Interesting analysis, although seems a bit harsh to me. I don't see any comments about Hitchcock's culpability, either (I think he's suited to a short term situation only, as I believe the players seem to tune him out quite quickly - which was perhaps also a factor in these play-offs - there were rumblings about that from some of the pundits prior to the first round).

Frankly, I wasn't overly enthralled with the Blues in terms of them being cup contenders this year. I just didn't think they are a cup team and didn't really get the love they were getting.

That said, I would disagree, in that they do have have some great assets. I think their main need is a game breaker(s) like other cup teams of recent past. It looks like Tarasenko and Schwartz could very well be the answers to that shortfall (Oshie looks like a winner as well, and of course Backes, Steen, and Pietrangelo are not too shabby either)

But, yes, the biggest mistake, as noted, was getting Miller, thinking that he would return to form and that the change in scenery would jump-start some of the stagnation/frustration he felt in Buffalo. Perhaps if they had pulled this move off last year or the year before that, things would have panned out. But Miller is simply just not the same goalie he was. Additionally, I think he is more suited to the Eastern Conference, where goalies seem to get much more rubber thrown at them, than is the case in the West. St.Louis is a stingy team and, as has been pointed out, it's often difficult for goalies to make a transition from getting a lot of work to only seeing 20-25 shots a night

In any event, I think the Blues still have a decent core, but I think there certainly needs to be some change going forward (starting with Hitchcock). And to rid themselves of the unmitigated disasters that the Morrow, Roy, Pajjarvi additions ended up being (still shaking my head at the Perron trade)
- Zogg

Wow. If you change the names you would be describing the canucks.

I don't like the blues. Didn't like the way they are built. That Miller trade is also a head scratcher. I always thought Lu was a better option for them and it wouldn't have cost STL a thing to get him.

Sutter 3 rd goal
- VANTEL

Simmonds 1 goal

Wow. If you change the names you would be describing the canucks.

I don't like the blues. Didn't like the way they are built. That Miller trade is also a head scratcher. I always thought Lu was a better option for them and it wouldn't have cost STL a thing to get him.
- bloatedmosquito

Good point, certainly seems to be a lot of similar dynamics between the two teams. I think Luo would have been a much better choice over Miller (although perhaps that was one of the teams that Lou would absolutely not consider going to?). Both the Miller and Perron moves were poor asset management/strategy (as has been the case these past few years with respect to some of the Gillis and the Canucks decisions)

Good point, certainly seems to be a lot of similar dynamics between the two teams. I think Luo would have been a much better choice over Miller (although perhaps that was one of the teams that Lou would absolutely not consider going to?). Both the Miller and Perron moves were poor asset management/strategy (as has been the case these past few years with respect to some of the Gillis and the Canucks decisions)
- Zogg

I think they have really solid depth, but lack another go-to offensive player. They would be smart to make a push for Stastny(if available) as long as he doesn't want too much term.



They're in a much better position than the Canucks, I'd make that swap of entire rosters/prospects in less than a second.

Pitt

I think they have really solid depth, but lack another go-to offensive player. They would be smart to make a push for Stastny(if available) as long as he doesn't want too much term.

They're in a much better position than the Canucks, I'd make that swap of entire rosters/prospects in less than a second.
- Nucker101

Sure but look at their contract situation next season. 11 players are FAs and that includes both goalies. They will have about $24m to sign 11 positions (luckily only one defenseman). They may look completely different next year and may not be as competitive.

Their prospect pool is much deeper. No arguing that.

Pitt
- Nucker101

I would be so happy if Clb won that series.

Edit: not going to happen

I would be so happy if Clb won that series.

Edit: not going to happen
- bloatedmosquito

No, but it once again exposed some of Pittsburgh's deficiencies which their next opponent will no doubt use against them. I think you'd have to be a tad worried if you're a Pens fan. The team seems to have major lapses in play and confidence at the most crucial of times. It will be interesting to see how things play out the next round.

Simmonds 1 goal
- A_SteamingLombardi

Sedins 0 they are as useful as Crosby

Sedins 0 they are as useful as Crosby
- VANTEL

John Tavares 0 goals too, time to buy low on these guys.

John Tavares 0 goals too, time to buy low on these guys.
- Nucker101

Exactly buy low.

If Malkin didn't score three tonight we could have had Malkin/ Crosby for Higgins Hansen

I'd literally lmao if SJ ended up losing this series. That said their GM still probably wouldn't change much before next season.

I'd literally lmao if SJ ended up losing this series. That said their GM still probably wouldn't change much before next season.
- AlexF

It would be an epic collapse, but someone had to lose these STL/CHI and LA/SJ series, not exactly typical 1st round matchups in terms of how good all 4 teams are.

It would be an epic collapse, but someone had to lose these STL/CHI and LA/SJ series, not exactly typical 1st round matchups in terms of how good all 4 teams are.
- Nucker101

SJ look in trouble.

SJ look in trouble.
- VANTEL

Doughty's the biggest whiner in the NHL. Every other whistle he's b!itching to the refs.

Doughty's the biggest whiner in the NHL. Every other whistle he's b!itching to the refs.
- Nucker101

Pretty good diver too.

Pretty good diver too.
- VANTEL

I find myself cheering for SJ despite my dislike for both teams.


Edit: That Hertl kid is pretty strong, especially for his age. Just bounces off of some Kings checks in this series.

I find myself cheering for SJ despite my dislike for both teams.
- Nucker101

Yep ,hard to cheer for LA , not a respected team at all.

Hopefully Kassian plays more like that next year on the top 6

Yep ,hard to cheer for LA , not a respected team at all.

Hopefully Kassian plays more like that next year on the top 6
- VANTEL

Based on his play the last month or so of the season, I have a good feeling about Kassian for the upcoming campaign.

On an unrelated note, other than Marchand, is there anyone else more of a @#$@#%@# weasel than Brown? (not saying that he's not effective, but good @#$# grief, you have to believe he's slowly taking over the highly illustrious title of most-hated player in the league, from the likes of Marchand and Avery). Everyone loves to have an agitator on their team, but Brown plays to hurt people and that's just, well, not very nice, is all

Based on his play the last month or so of the season, I have a good feeling about Kassian for the upcoming campaign.

On an unrelated note, other than Marchand, is there anyone else more of a @#$@#%@# weasel than Brown? (not saying that he's not effective, but good @#$# grief, you have to believe he's slowly taking over the highly illustrious title of most-hated player in the league, from the likes of Marchand and Avery). Everyone loves to have an agitator on their team, but Brown really plays to hurt people and that's just, well, not very nice, is all )
- Zogg

The NHL makes the game such that you need Richards like him to win . They love it because it creates controversy and fans talk about players like him around water coolers

Parise four pts tonight

Based on his play the last month or so of the season, I have a good feeling about Kassian for the upcoming campaign.

On an unrelated note, other than Marchand, is there anyone else more of a @#$@#%@# weasel than Brown? (not saying that he's not effective, but good @#$# grief, you have to believe he's slowly taking over the highly illustrious title of most-hated player in the league, from the likes of Marchand and Avery). Everyone loves to have an agitator on their team, but Brown plays to hurt people and that's just, well, not very nice, is all
- Zogg

Think Matt Cooke has vaulted back up those standings of late, but yeah Brown and Doughty have been consistently like that. Having a Stanley Cup to your name masks a lot of sins it would seem.

Parise four pts tonight
- VANTEL

I've always loved the way that guy plays.

Think Matt Cooke has vaulted back up those standings of late, but yeah Brown and Doughty have been consistently like that. Having a Stanley Cup to your name masks a lot of sins it would seem.
- AlexF

I hope Canucks go after a Westgarth type this offseason and try to instruct them play 5 minutes hard, every shift and go out and intimidate.

Keanan video funny as hell . In the KHL I guess security will fight with coaches.