Chip McCleary: Kekalainen at the Draft: 2005-2006 The 2nd part of a look at Jarmo Kekalainen's draft record in St. Louis.

This is great insight Mr.McCleary, good work.

My opinion on the EJ trade is still pending
EJ for Stewy solved both glaring needs for our teams, Shatty is winning you the trade, but Seimens could make it a wash if he pans out as well.
But if Rattie pans out to be a good second line player for you guys, you win hands down bc we let Jay Mc leave for free agency.

Chip McCleary: Kekalainen at the Draft: 2005-2006
The 2nd part of a look at Jarmo Kekalainen's draft record in St. Louis.
- Chip McCleary

Great read, from what I can understand from Kekalainen is that he likes his prospects big and skillfull with the puck (Backes ,EJ , Oshie, Berglund) sort of a la Rick Nash .

I'm guessing he's targeting guys like Jones, Barkov or Mohanan based on his past choices.

My opinion on the EJ trade is still pending
EJ for Stewy solved both glaring needs for our teams, Shatty is winning you the trade, but Seimens could make it a wash if he pans out as well.
But if Rattie pans out to be a good second line player for you guys, you win hands down bc we let Jay Mc leave for free agency.
- DDM-Coga

How the prospects pan out could definitely change this in the future... but right now, Blues clearly got the best of the deal. Rattie and Siemens are rated equal right now as prospects (according to Hockey's Future); different styles but Shattenkirk is arguably playing better than Johnson right now, at very least equal; and Stewart, despite his rough year last year, is far better than the 100 games Avs got from McClement. Blues would make this trade again in a heartbeat. Really doubt Avs would.

I am a huge fan of TJ Oshie, that kid can play on my team any day!

How the prospects pan out could definitely change this in the future... but right now, Blues clearly got the best of the deal. Rattie and Siemens are rated equal right now as prospects (according to Hockey's Future); different styles but Shattenkirk is arguably playing better than Johnson right now, at very least equal; and Stewart, despite his rough year last year, is far better than the 100 games Avs got from McClement. Blues would make this trade again in a heartbeat. Really doubt Avs would.
- Antilles

The majority of Avs fans really like having EJ, myself included. We would still want to have him on our team as he truely has turned into a rock solid shut down d-man. Offensively he has quieted down, really doesnt force the play anymore, feeling like he has some point producing chip on his shoulder.

We would still want to do the trade to land him but not to the same pices involved.

The majority of Avs fans really like having EJ, myself included. We would still want to have him on our team as he truely has turned into a rock solid shut down d-man. Offensively he has quieted down, really doesnt force the play anymore, feeling like he has some point producing chip on his shoulder.

We would still want to do the trade to land him but not to the same pices involved.
- DDM-Coga

I like EJ. I see a bit of Shea Weber in there. He needs a quality left hand shot who can move the puck on his side. I could see the Av's bringing back Liles.

Great read and great concept for blogs. I wish other bloggers could have the brains to write up something like this. Id love to see something like this with the Kings and im sure most other fans would like this for theyre team.

Go Blues.

I like this concept, but I find it a little frustrating you seem to be arguing with a faceless hater the entire time.

Only a complete idiot would think Jarmo did a poor job, his picks were dynamite compared to what was available afterwards.

And who in the world dislikes TJ Oshie and Pat Berglund? I feel like these people dont really exist.

And who in the world dislikes TJ Oshie and Pat Berglund? I feel like these people dont really exist.
- TommyDeVito

Devils fans, for passign up Oshie in 2005 for Bergfors, and trading their first rounder in 2006 first round pick that was used Berglund

Devils fans, for passign up Oshie in 2005 for Bergfors, and trading their first rounder in 2006 first round pick that was used Berglund
- DDM-Coga

Crazy how Bergfors had a good year for NJ then fell off the face of the planet.

My opinion on the EJ trade is still pending
EJ for Stewy solved both glaring needs for our teams, Shatty is winning you the trade, but Seimens could make it a wash if he pans out as well.
But if Rattie pans out to be a good second line player for you guys, you win hands down bc we let Jay Mc leave for free agency.
- DDM-Coga

I love jay mclement! He is just so solid and safe.

Crazy how Bergfors had a good year for NJ then fell off the face of the planet.
- poisondhearts37

I guess he did help them land Kovy, so he was useful in the swing of things

I like EJ. I see a bit of Shea Weber in there. He needs a quality left hand shot who can move the puck on his side. I could see the Av's bringing back Liles.

Great read and great concept for blogs. I wish other bloggers could have the brains to write up something like this. Id love to see something like this with the Kings and im sure most other fans would like this for theyre team.

Go Blues.
- poisondhearts37

Ya thats what i was thinking, the leafs have a logjam on d and liles has been sitting in the press box. We should try sending him back to colorado for a 2nd or something.

Ya thats what i was thinking, the leafs have a logjam on d and liles has been sitting in the press box. We should try sending him back to colorado for a 2nd or something.
- pbrsimps

We will probably do something dumb and trade you stastny straight up for him.
I would like to have him back. But you would have done us a favour and sign him to a reasonable long term contract.

I like this concept, but I find it a little frustrating you seem to be arguing with a faceless hater the entire time.

Only a complete idiot would think Jarmo did a poor job, his picks were dynamite compared to what was available afterwards.

And who in the world dislikes TJ Oshie and Pat Berglund? I feel like these people dont really exist.
- TommyDeVito

Go browse a handful of Blues forums. The haters will be quick and easy to pick out.

I like this concept, but I find it a little frustrating you seem to be arguing with a faceless hater the entire time.

Only a complete idiot would think Jarmo did a poor job, his picks were dynamite compared to what was available afterwards.

And who in the world dislikes TJ Oshie and Pat Berglund? I feel like these people dont really exist.
- TommyDeVito

The critique of Berglund was that he doesn't use his size well at all. Often, early in his career, he refused to go to the tough areas of the ice. It wasn't until Scott Mellanby started working with him regularly that he recognized his size. Could also be that it took him a bit to grow into his frame and recognize what his NHL game would look like.

Oshie? Early on, he was not in shape to play in the NHL and took too many shifts off. Today, I love the guy.

Ultimately, I think that the Blues fan base had come off a decade of competitive success before the post-Pronger years. When Davidson came to town and the marketing campaign was "look at these young kids," there was a combination of optimism for the future and frustration/ lack of patience due to St. Louis fan's expectation to be competitive.

This year has gone a long way in my mind to cementing both players as important pieces to this team. I'm sure that there are still folks that would disagree with my last sentence.