James Tanner: Blues Need To Stay the Course Another first round exit should not prompt the team to panic.

- Alpha_Nuck

Irony

Irony
- Aetherial

Yup. Except the Canucks were picked by many to miss he playoffs and the Blues like the Sharks in years past were getting picked to finally get over the hump and have disappointed.


Hitchcock needs to go.


We've saved our good pal Backes a spot on our golf course!

Good blog, but I completely disagree. They need to shuffle the deck big time (not the coach). Their miserable playoff track record is unacceptable.

Bernier

1st, Ott, 4th

On what basis do you feel that you have the authority to speak on the subject?

As a Blues fan, I've watched the machinations of this team since about 1986. I understand the ebb and flow of talent as well as the what this team and others have done to adjust their teams to remain competitive in a constantly changing game.

The Blues weren't fast enough to beat a bigger Kings team. They weren't speedy enough to beat the Blackhawks (and now the Wild). This team is a tweener with a bad attitude.

Players are beginning to rebel against Hitch's message. Hitch isn't making the coaching decisions at the right time to make a difference.

Sorry, I just don't buy your argument.

The Blues need to compete within their own division. That means retooling to be a faster team. Nashville and the Blues both lost out to faster, more skilled teams.

Once they get out of the division, all bets are off. They gotta get out of the division though.

Bernier

1st, Ott, 4th
- Tumbleweed

lololololololololololololol

Nope, they're awful and you need to trade everyone. Especially Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk, those guys are bums. Edmonton will do you a favour and take them off your hands.

Bernier

1st, Ott, 4th
- Tumbleweed

Dude Bernier is worth pretty much zero.

Nope, they're awful and you need to trade everyone. Especially Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk, those guys are bums. Edmonton will do you a favour and take them off your hands.
- freelancer

Id push for an Eberle for Pietrangelo deal if I were Edmonton

Good blog, but I completely disagree. They need to shuffle the deck big time (not the coach). Their miserable playoff track record is unacceptable.
- The-O-G

I just think the Playoff record isn't that bad. Someone has to lose, and when the first round matchups are essentially tougher than the Cup Final it doesn't make sense to panic. Not saying you can't improve your team, but making reactionary decisions is almost always a bad idea.

Dude Bernier is worth pretty much zero.
- The_Kuze

nah, he's an average starting goalie. he's got value

reimer on the other hand is worth less than zero

Dude Bernier is worth pretty much zero.
- The_Kuze

Not only that, but Jake Allen is younger and more talented.

On what basis do you feel that you have the authority to speak on the subject?

As a Blues fan, I've watched the machinations of this team since about 1986. I understand the ebb and flow of talent as well as the what this team and others have done to adjust their teams to remain competitive in a constantly changing game.

The Blues weren't fast enough to beat a bigger Kings team. They weren't speedy enough to beat the Blackhawks (and now the Wild). This team is a tweener with a bad attitude.

Players are beginning to rebel against Hitch's message. Hitch isn't making the coaching decisions at the right time to make a difference.

Sorry, I just don't buy your argument.

The Blues need to compete within their own division. That means retooling to be a faster team. Nashville and the Blues both lost out to faster, more skilled teams.

Once they get out of the division, all bets are off. They gotta get out of the division though.
- eggsegan

Based on my tested IQ of 206.

I think with the Blues, it's goaltending. They need to settle on one guy and not two like they've done in recent seasons. That was my only knock on you guys this year, otherwise this Blues team is really good,IMO.

Sabres should offer sheet Tarensko at like 5-6 years at 7-8mil a year. No way blues could match that and if they do we will be able to steal some of their other players like Backes and ect. They would be compensated two first-round picks and a second- and third-round pick. Would be worth it.

I agree that Hitchcock isn't the problem even though he probably won't be back. The roster does not need a complete overhaul, but some changes must be made. Jackman most likely won't be back. Oshie has been rumored to be on the trade block since the midpoint of the season. After that, I think you ship out a combo of 19, 20, 21, 42....pretty much anyone not named Schwartz, Tarasenko, Pietrangelo or Shattenkirk should be made available for the right price. Look for Sobotka to be back in a Blues uniform next year too.

On what basis do you feel that you have the authority to speak on the subject?

As a Blues fan, I've watched the machinations of this team since about 1986. I understand the ebb and flow of talent as well as the what this team and others have done to adjust their teams to remain competitive in a constantly changing game.

The Blues weren't fast enough to beat a bigger Kings team. They weren't speedy enough to beat the Blackhawks (and now the Wild). This team is a tweener with a bad attitude.

Players are beginning to rebel against Hitch's message. Hitch isn't making the coaching decisions at the right time to make a difference.

Sorry, I just don't buy your argument.

The Blues need to compete within their own division. That means retooling to be a faster team. Nashville and the Blues both lost out to faster, more skilled teams.

Once they get out of the division, all bets are off. They gotta get out of the division though.
- eggsegan

I'd start with Backes personally....cut the head off the snake. Then go to Oshie and Jackman.

I watched the blues very closely this year, more than any team (not much to watch leafs wise) since my fantasy team was all blues.

To me they have always been lacking that true leader to take the team on his back. Tarasenko is amongst the most complete players in the league but not a leader.

I don't see the same 3 centres back... i wonder if the blues knew Lehtera would fit in this effectively if they still sign stasny? St Louis probably has the deepest team in the league, just don't have that jonathan toews type guy who wills them to victory. Jake allen is on his way to being a very good goalie.

Oshie, elliot and backes are the question marks (and expensive ones at that) in my opinion. I have no idea how st louis handles this defeat but change is definitely needed.

Not sure any of current Western teams could be or would have been an easy match-up for the Blues. Certainly not Anaheim or Calgary, and the Jets played extremely well despite the loss. Switching coaches may not be useful - who would replace Hitchcock? McLellan? Same result as per the Sharks. From what I saw in the series (and I'm not a Blues fan), a lack of strong forecheck killed them. I think a little more aggression and hitting along the wall to create turnovers would have helped. The Wild are vulnerable to aggressive checking and can be thrown off their game (also works against the Wings and a number of east coast teams).

I watched the blues very closely this year, more than any team (not much to watch leafs wise) since my fantasy team was all blues.

To me they have always been lacking that true leader to take the team on his back. Tarasenko is amongst the most complete players in the league but not a leader.

I don't see the same 3 centres back... i wonder if the blues knew Lehtera would fit in this effectively if they still sign stasny? St Louis probably has the deepest team in the league, just don't have that jonathan toews type guy who wills them to victory. Jake allen is on his way to being a very good goalie.

Oshie, elliot and backes are the question marks (and expensive ones at that) in my opinion. I have no idea how st louis handles this defeat but change is definitely needed.
- clark_griswold

Based on what is Tarasenko not a leader? Because he is Russian? Because he's a scoring winger? Beacuse he's not a third line grinder or Canadian first-line centre?

I mean, I don't know if he is or isn't, but how can you possibly make such a statement unless you've spent time with him personally.

Maybe his way of leading is by being f'n awesome. Maybe he brags to his friends that I feature his goals in my blog and that inspires them to do better things. Who knows?

Not sure any of current Western teams could be or would have been an easy match-up for the Blues. Certainly not Anaheim or Calgary, and the Jets played extremely well despite the loss. Switching coaches may not be useful - who would replace Hitchcock? McLellan? Same result as per the Sharks. From what I saw in the series (and I'm not a Blues fan), a lack of strong forecheck killed them. I think a little more aggression and hitting along the wall to create turnovers would have helped. The Wild are vulnerable to aggressive checking and can be thrown off their game (also works against the Wings and a number of east coast teams).
- Asplanchna

You can say different teams or a different style or a harder forecheck, but then again, if their othewise pretty great goalie doesn't let in two soft dud goals, they are playing in game seven.

I just think the Playoff record isn't that bad. Someone has to lose, and when the first round matchups are essentially tougher than the Cup Final it doesn't make sense to panic. Not saying you can't improve your team, but making reactionary decisions is almost always a bad idea.
- James_Tanner

I wouldn't call them reactionary.... they lose every GD year (have only won 1 playoff round in the past 12 seasons). The mix clearly isn't right, so what's the point in staying the course? Tough matchups or not they are not getting the job done, period. And they are going to have some serious contract issues if they don't start moving a few guys out given that they are not a cap team.

Not only that, but Jake Allen is younger and more talented.
- James_Tanner

based on what is allen more talented? Based on Bernier having a better 5 on 5 SV% on a crappier team?