It's getting close!

Good write-up JJ.

Blues will win the Central this year.

Chicago will be close behind.

Here is a joke...

BRIAN ELLIOTT
- TheRollingPuck

Oh, the irony of a Penguins fan ripping on another team's goaltending.

* the Blues dmen do not block shots as a group as well as your Blackhawks

* the Blues goaltending has not proven itself capable in playoff hockey lately. Or
have they? Halak was huge in Montrael taking Philly to the limit in the Flyers and
Blackhawks 2010 Cup season.
- jhawk59

First, Halak has only played in 1 and a half playoff games in the past 2 seasons (injured in game 2 in 2012, and didn't play in 2013)

2nd, how on earth can you say the Blues don't block shots as well, when the Blues have had more Blocked shots the past 2 years?

Here is a joke...

BRIAN ELLIOTT
- TheRollingPuck

Here's another one - "The Flower"

The Chief coming to life.

Here is a joke...

BRIAN ELLIOTT
- TheRollingPuck

Here's a joke: MA Fleury

Hawks TV schedule is out...

http://www.chicagotribune...08/347972360-29081001.pdf

Solid and fair write up.

(I'm guessing I disagree with you on what the likely answer to some of the questions facing the Blues will be, but still a fair write up.)
- Antilles

Thank you

Good write up not a lot of bias I actually thought this was written by the Blues blogger haha.
- cuethenoise

He writes better than I do

two other thoughts....1) some on this board would love to have their big tough LW
as our tough. But our tough guy, Bollig, is the better fighter but yet as good in an
intimidator role. Bollig needs regular minutes to become a better player. Don't
know if anyone has noticed how Bollig often is seen tapping his stick to the ice,
wants the biscuit off a pass. Bollig does have a powerful shot. He could use the
shot as our weapon with Bollig on the fourth line. Could happen, maybe could
result in some key goals.
- jhawk59

While Bollig possess a hard shot, it's not accurate, at all. At best, Bollig might help chip in a couple of goals a season. He's not someone to count on for offensive production.

As for the "intimidation" routine, that might have something to do with Q rather than Bollig himself.

What this team needs is the Bollig that showed up in game one of the Finals. The big guy that hit everything.

He writes better than I do
- John Jaeckel

I wouldn't say that, JJ. You write the American language real good. Just attempting to be funny - your writing skills are plenty good.

I wouldn't say that, JJ. You write the American language real good. Just attempting to be funny - your writing skills are plenty good.
- mohel

You mean the 'Merican Language. Get it right you commie!

First, Halak has only played in 1 and a half playoff games in the past 2 seasons (injured in game 2 in 2012, and didn't play in 2013)

2nd, how on earth can you say the Blues don't block shots as well, when the Blues have had more Blocked shots the past 2 years?
- jpl0219

As I indicated in the full context, Halak could come up big OR could be injured and therefore a non factor. Whomever is in net for St Louis will have to prove themselves in playoff hockey. Their regular season won't mean diddly squat.

As for the blocked shots, a well respected source on this board told me on several occasions that Chicago blocked shots much better than St Louis. I took those words to be good as the Bible. I had been saying that the Blues defense corps had a lot of talent with all those former #1 players.

And as for a later reply regarding Bollig, thanks for the information about his shot not being too accurate. I hope though that Bollig can provide at least a little bit of offense. He will get minutes if he is hitting a lot.

* two other thoughts....1) some on this board would love to have their big tough LW
as our tough. But our tough guy, Bollig, is the better fighter but yet as good in an
intimidator role. Bollig needs regular minutes to become a better player. Don't
know if anyone has noticed how Bollig often is seen tapping his stick to the ice,
wants the biscuit off a pass. Bollig does have a powerful shot. He could use the
shot as our weapon with Bollig on the fourth line. Could happen, maybe could
result in some key goals.

- jhawk59

Huh? Surely you're not referring to Steen, Schwartz, Paajarvi or Sobotka!

I'm guessing you're referring to Reaves, who is a RW. If so, I wouldn't be so quick to put Bollig ahead of him. Bollig may (MAY) be the better fighter, but I would agrue that Reaves is faster, a better all-around hockey player, and just as intimidating on the ice.

That said, I'm not sure how much ice Reavo sees this year. The Blues 4th line is going to be crowded with Sobotka, Lapierre, Reaves, Porter and Cracknell. The first two are virtual locks to play 75-82 barring injury, so the other three will be fighting over who suits up and who wears a suit.

I'm guessing you're referring to Reaves, who is a RW. If so, I wouldn't be so quick to put Bollig ahead of him. Bollig may (MAY) be the better fighter, but I would agrue that Reaves is faster, a better all-around hockey player, and just as intimidating on the ice.
- bluenatic411

Having watched both of these guys play since they were in the AHL. There may be slight differences as to who is better, but really, both Reaves and Boolig are pretty equal overall.

As I indicated in the full context, Halak could come up big OR could be injured and therefore a non factor. Whomever is in net for St Louis will have to prove themselves in playoff hockey. Their regular season won't mean diddly squat.

As for the blocked shots, a well respected source on this board told me on several occasions that Chicago blocked shots much better than St Louis. I took those words to be good as the Bible. I had been saying that the Blues defense corps had a lot of talent with all those former #1 players.

And as for a later reply regarding Bollig, thanks for the information about his shot not being too accurate. I hope though that Bollig can provide at least a little bit of offense. He will get minutes if he is hitting a lot.
- jhawk59

Don't hold your breath waiting for him to become a scoring machine. It won't be happening.

Huh? Surely you're not referring to Steen, Schwartz, Paajarvi or Sobotka!

I'm guessing you're referring to Reaves, who is a RW. If so, I wouldn't be so quick to put Bollig ahead of him. Bollig may (MAY) be the better fighter, but I would agrue that Reaves is faster, a better all-around hockey player, and just as intimidating on the ice.

That said, I'm not sure how much ice Reavo sees this year. The Blues 4th line is going to be crowded with Sobotka, Lapierre, Reaves, Porter and Cracknell. The first two are virtual locks to play 75-82 barring injury, so the other three will be fighting over who suits up and who wears a suit.
- bluenatic411

Obviously Reeves is a more proven and effective commodity now and going forward Bollig needs minutes if he is to be compared.

Reeves, by the way, is whom I believe hurt Beach so bad he missed a big chunk of the season two years ago.

Cracknell is someone who always played well against the Icehogs when I was in attendance. Cracknell might be fine on many teams' fourth line.

if the BLUES are going to go very deep in the playoffs it depends on 2 things. can Backes lead this team and can they score with Hitchcock's over defensive dumb system. not a fan of Hitchcock and i don't think BLUES win a CUP with him as coach.

Backes has no business playing center should be on the wing wear he scores goals. STL fans not looking for a Selke trophy and neither should BLUES mgmt. the CUP is the prize.

as much as i hate to say it i think CHI wins the central this year barring major injuries.

or

your welcome for Coach Q he should never have been fired and let go from STL everybody else should have been in the organization.

if the BLUES are going to go very deep in the playoffs it depends on 2 things. can Backes lead this team and can they score with Hitchcock's over defensive dumb system. not a fan of Hitchcock and i don't think BLUES win a CUP with him as coach.

Backes has no business playing center should be on the wing wear he scores goals. STL fans not looking for a Selke trophy and neither should BLUES mgmt. the CUP is the prize.

as much as i hate to say it i think CHI wins the central this year barring major injuries.

or

your welcome for Coach Q he should never have been fired and let go from STL everybody else should have been in the organization.
- bird diggler

I think the goaltending situation my also be a question mark. Halak hasn't been healthy the last few seasons. Elliott is inconsistent. Who knows what Jake Allen can really do in the NHL?

Blues fans, see you in the second round of the playoffs. These two teams are better than any other team in the division and I have a hard time seeing either losing to anyone but each other. Should be a fun year with so many new teams. Good luck.

Blues fans, see you in the second round of the playoffs. These two teams are better than any other team in the division and I have a hard time seeing either losing to anyone but each other. Should be a fun year with so many new teams. Good luck.
- rollpards19

I don't.

Still not impressed by the Blues. Lots of good pieces, but elite teams are greater than the sum of their parts. Call it chemistry, or whatever, I just don't think the Blues have the IT factor yet. Maybe they gel his season...maybe. As I said before, they're going to have to show me .

I don't.

Still not impressed by the Blues. Lots of good pieces, but elite teams are greater than the sum of their parts. Call it chemistry, or whatever, I just don't think the Blues have the IT factor yet. Maybe they gel his season...maybe. As I said before, they're going to have to show me .
- Ogilthorpe2

Hi Ogie!

No more unicorn rides for Stan.

I don't.

Still not impressed by the Blues. Lots of good pieces, but elite teams are greater than the sum of their parts. Call it chemistry, or whatever, I just don't think the Blues have the IT factor yet. Maybe they gel his season...maybe. As I said before, they're going to have to show me .
- Ogilthorpe2

I hear ya, and I don't think the Blues are really an elite team, but the Hawks played not so hot and beat Minnesota pretty easily, and I think Minnesota is just flat out not a good team. Dallas is still probably too young, but they could have a shot I guess. Colorado's defense and goalie can't beat the Blues, same with Winnipeg. And Nashville likely won't score enough goals to get into the playoffs. Unless its a wild-card from the other division, I'd be pretty shocked if "the division finals" wasn't St. Louis vs. Chicago