Wednesday, Oct. 26th Bluenotes: Blues at Canucks Tidbits, Addressing Reports of Scouts and Rumors + Links
Bluenotes is a (sometimes daily) does of news and views from around St. Louis Blues nation and the NHL beyond.
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Tidbits and FYIs @ Vancouver
The Blues head out on the road again for a three game western trip. This time to the already cold depths of western Canada. Game one is tonight in Vancouver against the struggling, by their standards, Canucks.
Captain David Backes is ready to go after getting his bell run by Chris Pronger Saturday night in Philly. Per Jeremy Rutherford’s Morning Skate from Monday:
Backes made significant progress Sunday and was back at practice today, after which he declared himself ready to play Wednesday in Vancouver.
Davis Payne hasn’t confirmed that he will play, but it’s as safe a bet as any that Inglorious will be in action tonight.
Tonight could be the night TJ Oshie gets on track? Motivation shouldn’t be a concern after his benching for the entire second period against the Flyers. He can check the “Previous Success” box off as well. In his career Oshie has 3 goals and 9 points in 10 games against the Canuckleheads. Who could forget THE goal?
Alex Steen will likely continue his point producing ways by burying the puck in the net. In 14 total games against Vancouver Steen has tallied 7 goals and 9 points. Of which 4 goals and 5 points came in 4 contests last season. It’s not just images of Dustin Byfuglien dancing in Bobby Lou’s head. Steen haunts the same space.
Newly acquired Canucks forward David Booth has been solid the few times his former club, the Florida Panthers, hooked up with the Blues. In three games against Booth has 3 goals and 4 points.
Will Roberto Luongo start in goal? After getting pulled in a bad loss to the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday night, Corey Schneider could easily get the nod.
Of Scouts and Rumors
Twitter reports the last few days have placed Blues scouts at a Panthers game in Montreal and the Oilers game last night. It’s nice to see that folks haven’t jumped off the deep end with potential rumors. Maybe the realization has set in that scouts have a job to do and showing up at a game doesn’t always equate to doing homework for trades.
Their focus at least for these two games was likely prep work for future contests. The Note travel to Edmonton for a Sunday tilt and the Panthers are the opponent on November 17th. If they can keep half an eye on teams potentially trading players that could help the Blues, they’ll do that too. But its not the only thing they’re there for.
Some speculation and innuendo surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs has sucked the Blues in. Word there is that GM Brian Burke is looking to move a defenseman for a top-6 forward. The alleged options in return are the likes of Carl Gunnarsson and Cody Franson. There is likely little interest in Franson, another right handed point man. Gunnarsson is an intriguing proposition as he can provide capable play in all aspects and areas of play and shoots from the left. Burke’s asking price covers quite a range that coudl cover someone of Backes’ quality through to someone like Oshie or even Matt D’Agostini.
There is deptn in the scoring lines, but until Andy McDonlad and David Perron return, unless the deal is a no-brainer don’t expect a deal involving someone Bruke wants. The one player the Blues could certainly use, Dion Phaneuf, is the Leafs captain. Don’t expect him to be moved. History says Doug Armstrong can pull off big deals, but trading away Phaneuf is one that doesn’t make sense. The other two, Halak and Johnson deals, did.
Some may recall loose links between the Calgary Flames and Blues over the last couple seasons. There is no fire today even though rumors persist as GM Jay Feaster’s cell phone explodes. Rene Bourque is a heck of a player, but the Blues are not really in the market for a lateral move up front. Mark Giordano would be a wonderful addition to Alex Pietrangelo’s pairing, but the reality is that he’s a cornerstone for the club. It will take a significant overpayment to pry him away.
That said, I cannot disagree more with Calgary Sun sports columnist Eric Francis. Who posed in a recent article that GM’s are “slow” if inquiring about Giordano. At the risk of “sounding stupid”, every St. Louis Blues fan better hope that when Armstrong makes that due diligence call to Feaster, Giordano’s name comes up in the conversation. Two old sayings apply, “don’t know till you ask” and “the worst thing they can say is no”. If that type of call doesn’t happen a trade like Erik Johnson for Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk never happens.
I won’t even entertain discussion on Jay Bouwmeester at this point. In theory he fills a need. In practice and in terms of payroll, he does not.
I’ll say this. Currently, the tinfoil is still in the drawer.
Links
If you haven’t read Brad Lee’s post on St. Louis Game Time about the legal action threatened on the “fake” Roman Polak Twitter account and “super agent” Allan Walsh’s hatred of all things “fun”, hit the link and read it now.
Lyle Richardson talks about the danger of the Winter Classic becoming insignificant. [Kuklas Corner]
According to Sportsnet Insider Nick Kypreos Edmonton Oilers defenseman Ryan Whitney will be out 1-2 weeks with a knee injury. Meaning he isn’t likely to play against the Blues this upcoming weekend. Think they want Taylor Chorney back now? [@RealKyper]
Apaprently the Russian media is at it again. Spinning around the words of Blues prospect Vladimir Tarasenko to make it seem as he isn’t leaving the KHL anytime soon. Actually he said “not this year”. [@SlavaMalamud]
Episode 5 of Hockey Prospects Radio has been posted. St. Louis Post Dispatch beat writer Jeremy Rutherford was a guest. Discussion points include: ownership, veteran additions, Halak, Backes, prospects and how things have changed since Jarmo left. [Hockey Prospectus]
A Canucks blogger thoughts on tonight’s game and his surprising prediction. []
