Anyone else notice how, after getting boarded by Johns, Petro wasn't engaged with anyone, and Benn came after him, punched him (gloves on) while JBo tried to pull him away? Talk about classless.
- Antilles

Yep. As I said a while ago, Benn is the new Perry.

An important part of the discussion of trading a d-man: Blues can only protect 3 next summer in the expansion draft; and Blues have to leave 25% of their salary cap exposed.

Blues look to be in a great spot, if they discuss contracts but don't sign any over the next year. Guys like Shattenkirk, Steen, and Berglund can be left unprotected. Then the expansion team will have to decide if they want to waste a pick on a guy whose contract will expire a few weeks later. If not selected, extend them, if selected, sign on July 1 to the contract already discussed.

All speculative, but point being, Blues could not trade Shattenkirk, have a solid idea they can afford to extend him, then go the entire year without actually doing so for the sake of the expansion draft.
- Antilles

The only problem with that, is that we'll have to protect Edmunson and Paryako, both will be outside of their Entry Level deals. I'd just as soon trade Shatty, get what we can, and leave Bouwmeester/Stastny unprotected, that would be fairly close to 25%. With Stastny, Bouwmeester and Elliott unprotected, we'll only lose 2. Elliott will be under the same speculation, and while stastny has proven himself this year, he still isn't worth 7 million. I'd protect Tarasenko, Steen, Schwartz, Fabbri, Lehtera, Brouwer and probably Berglund. (i dont believe we'll still have Backes) Then on D protect Pietrangelo Edmunson and Paryako, and Allen.

Boy has Backes finally arrived playing his game when they count the most. I always felt like David was kind of a slow starter. Every season it seems like it takes a month or so for him to start contributing offensively. The Blues never made it long enough in the playoffs for him to really get going and find his game. I think that lucky break in OT game 1 vs Chicago was what got him going so early this time around. He finally looks like he's comfortable and confident in the playoffs. As Hitch pointed out after the round 1 win, there were some guys on this Blues team that had to get over that mental hurdle, the captain being one of them. No idea how this all plays out, but it would be a shame for all that "learning experience" to go to another team with him after this year. I realize he's 32 and plays a style of hockey that is physically taxing on the body, but I really hope the Blues find a way to keep him around at least a couple more years.

Last nights win gave me as a fan a lot of confidence in this team. Not just because they convincingly beat Dallas, but the attitude they portrayed doing it. They seemed confident and not overly excited. Kind of a business as usual look to them, and I liked it bc as we know the Blues winning games in the playoffs is not business as usual. I think this next game will finally tell me if they have turned another corner. If they come out and play another hard, in your face 60 minute game then I think they may have finally arrived. Too many time we've seen one step forward two steps back from them too much inconsistency from game to game. If they bring it again tomorrow night for game four then I think this team might just be on their way. Can't wait to see what happens! LGB!
- Hull16

He was really good in the Chicago 2014 series before the head shot. It is why he was targeted.

It's great he is playing great. But never over pay for one play off performance. How many teams have suffered in the cap era for doing just that?

At the same time he is a big part of leading this team.

But first see how it all ends.

The only problem with that, is that we'll have to protect Edmunson and Paryako, both will be outside of their Entry Level deals. I'd just as soon trade Shatty, get what we can, and leave Bouwmeester/Stastny unprotected, that would be fairly close to 25%. With Stastny, Bouwmeester and Elliott unprotected, we'll only lose 2. Elliott will be under the same speculation, and while stastny has proven himself this year, he still isn't worth 7 million. I'd protect Tarasenko, Steen, Schwartz, Fabbri, Lehtera, Brouwer and probably Berglund. (i dont believe we'll still have Backes) Then on D protect Pietrangelo Edmunson and Paryako, and Allen.
- jpl0219

He was and is worth seven million. By taking him from Colorado we setbthem back, brought home a local boy, and he does things in games that are incredible but not always flashy.

Now that his confidence is back and he has been healthy for a clip he has been damn close to a point per game.

Anyone else notice how, after getting boarded by Johns, Petro wasn't engaged with anyone, and Benn came after him, punched him (gloves on) while JBo tried to pull him away? Talk about classless.
- Antilles

What you thought his white power hair cut constituted class?

He was really good in the Chicago 2014 series before the head shot. It is why he was targeted.

It's great he is playing great. But never over pay for one play off performance. How many teams have suffered in the cap era for doing just that?

At the same time he is a big part of leading this team.

But first see how it all ends.
- BluemanGuruu

I guess I don't remember his performance from that series bc it was basically just 2 games. When he came back for the last game it was evident he was not right. I know they went after him for a reason. I also remember thinking they just completely turned this series with one dirty hit.

I guess I don't remember his performance from that series bc it was basically just 2 games. When he came back for the last game it was evident he was not right. I know they went after him for a reason. I also remember thinking they just completely turned this series with one dirty hit.
- Hull16

In my life, I can think of 3 big injuries that changed playoff series (off the top of my head) - Backes, Pronger and Fuhr.

The only problem with that, is that we'll have to protect Edmunson and Paryako, both will be outside of their Entry Level deals. I'd just as soon trade Shatty, get what we can, and leave Bouwmeester/Stastny unprotected, that would be fairly close to 25%. With Stastny, Bouwmeester and Elliott unprotected, we'll only lose 2. Elliott will be under the same speculation, and while stastny has proven himself this year, he still isn't worth 7 million. I'd protect Tarasenko, Steen, Schwartz, Fabbri, Lehtera, Brouwer and probably Berglund. (i dont believe we'll still have Backes) Then on D protect Pietrangelo Edmunson and Paryako, and Allen.
- jpl0219

No way Edmundson gets protected over JBo. A guy struggling on top pairing is way more important to keep than a guy struggling on bottom pairing. heck, there is still a chance it will be Lindbohm playing here next year while Edmundson is in AHL, depending on camp.

Why protect Steen and Berglund? Just a total waste. You can leave them unprotected, they will be UFA a couple weeks after expansion draft. So if one of them is taken, resign as a UFA. If not, then do extension. Blues will likely protect Petro, Parayko, JBo; Allen; Tarasenko, Schwartz, Fabbri, Lehtera, Statsny, whichever we resign of Backes/Brouwer, and a prospect like Barbarshev. No reason to waste protection on Shatty, Steen, Berglund, or Elliott, given their contract situations.

Blues are lucky enough to have a lot of contracts expiring summer of 2017. Time to take advantage of that by waiting to extend them until after expansion draft.

I think we're well versed in that area. At least the fellas on this board. We've all seen this movie before.
- bcallaway

One game at a time one shift at a time

Don't get too high or too low after any one game

except game 2 vs Chicago

I am just trying to enjoy the games

Its a pleasure to watch this team go to work, most of the time

No way Edmundson gets protected over JBo. A guy struggling on top pairing is way more important to keep than a guy struggling on bottom pairing. heck, there is still a chance it will be Lindbohm playing here next year while Edmundson is in AHL, depending on camp.

Why protect Steen and Berglund? Just a total waste. You can leave them unprotected, they will be UFA a couple weeks after expansion draft. So if one of them is taken, resign as a UFA. If not, then do extension. Blues will likely protect Petro, Parayko, JBo; Allen; Tarasenko, Schwartz, Fabbri, Lehtera, Statsny, whichever we resign of Backes/Brouwer, and a prospect like Barbarshev. No reason to waste protection on Shatty, Steen, Berglund, or Elliott, given their contract situations.

Blues are lucky enough to have a lot of contracts expiring summer of 2017. Time to take advantage of that by waiting to extend them until after expansion draft.
- Antilles

Good point about the expansion draft although I don't think it really impacts what they do with Shattenkirk because he doesn't likely fit into the long term plans regardless.

I like your choice of players though, as it stands right now I would pick the same ones. You really can't pick all of them until next year though when you have a better idea not only about the players but the exact rules of the draft. I think by next year at this time you could very well find yourself wanting to hang on to Edmundson over Bouwmeester.

In my life, I can think of 3 big injuries that changed playoff series (off the top of my head) - Backes, Pronger and Fuhr.
- Jason Millen

Don't forget MacInnis. Or Pietrangelo in '12

Don't forget MacInnis. Or Pietrangelo in '12
- fattyboubatty

Chopper was a bad one

but Pietro in 2012 the blues were getting steam rolled by the Kings

Big injury and still not happy there was nothing done to King

Grant Fuhr might be the biggest injury in the history of the franchise

Getting upset just typing that

In my life, I can think of 3 big injuries that changed playoff series (off the top of my head) - Backes, Pronger and Fuhr.
- Jason Millen

Backes was invisible that entire series (I believe he already had a fractured foot) so I don't really agree with that one, but Pronger, MacInnis and Fuhr for sure. Fuhr definitely take the cake. That injury shows why you always need a good backup goalie.

How many hours until game time, Carcus?

How many hours until game time, Carcus?
- bcallaway

I think he might still be sleeping after his kitchen reno

How many hours until game time, Carcus?
- bcallaway

9 hours!

I think he might still be sleeping after his kitchen reno
- sycsam

It is still a mess. We are learning to live with it half completed. It is hard to work, remodel, and be a die-hard Blues fan at the same time.

So the remodel is going slooooowwwwwly.

It is still a mess. We are learning to live with it half completed. It is hard to work, remodel, and be a die-hard Blues fan at the same time.

So the remodel is going slooooowwwwwly.
- carcus

I for one, hope it takes you until August to finish

It is still a mess. We are learning to live with it half completed. It is hard to work, remodel, and be a die-hard Blues fan at the same time.

So the remodel is going slooooowwwwwly.
- carcus

But there are ways to be efficient. For instance, you can wash the dishes while you're in the shower.

Two birds, one stone......

But there are ways to be efficient. For instance, you can wash the dishes while you're in the shower.

Two birds, one stone......
- bcallaway

But there are ways to be efficient. For instance, you can wash the dishes while you're in the shower.

Two birds, one stone......
- bcallaway

Umm, there has been a pile of dishes there. Maybe I should just wash them...



Reminds me of a Sienfeld episode where Kramer was washing off the food in the shower.

I for one, hope it takes you until August to finish
- sycsam

I will finish before then, but I hope I have all kinds of distractions through June!

Umm, there has been a pile of dishes there. Maybe I should just wash them...
- carcus

Having the kids help you dry, well, that's a little awkward......

Major props to your team for this, definitely impressed with the Blues.

http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=881507

For those not going to the game tonight. New drinking game.

Every time Blues take a shot and Lehtonen looks behind him take a shot.