http://my.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?user_id=50562&post_id=7303

Don't ask how I came across this, remember how high the hopes were for Berglund? Now we can't wait to dump him on someone else.
- Yeah Boyes

Didn't quite become an absolute star did he?

It's a good thing I don't gamble. Or play the stock market.

Didn't quite become an absolute star did he?

It's a good thing I don't gamble. Or play the stock market.
- bcallaway

Hey, we all had high hopes after his rookie season.

At least you didnt go as far as Chip Mcleary who as recently as about 16 months ago said that he could still be a number 1 center in this league.

As long as he's not asked to provide much offense and he's in a primarily defensive role on the third line, I dont have a huge problem with him. Without Sobodka, we need guys like him and Ott in the bottom 6.

Didn't quite become an absolute star did he?

It's a good thing I don't gamble. Or play the stock market.
- bcallaway

I remember getting pretty fired up when I read Lars might become the next Foppa

my take on Sobi...welcome any thoughts...

dang spacing is not working again even though I typed it in hockeybuzz, not word. ugh.

http://my.hockeybuzz.com/...er_id=17431&post_id=16361

I remember getting pretty fired up when I read Lars might become the next Foppa
- Blue Clam

While we're confessing, that take on Berglund is no where near the biggest gaffe in terms of my opinion on things.

I was completely miffed that the Blues would trade Lee Stempniak in the deal for Steen and Colaiacovo. I was all for the Blues dealing for Cola because I thought he was undervalued and under appreciated in Toronto and the Blues were desperate for a defenseman that could carry the puck and chew gum at the same time.

But I had no use whatsoever for Steen. I thought he was a completely mediocre talent and the Blues gave up way too much in the trade.

Yep, that's how smart I am.

my take on Sobi...welcome any thoughts...

dang spacing is not working again even though I typed it in hockeybuzz, not word. ugh.

http://my.hockeybuzz.com/...er_id=17431&post_id=16361
- stljam

Good write up. I do think management and analysts within the Blues probably went overboard in their praise for Sobotka as the most valuable player on the roster and what not.

He's a good solid third liner that can contribute on offense at times and St. Louis has always appreciated the hard working, lunch pail type of players probably to a fault.

What I don't understand is his comments that his desire is the return to the NHL in a year but not with the Blues. He'll not be near the fan favorite he was here anywhere else, IMO.

I'll miss his particular skill set, but he's not the difference in winning a championship.

Good write up. I do think management and analysts within the Blues probably went overboard in their praise for Sobotka as the most valuable player on the roster and what not.

He's a good solid third liner that can contribute on offense at times and St. Louis has always appreciated the hard working, lunch pail type of players probably to a fault.

What I don't understand is his comments that his desire is the return to the NHL in a year but not with the Blues. He'll not be near the fan favorite he was here anywhere else, IMO.

I'll miss his particular skill set, but he's not the difference in winning a championship.
- bcallaway

Thanks. Any idea on how to get the spacing fixed?

Thanks. Any idea on how to get the spacing fixed?
- stljam

No clue.

Thanks. Any idea on how to get the spacing fixed?
- stljam

I believe you have to use "br" surrounded by "<" and ">" , I haven't written one in almost a year though so I'm just guessing.

As for Berglund I actually think he will be a solid winger and could possibly be a top 6 fill in as so. I don't think he's great working low in his own zone or winning faceoffs. He does actually (although many would disagree) use his size well to protect the puck in the offensive zone. Thus, playing on a wing would be ideal IMO. I'm looking forward to seeing him line-up with some newcomer at center, if that's what Hitch decides.

Oh, and I LOVED the Stempniak trade. Opposite of you, I thought Steen was the one being held back by a disagreement with his coaching staff. I wasn't so high on Coliaocovo, but we did need ANYBODY that could move a puck at the time.

I was completely wrong on the McKee and Miller deals. Although McKee was a great shotblocker until he was broken.

I believe you have to use "br" surrounded by "<" and ">" , I haven't written one in almost a year though so I'm just guessing.
- Nucker101

I have that in there and it shows correct in the preview but not in the final version. So odd.

I was completely wrong on the McKee and Miller deals. Although McKee was a great shotblocker until he was broken.
- bluenoter

Two deals I was completely right about even though I was hoping I would be completely wrong.

Now I am hoping I am wrong about Allen but his stats being worse when it matters most really concerns me.

http://my.hockeybuzz.com/...er_id=17431&post_id=16362

Some thoughts and analysis from the Polak/Gunnarsson deal.

http://my.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?user_id=17431&post_id=16362

Some thoughts and analysis from the Polak/Gunnarsson deal.
- stljam

That was a dirty hit on Sobotka at the WC, poor guy has taken a lot of hits to his dome over the last few years. That was definitely at least a mild concussion.

Interesting stats on Gunnarson. I assumed he would take over some regular PK duty but I didnt know he was among the top 1-2 for the Leafs.

I think/hope that the Blues are trying to get to the point where they rely more on their top four and keep the third pair relegated to around 13 minutes or so each. Its pretty certain that J-bo and Gunnarson can carry the PK load on the left side, but I am a bit concerned with the right side now that Polak is gone. It would be ideal if Shattenkirk can evolve into a more solid penalty killer but if not him, we're relying on Cole or whoever else ends up as the #6.

I do not understand how hard it is to write that Butler also played for Chaminade just like Paul and Yan Stastny as well as Bishop.

That was a dirty hit on Sobotka at the WC, poor guy has taken a lot of hits to his dome over the last few years. That was definitely at least a mild concussion.

Interesting stats on Gunnarson. I assumed he would take over some regular PK duty but I didnt know he was among the top 1-2 for the Leafs.

I think/hope that the Blues are trying to get to the point where they rely more on their top four and keep the third pair relegated to around 13 minutes or so each. Its pretty certain that J-bo and Gunnarson can carry the PK load on the left side, but I am a bit concerned with the right side now that Polak is gone. It would be ideal if Shattenkirk can evolve into a more solid penalty killer but if not him, we're relying on Cole or whoever else ends up as the #6.
- fattyboubatty

Cole is so much better than credited.

The UFA clock does stop when you are out of the NHL as far as I know. He would have been a UFA in 2015 even if he had stayed with the Blues for the coming season as this would have been his last year as a RFA.
- bluenatic411

No it runs with age as a factor. The only difference is Spbotka was arbitration eligible. NHL teams can bring a player to arb one time in their career.

While we're confessing, that take on Berglund is no where near the biggest gaffe in terms of my opinion on things.

I was completely miffed that the Blues would trade Lee Stempniak in the deal for Steen and Colaiacovo. I was all for the Blues dealing for Cola because I thought he was undervalued and under appreciated in Toronto and the Blues were desperate for a defenseman that could carry the puck and chew gum at the same time.

But I had no use whatsoever for Steen. I thought he was a completely mediocre talent and the Blues gave up way too much in the trade.

Yep, that's how smart I am.
- bcallaway

That is because the NHL has had the rules slide back to clutching and grabbing more and more.

So you need either elite speed or good speed and strength. But more and more slower players will not look out of place.

I too could not understand the trade because at the time Stemp was one of the hardest working players on the ice and it was emotional to see him go and Brewer still on the team.

I remember thinking Carlo's big problem was being injured often. Steen just did not seem like a guy who would break thirty goals. And stempniak seemed like a guy who could break forty.

That is because the NHL has had the rules slide back to clutching and grabbing more and more.

So you need either elite speed or good speed and strength. But more and more slower players will not look out of place.

I too could not understand the trade because at the time Stemp was one of the hardest working players on the ice and it was emotional to see him go and Brewer still on the team.

I remember thinking Carlo's big problem was being injured often. Steen just did not seem like a guy who would break thirty goals. And stempniak seemed like a guy who could break forty.
- BluemanGuruu

I only fell for the Brglund trick one time when he had that great WC in the summer.

I think he is a solid player but rarely except in spurts could I see him being the guy he was said to be.

I still think Oshie is like Gilmour. There just is not the same scoring in the league. Back then a. GAA in the threes was good. Often some teams' starters had an above. gAA of four plus.

Cole is so much better than credited.
- BluemanGuruu

Perhaps but I really believe they want Leopold, Jackman, Cole, Butler, Prosser, etc. to only log 13 to 14 minutes a game, tops.

Perhaps but I really believe they want Leopold, Jackman, Cole, Butler, Prosser, etc. to only log 13 to 14 minutes a game, tops.
- stljam

Do you think Shattenkirk is ready for regular PK duty?

I still have my doubts about Cole.

Do you think Shattenkirk is ready for regular PK duty?

I still have my doubts about Cole.
- fattyboubatty

Gunnar takes Polak's time and you have the same top 4 PK d from last year. Shattenkirk and Cole will be less than half the others in average PK time if I was placing a bet.

As for Berglund I actually think he will be a solid winger and could possibly be a top 6 fill in as so. I don't think he's great working low in his own zone or winning faceoffs. He does actually (although many would disagree) use his size well to protect the puck in the offensive zone. Thus, playing on a wing would be ideal IMO. I'm looking forward to seeing him line-up with some newcomer at center, if that's what Hitch decides.

Oh, and I LOVED the Stempniak trade. Opposite of you, I thought Steen was the one being held back by a disagreement with his coaching staff. I wasn't so high on Coliaocovo, but we did need ANYBODY that could move a puck at the time.

I was completely wrong on the McKee and Miller deals. Although McKee was a great shotblocker until he was broken.
- bluenoter

He does actually (although many would disagree) use his size well to protect the puck in the offensive zone.

This. I've always said that's the best part of his game but that's not really saying all that much.

Do you think Shattenkirk is ready for regular PK duty?

I still have my doubts about Cole.
- fattyboubatty

So do I.

Gunnar takes Polak's time and you have the same top 4 PK d from last year. Shattenkirk and Cole will be less than half the others in average PK time if I was placing a bet.
- stljam

What scares me about that is it leaves Jackman and Cole together. Plus, if Jackman is getting PK time he'll be over 13 min.

I would say Jackman is better than Shattenkirk at killing penalties right now but for the sake of continuity shift to shift and looking ahead to the future, we really need shattenkirk to be able to handle himself well enough in the D zone to at least kill penalties on the second unit if he is going to be a legit top 4 guy.