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Report: Blues Add Porter Back to the Logjam | Peluso & Sonne Sign (Updated)

July 16, 2012, 3:28 PM ET [2 Comments]
Jeff Quirin
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The St. Louis Blues have signed forward Chris Porter to a one year, two-way contract according to reports (Andy Strickland & Dave Eminian).
 
 28 year old Thunder Bay native has been a member of the organization since he signed as a free agent in 2007. Since then Porter has played in 98 NHL games, all with the Blues, and made 272 appearances with franchise’s AHL affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen. Last season he set career highs in games played (47), goals (4), hits (124) and tied his 2010-11 mark for points (7).
 
Originally a Chicago Blackhawks draft picks (282nd overall, 2003), Porter is a good friend and former North Dakota teammate of high priority restricted free agent TJ Oshie. Though it probably doesn’t hurt, General Manager Doug Armstrong isn’t bringing him back just to make No. 74 happy.
 
Known more for his legs and shoulders than his hands, Porter is a square peg that slides perfectly in to a hole of the same shape on the 4th line. Speed to counter attack as well as forecheck. Grit and determination to do all the dirty work expected from a depth player. Note the omission of “head” related to what he’s not known for. While his hockey IQ is not as advanced or as sharp as say Alex Pietrangelo’s, Porter has a mind for the game. There are plenty of names littering rosters around the NHL tied to bodies with the physical tools to be an effective role player, but lack the understanding and acceptance to maximize their ability. Porter’s longevity with the Blues family is as much a testament to the front office’s belief in such as it is his verification that he knows what must be done to remain employed.
 
That description can also be used to describe another, feisty Czech forward Vladimir Sobotka. So why then retain Porter and add to the logjam consisting of Sobotka, Scott Nichol, Ryan Reaves, and Jamie Langenbrunner? Isn’t this a similar scenario which led to the trade sending BJ Crombeen to Tampa Bay?
 
On one level the underlying critique of those rhetorical questions has quite a bit of merit. With team building attention turned, at least what’s been publically acknowledged, towards a “top 4” defenseman and a “top 9” quality veteran forward there doesn’t seem to be any significant or compelling reason to expend any energy, contracts or salary towards an area already well stocked with capable personnel. Strengthening weaknesses that resulted in the broom beating by LA and locking up Oshie long term are far more critical to the success of the 2012-13 campaign and beyond.
 
As warranted as that questioning may be, no GM is going to pass up the apple within arms reach towards the bottom of the tree as they scale the ladder to the top. Before beating the “Crombeen scenario” horse again, consider who is involved. If reports hold true and Porter has signed a NHL-AHL deal then there is much greater roster flexibility with this deal. Crombeen would not clear waivers if he was beat out for a job at camp. Porter likely will. From a payroll perspective it’s a no brainer to pay Porter’s AHL salary rather than Crombeen’s full NHL salary should he actually clear waivers. Don’t forget that Porter, even with a modest raise (his last contract was $600,000), would still make much less than Crombeen ($1.05 million).
 
Keep in mind what Armstrong said about being creative to make adding another impact player possible. Shuffling contracts to save a little bit here and there eventually add up. Carrying a full roster of 23 players – 14 forwards, 7 defensemen, 2 goalies -- is not out of the question either.
 
According to the Chronicle Journal the Phoenix Coyotes, Winnipeg Jets, and Pittsburg Penguins were in contract talks with Porter as well.
 
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Update 1

The Blues have announced the signings of forwards Anthony Peluso and Brett Sonne as well. Both are likely destined for Peoria. It is worth mentioning that Armstrong thinks Peluso is close to ready for a NHL job.

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