When things aren’t going well for an NHL franchise with big expectations, you can almost see the vultures—that is, other general managers—circling. That’s what appears to be happening in St. Louis, where the Blues find themselves constantly in the rumor mill these days. After another mention yesterday of the potential availability of Alex Pietrangelo (who underwent hand surgery today but didn’t see his recovery timeline change) the latest news comes as a little reprieve for Blues fans who don’t want to see their team blown up.
On NBCSN, hockey insider Darren Dreger explained that he doesn’t believe the Blues will move a big chunk of their young core though will listen on “just about anything else.” Dreger only mentions Jaden Schwartz as part of that core, and doesn’t address directly the rumors around Pietrangelo and Vladimir Tarasenko. There’s still plenty to like about the St. Louis depth chart, especially given the young group of forwards including Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, Ivan Barbashev, Klim Kostin and Sammy Blais who all look like they will contribute in the NHL for a long time. If a big move does come, it won’t necessarily set the Blues back very far.
- Alex Formenton suffered an injury in yesterday’s exhibition game at the World Junior selection camp, and today was seen by TSN’s Bob McKenzie on crutches and wearing a knee brace. The team told McKenzie that it was just precautionary, but Formenton’s inclusion on the tournament roster is obviously in jeopardy. The Ottawa Senators prospect was expected to play a huge role and use his speed and experience to give Canada an edge against an excellent international field, but will have to show he’s healthy enough to compete before the team sends home his potential replacements.
- While Kyle Turris is expected to return for the Nashville Predators tonight, news isn’t nearly as good on his fellow injured forwards. GM David Poile told ESPN radio that Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson will still be out for another three weeks. Nashville lost their top seed in the Western Conference last night after the Calgary Flames came from behind to win against the Philadelphia Flyers, and are in a dog fight with the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche for the Central Division lead. Getting two of their top forwards back would be a huge boost for the club as they search for a little more consistency during the winter months.
The Blues better do something because this core is not going to get it done. Period. I don’t see guys like Pietrangelo or Tarasenko or Steen or Schenn stepping up and actually lead the team to the next step. This is one thing that has frustrated me for years as a Blues fan: this franchise way too scarcely keeps the players accountable. When things weren’t going well for Mike Kitchen or Davis Payne or Hitchcock or Yeo, they were always the first ones to get the axe and rarely the players. I’m not defending those coaches by any means, but it’s frustrating not seeing the players who put the team in a hole to begin with held accountable.
Doug Armstrong, Jake Allen, and others are at fault for being absolutely dreadful this year. Ryan O’Reilly has been more consistent than regulars when he has been on the squad for a few months.
Thing is I can’t really fault Armstrong TOO much this season. The front office actually made moves to try and improve the team. ROR, Bozak, Maroon, etc. Those moves should have kept the Blues relevant but the players have just majorly underperformed.
slow players In their 30s will do that (maroon and bozak)