Blues center Jay McClement has offered up his #9 sweater to newly acquired teammate Paul Kariya.
In typical Kariya fashion he told McClement that he didn’t need to do that. McClement didn’t mind, he has a lot of respect for the seven time all-star and the #18 happened to be available. McClement wore #18 his entire life up until he got to St. Louis when the one and only Mike Sillinger sported 18.
Anyway, nice gesture by McClement.
No negotiations were necessary by the way; this isn’t baseball where you have to buy your teammate a Rolex or a Caribbean vacation to convince him to give you his number.
Speaking of nice gestures, don’t be surprised if the Blues play next season without a designated Captain. A more likely scenario is that three “A’s” are handed out possibly on a rotating basis.
This isn’t because the Blues don’t carry a qualified candidate to wear the C on the roster. Head Coach Andy Murray has plenty of options. Keith Tkachuk, Doug Weight, Jamal Mayers, Eric Brewer, Paul Kariya, Barret Jackman, and Jay Mckee are all certainly capable of handling the role of Captain. Tkachuk, Weight, Kariya, Jackman (Regina Pats) have all served as Captain at some point in their playing career.
The reason for the likely rotation is because of the respect Andy Murray has for former captain Dallas Drake. Drake was recently bought out by the Blues and wore the C the last two seasons. To honor Drake, Murray is leaning heavily towards not naming a Captain for this coming season.
The acquisition of Paul Kariya gives the team a puck carrying presence the Blues haven’t seen in years. Ask any member of the Blues defense know firsthand just how explosive Kariya is. Improving the power play especially on the road was a priority for the Blues this summer. Kariya is known for his electric one-time release and his ability to create with the pass. His speed will automatically open up space for his teammates. Opposing defenses will be aware of his speed and will be forced to play off the blue line when Kariya enters the zone.
Kariya is also a perimeter threat; his hard, accurate shot will create plenty of second chance opportunities for guys like Keith Tkachuk who will no doubt be rewarded with rebound chances. His left handed shot off the half boards on the power play gives the Blues a weapon they are desperately missing. Kariya will make a major difference in the shootout as well. The Blues play a lot of one goal games and struggled in shootouts last season. He has one of the best backhand shots in the league as well.
Kariya, Nashville’s leading scorer last season, is a young 32 years of age. He still has world class speed and has no problem keeping up with the 25 year olds in this league. It appears his concussion problems are in the past as Kariya dressed in all 82 games last season.
Kariya is a fit both on the ice and in the dressing room. His attitude and commitment to fitness will fit in perfectly with what Andy Murray is establishing here.
The Blues made Kariya their number one target on Sunday as evident by the full court press they put on him. Andy Murray called Kariya and left a message on his cell phone right at 11:00 central time Sunday morning. Kariya phoned right back.
From that point going forward everybody began recruiting Kariya. Tkachuk, Weight, John Davidson, Hall of Famer Al Macinnis, owner Dave Checketts, Larry Pleau all placed calls into Kariya. Immediately Kariya was told he was their guy and they wanted him. Kariya left a lot of money on the table from Los Angeles to sign with the Blues.
This was a big signing on many fronts. The Blues can now focus on their team and hit training camp starting out on the right foot. They can expect to win games right off the bat. I realize the Blues are in the second year of a rebuild, but the message being sent to Blues players and fans is that the club expects to win now. Maybe not a Stanley Cup, but they certainly expect to be in playoff contention next spring.
It would be nearly impossible to sign a star player to a three year deal unless he’s convinced the organization is trying to win now, especially when that player has options. Kariya was obviously satisfied with what he heard from the Blues staff otherwise he wouldn’t be here.
This recruiting effort would have made Duke’s Coach K proud!
The one year deal signed by Barret Jackman makes total sense for both sides. Although if Jackman plays the way he did after Christmas last season the Blues could regret their decision.
Jackman will get absolutely attacked in the open market next summer. Look at the deals some of these D-men are getting. The bottom line is that the Blues want Jackman to stay hungry this season. A one year deal will assure he does. More importantly they want him to prove he can stay healthy.
Jackman may elect to play the season out and take full advantage of free agency next season. The Blues understand that they are the only team that has the ability to negotiate with Jackman through July first 2008. If Jackman continues to play with confidence and maintains his bulldog approach to the game Murray will do everything he can to keep Jackman in St. Louis and prevent him from exploring free agency.
Jackman will need to prove to JD and company that he can be counted on as a top four D-man in this league if he wants to be paid like one.
Look for Lee Stempniak to elect to file for arbitration on July Fifth unless a long-term deal is reached before then. That proposition is highly unlikely. The two sides met last Wednesday and have yet to toss around any numbers.
I’ll say this, if Minnesota’s Mikko Koivu is worth three million how much is Stempniak worth?
Blues fans have no need to get all worked up about this. Stempniak will be a St. Louis Blue for a long time. This is why they have arbitrators. The two sides first agree on a length of the deal and an arbitrator will then hear the case and rule on the number. Both sides can continue to negotiate all the way up until the arbitrator makes his decision. The Blues are not concerned about this going to arbitration.
Rink Rats!!!!
What is the deal with Kevin Lowe and the Oilers? I had to go back and read the headline twice when I read the Jason Smith trade. Lowe wouldn’t trade Smith at the deadline and now he makes this deal. Oilers fans should know that Lowe had to have Joffrey Lupul in the Chris Pronger deal. When Brian Burke said he would do it Lowe was shocked. If I was an NHL GM I would keep my fingers crossed that Lowe dials me up. Who knows what he might offer next.
I know for a fact Lowe was telling agents that Michael Nylander to Edmonton was a done deal. You will be interested with some other things that have gone on with Lowe that I don’t want to report just yet.
Kariya left lots of money on the table from LA to take the St. Louis deal.
Daniel Briere, who was given a contract as if he’s a franchise player, turned down more money from Montreal. Eight years for Danny Briere? This isn’t Wayne Gretzky!
LA tried hard to sign Chris Drury as well.
What is Calgary’s plan?
Goaltender Curtis Sanford is entertaining talks from Buffalo, Edmonton, and Vancouver. Toronto is interested if Raycroft is moved.
Will Ryan Smyth’s body break down before he completes his five year deal?
I had an Islanders player tell me Jason Blake is the most selfish player he has ever played with. He says Blake doesn’t treat the younger players well at all. Do you really want this guy in your dressing room? Covering Team USA in the past, I can tell you that several of his American teammates made similar comments about him then.
Tell me you laughed when you saw Cory Sarich is being paid more than 3.5 million by Calgary!
Anaheim should sell tickets just to watch Pronger and Todd Bertuzzi battle in front of the net in Practice. What is it about Pronger teaming up with his enemies? First Teemu Selanne, now Bertuzzi.
It won’t be long before Pittsburgh locks up Sidney Crosby for at least ten years at ten million per season.
Is it taking this long for Sheldon Souray to sign because he’s taking his time or because teams know he’s a pylon inside his own end?
I know of one agent who was caught lying to an NHL club. This agent was making up offers from other clubs in an effort to force a different team to make an offer. The team found out and turned their back on his client. If I was a player and I found out that my agent was screwing me out of potential deals I would fire him immediately.
Blues Clues!
Kariya’s press conference is open to the public on Tuesday. Any fan who signs up for season tix at the press conference will receive a signed #9 Paul Kariya jersey.
Larry Pleau and Rick Wamsley placed calls into Sanford to tell him he wouldn’t be qualified. Sanford emplained how appreciative he is of the Blues organization for giving him a chance and sticking with him for seven years.
The Blues are very pleased with Christian Backman’s dedication in the gym this summer. Backman has added muscle to his frame and the Blues are expecting him to really elevate his game this season. You can scratch Backman’s name off any trade rumor list you have out there.
More to come,
Andy Strickland
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St Louis Blues Blogger •1380 ESPN • 
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