2011 Summer In Review
As we close in on the one month countdown until hockey season begins and the Blues drop the puck at Scottrade on Saturday, Oct. 8, it’s important to take a look back at the summer that was and look forward to how the team’s various acquisitions will impact the 2011-12 Blues on the ice.
Even though Doug Armstrong and John Davidson were not afforded the luxury of excess cash to land the “big” free agent (see: Blues for sale), the two-man brain trust made some surprising off-season acquisitions that will hopefully propel the young – now a bit older – squad into the playoffs this season.
Key Additions
Jamie Langenbrunner
From rosie.perera
The Blues signed Langenbrunner to a one year, $2.5 million contract to provide some much needed veteran leadership with such a young talent core. Langenbrunner’s credentials speak for themselves: two-time Stanley Cup champion, 2010 Team USA Olympic Captain and Silver Medalist and captain for the New Jersey Devils for almost five full seasons. After waiving his no-trade clause last year and being dealt to Dallas, the Blues snatched up the 36 year-old forward, hoping he will be an important piece to the Blues’ puzzle this season. While the team expects to address the vacant captaincy role at the beginning of training camp, which many believe will be awarded to David Backes, Langenbrunner understands what the coaches and front office personnel want his role to be on the team this year: provide scoring depth while also mentoring the team’s young players in the process. With 16 years in the NHL under his belt, JL15 understands the various nuances that come with rebuilding teams with young talent, so it’s going to be exciting to see how he fits into the Blues’ system, both on the ice and in the locker room. A projected third or fourth line right winger, the Blues are hoping that the 36 year-old can provide the much needed scoring depth on the lower lines, while also playing both ways and being a responsible, two-way forward. He’s played over 1,035 NHL games and scored 638 points, and the Blues are banking on the fact that he will be a staple on the third line throughout the season.
Jason Arnott
Image via bridgetds
On the same day the Blues signed Langenbrunner, they locked up Arnott for one year with the exact same contract. The front office has made it a priority to add veteran leadership, and signing Arnott proves that the team is ready to take the next step into the upper echelon of the NHL. Arnott donned the “C” in Nashville for three seasons, so his locker room presence is widely respected around the NHL and will be in St. Louis as well. The 36 year-old forward, who will likely center the Blues third line this season, has pumped in 400 goals and and added 504 helpers over his 17 NHL seasons. After being dealt from New Jersey (where he shared a locker room with Langenbrunner) to Washington last season, the Blues signed the free agent in July with the hopes that he and JL15 can complement the pieces the Blues already have in place. A consistent 20-30 goal scorer every year, Arnott will be expected to add some offense to the checking line, providing another scoring threat with Alex Steen on the wing. Both Langenbrunner and Arnott were surprise signings, but at a relatively low cost and one year contracts, the Blues don’t assume much risk with either player, and if they breakout in St. Louis, they could find themselves back in the Lou next year as well.
Shark Bites
Image via Dan4th
The Blues also did some shopping in sunny San Jose this summer, signing 36 year-old center Scott Nichol and defenseman Kent Huskins from the Sharks. While Nichol may not be ready for the start of training camp due to offseason shoulder surgery, the Blues added the 11-year veteran in their quest to add role players to the 2011-12 squad. Nichol spent the past two seasons with the Sharks, and the Blues signed the UFA at the beginning of July to a one-year, $600,000 contract. Projected as the team’s fourth-line center, the Blues aren’t counting on Nichol to bang in 20 goals, but any offensive threat he can provide will ultimately bolster that line. Nichol, like Langenbrunner and Arnott, was brought in add veteran depth to the team’s young core, a skill which he has developed over 11 NHL seasons.
Image via Dan4th
In addition to Nichol, the Blues snatched up D-man Kent Huskins from San Jose to add more physicality and depth on the blue line this year. The Blues have their offensive d-men in place (Pietrangelo, Shattenkirk, Colaiacovo), so they’re not relying on Huskins to add another offensive threat from the blue line. With only 11 goals in 274 career games, it’s pretty clear Huskins’ game parallels that of Jackman and Polak as a shut-down defenseman who brings another much needed physical element to the team’s defensive corps. Huskins is another Stanley Cup champion, winning with Anaheim in 2007, and has never had a negative +/- rating in a full season.
Brian Elliott
Image via Dan4th
Jaro Halak is the clear number one goalie, and that’s such a crucial piece heading into another season. What is up for grabs, however, is the number two spot behind Halak. The Blues signed Brian Elliott from Colorado to compete with hometown boy Ben Bishop for the backup job this season. With only four seasons under his belt, Elliott has never set himself apart as a clear-cut number one goalie in the NHL, but his experience in Ottawa and Colorado can be a potential benefit for when Halak needs a break between the pipes. The Blues also resigned Bishop to a one year, two-way contract worth $600,000 (NHL) and $105,000 (AHL). It would behoove Bishop to earn the backup job to make an extra cool $500K, but if Elliott proves to be more reliable, at least Blues fans can take solace in the fact that Bishop will be further developing his skills as the number one down in Peoria. It will be an exciting battle to watch, Elliott and Bishop battling it out during camp to earn the right to don the Blue Note and take a seat at the end of the bench on October 8th.
David Perron Update
As we all know, David Perron will not be ready for the start of training camp, still suffering the effects of the concussion he endured last November. As reported by Jeremy Rutherford of the Post-Dispatch in August, Perron will not be ready to start the 2011-12 season. While Perron has been showing signs of improvement, management does not believe it’s to the point where he will be able to participate in training camp and ultimately be ready to suit up on October 8th. This is such an unfortunate situation, especially if Perron does not continue to progress and has to miss a couple months, half or, even worse, the entire season. For a player of his caliber, on the brink of becoming a potential breakout NHL star and goal-scorer, missing the majority of last season and not even progressing to the point where he can lace up the skates for training camp is such a disappointment to Blues Nation. Even when Perron is finally medically cleared to play again, who knows how long it’s going to take him to get into game shape and back out on the ice. Head injuries have become such a prominent issue in the NHL over the past few seasons, and hockey fans everywhere need look no further than @DP_57 to understand truly how detrimental concussions can be to a young player’s career. Here’s hoping that David Perron will be back in the Blue Note this season, adding a consistent goal scoring threat night in and night out.
It was a long offseason for the Blues and for Blues fans, but it’s clear management is putting the team in a position to succeed in the Western Conference this season and contend for a playoff spot. We’ve all waited patiently for the young core to develop, and it’s time for them to show what they’re worth and that they can carry this franchise into the future to become a prolific playoff contender, and ultimately compete for Lord Stanley’s Cup. The veteran pieces are in place, the role players have been signed and the young talent (minus Perron) are primed for breakout seasons. October 8th can’t come soon enough. Let’s Go Blues!
