Andy Murray’s Leash | How Long Is It?

6-7-4

Not a pretty record is it?

12th place in the west, 25th in the NHL. That’s in place for a lottery pick. Not where the Blues want to be right now.

Sadly, because of that record, fans are questioning the coaching of head coach, Andy Murray. Fans are calling for Murray’s head after games and are calling for a coaching change.

Andy Murray is in the hot seat with Blues fans after an unacceptable start.

Is it to early? Possibly. The Blues are only a game under .500 and have had some troubles scoring in the last couple of weeks.  Is that result of coaching?

It’s certainly not a result of goaltending. Chris Mason has played 12 games. He holds a 4-5-3 record. Not a pretty thing, but his goals-against-average is impressive 2.29 and his save-percentage is even more impressive at .925. Back up Ty Conklin has played 6 games, holding a 2-2-1 record and has an impressive goals-against-average at 2.24 and a very solid .928 save-percentage.

So many point the finger at Andy Murray, and they actually have a good argument against him.

Many question his constant line matching, the ice time of the youngsters, and his lack of benching the veterans.

Recently, the Blues have dropped their last game to the Nashville Predators by a score of 3-1.  Another ugly stat, this is their eighth game of 17 where they haven’t scored two goals. That is not a good stat when you want to win games. But why is it that the Blues aren’t producing? Could it be the fact that throughout the last ten games, Jay McClement has averaged more ice time than any other forward on the team.

Jay McClement has averaged 21:16 in the last 5 games, while Brad Boyes, is the closest forward in ice time, 18:33. If the Blues plan on scoring goals, it’s not going to be this way.

Jay McClement has 6 points on the season, Boyes has 11 points. So why is McClement averaging more ice time?

Because Andy Murray is continuously matching lines.

Forward B.J. Crombeen is averaging 15:68 of ice time in the last five games. This is more than young forward Lars Eller and Patrik Berglund.  Is this acceptable?

Not if you are looking at scoring goals.

So it’s understandable why Blues fans are upset, but is it time for a coaching change? That is in the hands of John Davidson and co.

So how long is Andy Murray’s leash? That is one thing we are not sure of, but the next month could really change things for the Blues organization.

Randall Ritchey

randallritchey@gmail.com