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St Louis Blues Blogger • 1380 ESPN •
Don't kid yourself and think the topic hasn't been seriously discussed internally with the Blues organization.
The club would certainly love to have a player of his ilk to lead the charge as the Blues get closer and closer to becoming a legit player in the Western Conference. The Blues realize the former MVP has at least four more years of All- Star play left in the tank. There are still people inside the Blues organization who have never come to grips with the fact the club allowed him to get away nearly four seasons ago.
The Blues have positioned themselves as an organization to where they can afford to put together a nice package including a prospect or two in an effort to make a move for Pronger.
Would they consider making Alex Pietrangelo part of a deal?
Anaheim GM Bob Murray may only be interested in moving Pronger to the Eastern Conference if in fact the Ducks elect to trade him in the first place.
In other news X-rays on Carlo Colaiacovo's injured knee came back negative but his availability for this Saturday remains unclear as we sit right now. There are no plans to call up a defenseman from Peoria.
The Blues are happy with the reports they've received from the coaches in Peoria regarding Manny Legace who has played very well since being assigned to the AHL, but there are still no immediate plans to place him through re-entry waivers.
Trading Legace isn't an option for the Blues. They could only trade him to a club's AHL team and he would still need to clear re-entry waivers to play in the NHL this season. The chances of Legace not being snatched up on re-entry are extremely slim.
The Blues have signed Calgary Hitmen forward Brett Sonne to an entry level deal. If Peoria is still playing after Calgary's season is over there is a strong possibility Sonne finshes the season with the Rivermen.
Story from Yesterday......
I’ve written about the decision facing Anaheim in regards to Chris Pronger several times since the turn of the New Year.
I made it pretty clear that it’s obvious Scott Niedermayer is their guy in Anaheim and his decision on whether to retire or not will play a decent sized role in what the club does with their other Norris Trophy winner. (see story from Jan.26)
As we sit today, as long as the Ducks remain in the playoff picture the team will almost certainly hang on to Pronger.
No club is going to want to give up what it would take to land the former MVP without being confident in their ability to sign him to a contract extension.
I don’t see a team giving up what they may have to move in exchange for Pronger just to have him for a year and a few weeks.
No team is allowed to negotiate an extension with Pronger until July first of this year, with that being said they will certainly be made aware of his asking price before hand.
As long as the Ducks keep winning he won’t be leaving Southern California.
I’m a little confused as to why such a strong loyalty to Niedermayer over Pronger anyway? I’m not doubting Niedermayer’s Hall of Fame credentials but if it comes down to having Pronger for four more years or Niedermayer for one is the decision that hard? Obviously money is a major factor here.
The situation with the Blues and Keith Tkachuk is relatively cut and dry. We know the Blues want to see how they do in the next few games leading up to the deadline before making a final decision but the Blues are very well aware of the large task ahead of them. With five teams to leap over to crack the top eight in the Western Conference it will take a miracle to sneak into the playoffs. So factoring that in, the Blues certainly understand that if the price is right for Tkachuk they will have no choice but to move him.
Now, what can the Blues realistically expect in return for Tkachuk? It’s safe to assume Tkachuk’s agent gave the Blues a list of a few teams he’d be willing to go to. Don’t mistake that as meaning each of those clubs are interested in trading for the five time all-star.
We can only assume San Jose, Detroit, and Boston are on his list. If Boston is the only team interested in Tkachuk then how much can we expect them to offer up when they have no other competition for his services? For those out there hoping for a first round pick, I wouldn’t suggest holding your breath. The Blues might be lucky to get a second rounder. Don’t rule out Chcago as a possible destination for “Big Walt” as well.
The only way the Blues add a player at the deadline is if the player has three or four years left on his deal and the Blues feel it’s a guy that can really help the organization down the road.
The Ottawa Senators remain far apart with gritty forward Chris Neil. San Jose and Detroit are the leading contenders for Neil with Edmonton and Pittsburgh also showing interest.
If Detroit loses out on Neil they could turn their attention to Maple Leafs forward Jamal Mayers who has one year remaining after this season. If Ron Wilson isn’t going to use Mayers, then they might as well move him.
There already is some whispering going on behind the scenes involving Leafs GM Brian Burke taking a strong run this summer at the Sedin Twins as well as Canucks forward Alex Burrows.
Word is Burke has a strong dislike for Canucks GM Mike Gillis for how the Dave Nonis era ended in Vancouver and this could be an effort to drive up the price on all three players who the Canucks are interested in retaining.
Vancouver is looking for a puck moving D-man and a center before the deadline but are not looking to move valuable draft picks in exchange.
Coyotes GM Dave Maloney has made it clear that he has several players he’s willing to move including forward Olli Jokinen who has one year left at $5.5 million. Phoenix is desperate to move salary.
There is some talk that Boston who is looking for a puck moving D-man could be talked into moving promising forward Phil Kessel if the right player is involved.
There is no discussion between Montreal and D-man Mike Komisarek about a contract extension. The American defenseman will make some decent coin if he enters the UFA world this July.
I know there was a hockey trade made today but in reality there have been very little deals discussed up to this point among NHL GM's. Lot of talk and discussion involving players but vry few deals on the table.
Blues Clues!
It’s now safe to say Eric Brewer is out for the year after having back surgery several weeks ago. He has stopped skating as he continues to be bothered by a chronic nerve issue.
Former first round pick Ian Cole will not leave Notre Dame early unless he factors into the Blues plans in St. Louis. He won’t sign early to go play in Peoria.
Even though D.J. King is coming along after missing nearly the entire season with a shoulder injury, he has not been cleared for contact. It would be absolutely foolish to even think about placing him in the lineup and that’s why the Blues aren’t considering it.
Erik Johnson does not expect to have to wear a knee brace next season.
I had no problem with the NHL handing Cam Janssen a fine for his hit the other night against Phoenix who lead with his elbows up high. With that being said it was a awesome collision by Janssen who has done an outstanding job performing in his role this season.
More to come,
Andy Strickland
Strickland.andy@gmail.com
The club would certainly love to have a player of his ilk to lead the charge as the Blues get closer and closer to becoming a legit player in the Western Conference. The Blues realize the former MVP has at least four more years of All- Star play left in the tank. There are still people inside the Blues organization who have never come to grips with the fact the club allowed him to get away nearly four seasons ago.
The Blues have positioned themselves as an organization to where they can afford to put together a nice package including a prospect or two in an effort to make a move for Pronger.
Would they consider making Alex Pietrangelo part of a deal?
Anaheim GM Bob Murray may only be interested in moving Pronger to the Eastern Conference if in fact the Ducks elect to trade him in the first place.
In other news X-rays on Carlo Colaiacovo's injured knee came back negative but his availability for this Saturday remains unclear as we sit right now. There are no plans to call up a defenseman from Peoria.
The Blues are happy with the reports they've received from the coaches in Peoria regarding Manny Legace who has played very well since being assigned to the AHL, but there are still no immediate plans to place him through re-entry waivers.
Trading Legace isn't an option for the Blues. They could only trade him to a club's AHL team and he would still need to clear re-entry waivers to play in the NHL this season. The chances of Legace not being snatched up on re-entry are extremely slim.
The Blues have signed Calgary Hitmen forward Brett Sonne to an entry level deal. If Peoria is still playing after Calgary's season is over there is a strong possibility Sonne finshes the season with the Rivermen.
Story from Yesterday......
I’ve written about the decision facing Anaheim in regards to Chris Pronger several times since the turn of the New Year.
I made it pretty clear that it’s obvious Scott Niedermayer is their guy in Anaheim and his decision on whether to retire or not will play a decent sized role in what the club does with their other Norris Trophy winner. (see story from Jan.26)
As we sit today, as long as the Ducks remain in the playoff picture the team will almost certainly hang on to Pronger.
No club is going to want to give up what it would take to land the former MVP without being confident in their ability to sign him to a contract extension.
I don’t see a team giving up what they may have to move in exchange for Pronger just to have him for a year and a few weeks.
No team is allowed to negotiate an extension with Pronger until July first of this year, with that being said they will certainly be made aware of his asking price before hand.
As long as the Ducks keep winning he won’t be leaving Southern California.
I’m a little confused as to why such a strong loyalty to Niedermayer over Pronger anyway? I’m not doubting Niedermayer’s Hall of Fame credentials but if it comes down to having Pronger for four more years or Niedermayer for one is the decision that hard? Obviously money is a major factor here.
The situation with the Blues and Keith Tkachuk is relatively cut and dry. We know the Blues want to see how they do in the next few games leading up to the deadline before making a final decision but the Blues are very well aware of the large task ahead of them. With five teams to leap over to crack the top eight in the Western Conference it will take a miracle to sneak into the playoffs. So factoring that in, the Blues certainly understand that if the price is right for Tkachuk they will have no choice but to move him.
Now, what can the Blues realistically expect in return for Tkachuk? It’s safe to assume Tkachuk’s agent gave the Blues a list of a few teams he’d be willing to go to. Don’t mistake that as meaning each of those clubs are interested in trading for the five time all-star.
We can only assume San Jose, Detroit, and Boston are on his list. If Boston is the only team interested in Tkachuk then how much can we expect them to offer up when they have no other competition for his services? For those out there hoping for a first round pick, I wouldn’t suggest holding your breath. The Blues might be lucky to get a second rounder. Don’t rule out Chcago as a possible destination for “Big Walt” as well.
The only way the Blues add a player at the deadline is if the player has three or four years left on his deal and the Blues feel it’s a guy that can really help the organization down the road.
The Ottawa Senators remain far apart with gritty forward Chris Neil. San Jose and Detroit are the leading contenders for Neil with Edmonton and Pittsburgh also showing interest.
If Detroit loses out on Neil they could turn their attention to Maple Leafs forward Jamal Mayers who has one year remaining after this season. If Ron Wilson isn’t going to use Mayers, then they might as well move him.
There already is some whispering going on behind the scenes involving Leafs GM Brian Burke taking a strong run this summer at the Sedin Twins as well as Canucks forward Alex Burrows.
Word is Burke has a strong dislike for Canucks GM Mike Gillis for how the Dave Nonis era ended in Vancouver and this could be an effort to drive up the price on all three players who the Canucks are interested in retaining.
Vancouver is looking for a puck moving D-man and a center before the deadline but are not looking to move valuable draft picks in exchange.
Coyotes GM Dave Maloney has made it clear that he has several players he’s willing to move including forward Olli Jokinen who has one year left at $5.5 million. Phoenix is desperate to move salary.
There is some talk that Boston who is looking for a puck moving D-man could be talked into moving promising forward Phil Kessel if the right player is involved.
There is no discussion between Montreal and D-man Mike Komisarek about a contract extension. The American defenseman will make some decent coin if he enters the UFA world this July.
I know there was a hockey trade made today but in reality there have been very little deals discussed up to this point among NHL GM's. Lot of talk and discussion involving players but vry few deals on the table.
Blues Clues!
It’s now safe to say Eric Brewer is out for the year after having back surgery several weeks ago. He has stopped skating as he continues to be bothered by a chronic nerve issue.
Former first round pick Ian Cole will not leave Notre Dame early unless he factors into the Blues plans in St. Louis. He won’t sign early to go play in Peoria.
Even though D.J. King is coming along after missing nearly the entire season with a shoulder injury, he has not been cleared for contact. It would be absolutely foolish to even think about placing him in the lineup and that’s why the Blues aren’t considering it.
Erik Johnson does not expect to have to wear a knee brace next season.
I had no problem with the NHL handing Cam Janssen a fine for his hit the other night against Phoenix who lead with his elbows up high. With that being said it was a awesome collision by Janssen who has done an outstanding job performing in his role this season.
More to come,
Andy Strickland
Strickland.andy@gmail.com
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