Injury Updates and Roster Cuts

BJ Crombeen (image via TSNPhotography)

A flurry of roster activity basically setting the opening night roster followed the Blues’ final preseason game Saturday against the Dallas Stars. Some good news, some bad news. Here are the details.

Cut to the Peoria Rivermen: Forwards Jonathan Cheechoo, Adam Cracknell, Philip McRae, Anthony Peluso and Brett Sterling. Defensemen Ian Cole and Mark Cundari. Goaltender Ben Bishop.

Remaining in St. Louis: Forwards Evgeny Grachev, Chris Porter and Ryan Reaves. Defensemen Nikita Nikitin. Goaltender Brian Elliott.

Injured during the game: Forward BJ Crombeen.

The final two roster battles went down to the wire and were decided by the two most negative aspects of the 4-0 loss.

Starting netminder Jaroslav Halak did not looks sharp in his last exhibition tuneup. He allowed four goals on 24 shots and in general did not perform near regular season form. Elliott’s previous starting experience with the Senators and Avalanche was given precedence over Bishop’s superior level of play. Should Halak stumble out of the gate, the Blues have more confidence in Elliott’s ability to handle the gig than Bishop.

Reaction to the backup selection came swiftly across Blues fandom. As the new local boy, replacing free agent departure Cam Janssen, fans were lending their support to Ben. But before the Blues’ are chastised for “making the wrong decision”, take a moment to assess the situation.

The coaching staff and management were presented two options. Option “A” has started 142 regular season NHL games. Option “B” has started only 13. Option “A” is 28 and 2011-12 will be his sixth full season in professional hockey. Option “B” is 25 and heading in to his fourth full season. Their play throughout training camp and the preseason has been roughly of the same quality.

In such a push situation, organizational mantras become the deciding factor. The two in particular that tipped the scales in Elliott’s favor, “young players playing” and “use veteran experience to counter balance youth”.

Though Bishop has paid his dues with the Rivermen, having a more proven safety net just fits in with the Blues plan for the season. Not to say Big Ben won’t get his chance. He certainly will. But for now he will continue to be tested. Time to go to Peoria, battle Jake Allen for starts and prove his resolve to persevere.

The decision up front was much easier to make, but for the wrong reasons.

When Crombeen went head long in to the side boards he fractured his left shoulder scapula. The indefinite nature of his injury leaves a third forward spot open on the roster of 23. Meaning that even though Grachev’s weak play Saturday would not overshadow his previous stellar performances. At least not in a way that meant assignment to Peoria. It will however affect his potential to dress on October 8th.

On Saturday Grachev skated with Vladimir Sobotka and Matt D’Agostini in more of a third line type role. Not as a scoring winger on David Backes‘ line as he was previously. While he didn’t shy away from contact or refuse to do dirty work, he did not take over the line as a powerful forward should. It’s clear that weaker opponents and top line players are needed to maximize Grachev’s output at the NHL level as it stands today. Maybe that’s just the type of player he isand there isn’t anything wrong with that. But Patrik Berglund has made a jump from a supporting linemate to a key catalyst. The Blues are obviously hoping that number 78 can make the same developmental leap. It will be interesting to watch and see if Scott Mellanby can get the big Russian there.

In other injury / lineup news…

Prior to the game both David Perron and Jason Arnott did some light skating. Perron still has no ETA, but Arnott appears to still be on pace to return a few days head of the home opener.

Scott Nichol, who had of season shoulder surgery, played Saturday and seems ready to go for next weekend.