Its funny cuz im actually one of the more positive fans you'll find. I was jus simply pointing out that until our PK does well against a team with a half decent PP unit, im still not impressed. As far as our team, overall, as a whole, i still think we're the best in the league. On pace for a repeat opportunity unlike ever seen before. Hows that for negative?
- SimpleJack

Repeat? Now I gotta call you a kool-aid drinker

Look, didn't mean to offend you...but a LOT of negativity around here(not talking about you)...especially considering how well the Hawks have been of late...considering it is a hangover season...Even during the streak last year, it's not like they played flawless hockey...Anyways no hard feelings....LET'S GO HAWKS!!!! I think we should be thankful watching this team win 2 Cups in the last 4 years....And as long as they are healthy, another Cup isn't out of the question in the next 3-4 years

Agreed.....Blues have a few goalie prospects as well. You guys have a nice young nucleus......I still hate you guys though
- UnnamedSource

Someone inform Steen's agent.

The mountain has spoken. He goes nowhere.

Someone inform Steen's agent.

The mountain has spoken. He goes nowhere.
- tredbrta

He is going nowhere, just like Toews and Kane.

Our prospects are down right now because just about all of our higher talented players are now on the team. We have a pretty young team still, and a lot of them are going to be with us for a while.

Elliott will be gone and replaced by Allen, who can play. Don't know about Halak. He will either be back or they will be signing another starter. Halak won't get Raask money. Doesn't play enough games in a year to get that kind of money. (actually, that is too much for Raask as well, so if someone wants to give Halak that much, have fun)

Roy is a fill in guy this year. I don't think he will be back, but that is not a big deal. Not part of our core.

Steen is going to be re-signed. End of story.

Berglund will also either be re-signed, or traded and we will get back someone in return. Also, he is going to be a RFA. So you are wrong again here.

So of your list, the actual guys on our core are Berglund (RFA), Steen (is not leaving), and Halak. Halak is the only one really in question right now, and that has a lot to do with how he performs this season and if he can stay healthy. Our core is actually already locked up for the most part. We will be good for a long time, sorry to burst your bubble.
- carcus

Why hasn't Steen been extended yet? Have they tried and not been able to agree? He's been awesome this year - that price tag is growing by the second.

Wow....how much worse could it get? So basically now its down to.....lets see here.....the Bruins....annnnnnndddd.....the Bruins.
- SimpleJack

Pitt? Well, any team that gets hot at the end of the year with or without a hot goalie. The surprise team this year is OTT, i thought they would be better this year after last years playoffs. But they are also finding their team chemistry.

Why hasn't Steen been extended yet? Have they tried and not been able to agree? He's been awesome this year - that price tag is growing by the second.
- mohel

They are likely talking. I am not worried though. Steen loves it here, the team is going to be good for a long time. He will get his money, and stay with the Blues.

Our prospects are down right now because just about all of our higher talented players are now on the team. We have a pretty young team still, and a lot of them are going to be with us for a while.

Elliott will be gone and replaced by Allen, who can play. Don't know about Halak. He will either be back or they will be signing another starter. Halak won't get Raask money. Doesn't play enough games in a year to get that kind of money. (actually, that is too much for Raask as well, so if someone wants to give Halak that much, have fun)

Roy is a fill in guy this year. I don't think he will be back, but that is not a big deal. Not part of our core.

Steen is going to be re-signed. End of story.

Berglund will also either be re-signed, or traded and we will get back someone in return. Also, he is going to be a RFA. So you are wrong again here.

So of your list, the actual guys on our core are Berglund (RFA), Steen (is not leaving), and Halak. Halak is the only one really in question right now, and that has a lot to do with how he performs this season and if he can stay healthy. Our core is actually already locked up for the most part. We will be good for a long time, sorry to burst your bubble.
- carcus

Correct on Berglund. Allen does look good but we have heard that before. Still an if. Maybe right on Steen if he pulls a Hammer/Sedin negotiation. Still an if.

Lots of ifs.

Not concerned about Kane getting double shifted
His TOI is still under twenty minutes and his game is finesse so he does not take a physical beating
With Kane double shifting it's like the hawks have two second lines

Correct on Berglund. Allen does look good but we have heard that before. Still an if. Maybe right on Steen if he pulls a Hammer/Sedin negotiation. Still an if.

Lots of ifs.
- tredbrta

Isn't the future always a lot of ifs?

One thing that isn't is our defense. We have our defense locked up for quite a while, and they are very good. Heck, even Elliott looks good behind our D.

They are likely talking. I am not worried though. Steen loves it here, the team is going to be good for a long time. He will get his money, and stay with the Blues.
- carcus

Steen sucks, isnt he a notorious alchoholic or something? (i base this on no facts, just seems like something that could be true)

He is going nowhere, just like Toews and Kane.
- carcus

You may have to explain with pictures...

So, not locked up then, right?
- carcus

If management allows them to go into next year without signing (like Halak and Steen) there will be a very large "if" involved. Chances are nearly zero.

They are likely talking. I am not worried though. Steen loves it here, the team is going to be good for a long time. He will get his money, and stay with the Blues.
- carcus

Was just wondering. Some of us here get palpitations about Toews and Kane (especially Kane) and they aren't even allowed to sign an extension until next summer! If next November arrives and one or both of them hasn't signed yet, the fandom here will soil their grippers (including me).

Hopefully Stamkos is okay....doesn't look like it.....but the NHL is better when he is playing.

Why hasn't Steen been extended yet? Have they tried and not been able to agree? He's been awesome this year - that price tag is growing by the second.
- mohel

Precisely.

Steen sucks, isnt he a notorious alchoholic or something? (i base this on no facts, just seems like something that could be true)
- BlazinMike

You may have to explain with pictures...
- UnnamedSource

- carcus

Haha, just messing around

Haha, just messing around
- BlazinMike

They are likely talking. I am not worried though. Steen loves it here, the team is going to be good for a long time. He will get his money, and stay with the Blues.
- carcus

Do you serve his pancakes?

Have you bugged St. Louis management's phones or do you work for the NSA?

If Steen were playing for the Hawks I would take the same position (unlike unnamed knowitall asshat). When a player in his final year explodes and skews his career averages - it does not matter what the sport - management is in a difficult position.

Your one chance is if Steen plays out like Hammer and the Sedins. His agent, no doubt, is seeing numbers that - if sustained for the year - will warrant an ELITE contract. If he demands money based on current production the Blues are taking a big risk paying it.

Hopefully Stamkos is okay....doesn't look like it.....but the NHL is better when he is playing.
- UnnamedSource

Sure doesn't. But if is a fairly clean break (without soft tissue damage), he could come back by the end of this year. I hope so, too - class guy.

Pitt? Well, any team that gets hot at the end of the year with or without a hot goalie. The surprise team this year is OTT, i thought they would be better this year after last years playoffs. But they are also finding their team chemistry.
- Topshelf2010

Same as last year. No depth. Suspect D and goaltending. 2 great lines, Letang's offense on the PP, and nothing more...I dont see how they change that in the foreseeable future...

- carcus

Thats me in the background!!...not really, i took the picture though, then took some shots after it was gone haha

Do you serve his pancakes?

Have you bugged St. Louis management's phones or do you work for the NSA?
If Steen were playing for the Hawks I would take the same position (unlike unnamed knowitall asshat). When a player in his final year explodes and skews his career averages - it does not matter what the sport - management is in a difficult position.

Your one chance is if Steen plays out like Hammer and the Sedins. His agent, no doubt, is seeing numbers that - if sustained for the year - will warrant an ELITE contract. If he demands money based on current production the Blues are taking a big risk paying it.
- tredbrta

Yes to all three.

I work for the NSA and have bugged both Steen's agent & Blues management's phones. I also work at the IHOP down the street from Steen's house undercover, and have gained his trust and he talks about contract negotiations while I serve him coffee and pancakes.

Any other questions?

Was just wondering. Some of us here get palpitations about Toews and Kane (especially Kane) and they aren't even allowed to sign an extension until next summer! If next November arrives and one or both of them hasn't signed yet, the fandom here will soil their grippers (including me).
- mohel

Yes, they would. And that is exactly where Halak and Steen are now. 2 of their most important pieces this year haven't been extended and are UFA. They just watched Pietrangelo have to sweat it out to get a payday commensurate with his production.

One or both walks unless management throws money at them during the year. Halak, in particular, may see huge offers this OS if he keeps it up. Look at the teams needing goalie help this year.