Bluenotes: Financial Issues Hindering Blues? + Links
A daily does of news and views around St. Louis Blues Nation.
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Interesting article by JR was posted very early Thursday morning. Apparently the Blues were in on Jamie Langenbrunner and the attempt to sign Kyle Wellwood as hit a snag.
In both instances the cause for concern is money (or the lack their of).
“Wellwood has agreed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Blues, according to sources. However, he is not eligible to play in Peoria this season because the Blues missed the Dec. 15 deadline that would have allowed him to be paid a two-way contract. Therefore, if signed, Wellwood must either play with the Blues, or be paid an NHL salary if he is waived. A deal may still happen, but currently it’s being held up.
The Blues also had interest in forward Jamie Langenbrunner, a veteran who would have been a solid mid-season addition before being traded to Dallas from New Jersey. But the Blues weren’t able to pull off a deal with the Devils, in part because of financial constraints that continue while the club finalizes its paperwork with new investors.”
The rhetoric coming from 14th and Clark since news of TowerBrooks planned departure broke has been, “this investor shuffle will not effect the daily operations of the franchise”. As transparent as Dave Checketts and John Davidson have been since their take over in 2006, there was little reason to disagree. The Doug Armstrong acquisitions, Jaroslav Halak and Vladimir Sobotka, as well as the Alex Steen and David Backes extensions give credence to the the front office’s assertion.
Backes is and will be a core member of the team for several years to come and his retention had to be a priority. No qualms about his deal. However, should Blue fans be curious as to why the Blues were able to work in an additional $4 million plus per year in to their payroll plans but are cutting 2010-11 so close that Langenbrunner’s roughly $1.5million couldn’t be absorbed? Why do they appear fearful of signing Wellwood to a full NHL deal? because if his play is substandard then they are on the hook for the full bill?
David’s raise doesn’t take effect till 2011-12. Giving the Blues plenty of time to move a contract to accommodate the increase if needed. Given Wellwood’s history, playing it safe is likely a good idea. If his play is substandard then they are on the hook for the full bill. When they brought in Svatos it was to a two-way deal which offered some financial protection.
All logical reasoning aside, it brings back a question I’ve had for a good chunk of the season. Do the Blues have a “rainy day fund”? A little section of the budget behind glass marked “Break In Case of Emergency”? The Svatos deal made it appear that way, but the latest news makes one wonder.
There are a lot of questions and few answers till Checketts can finalize the reorganization of ownership.
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The Puck Daddy blog over at Yahoo says Backes is the Blues MVP (agreed) and Patrik Berglund is the Goat. Brad Boyes anyone?
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Power Rankings Round Up
“Blues have hit a rough patch, four straight defeats. A recent closed-door meeting didn’t change fortunes on Monday, and no team in the West can afford too much of a slide.”
“The Blues are win-less in three games after winning five in a row; that’s why they begin the week outside the Western Conference playoff bubble.”
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The most under achieving team in the Western Conference? A few bloggers have said its the Blues. Davis Payne gets some props in this round table discussion about the ultra-competitive conference as well. [Hockey Independent]
Bobby Ryan is Puck Daddy’s #1 Star of the Night for Wednesday thanks to his Hat Trick to sink the Blues 7-4. Three fights with video included! Alex Steen’s (rare) Minus-3 performance a Dishonorable Mention. [Puck Daddy]
I played with cracked ribs and was told not to come back on the ice, but I did. Evgeny Kuznetsov is a great guy, but your forgot me, Ryan… Signed, Vladimir Tarasenko. [The Hockey News]
Did someone on the STLToday Forums really suggest dealing Patrik Berglund for Kris Versteeg…? Then again someone else floated Ian Cole for Carter Ashton… NHL 11 is so easy!
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