Jason Millen: Good news/Bad news blog as the Blues travel to the Wild Good news/Bad news blog as the Blues travel to the Wild

Half of me thinks missing playoffs may not be worst thing for this club. Figure for sure will then get the shakeup we really need long term.

Blues apparently feeling same way. Sending out season ticket renewals w zero reference to playoffs.

Half of me thinks missing playoffs may not be worst thing for this club. Figure for sure will then get the shakeup we really need long term.

Blues apparently feeling same way. Sending out season ticket renewals w zero reference to playoffs.
- Gerk

I got something yesterday in the mail but didn't look at it. Friends sent similar notes as yours to me earlier today. They said the communication was weird/odd.

I don't mind the lineup changes tonight, but that 3rd line can't see a lot of ice time.

Half of me thinks missing playoffs may not be worst thing for this club. Figure for sure will then get the shakeup we really need long term.

Blues apparently feeling same way. Sending out season ticket renewals w zero reference to playoffs.
- Gerk

I don't root for them to miss. There's too many positives to making the playoffs and you never know what can happen.

Interesting stat from Bernie M. this morning on the radio. Since the coaching change (and perhaps more importantly the firing of the goal tending coach) - Blues have the best save percentage in the NHL, and i think he said best GAA as well.

A small sampling of 14 games but large enough to take notice.

I don't root for them to miss. There's too many positives to making the playoffs and you never know what can happen.

Interesting stat from Bernie M. this morning on the radio. Since the coaching change (and perhaps more importantly the firing of the goal tending coach) - Blues have the best save percentage in the NHL, and i think he said best GAA as well.

A small sampling of 14 games but large enough to take notice.
- bcallaway

True, that's a better way to put it. Guess I'm saying I won't be crushed if they don't make it.

Well Allen, that sucked. Great game, stupid bounce

May not have been pretty but they got the job done and really the Wild did not have too many great chances.

Good game Blues

The game tonight was a very good team game. If the Blues played that hard every night, they would be great to watch and have a lot more success.

The players were moving their feet all night. Even when it was obvious they wouldn't get to a player in time, they still hustled. That caused pressure on the player to make a play before they want to, and it disrupts enough.

I would like to see that effort for a while. I can watch that kind of game and be happy win or lose.

Even Tarasenko was back-checking and using the body....something quite rare to see this season.

Again all of this silly negativity.

Consider if Shattenkirk, who by the way received cushy assignments, was so good why do I not even notice he's gone? That was going to be a lot of cap space and Armstrong was lucky to dodge that bullet.

Hitch played with the line up way too much versus Yeo trying to get some good combos but keeping players together.

I do not think people realize how good of a team this actually is. Though I would subtract Lehtera and it would be a toss up between him and Steen for the expansion and yes I know--NTC.

JayBo's game has vastly improved and I love the opponents having to pay the price in front of the net more often now.

There are a number of players on the team eating up minutes who should be watching more or shifting to lower lines.

The game tonight was a very good team game. If the Blues played that hard every night, they would be great to watch and have a lot more success.

The players were moving their feet all night. Even when it was obvious they wouldn't get to a player in time, they still hustled. That caused pressure on the player to make a play before they want to, and it disrupts enough.

I would like to see that effort for a while. I can watch that kind of game and be happy win or lose.

Even Tarasenko was back-checking and using the body....something quite rare to see this season.
- Mph6689

Exactly. Especially the last bit which has been driving me nuts.

Again all of this silly negativity.

Consider if Shattenkirk, who by the way received cushy assignments, was so good why do I not even notice he's gone? That was going to be a lot of cap space and Armstrong was lucky to dodge that bullet.

Hitch played with the line up way too much versus Yeo trying to get some good combos but keeping players together.

I do not think people realize how good of a team this actually is. Though I would subtract Lehtera and it would be a toss up between him and Steen for the expansion and yes I know--NTC.

JayBo's game has vastly improved and I love the opponents having to pay the price in front of the net more often now.

There are a number of players on the team eating up minutes who should be watching more or shifting to lower lines.
- BluemanGuruu

Good points as always. I think most of us came to see Shattenkirk's value and subsequent loss being on the power play but i think that can be offset by giving more minutes to Parayko.

i do think there's been a subtle positive up-tick among the players with Yeo and the way he's using guys.

The top level players are still yakking on scoring opportunities more than i would like to see.

I'll continue to content that perhaps the bigger change may have been the change in goal tending coaching.

What i heard Bernie M. say yesterday morning was confirmed after the game last night that the Blues save % and GAA are both first in the NHL since the coaching change. Blues' save percentage is .940% over the last 15 games.

That stupid goal Allen gave up last night with 10 seconds left notwithstanding. That was a HUHA moment.

Good points as always. I think most of us came to see Shattenkirk's value and subsequent loss being on the power play but i think that can be offset by giving more minutes to Parayko.

i do think there's been a subtle positive up-tick among the players with Yeo and the way he's using guys.

The top level players are still yakking on scoring opportunities more than i would like to see.

I'll continue to content that perhaps the bigger change may have been the change in goal tending coaching.

What i heard Bernie M. say yesterday morning was confirmed after the game last night that the Blues save % and GAA are both first in the NHL since the coaching change. Blues' save percentage is .940% over the last 15 games.

That stupid goal Allen gave up last night with 10 seconds left notwithstanding. That was a HUHA moment.
- bcallaway

For me, the Shattenkirk issue is only the return (much like my Oshie issue). Shattenkirk wasn't going to be a fit here especially at the AAV he could command on the open market.

The bold is a very valid concern imho, especially given their propensity to stop scoring in the playoffs.

For me the biggest changes in the team since the coaching changes are the goalie coach (goalies not as deep for example) and the d-play. I think Jaybo has thrown more hits since Yeo took over than he made in the previous two years.

Nice win for Blues. That was classic Yeo team defense, clog the neutral zone, win board battles on the forecheck while disrupting and slowing the Wild transition game in any way possible.

Kudos to Yeo and the Blues on a game well played. For the first time all season Boudreau had no answer and for the first time broke up the Wild highest scoring line of Koivu, Zucker and Granlund.

Wild needed to capitalize on one of their prime opportunities but were stone walled by Allen. I think he stopped at least 2 break aways. Wild had their chances for sure and just simply couldn't beat him.

Guessing Yeo had the entire team up for this one... I think he would have sold his soul to win his first game against his former team as head skipper.

For me, the Shattenkirk issue is only the return (much like my Oshie issue). Shattenkirk wasn't going to be a fit here especially at the AAV he could command on the open market.

The bold is a very valid concern imho, especially given their propensity to stop scoring in the playoffs.

For me the biggest changes in the team since the coaching changes are the goalie coach (goalies not as deep for example) and the d-play. I think Jaybo has thrown more hits since Yeo took over than he made in the previous two years.

- Jason Millen

All valid points.

Once you move Lehtera to the fourth line I think you can pop up an effective third line.

I'm bullish on this team. I also have a few concerns.

Half of me thinks missing playoffs may not be worst thing for this club. Figure for sure will then get the shakeup we really need long term.

Blues apparently feeling same way. Sending out season ticket renewals w zero reference to playoffs.
- Gerk

Not sure what you are referring to. I got a single page letter in the mail with a pin, but you have to renew online.

When you log into your account, it has your season ticket renewal info, as well as the playoff pricing/commitment for this year.

Basically the exact same stuff they sent out previously, except a single page printed out instead of more of a booklet. Which I think makes sense as everything is done online. I got the email and renewed before the package got to me later that week. I think the letter was just for those that don't check their email regularly.

All valid points.

Once you move Lehtera to the fourth line I think you can pop up an effective third line.

I'm bullish on this team. I also have a few concerns.
- BluemanGuruu

With Thompson already in the AHL, Berglund locked up, and Sanford in the mix, I'm hoping that Armstrong is laying the groundwork to bump Lehtera down or out.

People talk like Lehtera is the worst center in the league.

I don't see it. He needs to produce more offensively, but that is the only thing I see him lacking right now. He is over-paid by around a million, but that is not uncommon for UFA years.

The focus on him like he is a huge problem for the Blues is something I just don't get.

People talk like Lehtera is the worst center in the league.

I don't see it. He needs to produce more offensively, but that is the only thing I see him lacking right now. He is over-paid by around a million, but that is not uncommon for UFA years.

The focus on him like he is a huge problem for the Blues is something I just don't get.
- carcus

I am by no means a big fan of Patrik Berglund, but I would take him over Lehtera as a third line center ANY day of the week. Lehtera is not a top two center. Ipso facto, he needs to go as soon as someone can replace him. I'd be comfortable penciling Sanford in for him starting next season.

I am by no means a big fan of Patrik Berglund, but I would take him over Lehtera as a third line center ANY day of the week. Lehtera is not a top two center. Ipso facto, he needs to go as soon as someone can replace him. I'd be comfortable penciling Sanford in for him starting next season.
- fattyboubatty

And you think he will produce more than Lehtera?

The Blues need Lehtera to produce more and then they can slot their centers where they should. Stastny, Lehtera, Berglund, 4th line C

Berglund isn't a 2nd. Sanford for sure isn't a 2nd, or a 3rd. (Yet)

If they have better options, great. Right now they don't. Barbs looks like he can play at the NHL level, but I think he will be eased in next year a the 4th/fill in when there are injuries.

People talk like Lehtera is the worst center in the league.

I don't see it. He needs to produce more offensively, but that is the only thing I see him lacking right now. He is over-paid by around a million, but that is not uncommon for UFA years.

The focus on him like he is a huge problem for the Blues is something I just don't get.
- carcus

Saying Lehtera is overpaid by a million is being incredibly generous. For reference, in 3 of his 4 seasons here, Sobotka produced at a higher rate than Lehtera did last year or is this year. When you take into account ice time, zone starts, and line mates, Blues are basically getting the same amount of production out of Brodziak for almost 4 million a year less.

The focus is on Lehtera, because of all of the talent the Blues have shed for salary reasons. There is no question the Blues would be a better team this year with Backes & Agostino on the roster instead of say Lehtera and Yakupov.

Saying Lehtera is overpaid by a million is being incredibly generous. For reference, in 3 of his 4 seasons here, Sobotka produced at a higher rate than Lehtera did last year or is this year. When you take into account ice time, zone starts, and line mates, Blues are basically getting the same amount of production out of Brodziak for almost 4 million a year less.

The focus is on Lehtera, because of all of the talent the Blues have shed for salary reasons. There is no question the Blues would be a better team this year with Backes & Agostino on the roster instead of say Lehtera and Yakupov.
- Antilles

I agree, although in a couple years Backes's contract will look just as bad or worse that Lehtera's.

And you think he will produce more than Lehtera?

The Blues need Lehtera to produce more and then they can slot their centers where they should. Stastny, Lehtera, Berglund, 4th line C

Berglund isn't a 2nd. Sanford for sure isn't a 2nd, or a 3rd. (Yet)

If they have better options, great. Right now they don't. Barbs looks like he can play at the NHL level, but I think he will be eased in next year a the 4th/fill in when there are injuries.
- carcus

Yeah they do need him to produce more. 19 points in 60 games playing second or third line minutes does qualify him as one of the worst centers in the league and he's not getting any better. Even putting aside production, he just doesn't look good. He's not particularly strong on the puck and his passing, which is suppose to be his strong suit, has been bad.

Yeah I think by next year Sanford could at least match that production. If they want to keep him on the wing to start out, we have Barbashev and Sobotka who can play center until Sanford or Thompson are ready.

Problem with Lehtera is he gets alot of time on the top line and he is bad for a 3rd line C.

His passing, which everyone knows he doesnt shoot, is usually a bad pass.

Its the overpayment, his granted top ice minutes when his play does not warrant that, its a culmination of many things. He is so so at best on the defensive aspect of being a centerman as he is usually out of place or just gets bodied off the puck or out of position too easily.

I dont hate the guy and i sure dont see anyone filling the 3rd line C at this time other than him so it is what it is. The other guys, Agostino, dude we got from Caps, and Barbashev, are just not ready i think. Not on a full time basis.

His contract goes up next year to 5 right? Thats way too much for what he brings. Hopefully Vegas will take him, but at that price unless its to get to the cap floor i dont see it

Lehtera being moved to the 3rd line is a great move for the team. He's been just awful this year.

And you think he will produce more than Lehtera?

The Blues need Lehtera to produce more and then they can slot their centers where they should. Stastny, Lehtera, Berglund, 4th line C

Berglund isn't a 2nd. Sanford for sure isn't a 2nd, or a 3rd. (Yet)

If they have better options, great. Right now they don't. Barbs looks like he can play at the NHL level, but I think he will be eased in next year a the 4th/fill in when there are injuries.
- carcus

Barbs looks like a second liner. He looks a lot like Stastny only younger, a bit stronger and quicker.

Lehtera is not the worst player, but he is paid more like two million at least over the value he brings. He is way too slow and that is why he takes so many penalties.