Bluenotes 6-13-11: Porter Signs, Komen Success, Left Wing Depth
Bluenotes is a (sometimes) daily dose of news and views from all around St. Louis Blues nation and the NHL beyond.
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Porter Signed
Per release on the Blues official website, forward Chris Porter has agreed to a one year deal. MSM reports have confirmed the deal is a two way paying $600,000 in NHL salary and $105,000 in the AHL (stick tap to Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch for breaking that tidbit).
The Toronto native has tallied 4 goals and 9 points in 51 career NHL games. All of which have been with the Blues.
BNZ POV
Nothing new or different here. Porter is a fine role player and the contract reflects that. He is a fine 14th or 15th forward. The first guy called up from the minors when injury strikes.
In other news, Joe Strauss is back showing zero class or professionalism on Twitter.
Komen Success
The fight against Cancer is the toughest such battle of the modern era. Seeing so many show up at the St. Louis Komen Race for the Cure to support family, friends and total strangers is just awesome. No better word to describe.
The Blues team topped 2,550 members and over $80,000 in donations according to the team’s official website.
The BlueNoteZone sub team showed up in force. Scott Neer did his best Ryan Kesler impression and BNZ photo-bombed the group picture. That ONE gray shirt you see…that’s him.
Blues head coach Davis Payne and local boy turned right winger Cam Janssen served as Co-Chairs of the event. The St. Louis race is the largest in the world and topped 64,000 participants this year.
I think Kelly is going to get something up later this week. Look for Tweets and Facebook posts regarding our signed BNZ shirt. Defenseman Ian Cole, goalie Ben Bishop, and alumnus Mike Zuke all signed.
Forbes Tweet Nonsense
I’m not going to link the tweet in reference because I’m not giving any more credit or attention to such a bogus claim.
All blue bleeders need to know is that a Forbes writer tweeted that we “shouldn’t be surprised if the Blues move to Canada”. No citation. No article to follow. Just blind speculation to whore attention… and the MSM complain about bloggers. Some in their own camp are just as bad.
Bottom-line, ignore the BS.
Spector’s Monday Post
There has been much talk recently of the Pittsburgh Penguins grinders using their Steel City success to move to new homes. Tyler Kennedy is one heavily rumored to be traded (heard that out side Lyle as well). If not, it could likely cost them one of two of Max Talbot, Pascal Dupuis or Mike Rupp.
Lyle Richardson also notes that the working belief is that Talbot wants four years and Dupuis wants three. Will they take less salary for term? That’s what it will come down to. If not, these two could be on the Blues radar come July 1st. Both are depth forwards with winning experience who can move between lines 3 and 4 easily and fill in on the second line in a pinch. They’re also penalty killers. An area needing re-tooling after the top rated unit in 2009-10 slipped to 18th in 2010-11.
If Dustin Jeffrey is signed first, one of Talbot or Dupuis is likely on their way out no matter what. With Neal, Chris Kunitz, Eric Tangradi and Jeffrey, they’re fairly set on the left for next season.
The Blues have no use for Matt Niskanen who could be moved off the blueline. Other defenders, like Brooks Orpik, they do. But Ray Shero isn’t dealing away his core.
I’d be really surprised if Kennedy went. The Pens do not have a natural right winger under contract. Evgeni Malkin may move over and James Neal may be able to fill in, but Kennedy is the closest thing to a skilled right winger they have. Shero will have to address that issue.
Someone like Matt D’Agostini would fit in very well in Dan Byslma’s system, but is there a player of value that could come back for his rights? Not one that would fill a Blues hole at least.
One name to keep an eye on that Lyle mentioned from Columbus, Scottie Upshall. He’s been up and down, but shown an ability to score goals. Combine his speed with his ability to move up and down the left side of the depth chart, he is a cost effective option as well. More so than the Pens UFAs.
