Sorry boys but my work schedule and hockey schedule (my playing) has usurped my time lately and i won't even be able to watch thursday's game due to conflicts. Already sold the tickets.

Hope to post 2 blogs this weekend, definitely will have one on the game, would like to do a preview style and i still want to get the longer term one done on the hypocrisy that is the nhlpa.
- stljam

We should tag team. I'll be the devil's advocate and you be the good cop.

for those that missed it - Canadian anthem in Pittsburgh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvRe0wD9n4k

http://www.youtube.com/wa...E&feature=player_embedded
- stljam

Too bad are crapola politicians won't go to real with these a$$ clowns until after the elections in a couple of weeks. Then it is time to say good bye once and for to the islamic satans, I mean state.

They have been attempting to abduct and shoot US military as well. Pieces of crap.

Stay strong Canada. We got your back.

Article today in the paper with two interesting tidbits: Petro and Bouwmeester will be paired back together for at least the next two games versus Vancouver and Chicago, with Cole and Shattenkirk, Jackman and Leopold making up the other pairings. Translation - Cole didn't do well as a top pairing guy with Petro.

Secondly, Ott's role changing to more offensive responsibilities in the absence of Stastny.

Honestly, what in the world does Hitchcock see in Ott that I'm missing?

If you're looking for offense from him, you're out to lunch IMO......
- bcallaway

Yeah I saw all of that. I guess they have some sort of flu after all. But if it has something to do with bacteria then it is not the flu. They are not sure who will be playing Thursday.

But yeah Ott is a good player just not a top line type of player. He can still make some plays but he slows those guys down. He's a very good fourth liner possibly a third liner if we still had shadows in the game.

Yeah I saw all of that. I guess they have some sort of flu after all. But if it has something to do with bacteria then it is not the flu. They are not sure who will be playing Thursday.

But yeah Ott is a good player just not a top line type of player. He can still make some plays but he slows those guys down. He's a very good fourth liner possibly a third liner if we still had shadows in the game.
- BluemanGuruu

I don't have a problem with Ott. I guess if you're expecting him to score 20-30 goals you're going to be disappointed but he plays a good all around game and can slide up and down the lineup if need be. Great example of a guy who brings team toughness while still being able to handle important minutes.

I don't have a problem with Ott. I guess if you're expecting him to score 20-30 goals you're going to be disappointed but he plays a good all around game and can slide up and down the lineup if need be. Great example of a guy who brings team toughness while still being able to handle important minutes.
- fattyboubatty

Really?? That sounds like a lot of coach-speak to me. When exactly has he slid above the third line and contributed anything?

He's a fourth like banger that can win you a late face off. He does not belong anywhere near the first or second line.

At least based on what I've seen of him so far.

Really?? That sounds like a lot of coach-speak to me. When exactly has he slid above the third line and contributed anything?

He's a fourth like banger that can win you a late face off. He does not belong anywhere near the first or second line.

At least based on what I've seen of him so far.
- bcallaway

Yes he wins face offs, which is important.

He also well go right after someone if liberties are taken.

He is not as bad as most make him out to be, and can contribute. I actually think he is important to this team, and am ok that he moves off a line with Reaves when someone is out to split up the crazies who will go after you if you go astray.

I mean, anyone who will lick your shield while waiting for the face off is worth keeping around, if only for the comedic element.

Yes he wins face offs, which is important.

He also well go right after someone if liberties are taken.

He is not as bad as most make him out to be, and can contribute. I actually think he is important to this team, and am ok that he moves off a line with Reaves when someone is out to split up the crazies who will go after you if you go astray.

I mean, anyone who will lick your shield while waiting for the face off is worth keeping around, if only for the comedic element.
- carcus

At $2.7mm that's a high price for a laugh, Chappelle show tickets would have been a lot cheaper.

At $2.7mm that's a high price for a laugh, Chappelle show tickets would have been a lot cheaper.
- stljam

Chapelle would also have a better plus / minus.......

Is there any time of timetable on Stastny's return? Any chance he will play against CHI?

At $2.7mm that's a high price for a laugh, Chappelle show tickets would have been a lot cheaper.
- stljam

Yeah, well he is more than a laugh. Although he can be very entertaining.

Too many talk about him like he is a nothing player. Too many want a bunch of young guys on their team, when a guy like Ott can do a lot for those players.

Yes, he probably makes a little too much. But when you consider that he was an UFA, a former captain, great at faceoffs, can play C & wing, can move up and down the lineup if needed and still be ok (even if his best spot is on the 3rd or 4th line), and will not hesitate at all if someone takes liberties. (unlike others who may or may not be on our team)

Honestly, I think you and others key in on him too much. But since our roster is very solid from top to bottom, there isn't really others to key in on. When Ott as your 4th liner (who occasionally moves up and down with injuries) is the guy that everyone likes to complain about, I think you have a very good team.

Is there any time of timetable on Stastny's return? Any chance he will play against CHI?
- Yeah Boyes

Probably not, but I did hear that he isn't wearing the sling anymore, which is a good sign.

Chapelle would also have a better plus / minus.......
- bcallaway

Right, but who knows if he will show up? He may go into a drug binge spree and go hiding again and you will be out of luck.

Yeah, well he is more than a laugh. Although he can be very entertaining.

Too many talk about him like he is a nothing player. Too many want a bunch of young guys on their team, when a guy like Ott can do a lot for those players.

Yes, he probably makes a little too much. But when you consider that he was an UFA, a former captain, great at faceoffs, can play C & wing, can move up and down the lineup if needed and still be ok (even if his best spot is on the 3rd or 4th line), and will not hesitate at all if someone takes liberties. (unlike others who may or may not be on our team)

Honestly, I think you and others key in on him too much. But since our roster is very solid from top to bottom, there isn't really others to key in on. When Ott as your 4th liner (who occasionally moves up and down with injuries) is the guy that everyone likes to complain about, I think you have a very good team.
- carcus

He isn't exactly a nothing player but he is a grossly overpaid player who the coaching staff continues to attempt to utilize well beyond his abilities. You can't pay a 4th line player that much per year in the age of the salary cap. That money needs to be saved for a deadline deal, for your pending RFAs, etc.

Ott has just moved ahead and will become my next blog. His metrics with the Blues are ridiculously telling. My fear is that my blog will come across as bashing Ott which is not the point, it's really calling out Hitch and Army for the contract and how they use him.

I like Ott as a character guy but he should have a Langenbrunner style contract. Don't get me wrong, I would have jumped for joy when my agent got the offer he did from the Blues and accepted it right away.

Army and Hitch missed the boat on his contract and Hitch continues to misuse him. Teaser fun fact preview .....Did you know that Ott averages more minutes per game than Stastny and Lehtera right now? More even strength ice time too. At this point I'd rather give MPS or Rattie or Jaskin a shot on the top 3 lines.

What is the definition of stupidty? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result - see Ott on any line other than the fourth line (Only 5 assists in 34 games while getting some PP time and some prime line mates should be plenty of data to illustrate this point).

Yeah, well he is more than a laugh. Although he can be very entertaining.

Too many talk about him like he is a nothing player. Too many want a bunch of young guys on their team, when a guy like Ott can do a lot for those players.

Yes, he probably makes a little too much. But when you consider that he was an UFA, a former captain, great at faceoffs, can play C & wing, can move up and down the lineup if needed and still be ok (even if his best spot is on the 3rd or 4th line), and will not hesitate at all if someone takes liberties. (unlike others who may or may not be on our team)

Honestly, I think you and others key in on him too much. But since our roster is very solid from top to bottom, there isn't really others to key in on. When Ott as your 4th liner (who occasionally moves up and down with injuries) is the guy that everyone likes to complain about, I think you have a very good team.
- carcus

I was really glad he was part of the deal last year, for all of the reasons you cite. Then he got here and I watched him play and thought he was just awful.

Since he's here now for the next two seasons, I'll be glad to change my tune if he becomes all the things the coaches think he can contribute.

I don't understand his presence on a top scoring line and I don't understand seeing him on the Power Play. That's really all I have to say about things.

We all know that I'm going to need a whipping boy and he's as good a choice as any right now. It's Ott's turn and Ian Cole is on deck.

Miller is in goal tonight. Yes!

Steen might be out of the game with the flu....

According to TT:

Tuesday morning combos: Ott-Backes-Oshie; Porter-Schwartz-Tarasenko; Steen-Berglund-Lidstrom; Paajarvi-Lapierre-Reaves

Miller is in goal tonight. Yes!

Steen might be out of the game with the flu....

According to TT:

Tuesday morning combos: Ott-Backes-Oshie; Porter-Schwartz-Tarasenko; Steen-Berglund-Lidstrom; Paajarvi-Lapierre-Reaves


- stljam

Flu - my Aunt Fannie!!!

These guys went out and got food poisoning at some skanky LA strip club.

Miller is in goal tonight. Yes!

Steen might be out of the game with the flu....

According to TT:

Tuesday morning combos: Ott-Backes-Oshie; Porter-Schwartz-Tarasenko; Steen-Berglund-Lidstrom; Paajarvi-Lapierre-Reaves


- stljam

Are we trying to be the Kings? Just sliding every which player up and down the lineup?

No one is clamoring for Ott to be on the top line, the only reason for him to ever be there is injuries. His ice time might look out of whack but for at least half the time he's been here he's had to fill in for guys that have been out of the lineup. It's not like they're putting him with Tarasenko and Schwartz and expecting him to keep up with those guys, they're putting him with Backes and Oshie which has essentially been a checking line so far this season anyway.

Who else would you move up and down the linueup? Paajarvi? No thanks. Jaskin is a good young player but he does not yet have the experience and when healthy you really dont want him in the press box or on the fourth line.

Clearly, Armstrong's first choice for that role was Sobotka, which is a decision I think pretty much everyone is unanimous on. If you need a whipping boy, how about Berglund? Not only does he make 1.1 million MORE than Ott, he is actually expected to play in the top 9 regularly and put up points and in my opinion, was dragging down that line of Backes and Oshie long before Ott ended up there.

No one is clamoring for Ott to be on the top line, the only reason for him to ever be there is injuries. His ice time might look out of whack but for at least half the time he's been here he's had to fill in for guys that have been out of the lineup. It's not like they're putting him with Tarasenko and Schwartz and expecting him to keep up with those guys, they're putting him with Backes and Oshie which has essentially been a checking line so far this season anyway.

Who else would you move up and down the linueup? Paajarvi? No thanks. Jaskin is a good young player but he does not yet have the experience and when healthy you really dont want him in the press box or on the fourth line.

Clearly, Armstrong's first choice for that role was Sobotka, which is a decision I think pretty much everyone is unanimous on. If you need a whipping boy, how about Berglund? Not only does he make 1.1 million MORE than Ott, he is actually expected to play in the top 9 regularly and put up points and in my opinion, was dragging down that line of Backes and Oshie long before Ott ended up there.
- fattyboubatty

Duh. Totally forgot about Berglund. I'm moving him ahead of Cole as we speak.

Duh. Totally forgot about Berglund. I'm moving him ahead of Cole as we speak.
- bcallaway

Ott, Berglund, & Cole.

And to think, those I think a lot of fans would love to have on their teams.



Heading over to the STC right now. Hopefully the boys have been able to stop the leaks as Hitch would say and are good to play tonight.

Hire some new glass repair guys. That was brutal.

Where has everyone gone? Is there another site up?
- BluemanGuruu

went camping last weekend and worked 3 straight doubles this week starting Monday. had about enough time to go home, eat, sleep, then back to work. damn that sucked.

Hire some new glass repair guys. That was brutal.
- Nucker101

yeah, what happened there? too long

Ott, Berglund, & Cole.

And to think, those I think a lot of fans would love to have on their teams.
- carcus

Buffalo?

Are the Canucks your kryptonite or something? Far superior team that has lost to my boys 4 straight games.

But, thats the way it is sometimes I guess. We are horrendous in Dallas. Maybe its in their heads? I dont know. But I wish the blues and there fans a successful season.

And lets get Oshie going shall we?