The Blues could be facing Jonathan Quick and the Los Angeles Kings in round one of the playoffs.

It’s not just one game determining their opponent, but two. The Los Angeles Kings against the San Jose Sharks in San Jose tonight will determine who is the seventh seed and who is the eighth seed in the western conference.  The Blues will faceoff against one of those two teams.

Yet it’s going to take the Edmonton Oilers and the Vancouver Canucks to determine where the Blues will finish as well.

If the Canucks lose against the Oilers tonight, in regulation, the Blues will finish first in the western conference and will take on the eighth seed. If the Canucks get a point tonight, the Blues finish seventh and will face the seventh seed team.

The L.A. Kings are up over the S.J. Sharks, 1-0 in the first period while the Oilers and Canucks are scoreless in the second period right now.

Be sure to check out the Bluenote Zone tomorrow for a preview of the Blues first round match up, who ever they face.

Video explanation here.

When an open ice hit goes awry and leads to a suspension, that is a hockey play that went bad. When someone is pushed into the boards at an awkward angle, usually it is a hockey play that went bad. Contrary to this, we have Skinner deliberately kicking Nichol with the blade of his skate.

You might here Carolina fans attempting to justify the play by saying Nichol had just boarded Skinner. You might here them claim it was in response to Skinner being pummeled by Blues skaters all game. But these assertions are irrelevant to Skinner‘s illegal action.

You may also here Hurricanes fans say that there was no intent to injure. But lets be real for a second. When a player uses his skate to kick or even push an opposing player away it is highly dangerous play. No intent to injure? The skate is an extremely sharp tool that can slice through frozen ice. How can someone claim that pushing someone else with such a sharp tool is not an intent to injure? Can you imagine trying to use the defense in a court of law that you did not mean to stab this guy, you only meant to push him away with this knife in your hand?

Let’s look at the facts. Skinner, while down on the ice, lunged his skate toward Nichol’s leg. Without a doubt it was deliberate. There is no explanation that could conclude it was an accident. If a player intentionally directs his skate toward another, a skate that can easily slice through skin and more, it is done with the knowledge that it can injure the other player. Therefore it was done with the knowledge of a possible severe injury to the receiver. This is assuming of course that Skinner has a basic understanding of how sharp objects work.

Skinner received a two game Shanaban for his actions. Luckily for St. Louis, Nichol was not injured on the play. Unlucky for St. Louis, this play was not spotted by any official on the ice, even though they had enough eyes for to call Nichol tripping an opponent with his shoulder. This play was not seen by the same officials who spotted a phantom interference call on Carlo Colaiacovo. But those calls do not really matter in hindsight.

What matters is that Skinner received a two game suspension for using his skate as a weapon on the ice. There should be a zero tolerance policy for such actions. There is no difference between kicking a player with a skate blade and swinging a stick deliberately at their head. Both are deliberate acts to injure your opponent. It is not a hockey play gone bad as sometimes happen. It is a hockey player gone bad.

While I have strong feelings against Checketts (language NSFW, and I still hold those ill feelings, one year later) . . . in this case, the former outweighs the latter, and it’s not even close.

Paul Gaustad PLUS a fourth-round pick for a first-round pick? Second- and fifth-round picks for Andrei Kostitsyn (and, presumably, his and his brother’s Russian drug dealer)? Two up-and-coming prospects and a second-round pick for the world’s largest traffic cone, Hal Gill, and a fifth-round pick? Long-time Nashville Predators GM, David Poile, heard the cries from his fans and saw the pending situation(s) with his franchise’s two cornerstone defensemen – Ryan Suter and Shea Weber – and decided, with management’s support, to go for the jugular. That he spent THAT much to get THAT little tells you what kind of a trade market was out there at this year’s deadline . . . a crazy one. But hey, Poile did something, right?

Sure, Doug Armstrong could have done something extremely silly, like trading a Vladimir Tarasenko and/or Jaden Schwartz for a temporary piece that may not even re-sign with the Blues, even if there is a deep postseason run. But that was not required with this club. Is this team a Stanley Cup contender as it currently sits? That depends on who you ask, but that is not the point right now. The point is, this team is making the playoffs this year and building toward the day when, we all hope, this team is a Cup contender year-in and year-out. They’re not there yet, and the Blues don’t need to blow up the team right now to get to that point in the future.

Joe at St. Louis Game Time (language NSFW) made some valid points Monday in defending the Blues’ decision to ultimately stand pat at the deadline, many of which I agree with. There just wasn’t anything out there worth spending valuable assets on that could put the Blues over the top right now, and that is fact.

So while current ownership needs to get out of town as quickly as possible and pray that there are no more deadlines, they’re off the hook at this deadline. The market just wasn’t there.

What say you, dear reader? This has been a divisive subject amongst Blues fans in recent weeks. We know this team is playoff-bound, but let me know your opinion of the lack of Blues trade deadline movement in the comments.

Chris Stewart knows how unsettling the trade deadline can be.

[Update 9:50am CST]
Montreal trades Andrei Kostitsyn to Nashville for a 2nd round pick in 2013 and a conditional 5th round pick in 2013.

It sounds like Nashville went to a backup plan when Rick Nash wasn’t coming their way. They add a top six forward that they’ve needed to boost their scoring capacity. Not a good sign for the Blues.

- – -

Original Post
It’s finally here…. The NHL trade deadline passes at 3:00pm CST today. Will the Blues make a move? Will any Central Division rival strike a deal? I’ll do my best to keep trades that affect the Blues posted below with some brief thoughts. Feel free to discuss all things trade deadline in the comments.

You’re welcome to follow me at @JTQ_1 and the official site account @BlueNoteZone on Twitter for updates as well.

- – - – -

One of the rules highlighted in those rules changes, however, seems to have recently drawn the ire of fans and, now, the NHL Players’ Association. You’ll be able to find that rule change under its’ own heading in the above link . . . it is the Instigator Rule. What you may not know, though, is that the Instigator Rule was in place for years before the lockout, but had changed so dramatically since its’ first drafting that it needed to be delineated in the draft after the lockout, and has since been tweaked so much as to finally turn into a nuisance not just to fans, but to players.

Here is the full section of the NHL rulebook on Fighting, most of which is self-explanatory. The current Instigator rule on the books is under Section 46.11, which leaves very little need for interpretation but is extremely subjective and does not take into account certain infractions that occur in game action that would cause said retribution.

Fighting in hockey has existed pretty much since the inception of the professional level of the sport. It’s part of the aspect of hockey in which the players do their best to police themselves on the ice, part of the reason why hockey is such a unique sport compared to the other major sports. For example, if you wanted to take a run at the likes of Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, Coffey, etc. during the Oilers dynasty years in the 1980’s, you would eventually have to feel the wrath of Dave Semenko. Want to hit former Blackhawk great Denis Savard with a cheap shot? In steps Bob Probert. Want to scramble Theoren Fleury’s eggs? There’s Brad McCrimmon to scramble YOUR eggs. The lesson was clear and simple in those days – you take out our players with cheap shots, and we’ll take off our gloves and pound the living hell out of you.

The NHLPA is starting to see all of which this Instigator Rule entails, and according to a recent NHLPA poll, while the majority of players still do not believe it should be taken completely off the books, support for the rule has declined to the tune of a 13-point drop in support for the rule in the last twelve months alone. That’s a staggering drop in support, to say the least. In that light, it’s very unsurprising that 98 percent of players polled do not want to see a total ban of fighting, and if I were a player, I would be part of that 98 percent.

As most of you know, I’m a huge fan of hockey fisticuffs, so perhaps I am skewed toward abolishing any rule that would infringe on a player’s right to drop the gloves on the ice. And yes, I could definitely do without the Instigator Rule, not only in its’ current form but altogether. I even understand some of the reasons why the Instigator Rule was put in place. But I don’t understand why the rule still exists, as it serves as a deterrent to the punishment of dirty play and it even seems deterrent to free open-ice play as we’d like to see in the modern game.

All that said, the recently-released poll results do show a tide turning. It finally appears that there is support among the players playing the game that the Instigator Rule needs to be removed from the game at its’ top level. It’s about time this happened.

So yes, I say the NHL should get rid of the infamous Instigator Rule, for now and forever. But . . . what say you, dear reader? Should the NHL take the infamous Instigator Rule off the books? If not, why not? Let me know in the comments.

The Nashville Predators added depth on their blue line on Friday, acquiring veteran defenseman Hal Gill from the Montreal Canadiens.

The Predators also receive a conditional 2013 draft pick, in exchange for forwards Blake Geoffrion and Robert Slaney, plus a 2012 second-round pick.

I don’t think I’m reaching here, but this deal could prove critical to the Predators hopes of making past the second round.

Aside from the big two and Francis Bouillon, the defense is effective, but full of unproven, lackluster names. Gill brings instant creditability below the Suter/Weber pairing with a 2008 Stanley Cup Finals appearance and 2009 victory. He was thrice was part of a shutdown pairing, in those two runs as well as in 2010 with Montreal, that stifled goal scoring ace Alex Ovechkin. Impressive notches in the belt considering those achievements came in his mid to late 30’s.

What shouldn’t be lost in the deal is the cost. Not in payroll, but in trade assets.

Geoffrion is a native son with a rich family hockey history, but is still depth filler who has a possible future in the big show as a top nine forward. As some prospect pundits have pointed out, Slaney doesn’t have a career waiting for him in the NHL. The second round pick is nice, but is still not the coveted pick one round before.

The position players are replaceable. The draft pick? Often handed out as a sweetener. The deal was not a reach or an overpayment.

Surely Preds GM David Poile doesn’t want to forsake the best rounds of this summer’s draft for an all or nothing shot. But when the alternative is losing your best two players to free agency becuase the don’t feel like they can win in Nashville, he has to try to improve the clubs chances at winning. Preserving the first round pick allows a rare all in push by having it available as bait to land a top six forward.

From a Blues perspective it stinks that Gill cannot be added. He would look great being the rock for Alex Pietrangelo to lean on when times get tough down the stretch. Maybe that guy is Kent Huskins. He’s got the experience and the Cup.

What do you think Blues fans? Would you have paid Phil McRae (Geoffrion comparable), Dave Shields (Slaney comparable) and a 2013 2nd round pick for Gill?

Provided by Brood_Witch

Blues fans everywhere last night cringed at the site of Blues forward Matt D’Agostini going down on a hit that knocked the winger out of the game and has beat writer Lou Korac tossing around the dreaded C-word. This morning there has been no update on D’Ags status and whether or not it was just precautionary to keep him out the rest of the game. Evgeny Grachev has officialy been recalled from Peoria per Jeremy Rutherford’s twitter feed. Grachev has spent an extended stay in Peoria after having a very sluggish and non-productive few months with the big club.

With St. Louis already short top 6 talent, the Blues may be pushed a bit more into a trade or aqusition type situation if Andy McDonald, Alex Steen, and now Matt D’Agostini miss too many more games. The Blues can ill afford to take a swing in the wrong direction at this point on account of lack of scoring depth. Keep your eyes and ears open on the trade wires as Army takes a good look at his available options. This in no way shape or form is a calling of any sorts by me for the Blues to make a trade that is not necassary. That being said, if we are truly in a “win now” situation as Army has stated, you have to wonder if he will sit idlely by this time of year.

The Blues have cancled practice for today and will fly from Ottowa to New Jersey to take on the Devils in another East vs West showdown tomorrow night. Former Blues Forward and tough guy Cam Janssen will look to get into the line up against his former mates and stir up a little havoc. Cam has said he has relaxed his fight to stay in games attitude and has tried to round out his game and be a more versitile player in a phone interview on the Thom and Jeff show pod cast. The Blues will look to stay on the winning track tomorrow night and keep pace with the elite teams in the West as the conference makes the turn for the home stretch toward the playoffs.

It’s time for the 2012 NHL All Star Game. Brian Elliott may be the lone St. Louis Blues representative, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be much to talk about. Indoor pond hockey does have its high points. Consider this post an open thread to share your thoughts on the game in general, Ells’ performance or just share your hate on the Hawks’ and Wings’ contingents in Ottawa.

Are you with Team Alfie or Team Chara?

The mask features Casey Jones from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on one side (as does his “everyday” mask) and the Blues logo and Arch on the other.  According to In Goal Magazine, the back plate features a faded All Star Game Logo that Elliott plans on having teammates autpgraph as a momento.

The creators of this mask, Head Strong Grafx, are located in Belleville, IL.  For those of you not too St. Louis Metro savvy, Belleville lies about 20 minutes east of St. Louis, and is where beat reporter Norm Sanders does his coverage for the News Democrat.  The are also the creators of Jaroslav Halak’s Tribute to Pavol Demitra on his mask.

Have to show some love for our St. Louis players using a local business to make their masks.  In a time when the economy isn’t so great, using local businesses can be important, especially if you are a “celebrity” of sorts.  In Goal Mag says that Head Strong Grafx has “burst onto the NHL scene” since Halak used them for his mask this summer.  Elliot’s current mask is also from Head Strong.  In fact, their gallery only lists Halak and Elliott as NHL clients, while they have numerous Junior League masks and a couple of AHL masks listed.

Big shout outs to Head Strong Grafx, In Goal Magazine, Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy, and Norm Sanders for all of the info on this mask.

(24-12-5)

vs

Montreal Canadiens

(16-18-7)

at

Bell Centre

Game Time 6:30pm CDT

TV- FS-MW(HD) Radio- KMOX

Blues Team Recap- The St. Louis Blues are coming off an impressive 4-0 beat down of their kryptonite foes the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night. With a record of 1-8-1 in the last 10 games against the Avs, it was good to finally see the good guys lay down a full 60 minute effort and make the most of their opportunities. The Blues sit tied for first place in the central division with the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings at 53 points. It has been more the 9 years since the Blues sat at the top of the Division. A long long 9 years it has been since the fans in St. Louis could open up the Post-Dispatch glance down at the standings section of the sports page and go “Whoa… Our Blues are in first!” It has been a rough and bumpy ride to get to where we are today. I for one hope and pray that the Blues continue to put forward max effort and keep this team near the top. The Blues stroll in to Montreal tonight to take on a team that has not been able to get things going. My advice to the production crews wearing the blue note, try to avoid the protesting mobs that are ticked about a non-French speaking coach.

Blues Keys To The Game- When you go up against teams that are having down years the last thing you want to do is allow them to gain any confidence. The Blues can not afford to go into Montreal and take the Canadiens lightly. The atmosphere in Bell Centre will be electric as it is every time the home town Canadiens hit the ice. Tonight will be an extra special night as Jaroslav Halak takes the ice for the first time as a member of the opposition when the puck drops at 6:30 tonight.  Halak was responsible for helping the Canadiens on their post season run toward the Stanley Cup Finals in 2010, coming up one game short of the big dance.  The Blues need to continue to put lots of traffic in front of the net and continue to funnel pucks toward the net minder. The Power Play has found new life taking a shot first mentality into consideration instead of trying to pull “Datsyuk-ian” type moves and dangles from the stars. Will the Blues be able to clear the glitz and glamor of playing in one of hockey’s prestige palaces? Tonight we will see how the show on the road matches up.

Montreal Canadians Team Recap- Troubled times in Montreal are looming. With a record of 16-18-7, the Canadiens sit a sad 12th in the Eastern Conference. With the hiring of non-French speaking coach Randy Cunneyworth, the atmosphere in Montreal appears to be that of great desperation and despair. With the fans threatening to protest the non-French speaking coach, the winter days are long and the cold blustery nights are even longer. The Canadiens need to find a way to have success for a full 60 minutes. Whether they are getting blown out or shot down by one goal, this team has lost its way and its identity. It will be interesting to see if any more changes occur as we near the trade deadline and Montreal becomes a possible “sell” team rather then becoming a “buyer.”

Montreal Canadians Keys To The Game- It may seem like a broken record game in and game out, but if you want to beat St. Louis there are some key things that you must accomplish. Number one- You have to get in St. Louis’ face with physical pressure. You cannot allow them to freely transition the puck out of their defensive zone and get the puck moving north. The Blues are one of the best teams at getting the puck out of their own zone and getting the play moving in the right direction. The next key component to beating the Blues is to get them to take bad penalties by out working them along the boards. Put traffic in front of Halak on the Power Play and you will find tips and opportunities to get a few quick goals. Third Key- Never ever ever ever let your foot up off of the gas when you get St. Louis down a goal or two. Look back to the recent game the Blues played against the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers had the Blues down 3-1 and the Blues stormed back and beat them 4-3 in regulation. If the Canadiens want to steal away two important points for the Blues they will need a maximum home town effort tonight when the High Flying Blues come calling.

Blues News- The ownership saga remains in limbo as Tom Stillman is rumored to be putting together his next offer for the team. The NHL shot down Matthew Hulsizers attempts to buy the Blues after it was said he put together three different finance options. Time will tell if it was a wise decision by the league to cut the legs out from under Matthew Hulsizer or will they look like kings when Stillman and crew take control in St. Louis. Defenseman Kent Huskins continues to skate with the team in practice. No time table has been set for his return but one could speculate that a mid to late January return is possible for the veteran Defenseman who lead the team in goals and assists at one point early in the season. Forward Alex Steen is also progressing toward a return to the team. Again it has been rumored amongst the twitterverse that Steen is feeling better and may be able to get back to practicing in the near future. Andy McDonald also continues to improve coming back from post concussion syndrome. Gaining Steen and McDonald back in the line up will be like making a trade. A healthy Andy McDonald and Alex Steen add a level of play and skill to your line up that will make it that much harder for teams to compete against the Blues. Ian Cole will be available tonight as he has served his three game suspension for his “Illegal Hit To The Head” on the Red Wings Justin Abdelkader, a hit in which Cole miss timed his body position not trying to injure or make a dirty hit and earned a three game suspension from the NHL Player Safety director Brendan Shanahan. Look for a post regarding this mockery of a disciplinarian coming soon to BNZ as I look to call in to question the validity and down right favoritism shown in the leagues discipline today.

Grab your snacks and those tasty adult beverages and get up off your couches St. Louis! It’s time for BLUEEEEEEEEESSSSS HOCKKKKEEYYYYY! LET’S GO BLUES!