By Jeff Quirin on August 11, 2010
Dave Eminian of the Peoria Star Journal reports the the St. Louis Blues have signed Dean Arsene to a one-year, AHL-NHL contract.
Arsense brings another winning pedigree to the organization. The 30 year old AHL veteran has two Calder Cups with the Hershey Bears under his belt. Described as a “heart and soul” player he also has the size to bring “blood and guts” as well. His 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame will be a welcome addition to the Peoria Blueline.
Blues GM Doug Armstrong was quoted as saying that there is one spot open on defense and Arsene will be in the mix. He will have to out shine front runners Ian Cole and Tyson Strachan at training camp for the 7th defenseman position. Reading between the lines it sounds like Alex Pietrangelo has a roster spot to lose.
The additions of Mink (a close friend of Arsene), Scatchard and Hensick point to the Blues trying to keep Peoria competitive. Core players like Stastny, Eller, Junland and potentially Strachan must be replaced. That is a given. They are being replaced by established veterans who have won and know how to win. Teams like the Capitals and Penguins have benefitted greatly from having winning AHL organizations. The Blues can benefit the much the same.
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Blues Q&A is still going this week on Twitter and Facebook.
Which contract season Forward will have the best 2010-11 season? Backes, Berglund, or Oshie?
Search for the BluenoteZone on Twitter (@BlueNoteZone) and Facebook to vote.
Posted in Around the NHL, Articles, Transactions | Tagged AHL, Alex Pietrangelo, hockey, NHL, Peoria Rivermen, St. Louis Blues
By Jeff Quirin on August 4, 2010
Dave Eminiem of PJStar.com reports the the Rivermen have also signed veteran free agent Dave Scatchard. Between Scatchard and Graham Minsk the Rivermen add 1,410 professional games played. Both are listed at 6 foot 3 inches and 225 lbs.
A little size and experience injected in to a very young Rivermen team can’t hurt. I don’t foresee either breaking camp with the Blues though. Though they could certainly fill in when injuries hit the bottom 6. Both will help push players like Sobotka and D’Agostini at camp to earn their spot. Scarchard is this season’s Derek Armstrong.
Seen some interesting discussion regarding Erik Johnson since he signed. I can understand the pressure on the top selection in a draft. With recent picks like Crosby and Ovechkin making the jump to elite status so quickly, don’t assume that’s the norm.
Remember Chris Pronger when he first came over from Hartford? I do. He was nothing close to what he developed on to throughout his career.
Defensemen take time. They need to play in real game situations and grow from that experience.
Counting the 2009-10 season Johnson has 190 games played through college and professional leagues. Drew Doughty, the #2 pick in 2008, ended 09-10 with 353 games played between the Canadian Juniors and the NHL. Johnson has 53% of the games played that Doughty has. Two years younger and 163 more games played. One game shy of two full seasons.
The 08-09 season lost injury did hurt his development. Instead of having nearly 300 games under his belt he has less than 200.
Johnson wrapped up 09-10 with a solid performance at the Olympics and a decent stretch run with the Blues. In his 19 games after the break Johnson notched 4 goals and 10 points with a Plus-5 rating. Meaning in his 60 games prior to the Olympics he posted 6 goals and 29 points with a Minus-4 rating. A difference of .526 points/game vs. .483 points/game. I don’t like blindly quoting +/-, but that’s a stark contrast in numbers and worth noting.
EJ will be fine. All the tools needed are there. It’s just about Erik figuring out how to make all if them work the right way at the right time.
Posted in Around the NHL, Articles, Transactions | Tagged AHL, NHL, Peoria Rivermen, St. Louis Blues
By Jeff Quirin on August 2, 2010
Per the Blues official website Erik Johnson has agreed to a two-year contract. The contract is for a total of $5.2 million with $2.2 million paid in 2010-11 and $3 million paid in 2011-12.
Doug Armstrong continues his solid off season with another value signing. I’m sure Johnson wanted to be paid just like any other top draft pick, but his track record just isnt there yet. Kudos to Armstrong for not overpaying once again.
Important to note that Johnson, like David Perron, will still be a Restricted Free Agent when this contract expires.
Here are some links from around the net regarding EJ’s signing.
Hockey Independent Blog
NHLHotStove Blog
STLToday.com Article by Jeremy Rutherford
Andy Strickland at Hockeybuzz.com
Lou Korac’s Blog
FrozenNotes Blog
Blues Official Site – Armstrong / Payne Interview
Blues Official Site – Johnson Interview
101 ESPN Radio Blog
In other Blues news…
Per Corey Pronman of Puck Prospects, Blues prospect Sebastian Wannstrom notched an assist in today’s Sweden vs. Finland game in Lake Placid. Team Sweden won 5-3.
Former Blues tough guy Kelly Chase posted his third blog recounting his antics on a Canadian reality show. Yes…he is figure skating. Chaser…figure skating…I know…
Just saying’…
With Sutton and Morrison signing LA still has depth issues on Defense. Could the Blues be a trading partner? I know Armstrong has said that the roster they have no is what they will go with to camp, but offers come from time to time. Trade one of Brewer or Jackman while bringing back Weaver? Doubtful but one never knows. If the price is right its possible.
Former Blue Paul Kariya is still tinkering with retirement per folks like Andy Strickland. Sounds like Anaheim could still bring Paul back. Not sure how the locals feel about that. Only time will tell, but I want him in Pittsburgh. Come on Ray!
I know Pittsburgh is not looking for veteran depth on the blue line, but Mike Weaver woudl be a great addition there. A great safety net for the still unproven Ben Lovejoy. Weaver woudl be a tremendous addition to their penalty kill.
Posted in Around the NHL, Articles, Prospects, Transactions | Tagged Erik Johnson, hockey, Kelly Chase, LA Kings, NHL, Paul Kariya, Sebastian Wannstrom, St. Louis Blues
By Jeff Quirin on July 28, 2010
The St. Louis Blues have traded DJ King to the Washington Capitals in return for prospect Forward Stefan Della Rovere.
Prior to the deal DJ King had agreed to a two year, $1.275 million contract extension.
For now all I can say is “good move Doug”.
Posted in Articles, Transactions | Tagged DJ King, hockey, NHL, St. Louis Blues, Stefan Della Rovere, Washington Capitals
By Jeff Quirin on July 27, 2010
Multiple Sources confirm that the New York Rangers have singed Alexander Frolov to a one year, $3 million deal.
Darren Dreger of TSN.ca has reported on Twitter that Alexi Ponikarvosky will head to LA to replace Frolov. Dreger also reported later that the contract us for one year, $3 million total with a $200,000 signing bonus.
Andy Strickland has reported on Twitter that former Blues forward Lee Stempniak has been contacted and teams seem interested, but nothing concrete in terms on an offer.
Stempniak is the last remaining “goal scorer” on the market. It appears that teams are seeing last seasons goal total as an aberration. Reminder: Lee scored 27 goals in St. Louis one season. He has the ability and the work ethic.
The Boston Bruins went to Arbitration with forward Blake Wheeler today. Reports are that the meeting went well and the judge will rule in 48 hours.
Islanders forward Matt Moulson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one year, $2.45 million contract.
There is no agreement between Blue Jackets defenseman Anton Stralman still. Arbitration looming there as well.
Nothing new in Kovy-Gate news.
Discussion on Twitter says that a scout has said that Nashville’s 2010 1st Round pick, Austin Watson, is NHL ready. He could use some seasoning to hone his offensive skills. That’s a good young team building up down south.
Posted in Around the NHL, Articles, Transactions | Tagged Alexander Frolov, Alexi Ponikarvosky, hockey, LA Kings, New York Rangers, NHL
By Jeff Quirin on July 21, 2010
Today the St. Louis Blues announce that David Perron has agreed to a two year, $4.3 million dollar contract.
The full release can be see on the Blues Official Website, blues.NHL.com.
Per Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch the deal breaks down in to $1.8 million in 2010-2011 and $2.5 million in 2011-2012.
This could turn out to be a steal of a deal for the Blues. Perron has the capability to put up 50+ points a season. Paying a winger an average of barely $2 million a year for that return gives the organization great flexibly going forward.
Now the full front office focus is on franchise defenseman Erik Johnson. There is more than enough time and money for him.
Follow David on Twitter @DP_57. He will have entertaining tweets today.
Posted in Articles, Transactions | Tagged David Perron, hockey, NHL, St. Louis Blues
By Jeff Quirin on July 6, 2010
Today the St. Louis Blues announced the Goalie Jaroslav Halak and Forward Cam Janssen have signed new contracts.
Halak has a 4 year deal totaling $15 million.
Janssen took a 1 year, $600,00 contract offer.
3:25pm Update:
The Colaiacovo deal was also announced today. Officially two years at $4.25 million total.
Links and additional info will be up later today.
Posted in Articles, Transactions | Tagged hockey, NHL, St. Louis Blues
By Jeff Quirin on June 26, 2010
Per report from Andy Strickland, the Blues have sent former 4th round pick David Warsofsky to Boston in exchange for Center Vladimir Sobotka. He is a restricted free agent with no arbitration rights.
David Warsofsky - image via blues.nhl.com
Warsofsky just finished his Sophomore season at Boston University. Collecting 23 points in 34 games. He was also a key part of the US win over Canada at the IIHF U-20 World Championships this past holiday season. Where he struggles defensively due to his size, he is a very intelligent player who uses angles and speed to defend. He is also very quick with the puck and not afraid to jump in the play.
For Warsofsky this will be a home coming of sorts. David is from North Marshfield, MA.
You can read more about Warsofsky here, on the Bluenote Zone.
Vladimir Sobotka - image via hockeysfuture.com
Vlad Sobotka is one of a collection of Bruins prospects that were all highly regarded a few years ago. In 2008 Hockey’s Future ranked Boston #5 (when the Blues were #1) and Sobotka was a highly rated prospect in their system. He has found scoring success in the AHL, 74 points in 68 games, but hasn’t been able to stick it out with Boston. Last season he was given an extended look through out the season. Seeing 61 NHL games. He also received some top line time while Marc Savard was injured.
Sobotka is not a big player and he doesn’t possess elite skill. He does possess some hockey smarts and a tenacious attitude. Since he is restricted and has no arbitration rights the Blues could sign him to a low dollar figure deal and use him as an injury replacement from Peoria. If Sobotka makes the roster he would be a good counterpart to Jay McClement. Giving the Blues two tough energy line centers to play against. Expect Sobotka to come in to camp much like newly acquired TJ Hensick. AHL producers who will be fighting to earn their time on the NHL roster.
Darren Pang called this an underrated trade, I’m inclined to believe he is correct.
Posted in Articles, Prospects, Transactions | Tagged Boston Bruins, David Warsofsky, hockey, NHL, St. Louis Blues, Vladimir Sobotka
By Jeff Quirin on June 1, 2010
The St. Louis Blues have made two announcements this morning.
1. Former Blues Winger Scott Mellanby has been hired as an Assistant Coach.
2. Prospect Jori Lehtera (2008, 3rd Rd., 65th overall) has signed an Entry Level Contract.
- On Mellanby:
Excellent news for Blues fans as the team adds a character personality behind the bench. This would bring Head Coach Davis Payne’s back up to three. Ray Bennett and Brad Shaw appear to have their jobs for next season as Mellanby will replace Wamsely spot (but not role). There is no clear indication if the Blues will add a fourth assistant to be a goalie coach or remove either Bennett or Shaw.
Scott was a gritty leader on the ice and had a long career of over 1,400 games. Scott knows hockey and can use his experience as a pro scout for Vancouver behind the bench.
- On Lehtera:
The Blues need young, cheap bodies and Lehtera provides that. He is not a run of the mill filler either. He a skilled player. According to the Blues Official Website Lehtera “led the Finish National League in points this past season and has recorded 158 points (41 goals 117 assists) in 169 games the past season three seasons for Tappara Tampere in the Finish League”. Points are not easy to come by in Europe, so the kid can score. How he will translate his game to the North American version is the biggest question.
Blues fans rooting against the Hawks are cheering for Finnish scorer Ville Leino of the Flyers. Can Lehtera take his North American lumps like Leino did and become a stronger player? Or will he come over adn go teh way of Janne Pesonen? An AHL scorer, but a NHL flop. Not sure if he is as strong of a player as Flippula in Detroit, but given some time and desire to stick it out, Lehtera could be. Way too early to tell and given the Blues reent history with mid round European picks…fans shouldnt hold their breath.
I’ll have more up on Hockey Independent later.
Posted in Around the NHL, Articles, Prospects, Transactions | Tagged hockey, NHL, St. Louis Blues
By Jeff Quirin on April 30, 2010
According to reports in Sweden Blues prospect Defenseman Jonas Junland has signed a contract with Farjestad of the SEL.
This certainly opens the possibility that Jonas goes straight back to Sweden and moves past his NHL aspirations. There is also a possibilty that this contract is a fall back plan if he isnt unable to secure a spot on the NHL roster leaving training camp.
It’s too early to tell what is actually going on. Blues fans will have to wait for the hockey media to roll out of bed and bring in the details.
It’s an odd move now that Jonas is closer than ever to playing in the NHL full time. The Blues are losing three defensemen to free agency this summer and the Blues need his puck moving ability. Yes, his defensive abilities are in question. However, defense can be taught and the Blues are in need of more skill on the blue line.
As more info becomes available I will update the blog.
Update 5-1-10:
Jeremy Rutherford elaborated Friday on his Morning Skate blog on some details of the Junland contract.
Basically, JR confirmed that Junland agreed to the SEL contract and an out clause was not confirmed.
JR also cited the Peoria Star Journal saying Junland rejected a one year, one way contract for $500,000.
The Blues can continue to talk with Junland who is a RFA, but at this time there us no indication that the issue will be resolved soon.
See more on my Hockey Independent blog later tonight.
Posted in Around the NHL, Articles, Prospects, Transactions | Tagged hockey, Jonas Junland, NHL, Peoria Rivermen, St. Louis Blues