’s okay defensively and perhaps even a little underrated in that category by fans that still have high expectations for the former first round pick.
Eric Brewer - 25.0% (+4.9%)
No - As many of the voters pointed out, Brewer has played better lately, but his poor turnovers and bad decisions tend to leave a long lasting bad taste in your mouth.
Mike Johnson - 28.6% (+21.5%)
No – I wouldn’t say that I had high expectations for Mike Johnson when the Blues signed him, but I was definitely on board with the addition. In his Phoenix days, Johnson was a player you hated playing against. Father time caught up with him earlier than most.
Jay McClement - 52.4% (+9.5%)
Yes – Offensively, McClement hasn’t gotten the job done. However, his play picked up recently when the Kid Line was put back together and has done his job defensive all season long.
Keith Tkachuk - 52.4% (-33.3%)
Yes – A lot of people seem to be unhappy with Tkachuk’s production but is it really that bad? Coming into the season I expected 25 goals and 60 points. He’s on pace for 23 goals and 65 points. Did anyone really expect much more than that?
D.J. King - 57.1% (+14.2%)
No – To quote myself in a recent blog: “He's impossible to move [but] in the Hands Department he makes Jamal Mayers look like Alexei Kovalev.”
Hannu Toivonen - 57.1% (-35.8%)
No – Had all the responders waited until after the Columbus game to submit their votes, I suspect this rating would be lower. Personally, I’m not comfortable relying on him in the event that Manny gets injured. I’m a strong believer that to be a great goaltender you have to be strong mentally and the apparent effects of the Colorado game don’t suggest he excels in that area.
Matt Walker - 60.0% (+14.5%)
Yes – Frankly, I’m a little surprised that so many people voted ‘No’ for Walker. He’s the perfect guy to have for a #7 defenseman.
David Backes - 66.7% (+6.7%)
Yes – It sure is amazing what a little confidence can do for a player. There was a noticeable difference in Backes’ play after being put on the first power play unit. Now if that power play unit would only start scoring some goals…
Dan Hinote - 66.7% (+9.6%)
Yes – I’m not a huge fan of having Dan Hinote on the team, but don’t take that as an indictment on him. I’ve always felt that once we had a roster that forced Jamal Mayers to the fourth line then we’d have a team that you didn’t want to screw with and Hinote is one of a few players standing in the way of that goal.
Barret Jackman - 66.7% (-4.7%)
Yes – Why is it that plus-minus is used as a defensive stat when by definition for it to go up it requires your team scores a goal? Here’s just how absurd it is… Wade Redden is +14 on the season. Jackman is a -13. Despite the disparity in plus-minus, both players have had 2.95 goals scored against their team for every 60 even strength minutes they play.
Lee Stempniak - 76.2% (+54.8%)
Yes – It’s hard to argue with his production since he broke out of his slump on November 30th.
Jay McKee - 81.0% (-4.7%)
Yes – The Blues are finally getting what they expected when they signed the expert shot blocker.
Jamal Mayers - 90.5 (-9.5%)
Yes – I think 9.5% of responders forgot that it’s not his fault he’s put into an offensive role he isn’t made for.
Andy McDonald - 95.0
Yes – The Kariya experiment didn’t last long, but seems to have found a home playing with Perron and Boyes.
Brad Boyes - 100.0% (E)
Yes – Boyes responded to being snubbed for the All-Star game by scoring four goals in the three games.
Erik Johnson - 100.0 (E)
Yes – But I thought he wasn’t living up to his potential? ESPN said so!
Ryan Johnson - 100.0% (E)
Yes – The real reason why the Blues’ penalty killing is so good.
Paul Kariya - 100.0 (E)
Yes – Many poll responders pointed out in their comments that they expected more from Kariya. I’m not sure I disagree.
Manny Legace - 100.0% (E)
Yes – Two words: All Star.
David Perron - 100.0% (E)
Yes – Just in case you need more evidence that Perron should be playing more… for every 60 minutes of even strength time that Perron plays, the Blues score 3.32 goals. The only Blue ahead of him in that category is Brad Boyes, and Perron has spent portions of the season playing with non-offensive players.
Bryce Salvador - 100.0% (+14.3%)
Yes – As well is Salvador is playing, there’s a good chance we’ll find out next year if Salvador really was making Brewer look better than he is.
Steve Wagner - 100.0% (E)
Yes – Wagner’s time with the Blues have been limited, but it’s clear that most Blues fans would like to see him back up with the big club.
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