With another off day before the Blues play on back-to-back nights, and almost a week into the new season, it's time to take an early look around the league at guys who formerly donned the Blues jersey to see just how much you should miss them (or not miss them). It's also a chance for you to point and laugh hysterically, or lament yet again how we let someone get away. It's time to get nostalgic, as I present the Ex-Blues Report.
This week's report will cover only the guys who are in the NHL right now; it won't cover guys who are in the minors or playing over in Europe - so no updates on guys like Jonas Junland, Tomas Kana, Scott Jackson, Kevin Dallman, or Aaron Palushaj (I'll have most of those next week). It also won't mention Chris Pronger or Matt Walker; the former is done for his career because of post-concussion syndrome, the latter is injured and unlikely to play this year (or, if you're a Flyers fan, "injured and unlikely to play this year because we need that cap space").
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FORWARDS
Alexander Bolduc, PHX: 3 GP, 0-0-0
Brad Boyes, NYI: 3 GP, 1-2-3
B.J. Crombeen, TBY: 3 GP, 0-1-1
Lars Eller, MTL: 1 GP, 0-0-0
Michal Handzus, SJ: 3 GP, 0-0-0
Jochen Hecht, BUF: 3 GP, 0-0-0
Cam Janssen, NJ: 2 GP, 0-0-0
Jamal Mayers, CHI: 1 GP, 0-0-0
Jay McClement, TOR: 4 GP, 0-0-0
Marty Reasoner, NYI: 3 GP, 0-0-0
Lee Stempniak, CGY: 3 GP, 2-0-2
Anthony Peluso, WPG: has yet to dress for a game
DEFENSE
Eric Brewer, TBY: 3 GP, 2-0-2
Carlo Colaiacovo, DET: 2 GP, 0-0-0 (and 5 injuries)
Kent Huskins, DET: 1 GP, 0-0-0
Erik Johnson, COL: 3 GP, 0-1-1
Nikita Nikitin, CLB: 4 GP, 0-2-2
David Rundblad, PHX: 1 GP, 0-0-0
Bryce Salvador, NJ: 2 GP, 0-1-1
Tyson Strachan, FLA: 1 GP, 0-0-0
Mike Weaver, FLA: 3 GP, 0-0-0
Dennis Wideman, CGY: 3 GP, 0-2-2
GOALIES
Craig Anderson, OTT: 3-0-0, 0.67 GAA, .976 SV%, 1 shutout
Ben Bishop, OTT: has yet to play this season
Chris Mason, NSH: 1-0-0, 1.00 GAA, .967 SV%
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RECAP: On paper, that looks like a pretty decent team (7 of those guys are 1st-round picks) - but as most Blues fans will recall, most of those guys didn't translate talent into actual on-ice success. Collectively, they have 52 GP and are 5-9-14 ... or a goal better than some Blues rookie has done in 4 games this season (whose name escapes me at the moment - but I'm sure some of you have heard about him).
Anderson has been stellar in net so far for Ottawa. Yes, the Blues let him get away - but so did Chicago and Boston, and they went on to win a Cup. Surely, we're not that far behind and our turn is coming soon - right? Bishop is the subject of trade talks around the league, and for the same reason he was dealt from St. Louis - not a lack of talent (he's shown he can play in the NHL), but because he's the odd man out in net. Hopefully, he lands with a team (in the Eastern Conference) and gets a chance to establish himself as a starter in this league.
Stempniak continues to just chip in goals here and there, albeit in a still streaky manner. He's currently 2 ahead of Flames captain Jarome Iginla ... and Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin ... and the Leafs Phil Kessel. Janssen has indeed played 2 games for the Devils, logging a total of 6:24 of ice time but no penalty minutes ... yet - showing that some things never change. Eller by all accounts had a decent 1st game (the Habs lost) but was scratched for the next 2 games (the Habs won both). Coincidence? Crombeen had a fight with the Islanders Matt Martin at the start of the game on Monday, and contributed an assist in the 3rd period.
Hecht was pursued by the Sabres prior to the start of the season, but has pretty much done nothing so far; at 35, this season could well be his last. In fact, it's not that far-fetched to think that Hecht, Mayers, and Handzus may all be done after this season - which would leave Salvador as the final remaining active player from the Blues President Trophy-winning season.
If I missed anyone else, ... well, they'll have to wait until next week.
3 Ex-Blues of the Week
Each week, I'll highlight the best (or worst) performance from the active Blues alumni. This week's honorees:
1. Craig Anderson, Ottawa. I know, he was only on the Blues for about 3 days and never actually appeared in a game - but he did dress for a game as the back-up, and the judges ruled that's enough to qualify for consideration. Oh, he also had a pretty decent week.
2. Brad Boyes, NY Islanders. Truth be told, Boyes wasn't in contention through 2 games - but last night's 1 goal, 2 assist effort (the 1st assist stopped the Leafs momentum as they led 3-1, the goal tied the game at 3, the second assist put the Islanders in the lead) vaults him into the #2 spot. Now, we wait and see which 11-game stretch he's going to disappear for this season.
3. Eric Brewer, Tampa Bay. Brewer had a pair of goals in the season opener ... and then remembered who he is with a generally crappy game vs. the Islanders. Still, spectacular play like he displayed in the opening week is worthy of recognition.
Honorable mention: Lee Stempniak, Calgary (also had 2 goals like Brewer, also had one on the PP like Brewer - but Stempniak did it in separate games, and his play wasn't as noticeably good or bad as Brewer); Nikita Nikitin, Columbus (a pair of assists, looked decent at times, but also got beaten badly a couple of times - but it's Columbus, so it happens to everyone there); Dennis Wideman, Calgary (a pair of assists, several shots - a few of which actually got on net, and the occasional defensive gaffe; in other words, the same thing we usually saw out of him when he wore the 'Note).
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Since next week is a slow week with the Blues taking 3 days off, I'll do a Q&A post. Whatever you want to ask, either post it in comments or PM me and I'll respond next week.
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Tomorrow: A preview of Blues/Stars, and the post-game recap.
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