Rivermen Report: What the Ian Cole call up means for the Blues

I am going to tell you Ian Cole is playing well with the Rivermen. You, being the ever dutiful fan, are going to go to the internets and look up his stats for the season. You’re going to see this:

GP 13 – Goals 0 – Assists 3 – Points 3 – +/- (-5) – PIM 14

Then you are going to wonder if I am off my rocker. I am not. He is playing well. His play with the puck has improved sharply over last year. He is making solid passes, taking the body, and making smart decisions. The game is not only about the numbers, and in this matter I think the numbers right now are selling Cole a little short.

This is a merit call up, and if Nikitin and Chorney aren’t going to do the job needed I can say that Ian Cole, one of the last defensemen cut in camp, is better than the status quo. This call up means that the Blues, and new coach Ken Hitchcock is getting a solid blue line player who is making the right decisions with the puck right now. He is a smart, incredibly driven player, who is likely going to make every second of his call up count.

There are a couple schools of thought on this move.

• Nikitin and Chorney weren’t exactly fitting the bill and Cole is playing well. You go with the guy who is playing well.
• Peoria is off until Friday, and this is a chance to give Cole some quality NHL time without screwing up the Rivermen too much. With the Blues at home it is an easy shuttle to and from in order to get Cole back to Peoria in time for Friday’s game.
• The Blues are trying to showcase Cole as potential trade-bait.

I can’t speak as to the new coach’s intentions, but with Cole already in STL, I would be surprised if I don’t see him in the game on Tuesday against Chicago.