Earlier in the summer, I posted a blog about the Blues roster that you can find here . The injury to Jaden Schwartz who will start the season on injured reserve and Valdimir Sobotka staying in the KHL has added a little bit of intrigue to the Blues final roster cuts. Prevailing thought and recent history suggests that the Blues will keep two goalies, seven defensemen, and fourteen forwards.
Currently, the Blues only have fifteen healthy forwards in camp. Those forwards include two players on two-way contracts, recently signed Landon Ferraro and Blues’ draft pick Samuel Blais. Blais has gotten praise in camp last year and again this year. Ferraro has been doing well and earned a spot in the lineup last night against the Washington Capitals in Kansas City.
Unfortunately for Blais, he is a left wing where the Blues are a bit heavy, even with Schwartz’s injury. Ferraro is a lot more versatile as he is a center and can play right wing. I think it is a fairly safe bet that Ferraro will get the final spot.
Another option the Blues might pursue is keeping eight defensemen and only thirteen forwards. The Blues have really liked the play of Jordan Schmaltz though one would expect he will get sent down before the start of the season to log top minutes in the AHL. Would the Blues keep Schmaltz or Petteri Lindbohm as an 8th defenseman? I wouldn’t think so but you never know.
Barret Jackman retires a Blue By now, you all know that Barret Jackman signed a one day contract earlier this week to retire as a St. Louis Blues. Jackman is 2nd all-time in games played for the Blues, the only Blues player to win the Calder Memorial Trophy and one of seven Blues to be selected to the NHL All-Rookie Team.
I had the pleasure of meeting Jackman a few times at various events and even had breakfast with him in a small group a number of years ago. Jackman was always humble, considerate, thoughtful, and rather quiet, especially when people tried to talk about his achievements though he did open up more when talking about golf and the various courses he has played across North America. In all of my interactions with him, he behaved like a consummate pro and a model representative of the organization and professional athletes. His dedication to the team and community should be appreciated.
It’s a great day for hockey.