He is saying all the right things there but there now will be a market for him. Sharks choked - Niemi was definitely part of that. Miller's wife wants west coast - according to the rumor mill the last 3 years. If Anaheim gets bounced will the stick with prospects? Both teams could be making offers possibly.

Can't see how Todd McLellan can keep his job. The man cannot make adjustments.
- tredbrta

Agree about McLellan. San Jose is an even bigger enigma than St. Louis when it comes to playoffs. They've been flailing longer.

(At least) each time the Blues have come up short it has been against a superior team.

Do you feel better?

Or should I remind you how I called this happening to the Blues for years and even reminded you the Miller trade was no upgrade over Halak just 2 months ago.

Just like I told you in 2010, that even the Kings would win a Cup before the Blues after they sh*t kicked Jarmo to the curb.


- Trust In Jarmo

Listen chairforce you are completely classless.

He is saying all the right things there but there now will be a market for him. Sharks choked - Niemi was definitely part of that. Miller's wife wants west coast - according to the rumor mill the last 3 years. If Anaheim gets bounced will the stick with prospects? Both teams could be making offers possibly.

Can't see how Todd McLellan can keep his job. The man cannot make adjustments.
- tredbrta

I keep to my bet that Miller ends up in SJ, this just improved my odds. I still can't see Anaheim without them getting rid of one of Anderson or JG.

Todd M has to go. No way you can keep him imho. A new place for Tortorella?

Anyone else notice that MacKinnon was -3 with 0 points last night and Roy got to have last change for matching him up. Ooops .

MN got lucky but I bet MN Gump is ecstatic today

Agree about McLellan. San Jose is an even bigger enigma than St. Louis when it comes to playoffs. They've been flailing longer.
- bcallaway

better fit for miller then?

I'll have another blog tomorrow regarding some of the changes that need to be made.
- Randall_Ritchey

I guess no changes needed..............

I guess no changes needed..............
- carcus

Why change anything? It's all working so smoothly......

Blues just extended Hitchcock for 2014-15, hey if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Blues just extended Hitchcock for 2014-15, hey if it ain't broke don't fix it.
- Goblues86

I approve of this move personally.

Sounds like Agnew and Corey Hirsch were not retained.

By the way, to simply extend Hitchcock for the upcoming season and not beyond sort of says a lot IMO.

That's not exactly a ringing endorsement.

Hitchcock brought his team as far as he could the last two seasons, especially this one. Guy can't go out on the ice and finish for his players. The Blahs players folded like oragami under the pressure even though they had a 2 games to none lead!

This years fateful ending in the post season was ALL on the players IMO. Personally I wish they WOULD have fired Hitch, then the Blahs fans could see who the real glue is holding their team together...

By the way, to simply extend Hitchcock for the upcoming season and not beyond sort of says a lot IMO.

That's not exactly a ringing endorsement.
- bcallaway

Basically a "One more year to get something done in the playoffs."

Hitchcock brought his team as far as he could the last two seasons, especially this one. Guy can't go out on the ice and finish for his players. The Blahs players folded like oragami under the pressure even though they had a 2 games to none lead!

This years fateful ending in the post season was ALL on the players IMO. Personally I wish they WOULD have fired Hitch, then the Blahs fans could see who the real glue is holding their team together...
- MnGump

Cool story!

Cool story!
- carcus

Thanks!

Randall, are you still around, our have you mailed it in as well?

Hitchcock brought his team as far as he could the last two seasons, especially this one. Guy can't go out on the ice and finish for his players. The Blahs players folded like oragami under the pressure even though they had a 2 games to none lead!

This years fateful ending in the post season was ALL on the players IMO. Personally I wish they WOULD have fired Hitch, then the Blahs fans could see who the real glue is holding their team together...
- MnGump

Holy mackerel. You and I agree.

Holy mackerel. You and I agree.
- bcallaway

Unfortunately I'm a marked man in the Blues threads only because of one Blues fan imparticular. My goal is to always get under his skin, but he never seems to be around when he doesn't have something to boast about.

So I do apologize to the modest and humble Blues fans still out there, I have no beef with you, although I'm constantly putting you in the line of my troll fire!

That aside, I think Hitch deserves at least one more season. Success or lack-there-of aside, you don't know what you've got til it's gone! Take it from a Wild fan....

Unfortunately I'm a marked man in the Blues threads only because of one Blues fan imparticular. My goal is to always get under his skin, but he never seems to be around when he doesn't have something to boast about.

So I do apologize to the modest and humble Blues fans still out there, I have no beef with you, although I'm constantly putting you in the line of my troll fire!

That aside, I think Hitch deserves at least one more season. Success or lack-there-of aside, you don't know what you've got til it's gone! Take it from a Wild fan....
- MnGump

Honestly, just stop then. If you want to troll just one guy, do it with PMs.

Hitch does deserve more time. He is a great coach.

Unfortunately I'm a marked man in the Blues threads only because of one Blues fan imparticular. My goal is to always get under his skin, but he never seems to be around when he doesn't have something to boast about.
- MnGump

Hmm, I don't think one night constitutes always but perhaps I am wrong .

Btw, Hitch is a lot like Murray and eventually the message turns into nails on a chalkboard. Great coach but definitely has a shorter shelf life due to the demanding nature.

Hmm, I don't think one night constitutes always but perhaps I am wrong .

Btw, Hitch is a lot like Murray and eventually the message turns into nails on a chalkboard. Great coach but definitely has a shorter shelf life due to the demanding nature.
- stljam

Well, that is a shame. Players get paid a lot. A lot should be demanded of them.

Off season trade proposal one.....

Assumptions to make this trade potentially work:
1) Sharks don't want Niemi and want to move him so they can sign Miller and Niemi's value is diminished by poor playoffs and only one year left on his deal.
2) Blues don't want or can't work out a deal with Miller.
3) Armstrong wants to shake up the core....

Blues trade rights to Miller, Oshie and say a 3rd rounder in 2014 to SJ for Couture and Niemi. (maybe Marleau instead of Couture)

-SJ is reasonably cap strapped (5th highest team with already committed dollars before Boyle)
-Blues get a good Center
-Army type trade as it is a hockey trade with value for value.
-SJ gets a sandpaper type guy with some skill
- Both teams may feel a bit of a need for a shakeup which this would do.

Flame away, lol

Off season trade proposal one.....

Assumptions to make this trade potentially work:
1) Sharks don't want Niemi and want to move him so they can sign Miller and Niemi's value is diminished by poor playoffs and only one year left on his deal.
2) Blues don't want or can't work out a deal with Miller.
3) Armstrong wants to shake up the core....

Blues trade rights to Miller, Oshie and say a 3rd rounder in 2014 to SJ for Couture and Niemi. (maybe Marleau instead of Couture)

-SJ is reasonably cap strapped (5th highest team with already committed dollars before Boyle)
-Blues get a good Center
-Army type trade as it is a hockey trade with value for value.
-SJ gets a sandpaper type guy with some skill
- Both teams may feel a bit of a need for a shakeup which this would do.

Flame away, lol
- stljam

Doug Wilson has said it before. No way will he trade Couture.

Doug Wilson has said it before. No way will he trade Couture.
- EKolb13

He said that when Logan was under 3 million in cap hit. he goes to 6 million next year.

That leaves Thornton and Marleau....no way I want Thornton, lol.

Off season trade proposal one.....

Assumptions to make this trade potentially work:
1) Sharks don't want Niemi and want to move him so they can sign Miller and Niemi's value is diminished by poor playoffs and only one year left on his deal.
2) Blues don't want or can't work out a deal with Miller.
3) Armstrong wants to shake up the core....

Blues trade rights to Miller, Oshie and say a 3rd rounder in 2014 to SJ for Couture and Niemi. (maybe Marleau instead of Couture)

-SJ is reasonably cap strapped (5th highest team with already committed dollars before Boyle)
-Blues get a good Center
-Army type trade as it is a hockey trade with value for value.
-SJ gets a sandpaper type guy with some skill
- Both teams may feel a bit of a need for a shakeup which this would do.

Flame away, lol
- stljam

There's no value to Miller's rights.

Traditionally, trades involving a pending FA's rights don't net anything more than a very low round draft pick.

San Jose is trading a lot and getting very little.

There's no value to Miller's rights.

Traditionally, trades involving a pending FA's rights don't net anything more than a very low round draft pick.

San Jose is trading a lot and getting very little.
- bcallaway

Look at the assumptions again.

Halak's rights just got a what? A 4th rounder? Miller's are likely more valuable or at least are more valuable based on my assumptions. This whole trade is based on the idea that San Jose wants Miller and will be competing with Anaheim, the Blues and others to sign him. That assumption makes Niemi's trade worth extremely low, extremely.

They would need to get rid of Niemi, a guy they just benched in favor of a Rookie for game 6 in the playoffs. Cringe at the Roman Turek similarities (of course Niemi has actually won a cup but Chicago thought so much of him that they dumped him right away after he won said cup). The sharks cap room would not allow them to sign boyle and miller and keep Niemi.

Given that Niemi will be a UFA after the year, his recent lack of playoff success, and the fact that they would be forced to move him to bring in Miller, and his value is at an all time low.

The consideration is a bit low on what I proposed and you might have to bump the picks up or throw in someone like Cole but there is definitely a workable deal if San Jose really wants Miller to be their number one goalie.