Jason Millen: Blues look to sweep the road trip in their final visit to the Joe Blues look to sweep the road trip in their final visit to the Joe

Berglund is so hot right now he doesn't even have to try to score. Pucks are just hitting his stick and going in the net.


If i recall, it was actually the St. Louis Blues that opened the Joe Louis Arena by defeating the Red Wings way back when.

Berglund is so hot right now he doesn't even have to try to score. Pucks are just hitting his stick and going in the net.


If i recall, it was actually the St. Louis Blues that opened the Joe Louis Arena by defeating the Red Wings way back when.
- bcallaway

it was Brian Sutter that scored the first ever goal in the Joe

Berglund is so hot right now he doesn't even have to try to score. Pucks are just hitting his stick and going in the net.


If i recall, it was actually the St. Louis Blues that opened the Joe Louis Arena by defeating the Red Wings way back when.
- bcallaway

I think we should be keeping the "Berglund has had hot streaks in the past, he can't keep this up" narrative going, seems to be working. My guess is he's a hockeybuzz regular, reads our negative messages about him and goes out to prove us wrong.

Hoping for a big blowout embarrassing the Wings in our final game at the Joe.

Stinking Wings....

I'll take a shutout.

Hutton has been impressive lately. 3 shutouts in 4 games. Nice. All of a sudden, goaltending has gone from a major weakness to a strength.

I'll take a shutout.

Hutton has been impressive lately. 3 shutouts in 4 games. Nice. All of a sudden, goaltending has gone from a major weakness to a strength.
- carcus

I think that has a lot to do with the coaching change

guys are playing with more pride and urgency

Not going through the motions so to speak

Players in front of them are playing much better

I'll take a shutout.

Hutton has been impressive lately. 3 shutouts in 4 games. Nice. All of a sudden, goaltending has gone from a major weakness to a strength.
- carcus

What the heck is going on with the goalies?

Was Corsi telling them to keep one eye closed or something???

This has been a remarkable turn around for both of them.

What the heck is going on with the goalies?

Was Corsi telling them to keep one eye closed or something???

This has been a remarkable turn around for both of them.
- bcallaway

Biggest thing I've noticed is that they're squaring up the shots and the defense has been better with giving them a lane to see shots, clearing the rebounds away and just protecting the net better.

What the heck is going on with the goalies?

Was Corsi telling them to keep one eye closed or something???

This has been a remarkable turn around for both of them.
- bcallaway

We all do well with some teachers than we do with others, could be terminology or the fact that Marty is a HOF guy

whatever is happening hope it continues

I think that has a lot to do with the coaching change

guys are playing with more pride and urgency

Not going through the motions so to speak

Players in front of them are playing much better
- sycsam

I agree. They are playing a lot better. Probably has a lot to do with the decision to go back to zone in the defense instead of a man defense they were running this year.

What the heck is going on with the goalies?

Was Corsi telling them to keep one eye closed or something???

This has been a remarkable turn around for both of them.
- bcallaway

I think it's 90% the defense in front of them.

10% a new voice.

We are playing so much better in front of the goalies.

I agree. They are playing a lot better. Probably has a lot to do with the decision to go back to zone in the defense instead of a man defense they were running this year.
- carcus

plus we always marveled at Hitch's teams not clearing the front of the net. We questioned Petro and JayBo's ability to do so and now they do.

I love what I am seeing. Positive attitude, players more relaxed.... I knew there was something wrong with Hitch's teams after Minnesota beat them. He is obviously a good coach but taskmasters and mental games are tricks with a shelf life.

I noticed a much more obvious sign of the coaching change last night and am surprised nobody has mentioned it yet. More on that in a blog later today.

I noticed a much more obvious sign of the coaching change last night and am surprised nobody has mentioned it yet. More on that in a blog later today.
- Jason Millen

Young guys playing in the last couple of minutes of a close game?

I only was able to watch part of the game, so I am just guessing at what you are thinking. I saw the young kids playing with like 2 or 3 minutes left in the 3rd in a 1-0 game. Very nice to see confidence in them, they are earning it with their play.

Hey guys....blast from the past, I know. Work and kids means I have zero time to do anything other that read some article here and there and have an internal monologue in my own mind. However, as a departure from the running thread here I wanted to seek all of your thoughts at the ever-so-looming probability that Shat-Deuces is going to inevitably be traded.

Honestly, I think this is a H-U-G-E mistake. I mean given the circumstances, I get that cap considerations and protecting players for the coming expansion draft kind of makes it all to real, BUT.....what might the prospects be of exploring an alternative? Shat-Deuces is an integral part of the offense (esp. running the PP), yet we keep reading/hearing through hockey analysts that the Blues are deep on defense and someone can step right in to fill his hole......yeah, right...not to his caliber to say the least. I'm not entirely sure of the contract status here (whether this individual has a NTC or not), but what about the prospects of the Blues shopping Bouwmeester? I mean the selling point here is to get rid of him and his bloated contract, I don't care if the Blues were to get little to nothing in return. The point here is to bleed a terrible contract of an aging player in order to use the add'l $'s to throw at the possibility of re-signing Shatty.

Granted this is pie in the sky and so many stars would have to align for this to work, but think about it. Teams in need of a 3/4 vet d-man (Bouwmeester); who are willing/able to absorb his contract; and knowing that Shatty would WANT to absolutely re-sign here rather than test the market and slip away. I see that this is more than likely a path that cannot be traversed, but there HAS to be some avenue to explore to keep Shatty. I just think the Blues will be taking a major step backwards in their offensive punch for the coming years w/o him.....guys to the likes of Shat-Deuces don't come around very often. Just sayin'.

Thanks for the read and hope each and every one of you are well. GO BLUES! Let's make it 6 in a row tonight!!!

Young guys playing in the last couple of minutes of a close game?

I only was able to watch part of the game, so I am just guessing at what you are thinking. I saw the young kids playing with like 2 or 3 minutes left in the 3rd in a 1-0 game. Very nice to see confidence in them, they are earning it with their play.
- carcus

That's what i was going to guess too, also not benching agostino after that turnover and the coaches immediately go over the play with him.

Hey guys....blast from the past, I know. Work and kids means I have zero time to do anything other that read some article here and there and have an internal monologue in my own mind. However, as a departure from the running thread here I wanted to seek all of your thoughts at the ever-so-looming probability that Shat-Deuces is going to inevitably be traded.

Honestly, I think this is a H-U-G-E mistake. I mean given the circumstances, I get that cap considerations and protecting players for the coming expansion draft kind of makes it all to real, BUT.....what might the prospects be of exploring an alternative? Shat-Deuces is an integral part of the offense (esp. running the PP), yet we keep reading/hearing through hockey analysts that the Blues are deep on defense and someone can step right in to fill his hole......yeah, right...not to his caliber to say the least. I'm not entirely sure of the contract status here (whether this individual has a NTC or not), but what about the prospects of the Blues shopping Bouwmeester? I mean the selling point here is to get rid of him and his bloated contract, I don't care if the Blues were to get little to nothing in return. The point here is to bleed a terrible contract of an aging player in order to use the add'l $'s to throw at the possibility of re-signing Shatty.

Granted this is pie in the sky and so many stars would have to align for this to work, but think about it. Teams in need of a 3/4 vet d-man (Bouwmeester); who are willing/able to absorb his contract; and knowing that Shatty would WANT to absolutely re-sign here rather than test the market and slip away. I see that this is more than likely a path that cannot be traversed, but there HAS to be some avenue to explore to keep Shatty. I just think the Blues will be taking a major step backwards in their offensive punch for the coming years w/o him.....guys to the likes of Shat-Deuces don't come around very often. Just sayin'.

Thanks for the read and hope each and every one of you are well. GO BLUES! Let's make it 6 in a row tonight!!!
- NortheastBlue15

The blues have options in the ahl with schmaltz and dunn to fill in some of the role, but shats is going to command more than bo's contract and who knows if anyone really wants him right now anyway, no one is lining up to take away bad contracts for free.

Young guys playing in the last couple of minutes of a close game?

I only was able to watch part of the game, so I am just guessing at what you are thinking. I saw the young kids playing with like 2 or 3 minutes left in the 3rd in a 1-0 game. Very nice to see confidence in them, they are earning it with their play.
- carcus

Is my thought process that obvious or is it a goalie thing?

The blues have options in the ahl with smaltz and dunn to fill in some of the role, but shats is going to command more than bo's contract and who knows if anyone really wants him right now anyway, no one is lining up to take away bad contracts for free.
- .....

All right....definitely valid points. Secondary point I get (thus the pie in the sky and all stars would need to align theory). While, yes, those who are paying attention [league-wide] know that Bo's best days are behind him, he's still serviceable to a team in need of a 3/4 d-man who are looking for a veteran presence. Another aspect is essentially why a team might take some/majority/all of Bo's remaining contract being that there isn't anything they are giving back. (I mean c'mon that would essentially be picking their pocket twice). Another team takes on sizable salary; gets a serviceable vet and doesn't need to part with their present / future assets....could be alluring to the right buyer.

To the initial point, I'll admit that I'm not butched up on the "talent" in the minors to know their capabilities and/or projected potential. While I have heard Schmalz name, I haven't heard of Dunn. Don't know really what to expect out of either of them....though I believe that Schmalz has been touted by some to be a value-add at some point down the road.

Last point I'm going to make here is this....let's flip the script back to the looming inevitable. While we've all been hearing for quite some time now the likes of BOS, TOR, and TB as teams targeting Shatty, I've heard/read next to nothing about who the Blues would be seeking in return (other than Bishop from TB -- no thanks). So who all do you guys see as potential targets/assets to receive for Shatty? Who would you possibly want?

That's what i was going to guess too, also not benching agostino after that turnover and the coaches immediately go over the play with him.
- .....

It's really part of the same thing in a way.

Did my eyes deceive me, or was Letehra on the penalty kill last night?

Did my eyes deceive me, or was Letehra on the penalty kill last night?
- lastmanback

Who else are you going to put out to take faceoffs? Stastny and brodziak are out and steen wins what 8% of the draws he takes?

Hey guys....blast from the past, I know. Work and kids means I have zero time to do anything other that read some article here and there and have an internal monologue in my own mind. However, as a departure from the running thread here I wanted to seek all of your thoughts at the ever-so-looming probability that Shat-Deuces is going to inevitably be traded.

Honestly, I think this is a H-U-G-E mistake. I mean given the circumstances, I get that cap considerations and protecting players for the coming expansion draft kind of makes it all to real, BUT.....what might the prospects be of exploring an alternative? Shat-Deuces is an integral part of the offense (esp. running the PP), yet we keep reading/hearing through hockey analysts that the Blues are deep on defense and someone can step right in to fill his hole......yeah, right...not to his caliber to say the least. I'm not entirely sure of the contract status here (whether this individual has a NTC or not), but what about the prospects of the Blues shopping Bouwmeester? I mean the selling point here is to get rid of him and his bloated contract, I don't care if the Blues were to get little to nothing in return. The point here is to bleed a terrible contract of an aging player in order to use the add'l $'s to throw at the possibility of re-signing Shatty.

Granted this is pie in the sky and so many stars would have to align for this to work, but think about it. Teams in need of a 3/4 vet d-man (Bouwmeester); who are willing/able to absorb his contract; and knowing that Shatty would WANT to absolutely re-sign here rather than test the market and slip away. I see that this is more than likely a path that cannot be traversed, but there HAS to be some avenue to explore to keep Shatty. I just think the Blues will be taking a major step backwards in their offensive punch for the coming years w/o him.....guys to the likes of Shat-Deuces don't come around very often. Just sayin'.

Thanks for the read and hope each and every one of you are well. GO BLUES! Let's make it 6 in a row tonight!!!
- NortheastBlue15

Whoa look who the cat drug in

All right....definitely valid points. Secondary point I get (thus the pie in the sky and all stars would need to align theory). While, yes, those who are paying attention
- NortheastBlue15[league-wide] know that Bo's best days are behind him, he's still serviceable to a team in need of a 3/4 d-man who are looking for a veteran presence. Another aspect is essentially why a team might take some/majority/all of Bo's remaining contract being that there isn't anything they are giving back. (I mean c'mon that would essentially be picking their pocket twice). Another team takes on sizable salary; gets a serviceable vet and doesn't need to part with their present / future assets....could be alluring to the right buyer.

To the initial point, I'll admit that I'm not butched up on the "talent" in the minors to know their capabilities and/or projected potential. While I have heard Schmalz name, I haven't heard of Dunn. Don't know really what to expect out of either of them....though I believe that Schmalz has been touted by some to be a value-add at some point down the road.

Last point I'm going to make here is this....let's flip the script back to the looming inevitable. While we've all been hearing for quite some time now the likes of BOS, TOR, and TB as teams targeting Shatty, I've heard/read next to nothing about who the Blues would be seeking in return (other than Bishop from TB -- no thanks). So who all do you guys see as potential targets/assets to receive for Shatty? Who would you possibly want?

Cannot let him leave and get nothing. Sounds like return would be 1st round pick plus prospect. Maybe more if 1st round pick is low and/ or not exact prospect you want.

To remain competitive in this league you need a steady flow of strong talent to add to your team at cap friendly dollars. Letting FAs walk and making dumb trades puts you in Checketts era rebuilding mode.