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February 2010

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Cam Janssen Suspended 5 Games

By Jeff Quirin on February 25, 2010

The NHL met with Blues Tough Guy Cam Janssen on Thursday to discuss his late hit on the Caps’ Matt Bradley. The conclusion? A Five Game suspension.

Woah…5 Games?! Not fair!
Ridiculous. Pure BS.
This is hockey, its rough.

This is the type of response I’ve seen from Blues fans today.

I’ve got to be honest, I have to say I totally disagree. This suspension has really progressed my belief that Cam Janssen shouldn’t be on this roster.

Let’s review the hit.

In the video we can see Bradley make a play and is marked by a Blues player. As Bradley moves the puck he is looking at the play infront of him. That is to Boyes (marking him, it looks like) and back to the slot area of the ice where the pass went. Cam Janssen is coming in from his blindside (around the blue line), totally outside of the play. Janssen clearly leads with an elbow to the head of Bradley.

To recap, this is what we have.
- The offender is a repeat offender. (ask Kaberle what he thinks of Janssen)
- The offender was not in the play being made.
- The victim was blindsided.
- The victim was hit in the head directly by the elbow.

I’m sorry folks, I don’t know what part of the world that type of play is allowed. Sadly, Cam thinks it should be. The St. Louis Post Dispatch quoted Janssen as saying “He had his head down and I was doing my job.”…”The bottom line is, I’m going to play the same way.” News flash Cam, if you watch the replay his head isn’t down. Bradley’s head is turned to the play in front of him.

Cam Janssen - Image via blues.nhl.com

Cam Janssen came in with zero attempt to play the puck and hit Bradley in the head. Dare I say that a player skating out of his way to hit another player in the head is similar to what Patrice Cormier did to Mikael Tam? The outcome was different, Matt Bradley wasn’t on the ice in convulsions. However, I would argue that the play was similar. The offender came in to the play and made a path straight to the puck carrier and elbowed him in the head.

This is the play that scares me. Anytime you hit someone in the head, you are not only threatening their career, but also their way of life. There is no need for that type of physical play in the game of hockey. Players like Janssen are out on the ice for one purpose, stir the pot. Sometimes its a fight, sometimes its a big hit. These types of players walk a very fine line. The line between defensible and reckless. Some hits you can justify, this one can’t be. Can we justify this hit in hockey, can we defend it? I can’t.

The Blues are currently evaluating their roster going in to the deadline and for their off season plans. Both Janssen and DJ King are up for new contracts this summer. Both fill a similar role, Tough Guy / Enforcer. Can the Blues afford to pay two of these players when they are trying to raise the skill level of the NHL roster? Many fans may have forogtten King Kong and his brutal punches. This fan has not. I remember seeing him work hard and not look out of place on his shift. King can skate and play a game that is above average for the run of the mill “goon”. Janssen worked hard this past off season and looked to be a new improved Cam at Camp. However, that still doesn’t put him above a healthy King. Cam was brought in as a player to add “toughness” to the roster while not losing longtime Blue Bryce Salvador for nothing come unrestricted free agency in spring/summer 2008. When DJ King went down with injury to open the 08-09 Campaign, Cam became the full time #13 Forward. When DJ re-injured his hand this season, Cam’s spot was solidified again. Now DJ is healthy and playing again. Cam’s roster spot is now called in to question.

I know that he is a local boy. I know he has a big smile, big personality and seems to be a nice face to market for the Blues. Sorry, TJ Oshie and David Backes to a better job of marketing this team. They help this team win nightly without the antics. If Cam is here and his only benefit is PR, why is he on the roster? This suspension has to be the giant red flag that warns Blues fans to question Cam’s spot here. If DJ is back and Cam can’t match his play (or plays so poorly its a negative impact), is he worth keeping around?

My answer is no and has been since King returned. This is just my icing on the cake to hammer my thought home.

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Cam Janssen Suspended 5 Games for 2-13-10 Hit on Matt Bradley

By Tyler Atwood on February 25, 2010

"Killa Cam"

You won't see this guy suited up until mid-March at the earliest. Image via blues.nhl.com

St. Louis Blues forward Cam Janssen has received a five-game suspension as a result of his late hit on Washington Capitals forward Matt Bradley in each team’s final game before the Olympic break on February 13th.

At first, I thought the hit was suspicious but not enough to draw a sizable suspension.  I still believe the punishment is excessive, but there was no doubt it would draw the ire of the NHL’s front office.

I’ll take you back to last season – Ryan Hollweg (then of the Toronto Maple  Leafs), who had already been suspended multiple times for dirty plays such as the one Janssen committed a couple weeks ago, was given an automatic two-game ban by the League for a late hit on Alex Pietrangelo (video here) because of a prior history.  Hollweg, who now is toiling with the Phoenix Coyotes’ AHL affiliate (the San Antonio Rampage), had committed a similar act against the Blues in a preseason game and was a multiple repeat offender.  Now, here’s the video of Janssen’s hit on Bradley.

You be the judge . . . should Janssen have been given five games for his hit on Bradley, or would a suspension of maybe two games be more appropriate?  Considering Janssen had no prior history of dirty play, a suspension of two games probably would have been plenty.  Maybe I’m being a homer here, but obviously Colin Campbell and I have a difference in opinion.

With the Blues on a push for the playoffs after the Olympic break ends, Janssen’s energy and intensity will be missed for the five games he is banned, but there’s a chance he would have been in the press box for at least two of those games anyway, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find energy from the pool of 3rd- and 4th-liners already employed by The Note.

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QUICK PREVIEW: United States vs. Switzerland 02-24-10

By Tyler Atwood on February 24, 2010

This will be a quick preview in a pinch-hitting role, so bear with us.

The United States is still on Cloud Nine after their unbelievable 5-3 upset victory over Canada on Sunday.  Reports are that Vancouver stood silent on Sunday night – a good feeling after beating the home squad.  But now, the real fun of the Olympic tournament begins.

Switzerland earned a second opportunity to knock off the Americans after a 3-2 shootout win over Belarus yesterday afternoon.  The reason Switzerland was in the knockout round in the first place was due to a 3-1 loss to the United States in each team’s opening Olympic game in group play – a game that included David Backes and his sweet end-to-end goal (the 2nd goal here).  In that game, Switzerland showed that they’re SO much more than banks, cheese, Army knives and koo-koo clocks.  They’re not spectacular, but they will compete.

Switzerland’s strength derives from their play on the defensive end.  They have one of the tournament’s best goaltenders in Jonas Hiller, one of the tournament’s best stay-at-home defensemen in Mark Streit and a handful of young defensive up-and-comers such as Yannick Weber and Luca Sbisa.  This is not to say they can’t score goals – former NHLer Hnat Domenichelli and youngster Julien Sprunger have supplied much of the offense for Switzerland in this tournament.

The key to the game will be the United States’ depth, specifically the team’s 3rd and 4th lines and how they match up to the top Swiss lines.  This would include Backes, whose forechecking will be very important to the success of the United States team.  It wouldn’t hurt to pull off another coast-to-coast finish, either, but my guess is that the Swiss will have that one covered by now.

PREDICTION: United States 4, Switzerland 2 in another tooth-and-nail game.  United States goals by Patrick Kane, Phil Kessel, Backes (AGAIN!) and – in a surprise – Jack Johnson (hey, Rafalski can’t score ALL the goals from the point, can he?).  Swiss goals by Domenichelli and Martin Pluss.

U-S-A!  U-S-A!  U-S-A!

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Revisiting the Kariya Trade Scenarios

By Jeff Quirin on February 24, 2010

In a blog earlier this month I went over two possible trade scenarios involved Blues Forward Paul Kariya. at the time the two likely targets were the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Vancouver Canucks. Not much has changed since February 11th, but after some comments back on the scenarios, I feel some deeper digging is in order.

Capgeek.com is a great website for fans wanting to play around with Free Agent scenarios and team salaries/Cap Space. One new feature they have is the Trade Machine. This is basically a salary calculator that figures out how a trade breaks down in terms of salary and cap hits. A nifty tool for a computer chair GM or blogger. I spent a little time playing around with the scenarios and here is how they worked out.

Pittsburgh

As of March 3rd Kariya will have $1,243,523 left as his Cap Hit. As of that same date the Penguins have $735,626 in Cap Space. The difference is roughly $550,000.

Scenario One was a deal to send a conditional pick (similar to the Guerin deal) + a Roster player (Eaton, Dupuis, Fedotenko, etc). All three players listed as examples are below the needed $550,000 Cap Hit that the Pens have to clear. For the Pens to make such a deal, multiple players would have to go to St. Louis to add Kariya. If multiple Pens players are sent back, can the Pens replace said player? They could with a warm body, but it would be very hard to replace the experience lost. Dupuis and Eaton + the Pick(s) would clear the needed cap space and leave the Pens roughly $130,000 in Cap Space.

Scenario Two was a deal moving a mid level prospect (not named Caputi or Tangradi) + a Roster player. This is basically the same scenario, but instead of a pick, the Blues get a player who can go to Peoria and be an upgrade there now and in the NHL for depth later.

Scenario one is the most plausible because the Pens can replace Eaton with Skoula as a top 6 and then use Ben Lovejoy (or someone of the same ilk) as the #7 Defensemen. Dupuis can be replaced by Max Talbot who was not playing prior to the break. Someone like Dustin Jeffrey, Nick Johnson, or Chris Conner can replace Talbot as the depth player on the NHL roster. Scenario two is far less possible upon second review because the Pens are dealing too much personnel and cutting in to their depth.

Vancouver

Vancouver is even more precarious because they will have only $536,788 in Cap Space come the March 3rd deadline. meaning they would need to find a way to clear out roughly $700,000 to make Kariya fit.

Scenario One was A Roster player + a Pick + Corey Schneider. In this scenario only the roster player is pulling Cap Hits from the Canucks figures. Corey Schneider is not on the NHL roster so his contract is not counting towards their cap figure. The only player who could clear enough space is Pavol Demiitra. His Cap Hit is $829,016 come March 3rd. This scenario may work as Demitra has had very little to do with the success Vnacouver has had this season. He played in just 11 games before the Olympic break and pitched in just 1 Goal with 4 Points. He doesn’t really fit back in to the Canucks Top 6 of Sedin x2, Burrows, Raymond, Kesler, and Samuelsson. Is he the type of guy to play a 3rd line role and help a team win a Cup? I think some Vancouver fans would say no (I bet some Blues fans will too). Demitra would save the Blues roughly half a million dollars in salary from March 3rd to the end of the season.

Scenario Two was a Roster player + AHL Prospect + Schneider. Just like in the Pens scenario’s, this one is virtually the same impact on the destination team. The Canucks won’t be moving Schroeder or Hodgson, so there wouldn’t be too much depth lost in moving a mid level prospect.

Scenario one is the most likely here as well. Demitra is a was out considering both he and Kariya are UFAs come July 1st. The Pick is a throw in. Schneider is what the Blues would really be after. The Blues save money and “get their goalie” while the Canucks upgrade Demitra to Kariya and get some return for Schneider.

Other Teams?

Could another team still be involved? Of course. The Pens and Canucks are obvious starting points due to Paul’s life and career. Who else could be looking to add a rental for a reduced cost?

NY Islanders – In the middle of the muck in the East. Lots of Cap Space and could use some added veteran experience. Will Snow want to give up picks or prospects for a rental? Maybe. Will Kariya waive his NMC to go to NYI? Doubtful, unless he thinks he can raise his UFA value there.

Ottawa Senators – They will have roughly $1,349,508 in Cap Space come the deadline and could use another producing forward with some experience. If they can’t get in on Ponikarvosky, Whitney, etc. Kariya could be in play.

LA Kings – They are poised for a playoff run and are already rumored to be kicking tires (and have made offers) for Ray Whitney of Carolina. Could Kariya be their consolation prize? They have the Caps Space and the prospects/picks to do the deal and not lose future depth.

Colorado Avalanche – The team has “overachieved” but is playing well. They could benefit from Kariya’s experience and speed. They have the space to cut a deal and take on that Cap Hit. He could be a nice stabilizer for their young core and provide some consistency in effort for the Avs. The Avs have a shot at a decent run and Paul is familiar with the Avs. Will they gamble on him a second time?

Buffalo Sabres – The team can play and has great goaltending, but goal scoring and offensive production are in question. Would Buffalo be willing to move MacArthur, Stafford, or the like to bring in the speedy Kariya? They space is there if the Sabres move a roster play back to St. Louis.

Final Destination #2

Vancouver seems to be difficult even though both teams have what the other team wants. Money could be the issue that trumps any move. That said, If Vancouver is willing to move Demitra, the deal could work in terms of salary and Cap Hits.

Pittsburgh can do it, but at what cost to their NHL depth?

I still think Vancouver is the most likely trading partner. I would not discount LA or Ottawa (or Pittsburgh) if Whitney, Ponikarvosky, or Torres is not to be had.

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The Top Ten Names of 2010 Olympic Hockey

By Tyler Atwood on February 22, 2010

Eric the Red has nothing on this guy!

The man with the most awesome name in 2010 Olympic hockey. Image via vancouver2010.com

There have only been two sports I have been following intently at the 2010 Winter Olympiad in Vancouver – curling (both men’s and women’s . . . it’s like shuffleboard on ice and I’ve just found it to be strangely interesting) and, of course, ice hockey.  Watching the preliminary round-robin, a lot of interesting-looking and interesting-sounding names have popped onto the scene.  Most of these names are random unknowns – guys who usually haven’t even sniffed NHL opportunities.  I took a list of about 30 of these relative-unknowns and somewhat-forgottens and whittled it down to 10 to produce a Top Ten Names in Men’s Ice Hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics.  As you can imagine, the Latvians are heavily involved . . . but they don’t bring home the top prize!

10. Martin Pluss, Forward, Switzerland

I had originally left him off the list, but when you’re talking about a guy who – if you pronounce his last name correctly – has a name that doubles as the sound of dropping a heavy object into a bucket full of water (PLOOSH!), you make the list.  Never drafted by an NHL team, Pluss has plied his craft in the Swiss League for most of his career, starting with Kloten from ‘96-’97 to ‘03-’04, jumping to Elitserien of Sweden from ‘04-’05 to ‘07-’08 before moving back home to play for Bern last season, continuing this season.  He had a stat line of 21-22-43 in 38 games last season for Bern.

9. Pål Grotnes, Goaltender, Norway

When your name is Pål, then buddy, you make the list.  Stats are light on Grotnes, but he did play in Sweden’s top minor league in ‘04-’05 and ‘05-’06.  He is Norway’s top goaltender, starting in all of their games thus far in the Olympics.

8. Jakub Ficenec, Defenseman, Germany

A German HAD to make the list.  Ficenec makes it not only because it’s an interesting name, but it’s also not particular German-sounding.  In fact, Ficenec was born in Czechoslovakia (in a city that is now in the Czech Republic) – in fact he played for the Czech Republic in the European Junior tournament in 1995 – but is now a German citizen.  Ficenec was in North America for five seasons (two in Juniors) before moving to the Deutschland Elite League in 2001, where he has since remained (and during which, presumably, he gained his German citizenship).

7. Girts Ankipans, Forward, Latvia

Some would think this guy would be higher on the list, but there have been so many puns about his name (mostly about “hockey pants”, obviously) that he gets dropped in this assessment.  Ankipans has spent his whole professional career in Europe, the last two with Dynamo Riga of the KHL after dominating in several German minor league levels.

6. Branko Radivojevic, Forward, Slovakia

You may be familiar with this name.  Radivojevic played in 393 National Hockey League games with the Coyotes, Flyers and Wild before moving to Spartak Moscow at the beginning of ‘08-’09.  Selected in the 3rd round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche, Radivojevic also played his junior hockey in Ontario.  Plus, you can’t go wrong with a long last name paired with a first name of “Branko”.

5. Juha Kaunismäki, Defenseman, Norway

If you transpose the U and the N, then add an M between the K and the I, you get a name that loosely spells and could sound like “Can you smack me”.  That’s why he comes in at number 5.  Born in Finland, Kaunismäki has played for Norway internationally since 2008.  He has been in the Norwegian elite league since 2003.

4. Georgijs Pujacs, Defenseman, Latvia

Poo-yocks.  That’ll get you #4 positioning.  Pujacs was drafted by the Bruins in 1999 in the no-longer-existent 9th round.  As you could imagine, he didn’t last long in North America, playing two seasons five years apart on the continent.  He currently plays for Dynamo Riga with Girts Ankipans.

3. Hnat Domenichelli, Forward, Switzerland

This name speaks to the diversity of Swiss culture.  If you don’t know, Switzerland draws influence from France, Italy and Germany.  The first name is Germanic, the last name obviously Italian.  If you’ve heard this name before, it’s because he was drafted by the Hartford Whalers in 1994 and played 267 NHL games with the Whalers, Flames, Thrashers and Wild before moving back home in 2003, where he’s been since.  Domenichelli was actually born in Edmonton, thus being eligible for Team Canada.  But they reserve those spots for Canadians, usually.

2. Aleksandrs Nizivijs, Forward, Latvia

“LAYLA!  YOU GOT ME ON MY NIZIVIJS!”, sang Eric Clapton, both solo and as a front-man for Derek and the Dominoes.  Alright, maybe he didn’t.  Nizivijs is another Latvian playing for Dynamo Riga.  He has never played in North America and only recently joined the KHL.  And yes, the Clapton reference was the main reason he’s on this list.  And probably why he’s #2.  I love Eric Clapton.

AND YOUR NUMBER ONE NAME OF THE MEN’S HOCKEY TOURNAMENT AT THE 2010 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES IS . . . *drum roll* . . .

1. Tore Vikingstad, Forward, Norway

You knew this name was tops, right?  Of course!  Vikingstad was actually drafted by the Blues in the 6th round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.  After spending three seasons in the Swedish Elitserien, Vikingstad has since played in Germany, where he overall has averaged somewhere around a point per game.  Vikingstad has never played in North America, but after posting a hat trick against Switzerland, his possibilities may change.  The problem is that he turns 35 in October.

There are plenty of names that I missed here, but that’s just how many awesome names there are in this Olympic hockey tournament – some had to be left off.

The Throwdown Lowdown returns next week when the Blues return to action.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

and

USA!! USA!!!!

(I know, white doesn’t come through well on a white background.  Oh well.)

Information obtained from various sources including The Internet Hockey Database, Eurohockey.net, Hockey Reference and Wikipedia

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Yes. We. Can.

By Jeff Quirin on February 22, 2010

For the hockey fans of North America…has there been a better game recently? Has there been a game that had it all (minus a good fight)?

Frantic first period.
Punch and counter punch.
Amazing goaltending and unlucky bounces (or redirects).
Big hits.
…and a cry baby Captain after the second period.

Team USA broke the scoring open in the first with a great shot by Rafalski that was tipped past Martin Brodeur…or so it looked. Rafalski was credited with the goal. Canada surged back and sent in their own goal courtesy or Eric Staal. Rafalski answered and made it 3-1 USA at the end of the first. The pace settled as Heatley and Drury exchanged goals to make it 3-2 USA after two periods. Canada ramped up the pace again in the third. Ryan Miller turned away 13 of 14 3rd period shots to allow the US to win 5-3 behind goals from Langebrunner and Kesler.

It’s interesting how this team was scrutinized for adding in a veteran like Drury, a Captain in Langenbrunner, and a smaller Rafalski. It’s also interesting how all three was the most influential skaters for the US. Drury was on the ball as an energy player and penalty killer. Langenbrunner was solid in both ends in front of his own net. Rafalski was the best puck mover the team had. Not to discredit the role and ability of other players, but the veterans lead the way in the biggest game for this team to date.

Ryan Miller was just simply amazing. At times he looked tired, beaten, and worn down. Then he would come right back and make a flurry of solid saves. If not for his effort the game would have been lost. Miller stopped 42 of 45 Canadian shots. The “experts” said it would come down to goaltending and Miller stepped up.

Kudos to Ron Wilson (and Torts) as well. The US was plagued with odd man rush after odd man rush in the two previous games against lesser opponents. The US Defense settled in and made the safe (and smart) play in terms of when to step up to take away space. There were few pinches resulting in rushes back. Not to say Canada didn’t get some odd man chances, but you can’t keep a team that skilled from ever doing it.

David Backes and Erik Johnson played well in their respective roles. Johnson saw lesser time, but that is likely a good thing. Not sure if he could have been able to sustain wave after wave of Canadian attack. Backes went back to his Blues roots with his energy role. Get in and bang the body. He did contribute an assist on the Drury goal by establishing solid net presence in front of Marty.

Pardon me for doing this, but….QQ more Neids. You’re cry baby act after the second period was a little too much. JJ (Jack Johnson) didn’t do anything wrong and you went after him. Easy to be a “big tough guy” when you can’t drop the gloves to man up. Too much entitlement with the Canadians. They just didn’t want it enough. That said, they played an amazing game.

What a game and what a way to end Group play. The USA wins all three Group games in regulation and moves on with the Bye. Schedule of games for the next round will be out today.

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Let’s Go USA! Let’s Go!

By Jeff Quirin on February 21, 2010

Let’s get it on…

As Judge Mills Lane would say on Celebrity Deathmatch, its time for the US and Canada to face-off in the most anticipated game of the Olympics to date. Alas, NBC has demoted the hockey action to a Cable station (and off my HD programming). That will not deter the hockey faithful across both great nations. Hockey will be found on many TVs across the US and Canada. Faithfully cheering on the Maple Leaf or the Red, White & Blue.

How does this game turnout? No one knows. What we do know is that we will see a great game.

The young, brash, physical American boys vs the weathered, experienced leaders of Canada.

The best goalie no one talks about vs. the best goalie of the last two decades (no…not Roy).

The under achieving Coach vs. a Coach who has taken a team to two straight Finals.

The stakes in this first meeting are high, but not as high as they will be later should the two meet again. Both teams are going through to the next round. What is at stake are bragging rights and momentum.

Canada is the heavily favored home team. All the pressure is on them, they literally have everything to lose not taking the Group lead away from the US. Imagine the boos raining down from the Canada fans if the US were to win in regulation? Not sure booing the US, but mostly booing their own countrymen. That is something Canada cannot afford when moving on to take on the other top teams.

The US are the upstarts, playing with fire and determination with nothing to lose. Of course they want to win the game, but most importantly they don’t want to be taken to the cleaners. Much like the World Junior Championships this past January, the US is looking to build on big wins and hang with the Canadians. Can they? Will they be able to play a clean game and not give up 2 on 1 rushes to the San Jose line of terror? Crosby and Nash? Can they silence the Vancouver crowd till the final horn?

Can Team USA be world beaters once again? Can a young group of Americans make a statement game about the progression of hockey in America? Can they honor the 30th Anniversary of the Miracle on Ice? Will another Suter do the trick? I know this isn’t the same scenario. This isn’t Team USA fighting for a medal, this is just the last game of Group play. However, the players have to elevate themselves to that level. They need to channel the ghosts of teams past to take on the favored juggernaut and move on in the tournament.

Be ready for a good one. Grab your snacks, your American brewed beer and watch this one. I have a feeling its going to be a real good game to watch from start to finish.

Let’’s Go USA, Let’s Go!

Bring home a winner for those who can’t be home to see you drop the Canadians!

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Team USA Take Down Switzerland 3-1

By Jeff Quirin on February 17, 2010

Team USA opened up Pool play yesterday with a 3-1 victory over Switzerland. Team USA effectively ran the first two periods and the Swiss really opened up their game and took it to the Americans in the third. The goal tending of Ryan Miller and lack of Swiss finishing ability kept the Swiss down.

With the games being on the smaller NHL sized rink, the US used their size and physical play level to really attack the Swiss. IN the first meeting of David Backes and Julien Sprunger, no one was injured and there didn’t seem to be any bad blood showing. Although, Backes was popped in the nose at some point in the first period and had a nice wad of cotton up his left nostril the whole game.

The Ryan-Backes-Callahan line really seemed to set the tone for the US. Their physical play was through the roof and they created at least five scoring chances. Ryan and Backes converted once each to put the US up 2-0. Ryan Malone would bang in the third goal on the power play through Jonas Hiller’s legs.

The Blues Erik Johnson was solid to start, but seemed to struggle a little as the game went on. His early play was very good in terms of picking when to jmp in to the offensive play deep in the zone. Ryan Suter was playing well till the bad roughing penalty that lead to Roman Wick’s lone Swiss goal. Suter has a pretty good shot from the point. Blues fans don’t see it that much since Shea Weber hogs the Nashville spotlight.

Team USA is off today the 17th and will play Norway at 3pm Easten on Thursday the 18th.

Here is a link to an article from the USHL on Backes and Malone.

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Evaluating the Roster: Part 1

By Jeff Quirin on February 15, 2010

The Blues are in a curious position right now. After the Saturday Shootout winner against the Caps, the Blues are now four points behind the 8th place Calgary Flames. The trade market is opening up. Brian Burke and the Sutters have lead the way. Atlanta moved Kovalchuk to New Jersey. The Hawks moved Barker to Minnesota. Blues fans need to ask, where are the Blues at in all of this? What are the Blues looking to do in terms of altering this team for now and the future? Are we a “buyer” or are we a “seller”?

During the Olympic break I will be breaking down the Blues roster, evaluating their ability, current production, and future impact. My goal is not to focus on criticisms or promote certain players. The goal is to cover this roster from Net to Face Off circle to see what we have and where is it going. Step One is to formulate a ranking system. A way to order information to effectively describe, analyze, and discuss Blues personnel.

Former Columbus GM Doug MacLean proposed an interesting point system to evaluate talent on a recent segment from Hockey Central on Fan 590 in Toronto. Doug suggested a seven level system with 7 being a true franchise player and a 1 being an AHL tweener type. I would alter Doug’s impromptu proposal in to something that I feel is a little more representational.

Here are my ranks:
6 – True Franchise Player (Crosby, Ovechkin, Brodeur)
5 – Top Line/Top Pairing/Playoff Level #1 Goalie (Nash, Green, Fluery)
4 – Steady NHL Contributor (Guerin, Gomez, Samuelsson)
3 – Marginal NHL Contributor (Higgins, Drury, Torres)
2 – Role Player (Ryan Johnson, Craig Adams, Scott Walker)
1 – AHL/NHL Tweener or Roster Filler (Derek Armstrong, Yan Stastny, etc)

While sites like Puck Prospectus and Behind the Net do a great job of breaking down the game for statistical analysis, that is not me intent here. I do love stats, but what I am shooting for is more informal and everyday fan friendly. These values are set off some statistical facts and also personal opinion. Allow me to elaborate further.

6 – True Franchise Player
This is a rare number to be use. Few players are consistent top level producers while clutch performers who have taken a team (or teams) in to deep playoff runs. These are the players who have walked and talked.
- Point production is a point a game or better.
- Their play transcends one dimension.
- They are the Captain or “Face of the Franchise”.
- Winning is everything and they’ve done it.

5 – Top Line/Top Pairing/Playoff Level #1 Goalie
This is the guy a hair below the Crosby and Ovechkins of the league. A player who can produce, but hasn’t lead the way to sustained winning. This is the type of player who is coming on to the NHL scene, but hasn’t quite hit “it” yet.
- Producers around a point a game.
- Their play goes beyond one dimension, but could still be limited.
- Helped a team (or teams) to the playoffs, but haven’t progressed in to deep runs.
- Winning is everything, but have come up short.

4 – Steady NHL Contributor
This is your stereotypical “Top 6″ Forward or “Top 4″ Defensemen. A player who is a vital member any winning effort, but is not the type to carry a team or haven’t been able to do it consistently. These players know they have a role and know how to produce with what they are given, but haven’t (or can’t) take the next step to level 5. Age is a factor here.
- Production is in the 40-70 Point range over 82 Games played.
- Can assist in more than one Dimension, but is better suited in their most productive role.
- Been a part of a winning team an played a role or is part of a core of a developing team.

3 – Marginal NHL Contributor
These are players who from time to time can produce, but do not have the consistency. These are also players who would be in the stereotypical “Bottom 6″ Forwards or “3rd Pairing” Defenseman range.  The type of player a team expects to not hinder your ability to win, but you do not expect to produce consistently.
- Production is 40 points over 82 Games or lower.
- One dimensional players.
- Developing players.

2 – Role Player
While having a low ranking, this is a position that some thrive in. Role players provide energy, toughness, and defensive strength. Every team needs these types to fill out their roster, low priority is given due to the nature of the game. There is not a need to have an abundance of role players on a team. They are “easily” cultivated and obtained.
- Production is up to about 20/30 points.
- One Dimension and that is all that is expected.

1 – AHL/NHL Tweener or Roster Filler
This player is likely a developing prospect or an injury replacement. Someone who is best suited for the minors, but is up to the NHL for depth reasons. Their production isn’t expected and their role is to just eat ice time without hurting the team.
- Minimal point production.
- Only role is to show up and play a few minutes.

Where do Blues players fit in to this spectrum? We shall see over the coming two weeks as the NHL takes a breather for the Olympics. In that time I will further delve in to where the team stands with new Head Coach Davis Payne. Comparing his tenure to that of Andy Murray’s ill fated 09-10 campaign. I will also break down the forwards, defenseman, goal tenders and near future prospects to see where the team stands before the deadline.

I can tell you that there isn’t a $6 on this team (yet). The rest, you’ll have to come back and see.

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THN: Pietrangelo is #1

By Jeff Quirin on February 14, 2010

Pietrangelo jumped from 5th in 2009 to 1st in 2010 on THN's Future Watch List.

The Hockey News’ Brian Costello put up a blog today previewing Future Watch 2010. Alex Pietrangelo was named the Number 1 “future” player to watch for in 2010.

Each year the Hockey News starts evaluating prospects after the WJC Tournament. They get information from each NHL teams “Top 10″ and cross reference that with thoughts from a panel of 23 scouts. The cut off is 50 NHL games played. Some players with less are ruled out based on the Hockey News’ criteria. Alex had four first place votes and seven votes to be in the “Top 4″. Only 11 of 50 prospects received at least one first place vote.

Pietrangelo spent the entire season form Training Camp through his departure for the World Juniors with the St. Louis Blues. He appeared in a total of 9 Games and registered his first NHL goal and his second NHL assist. After the WJC he was traded from the Niagara Ice Dogs to the Barrie Colts in the OHL. Since coming to Barrie, Alex has 3 Goals and 16 Points in 15 Games.

Pietrangelo has helped the Barrie Colts clinch an OHL playoff spot. Image via ontariohockeyleague.com

There has been some banter amongst some Blues fans that Pietrangelo lacks the desire and will to take his game to the next level. I would agree that he is not 100% ready for the NHL after two not so hot performances against the USA in two key WJC games. However, let’s not get crazy here. From seeing him play at the WJC, I can say he has a great desire to win and make an impact every time he has the puck on his stick. He is not Chris Pronger, not will he ever be. At the 2008 NHL Draft he was compared to Zubov (no Pronger comparisons there). Alex has the physical tools to play the NHL game, he is just requiring a little more time than those drafted above him.

Perhaps an honor like this one, where industry professionals and experts have quantified his potential, will deter some of the ludacris calls against Alex’s ability to make it and excel in the NHL.

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