I'm glad the kittens are safe and sound!
- Trust In Jarmo

What's the name of the ex-Florida, ex-Bruins winger you said was such a great signing a few years back by Jarmo? I swear we said something about an overpayment for a player who historically had health issues. Oh yeah, Horton. Yeh great signing there.

I a glad the Predators continue to play the heck out of Rinne. That guy will be worn out about the time of the play offs. Have the Preds ever even won a play off series?
- BluemanGuruu

Nashville eliminated Detroi a few years ago for their only playoffs series win before tehy were bouncwed by Phoenix

I want to say that was 2011-2012

Trust in Jarmo thinks the Kings will make the play offs . Three points back and three teams back.
- BluemanGuruu

I forget that You are such an idiot Guru.

Thanks for the reminder.

I am with you. I enjoy seeing this team put up numbers but their play is the big thing. I have seen some great Blues teams but never one with as much depth and skill.


Trust in Jarmo thinks the Kings will make the play offs . Three points back and three teams back.
- BluemanGuruu

They definitely could miss the playoffs, but a hot week or two and they are right back in the playoffs comfortably. Definitely too early to rule them out already with two months remaining in the season.

They definitely could miss the playoffs, but a hot week or two and they are right back in the playoffs comfortably. Definitely too early to rule them out already with two months remaining in the season.
- carcus

Very well said carcus.

They definitely could miss the playoffs, but a hot week or two and they are right back in the playoffs comfortably. Definitely too early to rule them out already with two months remaining in the season.
- carcus

Its harder to make up ground down the stretch than it used to be. Yeah they need a hot week or two but they also need a couple of the teams ahead of them to have cold stretches, and then sustain it for the rest of the season. They're in a bad spot plain and simple. Unless Lombardi is able to bring in a top 4 D, I don't like their chances.

But according to some, LA is essentially a lock for the playoffs and the Blues have been "run into the ground".

Its harder to make up ground down the stretch than it used to be. Yeah they need a hot week or two but they also need a couple of the teams ahead of them to have cold stretches, and then sustain it for the rest of the season. They're in a bad spot plain and simple. Unless Lombardi is able to bring in a top 4 D, I don't like their chances.

But according to some, LA is essentially a lock for the playoffs and the Blues have been "run into the ground".
- fattyboubatty

Well, they are like 4 or 6 points behind the Sharks, who are 2nd in the Pacific. And they have played 2 fewer games.

It is premature to say they aren't making the playoffs. It will be tough if a few teams play good down the stretch, but they are right there with them.

Its harder to make up ground down the stretch than it used to be. Yeah they need a hot week or two but they also need a couple of the teams ahead of them to have cold stretches, and then sustain it for the rest of the season. They're in a bad spot plain and simple. Unless Lombardi is able to bring in a top 4 D, I don't like their chances.

But according to some, LA is essentially a lock for the playoffs and the Blues have been "run into the ground".
- fattyboubatty

Like callaway said in the last column (that was up for a week by the way) he hopes te Kings miss the playoffs. I agreed it COULD happen.

And like Carcus just explained...it is possible they miss the playoffs but there is way too much time left in the season to say that.

But then you have Guru and fatty. Making statements sound like "facts" rather then making a rational thought. Guru says kings will "absolutely miss the playoffs" And now you Fatty are making it out to say that I somehow said "kings are a lock for the playoffs."

When the fact of the matter is I agree with callaway and carcus on this. It could go either way with about SIXTY days left in the regular. season.

Like callaway said in the last column (that was up for a week by the way) he hopes te Kings miss the playoffs. I agreed it COULD happen.

And like Carcus just explained...it is possible they miss the playoffs but there is way too much time left in the season to say that.

But then you have Guru and fatty. Making statements sound like "facts" rather then making a rational thought. Guru says kings will "absolutely miss the playoffs" And now you Fatty are making it out to say that I somehow said "kings are a lock for the playoffs."

When the fact of the matter is I agree with callaway and carcus on this. It could go either way with about SIXTY days left in the regular. season.
- Trust In Jarmo

To be the BEST, i want to beat the best. The Kings are Reigning Champs. They have a solid chance of making the playoffs. 2 teams ahead separated by 3-5 pts(can't remember now) but the also do not have the tie breakers (row) 1 team has a game on them i think

they could go on a run and win 7-10 in a row.

I would rather the Blues go through Chicago in the 1st round Nashville in the 2nd round and either Anaheim or LA in the 3rd round. San Jose will not make it far.

Nashville could surprise a lot of teams especially with Rinne.



So How are the Blue Jackets doing?

ha ha ha

Like callaway said in the last column (that was up for a week by the way) he hopes te Kings miss the playoffs. I agreed it COULD happen.

And like Carcus just explained...it is possible they miss the playoffs but there is way too much time left in the season to say that.

But then you have Guru and fatty. Making statements sound like "facts" rather then making a rational thought. Guru says kings will "absolutely miss the playoffs" And now you Fatty are making it out to say that I somehow said "kings are a lock for the playoffs."

When the fact of the matter is I agree with callaway and carcus on this. It could go either way with about SIXTY days left in the regular. season.
- Trust In Jarmo

Wait, you mean it's actually possible the Kings miss the playoffs? You really are gifted man. I would think it would be obvious that I'm stating my opinion when I say the Kings are going to miss the playoffs, but sometimes I guess you have to spell it out for the slower readers. And by my count, no one else besides me and Guru have actually had the cajones to commit to anything beyond "it's possible".

You want to talk facts? The kings are three points out of the playoffs. Not a huge amount but what stacks the odds against them are the three other teams that are also fighting for that last spot. You have Minnesota and Dallas who both went out and upgraded their goaltending. Like I said, If Lombardi can go out and address his teams needs before the deadline it changes things.

But I want to hear more about how the Blues, sitting near the top of the conference, have been "run into the ground". Take your time, I'll check back in around 4:30.

Could we get a 6th rounder for him? He adds nothing to a playoff bound team and everyone knows they can sign him for salary on july 1st. May as well place him on waivers and see if any takers. I would rather have Paajarvi being a healthy scratch and fill in if needed.
- BluesDroogie

Why not loan him back to the SEL? It's a one-year contract...

How about a Stastny/ Jaskin/ Fabri line next year? Let Rattie mature as a player. At some point, the Blues will need to let someone go due to the cap. He will be ready at that time...

It's kinda a nice problem to have...

Why not loan him back to the SEL? It's a one-year contract...

How about a Stastny/ Jaskin/ Fabri line next year? Let Rattie mature as a player. At some point, the Blues will need to let someone go due to the cap. He will be ready at that time...

It's kinda a nice problem to have...
- eggsegan

I hope they trade Rattie now while he still has good value. I don't think he will be anything special in the NHL. I could be wrong, but I just don't see his game translating to the next level. If we could improve our team this year with him being a part of the deal I would be all for it.

I hope they trade Rattie now while he still has good value. I don't think he will be anything special in the NHL. I could be wrong, but I just don't see his game translating to the next level. If we could improve our team this year with him being a part of the deal I would be all for it.
- carcus

Pretty good thought, in my opinion... Skating and foot speed aren't anything special. If he were bigger, he might be a Ciccarelli-type player...

To be the BEST, i want to beat the best. The Kings are Reigning Champs. They have a solid chance of making the playoffs. 2 teams ahead separated by 3-5 pts(can't remember now) but the also do not have the tie breakers (row) 1 team has a game on them i think

they could go on a run and win 7-10 in a row.

I would rather the Blues go through Chicago in the 1st round Nashville in the 2nd round and either Anaheim or LA in the 3rd round. San Jose will not make it far.

Nashville could surprise a lot of teams especially with Rinne.


So How are the Blue Jackets doing?

ha ha ha
- BluesDroogie

Spot on Droggie. To be the best you have to beat the best. So no need to root against one team to lose in the playoffs or not.

I also agree Nashville could go on a run. And that the Kings could win 7-10 in a row. They are on a current 3 game winning steak and they tend to get hot after the all star break the past 3 years

Blue Jackets are struggling. But it is no surprise. Besides injuries, te Jackets are still rebuilding. jarmo took over the team in Feb 2013. So this is only his 2nd full season there. The talent he has acquired is deep. But that talent is still young.

Even though they had a good playoff run last year....I really am not expecting a deep run from them until 2017 or 2018.

Wait, you mean it's actually possible the Kings miss the playoffs? You really are gifted man. I would think it would be obvious that I'm stating my opinion when I say the Kings are going to miss the playoffs, but sometimes I guess you have to spell it out for the slower readers. And by my count, no one else besides me and Guru have actually had the cajones to commit to anything beyond "it's possible".


- fattyboubatty

Fatty, go back and look at your own post from yesterday. You said "But according to some, LA is essentially a lock for the playoffs."

Why not loan him back to the SEL? It's a one-year contract...

How about a Stastny/ Jaskin/ Fabri line next year? Let Rattie mature as a player. At some point, the Blues will need to let someone go due to the cap. He will be ready at that time...

It's kinda a nice problem to have...
- eggsegan

i would watch that line. Just hoping Fabri(with need seeing him play) is able to make the transition. Perron did it recently enough. Could Fabri?

So are we all in agreeance that Berglund should be traded? I do like his play as of the last month but where is he for the rest of the season?

You want to talk facts? The kings are three points out of the playoffs. Not a huge amount but what stacks the odds against them are the three other teams that are also fighting for that last spot. You have Minnesota and Dallas who both went out and upgraded their goaltending. Like I said, If Lombardi can go out and address his teams needs before the deadline it changes things.

But I want to hear more about how the Blues, sitting near the top of the conference, have been "run into the ground". Take your time, I'll check back in around 4:30.
- fattyboubatty

Good points. But like you said Dean can make a move to help the team before the deadline, OR Richards could also be called up and possibly play better OR they could just roll with what they have...since 85% of this team won the Cup last year. My guess is they make a move.

As for the Blues, I did NOT said they have already been "ran into the ground".

They are slowly being ran into the ground. Of course they look great now. They are at the top of the conference (like they were most of the past 3 or 4 years). Most of that is due to what's left of Jarmos draft picks though.

But what happened in the playoffs the past few years with this great team?

What happened to the great trades that was ALL that was needed to put the Blues over the hump with Jarmos great draft picks?

Armstrong traded Erik Johnson (who had been amazing the past couple years) AND the Blues traded a 1stround pick for Chris Stewart an Shattenkirk.

Stewart was a bust after a year or two. So you basically swapped even defensemen AND Armstrong lost you a 1st round pick to Colorado. Team doesn't get better either. Trade FAILED.

Armstrong trades Lars Eller for the goalie that would win the Cup (accoriding to many on here) for Halak. Trade FAILED. And it is why Ben bishop was traded by Armstrong for garbage in return. Because Armstrong incorrectly thought Halak was the man that would win the cup and there was not a need to develop Ben Bishop.

Armstrong trades a 1st round pick for a player that has been known around the league as an enigma. And not only does Armstrojg trade ANOTHER 1st round pick...he gives Bowmesiter crazy amount of money when he proved basically nothing in the NHL. A good prospect that continues to go backwards. Trade FAILED.

Ryan Miller is suppose to win a Cup. Even though Miller was a playoff choke artist and only sniffed past the 2nd round ONLY ONE time in his entire career in buffalo. Armstrong gives up another 1st round pick for Miller. And we know what happens last year. Trade FAILED.

So the 3 big trades Armstrong made since 2011 to help put the Blues over the hump had failed. Dean Lombardis trades did the exact opposite. And won 2 Dtanley Cups in the past 3 years.

Also, Armstrong loses 3 of your last 5 1st round picks for garbage in return. And lost a franchise goalie in Ben Bishop. Not to mention great role players to help make up all 4 lines (which is what you need to win a Cup) in trading Eller, Perron, McClement and others.

Let me know how this is progress?.

i would watch that line. Just hoping Fabri(with need seeing him play) is able to make the transition. Perron did it recently enough. Could Fabri?

So are we all in agreeance that Berglund should be traded? I do like his play as of the last month but where is he for the rest of the season?
- BluesDroogie

NOT HARPING on Bergie, I know he is responsible defensively and plays a better game than stats show.
Fabri would have to be in a top 9 spot so who could we afford to lose? STL LINE? NOPE

1st line? NOPE

damn i can't wait for sunday to be here!!!!

got tickets to the flyers game and last game of the reg season.

trying to go vs Boston this friday but not sure

Good points. But like you said Dean can make a move to help the team before the deadline, OR Richards could also be called up and possibly play better OR they could just roll with what they have...since 85% of this team won the Cup last year. My guess is they make a move.

As for the Blues, I never said they have already been ran into the ground".

They are slowly being ran into the ground. Of course they look great now. They are at the top of the conference (like they were most of the past 3 or 4 years). Most of that is due to what's left of Jarmos draft picks though.

But what happened in the playoffs the past few years with this great team?

What happened to the great trades that was ALL was needed to put the Blues over the hump with Jarmos great draft picks?

Armstrong traded Erik Johnson (who had been amazing the past couple years) AND the Blues traded a 1stround pick for Chris Stewart an Shattenkirk.

Stewart was a bust after a year or two. So you basically swapped even defensemen AND Armstrong lost you a 1st round pick to Colorado. Team doesn't get better either. Trade FAILED.

Armstrong trades Lars Eller for the goalie that would win the Cup (accoriding to many on here) for Halak. Trade FAILED. And it is why Ben bishop was traded by Armstrong for garbage in return. Because Armstrong incorrectly thought Halak was the man that would win the cup and there was not a need to develop Ben Bishop.

Armstrong trades a 1st round pick for a player that has been known around the league as an enigma. And not only does Armstrojg trade ANOTHER 1st round pick...he gives Bowmesiter crazy amount of money when he proved basically nothing in the NHL. A good prospect that continues to go backwards. Trade FAILED.

Ryan Miller is suppose to win a Cup. Even though Miller was a playoff choke artist and only sniffed past the 2nd round ONLY ONE time in his entire career in buffalo. Armstrong gives up another 1st round pick for Miller. And we know what happens last year. Trade FAILED.

So the 3 big trades Armstrong made since 2011 to help put the Blues over the hump had failed. Dean Lombardis trades did the exact opposite. And won 2 Dtanley Cups in the past 3 years.

Also, Armstrong loses 3 of your last 5 1st round picks for garbage in return. And lost a franchise goalie in Ben Bishop. Not to mention great role players to help make up all 4 lines (which is what you need to win a Cup) in trading Eller, Perron, McClement and others.

Let me know how this is progress?.
- Trust In Jarmo

I would take Shatty over Johnson ANYDAY.
He is better all around
Johnsons mission is to show the Blues we were wrong in trading him and he picks up points against us attributing to his overall stats.

Yes i would rather have Bishop, but it was Elliot that they picked NOT Halak. Halak can only play good in the east it seems.(weaker conference)

Eller has not turned out to be the greatest, i would have liked to keep him, but montreal has not won in a cup since then either. Perron, talented but a selfish player and possible detriment in the locker room.

This is Hitch's team. He probably has a lot of say with Army and players that don't fit well in HIS SYSTEM probably do need to go.

Character players???

4th line of Porter Reaves and Ott is a Good line creating Havoc, yeah i know we have Goc in there but that trade has VASTLY improved that line.

Mcclement, i liked him but he is a dime a dozen type player. I would rather have him on the pk than Ott, but we lost really nothing in that trade.

we did not lose the johnson stewart trade.

Bouwmeester has been the player we needed to play with Petro. A bad couple of games in a weird schedule and my emotions were running high when i posted that. Other than that he has been great for the Blues and is only making 5.25 to play against the leagues best.

Transitiong into a higher powered offense has had its set backs in this first year, but we have been good enough to be a top 5 team. Does this translate into a better playoff performance??? We shall see.

A healthy team last year beats Chicago.

Not to mention the last couple of years the opponents have run our star player(Backes and Petro)

this year if someone goes down i think this team has a better grasp and can excel even with a player or two down

I would take Shatty over Johnson ANYDAY.
He is better all around
Johnsons mission is to show the Blues we were wrong in trading him and he picks up points against us attributing to his overall stats.

Yes i would rather have Bishop, but it was Elliot that they picked NOT Halak. Halak can only play good in the east it seems.(weaker conference)

Eller has not turned out to be the greatest, i would have liked to keep him, but montreal has not won in a cup since then either. Perron, talented but a selfish player and possible detriment in the locker room.

This is Hitch's team. He probably has a lot of say with Army and players that don't fit well in HIS SYSTEM probably do need to go.

Character players???

4th line of Porter Reaves and Ott is a Good line creating Havoc, yeah i know we have Goc in there but that trade has VASTLY improved that line.

Mcclement, i liked him but he is a dime a dozen type player. I would rather have him on the pk than Ott, but we lost really nothing in that trade.

we did not lose the johnson stewart trade.

Bouwmeester has been the player we needed to play with Petro. A bad couple of games in a weird schedule and my emotions were running high when i posted that. Other than that he has been great for the Blues and is only making 5.25 to play against the leagues best.

Transitiong into a higher powered offense has had its set backs in this first year, but we have been good enough to be a top 5 team. Does this translate into a better playoff performance??? We shall see.

A healthy team last year beats Chicago.

Not to mention the last couple of years the opponents have run our star player(Backes and Petro)

this year if someone goes down i think this team has a better grasp and can excel even with a player or two down
- BluesDroogie

Good points. Agree to disagree.

A couple things, I dont think you have won the Johnson trade. I still think it's too early to deem who "won" the trade. Defensemen take longer to develop in the NHL. Just look at the Phil housley. Al MacInnis trade late in the middle of their careers. Most Thought it was a fair trade....but it turned out to be quite the opposite. But you still gve up a 1st round pick...which right now to me shows you lost the trade at this point. Still not official yet though.

I think you also are underestimating a guy like McClement. I'm not sure the kings would have won those 2 Cups without Jarret Stolls clutch faceoff wins and defensive play on key penalty kills...period to period game to game for 4 rounds in the playoffs.

I don't think your 4th line compares to Kings an Hawks. The production in te playoffs from the 3rd and 4th lines of the Kings/Blackhawks vs Blues in the playoffs state otherwise.

Oh, and I thought it was fitting that Armstrong picked up the ONE King that brought almost nothing to the Kings 2 Stanley Cup runs.

i would watch that line. Just hoping Fabri(with need seeing him play) is able to make the transition. Perron did it recently enough. Could Fabri?

So are we all in agreeance that Berglund should be traded? I do like his play as of the last month but where is he for the rest of the season?
- BluesDroogie

If we could trade Berglund in the off season to improve the blue line? Yeah, for sure! Berglund for a no. 5 d-man with potential to play top four would be a great return!

If we could trade Berglund in the off season to improve the blue line? Yeah, for sure! Berglund for a no. 5 d-man with potential to play top four would be a great return!
- eggsegan

By all means YES, i would love that.

Do we resign Jackman? He will probably take a discount like he did last contract. Cole has played better with actual consistent playing time but we could use him in a trade to get a better return. I like the top 4 we have but we also need more grit on defense. Someone who can still skate and make strong plays but plays with more of an edge than our top 4. Shatty is almost like that but a little on the smaller side.

I get trading Polak cause Gunnar is a much better pck mover but we lost a lot of physical play with that deal.

Butler, eh. Don't care much at all for him. Does not stand out either way

I forget that You are such an idiot Guru.

Thanks for the reminder.
- Trust In Jarmo

Did I touch a soft spot on the chair force guy. Oh I am afraid. The three month deployment tough guy is calling me an idiot because he has proven to be so knowledgable in the past. Horton-great signing, gaborik-awesome trade. but neither player is playing for your lowly gm. The other man who wears your knee pads thin has mismanaged his cap and did not have the balls to compliance buyout the anchor of a contract.

Now they are likely to find themselves out of the play offs this year. So I am guessing who ever wins the Cup this year will be your new team. The worn hitch of your band wagon might need some repairs though guy.

Take te time and have someone help you with the math the math and then look at the Kings schedule. Then tell me how everything has to go right for them to even make the play offs. How long can a solid team that is good but not great be so lucky? Looks like their luck has finally run out.

Did I touch a soft spot on the chair force guy. Oh I am afraid. The three month deployment tough guy is calling me an idiot because he has proven to be so knowledgable in the past. Horton-great signing, gaborik-awesome trade. but neither player is playing for your lowly gm. The other man who wears your knee pads thin has mismanaged his cap and did not have the balls to compliance buyout the anchor of a contract.

Now they are likely to find themselves out of the play offs this year. So I am guessing who ever wins the Cup this year will be your new team. The worn hitch of your band wagon might need some repairs though guy.

Take te time and have someone help you with the math the math and then look at the Kings schedule. Then tell me how everything has to go right for them to even make the play offs. How long can a solid team that is good but not great be so lucky? Looks like their luck has finally run out.
- BluemanGuruu

Wow.

Like I said....

I forget that You are such an idiot Guru.

Thanks for the reminder.

I hope they trade Rattie now while he still has good value. I don't think he will be anything special in the NHL. I could be wrong, but I just don't see his game translating to the next level. If we could improve our team this year with him being a part of the deal I would be all for it.
- carcus

A player like Rattie is hard to project. The reason is he has tremendous hockey iq. He has a nose for the net. He is highly creative and that plus his shot is what makes him special.

The same way that before this season Jaskin was a step too slow and he improved his skating and as he gets confident you are starting to see him make the plays he did in junior. Rattie showed in his last two games when he had better line mates some of his talent. Rattie was never as slow as Jaskin was and his size is not bothersome. Size matters to a degree but it has more to do with his ability to be strong on his skates plus his escapability. You do not need speed to be slippery.

I think Rattie will be a solid player who can score thirty. It will be difficult for him on the Blues. But when you mention Fabbri I think it is premature. The kid has the skills to play but even at his level he leaves himself too vulnerable. That is disconcerting. He reminds me of Schwartz but Schwartz learned to step away from the scrums a bit and watch himself. Schwartz will go to dirty areas but he is smart about it. Fabbri is not wise yet. I think it will be a good thing for those players to develop more. No need to rush anyone up to the Blues. Better to be like Detroit.