Good job

Jam

I would have taken up the cause but the wife and I are trying to buy a house in the Chicago Burbs and don't really have any money left over at this moment

Keep it up and I will try and participate in the future
- sycsam

Which Burb?

Which Burb?
- powerenforcer

Westmont Downers Grove or Lisle

That was my opinion last year and it worked out. Worked out well in fact.

I'm curious to know if DA thinks he already has his coach-in-waiting on staff now......
- bcallaway

Agreed. My thought is that Hitch moves into the 25th VP role that the Blues have at some point and that there are a team of guys that would step in to coach from a group that is with the organization.

Does anyone remember Brad Shaw being named "Associate Coach"? Was Muller named that too? I thought that this was the succession path that they were taking, elevating Shaw (and maybe Muller) to something more than Assistant Coach.

Maybe that didn't work so well when the chips fell...

Agreed. My thought is that Hitch moves into the 25th VP role that the Blues have at some point and that there are a team of guys that would step in to coach from a group that is with the organization.

Does anyone remember Brad Shaw being named "Associate Coach"? Was Muller named that too? I thought that this was the succession path that they were taking, elevating Shaw (and maybe Muller) to something more than Assistant Coach.

Maybe that didn't work so well when the chips fell...
- eggsegan

Could we see Marty behind the bench?

Westmont Downers Grove or Lisle
- sycsam

Them are a bit further south and west than where I am at. Nice area though. Good luck in your move....

Them are a bit further south and west than where I am at. Nice area though. Good luck in your move....
- powerenforcer

Thanks PE

it is a nice area her folks live in Darien so she wants to be closer to them

Gonna miss living downtown though

Could we see Marty behind the bench?
- sycsam

I wouldn't think so, considering he hasn't coached at any level anywhere and already has a front office job.

I would like to see someone that has some coaching experiences under his belt already. I'm not a fan of the Mike Matheny experiment.

Them are a bit further south and west than where I am at. Nice area though. Good luck in your move....
- powerenforcer

So my relatives are likely west and maybe a bit north of you...Not too far from a winter themed, dilapidated amusement park, lol.

So my relatives are likely west and maybe a bit north of you...Not too far from a winter themed, dilapidated amusement park, lol.
- Jason Millen

I do believe that place is still operating, but not like it used to be.
http://santasvillagedundee.com/

I do believe that place is still operating, but not like it used to be.
http://santasvillagedundee.com/
- powerenforcer

It kind of is as I understand it. Paintball and flea markets now as well from what I have seen.

I expected Hitch to be back.

What will the roster look like though....

I would to see a change in goaltenders personally. Sell high on Elliott since you likely won't keep him due to UFA/expansion draft. He won't be protected. I would also move Allen of a good enough offer was made. Bring back a starter (Bishop please) and you have a backup in Nilsson or one if the young guys.

Trade Shattenkirk/JBo, maybe a forward as well. Personally would love a higher draft pick if possible. Edmonton looking for a Dman+ for the 4th overall???

A couple of moves, along with the experience gained this year, and we are right back in the hunt next year.

Btw, not that anyone cares but I'd do exactly as Shaw is doing.

I've also had the pleasure of meeting and talking to him a handful of times. He is a very smart, well articulated person. I don't imagine he would be unemployed in the NHL very long.

Of course, part of me wonders if a decade in one place is a bit long and the place might benefit from a change in voice.

Btw, not that anyone cares but I'd do exactly as Shaw is doing.

I've also had the pleasure of meeting and talking to him a handful of times. He is a very smart, well articulated person. I don't imagine he would be unemployed in the NHL very long.

Of course, part of me wonders if a decade in one place is a bit long and the place might benefit from a change in voice.
- Jason Millen

I am ok with him leaving. I am interested in who will replace him.

I think he realized this year that he won't be the next head coach of the Blues. So this is a good opportunity to move on and try to find that potential head coaching job. Even if it means taking another assistant position for now.

I am ok with him leaving. I am interested in who will replace him.

I think he realized this year that he won't be the next head coach of the Blues. So this is a good opportunity to move on and try to find that potential head coaching job. Even if it means taking another assistant position for now.
- carcus

He has been rumored to be in the mix or on the cusp of head coaching jobs for probably 3 years now. It seemed logical to me to assume he wasn't their next guy when they brought on Muller.

Another year of Hitch. When we beat Dallas it was all up to Hitch after that point i think to stay or go. I kind of expected him to be back and i really do not have that much of a problem as he learned some things this year. Hopefully there will be no expansion for the next couple of seasons and we can unload a contract or two and bring in some high picks. J-Bow and Shatty i am looking at you. Schwartz needs to be resigned, even if he disappeared for most of the Sharks series.

Glad i am not a head coach or g.m. with all of the cap room mess the Blues are in. Who should stay, who should go, who can we get for so and so……………. I don't envy that job.

Obviously if J-Bow waives his trade clause and is shipped out who plays top minutes on the 1st line. Shatty is a little easier, the answer is already here. Parayko.

Forwards???………………????????

Love that hitch is back. Sad to see Shaw go. He will make a great head coach somewhere. I don't like Muller as a head coach. He wasn't very good in Carolina, but he didn't really have much of a roster to work with. Shatty will be gone by the draft. Bouwmeister stays unless we want to eat a bunch of his contract or buy him out.

Good Luck to Hitch! Always liked him as a coach , Always had time even in opposing building to stop and talk to fans who sought him out. Another class guy like coach Q in the NHL. Now....no mention of Troy Brouwer? Goner? Prolly goin back home to Vancouver possibly?

Good Luck to Hitch! Always liked him as a coach , Always had time even in opposing building to stop and talk to fans who sought him out. Another class guy like coach Q in the NHL. Now....no mention of Troy Brouwer? Goner? Prolly goin back home to Vancouver possibly?
- wonthecup10

They are very interested in bringing Brouwer back and he enjoyed his time in St. Louis but will the economics work? We shall see.

I was glad to hear Tarasenko was just being wise. I did not expect such a thing from such a young kid. Glad to hear he understands he has lots more work to do and that there are no issues with the club.

I do not know why I ever fall for the media garbage. The media is always distorting the truth and speculating. I should know better than to read anything, especially concerning hockey, from the writers of the post-disgrace.

That said Armstrong did say he would welcome Shattenkirk back if his salary piece fit into the long term of the team. I expect him to be traded at the draft. I will not be completely shocked if he is not.

So first Schwartz and then Armstrong will get to the rest and in those articles I noticed he talked about Schwartz and Backes but not Brouwer.


It will be an interesting off season.

He has been rumored to be in the mix or on the cusp of head coaching jobs for probably 3 years now. It seemed logical to me to assume he wasn't their next guy when they brought on Muller.
- Jason Millen

Same here. Also the defensive positioning was a weakness. The PK has always been great under him.

Best to him. Glad he is moving on to be honest. Maybe we can see some improvements in that end.

Hope they figurenout a better break out scheme.

I expected Hitch to be back.

What will the roster look like though....

I would to see a change in goaltenders personally. Sell high on Elliott since you likely won't keep him due to UFA/expansion draft. He won't be protected. I would also move Allen of a good enough offer was made. Bring back a starter (Bishop please) and you have a backup in Nilsson or one if the young guys.

Trade Shattenkirk/JBo, maybe a forward as well. Personally would love a higher draft pick if possible. Edmonton looking for a Dman+ for the 4th overall???

A couple of moves, along with the experience gained this year, and we are right back in the hunt next year.
- carcus

I like this.

Would Edmonton take Lehtera and Shattenkirk and some pick or prospect for the 4th pick? And then you have decide between Tkachuk and organizational needs, the French Canadian kid two-way center. I would lean towards the center even though I think Tkachuk's kid is better than Walt was.

It would be really cool if the Blues could get out from under JayBo. I think he is still esteemed enough and has value. He would not be the worst thing for the Blues other than hitting their heads on the cap. Perhaps he could fit into Buffalo who surely needs some veterans here and there throughout their line up. But I think he said something about a dream to okay for his hometown team.

I like this.

Would Edmonton take Lehtera and Shattenkirk and some pick or prospect for the 4th pick? And then you have decide between Tkachuk and organizational needs, the French Canadian kid two-way center. I would lean towards the center even though I think Tkachuk's kid is better than Walt was.

It would be really cool if the Blues could get out from under JayBo. I think he is still esteemed enough and has value. He would not be the worst thing for the Blues other than hitting their heads on the cap. Perhaps he could fit into Buffalo who surely needs some veterans here and there throughout their line up. But I think he said something about a dream to okay for his hometown team.
- BluemanGuruu

I do not think we are going to see a trade in today's NHL where 9-10m in salary goes one way and zero coming back.

I do not think we are going to see a trade in today's NHL where 9-10m in salary goes one way and zero coming back.
- Yeah Boyes

Take on Andrew Ference

I would love a Shattenkirk and Elliot for Bishop plus deal

Rumors swirling that Muller declined his 1 year deal. Negotiating ploy or is he moving on?

For all of those who are so quick to deal Jaybo, who are your 3 LD next year then?

Edmundson, Gunnarsson, and ?

I'm not saying I am against dealing him but you have to add another LD, maybe 2, imho.