Blues Recall Derek Armstrong & Kariya on IR
Derek Armstrong recalled from Peoria - photo via blues.nhl.com
Per the St. Louis Post Dispatch and the Blues Official Website, the Blues have recalled Forward Derek Armstrong from their AHL affiliate Peoria Riverman.
It appears the Blues are trying to add a little bit of toughness and leadership to the roster. At age 36 Armstrong has 471 career NHL games played, many of which were with Andy Murray in Los Angeles. Murray was quoted in the Post Dispatch saying:
“I think he brings a Danny Hinote personality to our room, which is good for us. I think we miss Danny’s personality.”
“I think Army is a great addition and brings a lot of energy and so on, but Derek Armstrong is not going to ride in here on a white horse tomorrow and save the group. It’s up to the group itself.”
Important words from Coach Murray. With Paul Kariya on IR with a upper body (likely head) injury and McClement being banged up by a Shea Weber shot the Blues saw a need to recall Armstrong under Emergency Conditions. It is very likely that McClement could play so the interesting part is who sits out when Armstrong arrives? He isn’t be brought up to sit in the box (or work out w/ Nelson Ayotte). So who is out.
My hope is Berglund. Why?
This presents the Blues with a chance to dress a real, big, physical 4th line in Winchester-Armstrong-Janssen. A line that can go out for about eight minutes and just pound the other team. David Perron can go back on a line with McClement and Crombeen, a line he has had success with.
We shall see how this plays out for the Blues tomorrow night. However, this is a good move for the Blues today to help them win now. He is a player that fits in to Murray’s preferred style of play and inserts energy in to the team to light up the home crowd.
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I disagree Jeff. Berglund has been hot lately and taking him out now would be just stupid.
If anyone goes out, it’ll be Janssen. Put Army on the fourth line where he was and we’ll be fine.
Why take out a guy who’s starting to heat up in goal scored (something we need right now) only to put in a guy like Army? He’s not going to light the lamp more than 10 times a season, and thats only IF he can reach that plateau.
Removing Berglund is just stupid.
Not stupid.
Who has been the weakest Center from Day One of the 09-10 season? I think you can make a case for Berglund more so than Backes, “McDonald”, McClement, and Tkachuk.
It’s not optimal, but who else is going to sit?
I think its a big mistake benching Janssen. You need that firecracker to keep this team moving. I’ve been saying for a while this team is NOT going to roll 3 capable scoring lines that can produce when their blueline is not good enough at moving the puck. This team needs a 2 scoring line approach with 2 energy lines to win. Berglund isn’t replacing Backes or Tkachuk…so who else does that leave?
This team has zero identity and minimal toughness. No offense to Berglund, but a streak of 4-5 games out of nearly 40 doesn’t mean much.
The only other option is Boyes…who we all know is not being benched.