Blues Sign Marek Svatos

The St. Louis Blues announced today that they have signed free agent Forward Marek Svatos to a one year contract.

The 28 year old Kosice, Slovakia native has been playing with Omsk Avangard of the KHL after not signing in the NHL over the summer. In 19 games the goal scoring winger has 3 goals and 8 points. His NHL career, 316 games, has been spent entirely with the Colorado Avalanche. With the Avs Svatos registered 96 goals and 164 points. personal bests in points (50) and goals (32) came in his 61 game rookie campaign of 2005-06.

Svatos practiced with the Blues Tuesday. However, he must clear waivers before he is eligible appear in a game. Which means the fans first chance to see #40 will come on December 31st when the Phoenix Coyotes come to St. Louis for a New Year’s Eve tilt.

This is a low risk, high reward signing by Army and JD. Svatos has shown a scoring touch in the past and the Blues sorely need that now. An average of 25 goals per 82 games played is better than Brad Boyes’ over the last two seasons.

Marek may not be able to  replace the intangibles that David Perron, TJ Oshie and Andy McDonald bring. He can bring great hands and a much needed finishing touch around the net. Assuming good health returns, the Slovak can also bring skill to the depth chart.

Some have jumped to the conclusion the signing means David Perron is going to be out longer than expected. I can see why some would say that, but let’s not go down that road yet. Concussions are tricky. Perron could wake up the next two days headache free and begin his recovery.

The move could also be seen as the front office taking the appropriate steps to bring in external support with the team competing. Why spend the money if those already here can’t cut it? December has proven that the healthy bodies available can get the job done and now is the time to supplement their efforts.

The “problem” with Svatos is that he is an “offense first and offense only”player. If Payne and the rest of the coaching staff can maximize the effort of “one way” players like Boyes and Matt D’Agostini, it’s a fair assumption that they can do the same with Svatos. I’m not talking about making him a grinder, but getting Svatos working in the same direction as Payne’s system. That means coming back hard to cover defensive assignments which lead to turnovers and offensive opportunities up ice.

If Svatos can buy in to Payne’s mantra, resurrecting his chances at a lucrative professional career on this side of the pond is possible.

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Follow this link for an interview with Svatos on joining the Blues.

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