Chip McCleary: The Ex-Blues Report Because discussing last night's game isn't nearly as fun as seeing who will pine for a lone-gone player.

I hope to see Tarasenko hit just as hard and clean as Mayers was real soon.

I hope to see Tarasenko hit just as hard and clean as Mayers was real soon.
- Ogilthorpe2

If recent experience is any indication, it may be like guys who've tried to do that to Oshie - the other guy is the one getting up off the ice like he got ran over by someone.

So it's inconceivable to think you keep an up and coming goaltender and trade a a career .902 before a incredible season he posted a .940 and get the greatest value out of it?
Bishop by the way gave up five goals against the Tampa Bay Lightening who is a stacked offensive team in a game they won 6-4 so I would say an open ended game. A game where Tampa had four power plays in the first period and only scored one goal while peppering 15 shots on goal and high quality scoring chances.



It's not that Bishop is necessarily the answer it has more to do with valuation of what you have. At the very least Bishop is a slight upgrade with pontential.

There is no question the Blues are still searching for a true number one netminder.

This whole tandem thing is way to ease egos. Because if the blues had a Luongo, Brodeur(maybe not quite this old), Lundquist, etc. make no mistake they would be running them out there far more often than they have Halak.

Maybe in the off season or before we can make a trade with the Ducks that involves John Gibson.

If recent experience is any indication, it may be like guys who've tried to do that to Oshie - the other guy is the one getting up off the ice like he got ran over by someone.
- Chip McCleary

Or um say Toews starts a fight with Backes you'll just have someone else jump in because god knows they won't call a third man in.

Given that our left side is led by Redden and then second is Barret Jackman and for some reason the third is Russell how come the Blues couldn't spare a fifth or even as high as third rounder on a shot on Ellerby? SHoot he's twice as tall as RUssell I'm sure you could give it a shot at least. That is a steal by LA in my books, even if they lose they win for trying at minimal cost.

Given that our left side is led by Redden and then second is Barret Jackman and for some reason the third is Russell how come the Blues couldn't spare a fifth or even as high as third rounder on a shot on Ellerby? SHoot he's twice as tall as RUssell I'm sure you could give it a shot at least. That is a steal by LA in my books, even if they lose they win for trying at minimal cost.
- BluemanGuruu

The Kings defense before the trade was Doughty, Scuderi, Voynov, Martinez, Drewiske, and Muzzin. Ellerby is probably an upgrade over 2 of those guys. On the Blues, Ellerby is possibly an upgrade over Russell - but in virtually guarantees Cole goes back to Peoria to make room for him.

So it's inconceivable to think you keep an up and coming goaltender and trade a a career .902 before a incredible season he posted a .940 and get the greatest value out of it?
Bishop by the way gave up five goals against the Tampa Bay Lightening who is a stacked offensive team in a game they won 6-4 so I would say an open ended game. A game where Tampa had four power plays in the first period and only scored one goal while peppering 15 shots on goal and high quality scoring chances.
- BluemanGuruu

Bishop's problems with handling the top half of the net go all the way back to his days at the University of Maine. Even then, when he should have been able to use his frame to clog up the net, he got beat up high way too many times - and it's something he never improved on. I have zero problem with having traded Bishop away. He's a decent goalie, will look good at times, but is probably a career backup at best - and to get a 2nd for him was an absolute steal, especially since Ottawa now has Lehner chomping at the bit in the minors and no real market for Bishop.

The other thing to consider: both Bishop and Elliott were sans contract going into the end of the year, and we were intent on a playoff run. One guy had demonstrated issues in the NHL and finally had a solid season in the AHL, the other was playing lights out in the NHL. Which one of the two did you want on the roster if (when) Halak got hurt?

That doesn't mean I think Elliott is the long-term solution, but I think he at least has the capability to stand in as a #1 for a while if he's playing well. That said, as long as the team struggles to find creativity on offense and generate consistent pressure to score goals, and forgets to execute basic defensive play, he's not the biggest problem we have.

If recent experience is any indication, it may be like guys who've tried to do that to Oshie - the other guy is the one getting up off the ice like he got ran over by someone.
- Chip McCleary

He's already superman eh?

He's already superman eh?
- Ogilthorpe2

Well he's certainly accomplishing something more substantial than attempting to troll on the internet.

Well he's certainly accomplishing something more substantial than attempting to troll on the internet.
- Chip McCleary

When you only get a handful of comments, he's just helping the cause! It's all about blog hits...

When you only get a handful of comments, he's just helping the cause! It's all about blog hits...
- moots

If quantity was always better than quantity, Yzerman would gladly take that trade offer of Mayers, Brookbank, Lalonde, Dahlbeck, Nordstrom, Lavin, Froese, Flick, and Gilbert and a pair of 7th's in '16 and '18 for Stamkos and Hedman, citing the immense number of warm bodies being added to the system.

Well he's certainly accomplishing something more substantial than attempting to troll on the internet.
- Chip McCleary

A direct response to statements made in your blog hardly qualifies as trolling.

Bishop's problems with handling the top half of the net go all the way back to his days at the University of Maine. Even then, when he should have been able to use his frame to clog up the net, he got beat up high way too many times - and it's something he never improved on. I have zero problem with having traded Bishop away. He's a decent goalie, will look good at times, but is probably a career backup at best - and to get a 2nd for him was an absolute steal, especially since Ottawa now has Lehner chomping at the bit in the minors and no real market for Bishop.

The other thing to consider: both Bishop and Elliott were sans contract going into the end of the year, and we were intent on a playoff run. One guy had demonstrated issues in the NHL and finally had a solid season in the AHL, the other was playing lights out in the NHL. Which one of the two did you want on the roster if (when) Halak got hurt?

That doesn't mean I think Elliott is the long-term solution, but I think he at least has the capability to stand in as a #1 for a while if he's playing well. That said, as long as the team struggles to find creativity on offense and generate consistent pressure to score goals, and forgets to execute basic defensive play, he's not the biggest problem we have.
- Chip McCleary

Elliott signed an extension in January. http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...tt-two-year-36m-extension

I misremembered the Bishop trade a second rounder in this year's draft is a decent move.
The reason the Senators picked Bishop up was to give Lehner a bit more time and also because Anderson was injured last year and has a bit of an injury history and Ottawa was entering the play offs with a pretty good squad.

Yeah I would have traded Elliott in the off season. I would have seen if I could steal some talent away from Tampa or some other team. I would have looked a bit longer at Bishop and/ or looked into looking for a true number one after what my team showed me.

I hope to see Tarasenko hit just as hard and clean as Mayers was real soon.
- Ogilthorpe2

Fact Mayers was hit legally because Keith gave him a suicide pass.

Fact Shannahan broke down the hit on the NHL Network and said the hit was perfectly legal, that at no time was contact made with the head.

Fact Jamal Mayers has put down non-refundable travel payments for at least one vacation during the first round of when the play offs would take place. Then when the Blues team he was playing on looked more and more like they might make it became very nervous about those arrangements per his wife who sat behind my season ticket seat.(Of course the team washed out with a player like Jamal Mayers).

Fact you are in idiot sir for such a comment for one than one reason: 1) Jamal Mayers is fairly worthless, talentless player who has enjoyed far too many years in the show than a rookie who pooped out more talent yesterday than Mayers ever had. 2) Chip never said he was happy about the hit but rather stated what many around this country and the one up north perceive as a Chicago bias displayed by the NHL and their officials. Do you remember Hossa scoring an over time goal that never crossed the line allowing your lowly team to make play offs over the deserving Dallas Stars?

Wee men like you are quite capable of displaying you courage when your name is hidden, you are on the internet and would never do so in real life.

One example of my courage so as you don't confuse me with yourself--I have a CIB--Combat Infantry Badge, that was awarded to me.

Chip of course I am probably being a bit too reactionary at the moment. It's just those two butt whippings after a stolen game kind of rankle me a lot.

This team seems to be taking some big steps backwards when they should be getting a lot better and their play tightening up. I have seen Petro dramatically improve his play every game. That goal that went off his stick was unfortunate but hardly a damning statement on what he has thus far shown. Early on he was maybe choosing his spots a bit unwisely and over committing but now he seems to be right on target.

If the defense cannot be active this team has problems. That means there needs to better back checking as well. We both haven't seen it or their ability to get on the puck and cause turnovers.

Fact Mayers was hit legally because Keith gave him a suicide pass.

Fact Shannahan broke down the hit on the NHL Network and said the hit was perfectly legal, that at no time was contact made with the head.

Fact Jamal Mayers has put down non-refundable travel payments for at least one vacation during the first round of when the play offs would take place. Then when the Blues team he was playing on looked more and more like they might make it became very nervous about those arrangements per his wife who sat behind my season ticket seat.(Of course the team washed out with a player like Jamal Mayers).

Fact you are in idiot sir for such a comment for one than one reason: 1) Jamal Mayers is fairly worthless, talentless player who has enjoyed far too many years in the show than a rookie who pooped out more talent yesterday than Mayers ever had. 2) Chip never said he was happy about the hit but rather stated what many around this country and the one up north perceive as a Chicago bias displayed by the NHL and their officials. Do you remember Hossa scoring an over time goal that never crossed the line allowing your lowly team to make play offs over the deserving Dallas Stars?

Wee men like you are quite capable of displaying you courage when your name is hidden, you are on the internet and would never do so in real life.

One example of my courage so as you don't confuse me with yourself--I have a CIB--Combat Infantry Badge, that was awarded to me.
- BluemanGuruu

Don't sweat him. I've dealt with idiotic Chicago folk like him my entire life and there is no hope with some of them.

On another note, I'm really hoping we show some signs of life tonight. This short season could get away from us pretty quickly if we continue to play as bad as we are. I thought the last game would be a lot different then what it was after getting handled by the Preds but it was a lot of the same mistakes. I'm predicting they're pissed and start playing Blues hockey again tonight.

Don't sweat him. I've dealt with idiotic Chicago folk like him my entire life and there is no hope with some of them.

On another note, I'm really hoping we show some signs of life tonight. This short season could get away from us pretty quickly if we continue to play as bad as we are. I thought the last game would be a lot different then what it was after getting handled by the Preds but it was a lot of the same mistakes. I'm predicting they're pissed and start playing Blues hockey again tonight.
- jgunner34

I feel the same way and share the same hopes man.
That guy doesn't bother me I just thought I would help Chip out a bit.

Don't worry about protecting me, I'm a big boy. In fact, Mike Gundy says because I'm 40, I'm a man.

Fact Mayers was hit legally because Keith gave him a suicide pass.

Fact Shannahan broke down the hit on the NHL Network and said the hit was perfectly legal, that at no time was contact made with the head.

Fact Jamal Mayers has put down non-refundable travel payments for at least one vacation during the first round of when the play offs would take place. Then when the Blues team he was playing on looked more and more like they might make it became very nervous about those arrangements per his wife who sat behind my season ticket seat.(Of course the team washed out with a player like Jamal Mayers).

Fact you are in idiot sir for such a comment for one than one reason: 1) Jamal Mayers is fairly worthless, talentless player who has enjoyed far too many years in the show than a rookie who pooped out more talent yesterday than Mayers ever had. 2) Chip never said he was happy about the hit but rather stated what many around this country and the one up north perceive as a Chicago bias displayed by the NHL and their officials. Do you remember Hossa scoring an over time goal that never crossed the line allowing your lowly team to make play offs over the deserving Dallas Stars?

Wee men like you are quite capable of displaying you courage when your name is hidden, you are on the internet and would never do so in real life.

One example of my courage so as you don't confuse me with yourself--I have a CIB--Combat Infantry Badge, that was awarded to me.
- BluemanGuruu

Careful, don't want you to get hurt patting yourself on the back.