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Alex Pietrangelo

Cam Janssen Suspended 5 Games for 2-13-10 Hit on Matt Bradley

By Tyler Atwood on February 25, 2010

"Killa Cam"

You won't see this guy suited up until mid-March at the earliest. Image via blues.nhl.com

St. Louis Blues forward Cam Janssen has received a five-game suspension as a result of his late hit on Washington Capitals forward Matt Bradley in each team’s final game before the Olympic break on February 13th.

At first, I thought the hit was suspicious but not enough to draw a sizable suspension.  I still believe the punishment is excessive, but there was no doubt it would draw the ire of the NHL’s front office.

I’ll take you back to last season – Ryan Hollweg (then of the Toronto Maple  Leafs), who had already been suspended multiple times for dirty plays such as the one Janssen committed a couple weeks ago, was given an automatic two-game ban by the League for a late hit on Alex Pietrangelo (video here) because of a prior history.  Hollweg, who now is toiling with the Phoenix Coyotes’ AHL affiliate (the San Antonio Rampage), had committed a similar act against the Blues in a preseason game and was a multiple repeat offender.  Now, here’s the video of Janssen’s hit on Bradley.

You be the judge . . . should Janssen have been given five games for his hit on Bradley, or would a suspension of maybe two games be more appropriate?  Considering Janssen had no prior history of dirty play, a suspension of two games probably would have been plenty.  Maybe I’m being a homer here, but obviously Colin Campbell and I have a difference in opinion.

With the Blues on a push for the playoffs after the Olympic break ends, Janssen’s energy and intensity will be missed for the five games he is banned, but there’s a chance he would have been in the press box for at least two of those games anyway, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find energy from the pool of 3rd- and 4th-liners already employed by The Note.

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THN: Pietrangelo is #1

By Jeff Quirin on February 14, 2010

Pietrangelo jumped from 5th in 2009 to 1st in 2010 on THN's Future Watch List.

The Hockey News’ Brian Costello put up a blog today previewing Future Watch 2010. Alex Pietrangelo was named the Number 1 “future” player to watch for in 2010.

Each year the Hockey News starts evaluating prospects after the WJC Tournament. They get information from each NHL teams “Top 10″ and cross reference that with thoughts from a panel of 23 scouts. The cut off is 50 NHL games played. Some players with less are ruled out based on the Hockey News’ criteria. Alex had four first place votes and seven votes to be in the “Top 4″. Only 11 of 50 prospects received at least one first place vote.

Pietrangelo spent the entire season form Training Camp through his departure for the World Juniors with the St. Louis Blues. He appeared in a total of 9 Games and registered his first NHL goal and his second NHL assist. After the WJC he was traded from the Niagara Ice Dogs to the Barrie Colts in the OHL. Since coming to Barrie, Alex has 3 Goals and 16 Points in 15 Games.

Pietrangelo has helped the Barrie Colts clinch an OHL playoff spot. Image via ontariohockeyleague.com

There has been some banter amongst some Blues fans that Pietrangelo lacks the desire and will to take his game to the next level. I would agree that he is not 100% ready for the NHL after two not so hot performances against the USA in two key WJC games. However, let’s not get crazy here. From seeing him play at the WJC, I can say he has a great desire to win and make an impact every time he has the puck on his stick. He is not Chris Pronger, not will he ever be. At the 2008 NHL Draft he was compared to Zubov (no Pronger comparisons there). Alex has the physical tools to play the NHL game, he is just requiring a little more time than those drafted above him.

Perhaps an honor like this one, where industry professionals and experts have quantified his potential, will deter some of the ludacris calls against Alex’s ability to make it and excel in the NHL.

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Pietrangelo Traded to the Barrie Colts

By Jeff Quirin on January 7, 2010

Blues Prospect Defensemen Alex Pietrangelo

Blues Prospect Defensemen Alex Pietrangelo

Per Sportsnet in Canada, Blues Prospect Defensemen Alex Pietrangelo has been traded from the Niagara Ice Dogs to the Barrie Colts.

It has been rumored for a while that the Blues wanted Pietrangelo traded away from the Ice Dogs if he returned to Juniors this season. There was legitimate cause for concern that with the Dogs struggling that Alex may pick up on some bad habits. Following the WJC, Blues Insider Andy Strickland postulated that a trade was looming since Pietrangelo was being returned to Juniors.

While the best place for Alex to be is in the AHL, playing for a playoff contender back in the OHL isn’t such a bad thing. Hockey in Canada is life and even at the junior level the games are intense and serious. Alex will be challenged to continue his solid offensive play and improve his defensive play from the World Junior Championships.

Do not fret Blues fans, Alex will be just fine. The Blues are lucky enough to have enough depth on the blue line from St. Louis to Peoria to not have to rush Alex when they don’t have to.

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His physical level of play is through the roof and I'm thinking RIck Nash is on the menu Monday night.

Gameday 01-06-10: Blues vs Sharks

By Jeff Quirin on January 6, 2010

Game Info

Location: HP Pavilion, San Jose, California
Game-time: 9:30 pm Central
TV: FSMW, NHLN-CA, NHLN-US (HD)
Radio: KMOX 1120 AM

Stat Pack

St Louis Blues: 12th in Western Conference & 4th in Central Division – 40 Points


San Jose Sharks: 2nd in Western Conference & 1st in Pacific Division – 61 Points

Power Play:
St. Louis (Road): 20.0%, (10th)
San Jose (Home): 13.4%, (29th)

Penalty Kill
St. Louis (Road): 88.8%, (1st)
San Jose (Home): 88.2%, (4th)


Goals Scored per Game vs. Goals Against per Game
St. Louis (Road): 2.72 GF/G (15th) | 2.33 GA/G (T-4th)
San Jose (Home): 3.29 GF/G (6th) | 2.33 GA/G (9th)

Hot & Cold
San Jose: Joe Thornton (3 Points in last 2 games ) | Dany Heatley (1 Goal and 2 Points in last 5 games)
St. Louis: Andy McDonald (4 Goals (3 in 3 straight games) and 6 Points in last 5 games) | Erik Johnson (1 Assist in last 10 games)

Food For Thought

The Blues are throwing Davis Payne to the wolves. Well, more Sharks in this case. A trial by fire indeed for the fresh meat.

A few short hours after being named coach he took on one of the top two teams in the Conference. A few short days after being named coach, David Payne leads his crew out to face the other of the top two teams in the Conference.

The Blues are 3-2-1 in their last six meetings over the last two seasons. In those 6 games the goal differential is Minus-1 (16 for StL and 17 for SJ). That is 2.67 GF/G for the Blues and 2.83 GF/G for the Sharks. That’s a little more than the Blues have averaged the last two years and a little less than what San Jose averages. What does that mean? The Blues played the Sharks tight under Murray. Hopefully that trend continues with Coach Payne.

How can Payne continue the trend?

1. Keep to a simple game. Don’t get fancy, get deep in the offensive zone and work hard. Make their defensemen turn around as much as possible. It keeps them from moving forward as fast.
2. Match their level of physical play. The 08-09 Murray team had no issues doing this and that needs to continue. They are big upfront and you have to be able to take the body on them.
3. Accept the fact that you cannot stop their big three. Just limit the number of high percentage scoring changes they can get.
4. Quick, smart puck movement decisions. The Sharks are big and fast and like to apply forward pressure. You can get around that with support and quick decision making.

The personnel needed to pull it off are still present on the roster, Payne will just need to stick to some general ideas to keep San Jose in check.

Anyone else surprised that Devin Setoguchi isn’t producing near what he had before with out Thornton?

Blues fans will see future Olympic teammate of David Backes and Erik Johnson, Joe Pavelski. Although don’t expect much out of him against the Blues. Over the last three season he has just two goals in ten games against St. Louis.

Difference Makers:

The Whole Blues Roster.

Payne has had multiple practices now and is starting to deliver his message and institute his own system. This will be the Blues first real application of Payne’s new X’s and O’s. Can the players apply what they have learned from their new coach and make it work against the highest producing trio in the NHL? We shall see. The whole team…from Weaver to Johnson, Crombeen to McDonald,  to Mason in net must be the difference maker in this game. Their will to win for their new coach (without the “goon button”) is what will determine this game. This team has shown over the last two season that they can skate with the Sharks and that trend needs to continue.

Player Notes:

Kariya is still on IR and will not play, but is traveling with the team. Keith Tkachuk did not travel with the team since he took a TJ Oshie slapper to the kisser Saturday night. Ty Conklin will attempt to join the Blues in progress out in California after he attends to a family matter (his son broke his leg). Yan Stastny was recalled and cleared Waivers to replace Tkachuk. Ben Bishop was also recalled to replace Conklin. Expect to see Mason in net, although you never know with a new coach in town. Bishop had a good game last year against San Jose, but I think Mason still gets the start.

I am questioning Brad Winchester’s status with this team now that Murray is gone. I don’t think Payne will cut him out, but it will be interesting to see if he plays against a team he has had success against in the past.

As updates become available on forward line combos and defensive pairings I will update the blog.

Alex Pietrangelo will not be re-joining the team. Per late night news (or early morning depending on your POV) the Blues returned Alex to his OHL team the Niagara Ice Dogs. No news of a possible trade moving him in the OHL to a contending team. Keep an eye out for that. Maybe not a fan favorite move, but the “right move” in my opinion.

Update: 6:52PM
For Jeremy Ruther’s Full Morning Skate Blog, click here.

Here are tonight’s line ups per Rutherford.

Andy McDonald-David Backes-Brad Boyes
David Perron-Patrik Berglund-T.J. Oshie
Alex Steen-Jay McClement-B.J. Crombeen
Brad Winchester-Derek Armstrong-Cam Janssen

Eric Brewer-Erik Johnson
Barret Jackman-Roman Polak
Darryl Sydor-Carlo Colaiacovo

Chris Mason between the pipes.

Scratches: Stastny and Weaver
Out: Kariya

I like the combo, I really do. I just question removing Mike Weaver. I know he was a Minus-3 for the Hawks game, but his play has been heads above Daryl Sydor.

Keys to the Game

1. Special Teams
-  The Blues have the NHL’s best road penalty kill and own a top 10 road power play. Both units need to act accordingly and produce. San Jose will dominate you at even strength, so the special teams must tip the scales to the Blues favor. Scoring on the power play will be no easy task with San Jose sporing the 4th best home penalty kill.

2. Play for Payne
- No one wants to get hurt, but play for your new coach. If playing hard means you get banged up, so be it. Work your tail off for him and his new system. Even if you don’t win you are laying a foundation to build on.

3. Use the Force Luke
- One thing it seems Payne is big on is allowing players room to do their job. I have given you task “a”, go do it. I need you to do it “this way” most of the time, but find ways to do it your way when it works. The players need to let go and use their hockey sense and instincts to take over the play on the ice. Just like how old Ben taught Luke so long ago and far, far away. Allowing players to take initiative is a good thing. They need to make it work because if they can, they are a very unpredictable team to play against…and that makes you harder to defeat.

Who to Watch for?

Roman Polak

Polak's play has been progresing this year and under new Coach Davis Payne Polak shoudl be able to use his ahtletic ability to join in the offensive play more. Expect more offensive contributions from Polak in the future.

Polak's play has been progresing this year and under new Coach Davis Payne Polak should be able to use his athletic ability to join in the offensive play more. Expect more offensive contributions from Polak in the future.

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Pietrangelo Back to Juniors

By Jeff Quirin on January 6, 2010

Doing a couple final checks around the Twitter world I uncovered a tidbit Blues fans will be extremely interested.

Per Jeremy Rutherford of the Post and Chris Kerber of KMOX, Alex Pietrangelo is heading back to his Junior’s team in Niagara.

Pietrangelo is heading back to his OHL Team the Niagara Ice Dogs. There are rumors however that he will be traded to a Juniors team contending for the playoffs.

Pietrangelo is heading back to his OHL Team the Niagara Ice Dogs. There are rumors however that he will be traded to a Juniors team contending for the playoffs.

While I do not see an official statement from the Blues on their site however, I have come to trust JR and Kerbs. Blues Vice President of Hockey Operations said on Team 1380 today that the team had already come to a decision on Pietrangelo’s status with the team and as of this afternoon that was not public knowledge. I am assuming that this decision was ready before his sluggish performance tonight against the US Team in the WJC Gold Medal game.

What does this mean Blues fans? Well a couple things.

1. The Blues are set on their current depth on defense.
2. They expect enough offensive output to come from Johnson, Colaiacovo, and Brewer to make this team competitive.
3. His offensive upside did not counter balance his defensive shortcomings.
4. They want to give Strachan and Junland a chance to get NHL time if the need arises. They do have more experience at higher levels than Alex.

I hope Alex doesn’t see this as the end of the world. I doubt he does, but I am sure it stings to find out that you aren’t going back to the NHL when you just lost the biggest game of your career to date. Alex has said that the front office has communicated clearly with him before on their plans for him. My guess is he takes his problems to task and improves on them. If Team Canada entrusted him with an “A” for the World Junior Championships, then the people with real hockey smarts see he is improving and maturing as a player.

Before fans start in with the “bust” label, let’s do a reality check.

- At the 2008 Draft it was said that of the 4 defensemen taken in the top 5 picks, he had the highest ceiling and the most development needed to get to the NHL level. Just because Doughty is lighting the world on fire and Alex isn’t, doesn’t mean tat Alex won’t get there.

- The Blues have 7 defensemn under contracts on the NHL roster already. By sending him back, his contract clock doesn’t start ticking yet. That means more years he is paid less, which helps the franchise pay the bills.

- The Blues have two very capable defensemen in Peoria who can step in to the same role Alex would. Strachan and Junland are just further along in their development than he is. The Blues will also have to re-sign both players and they need to see what they have in each guy going forward.

- Once his season is done back in Juniors, he can join up with Peoria if they are still playing.

I can say I am as disappointed as most Blues fans to hear this news. We all want to see the high draft picks blossom right away like other teams. However, there really is no room for him and he hasn’t shown enough progression to move himself up the Blues depth chart. So why burn a year of his contract? The Blues are working towards a special team filled with capable talent. Sometimes that talent doesn’t progress as quickly as the fans want. In this case Alex just isn’t progressed enough yet to warrant NHL ice time. When this team has the whole young core locked up and playing with experience, we won’t care that we had to send him back to Juniors.

Good luck back in Juniors Alex. Keep at it.

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Pietrangelo was selected 4th overall in the NHL entry draft.

Prospect Profile : Alex Pietrangelo

By Randall Ritchey on January 5, 2010

Welcome to the third edition of Prospects Profile. Today we center in on the defensemen, Alex Pietrangelo.

THE BEGINNING

Alex Pietrangelo, born January 18th, 1990 in King City, ON, Canada. The kid was born to play hockey. He grew up playing for the Richmond Hill Stars, Toronto Jr. Canadiens and the Vaughan Kings. He won a championship with the Vaughan Kings in 2003 and one with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens in 2005. Pietrangelo plays some high school hockey at a private school in King City at St. Thomas of Villanova College.

Pietrangelo was selected third overall by Niagara.

Pietrangelo was selected third overall by Niagara.

Going into the OHL draft in 2006, Pietrangelo was a candidate to go first overall. That honor eventually went to Steven Stamkos who was drafted by the Sarnia Sting. When it was time for the Oshawa Generals to pick second overall, Pietrangelo’s name could have been called, but the Generals went with another  offensive defensemen, Michael Del Zotto.

Finally it was time for the Mississauga Ice Dogs to pick third overall, and it was time that Pietrangelo heard his name called. The Ice Dogs made Pietrangelo their highest drafted defensemen in more then ten years.

Pietrangelo jumped right into the OHL that next season with the Ice Dogs and after playing 59 games, he finished with 52 points (7 goals, 45 assists). In his first season in Niagara, he didn’t see much power-play time, and in the time he did see, only notched three points. It was a very successful rookie season.

The next year, Pietrangelo saw his stock rise by having another successful season. In 60 games with Niagara in the regular season, Alex recorded 13 goals, 40 assists for 53 points. The most considerable jump in his stats was probably his penalty minutes. In 59 games a season before, Pietrangelo recorded just 45 penalty minutes. During his 2007-08 season, he recorded 94 penalty minutes. A significant jump from his prior year. Most of these formed as his physical play increased and he became harder to play against as he could beat you with his skills and his body as well.

Pietrangelo played six games for the Icedogs in the playoffs, recording five goals and four assists for nine points! A very successful six games for the soon-to-be draftee.

THE DRAFT

Moving into the draft, many suspected that Pietrangelo would go fairly high in the draft. Most people had the offensive powerhouse Steven Stamkos going first overall, which he did. After him, it was a toss up of the big five defensemen in the draft, Zach Bogosian, Drew Doughty, Alex Pietrangelo, Tyler Myers and Luke Schenn, or the highly skilled Russian, Nikita Filatov could go be taken 2nd overall an on.

It was the L.A. Kings who selected second overall and they picked the kid who grew up a Kings fan, Drew Doughty with their pick.

Following the Kings, it was time for the Atlanta Thrashers to pick the second of the big five, defensemen, Zach Bogosian.

Pietrangelo was selected 4th overall in the NHL entry draft.

Pietrangelo was selected 4th overall in the NHL entry draft.

Next up was the St. Louis Blues. Out of the big five, only three were left. Tyler Myers, Luke Schenn and Alex Pietrangelo. Coming into the draft, they were rated in that order. Pietrangelo being the lowest ranked of the defensemen. But that didn’t stop the St. Louis Blues from selecting Pietrangelo with the fourth overall pick.

After being selected by the Blues, Pietrangelo took some time and spoke with reporters, he spoke on being drafted by St. Louis, “It feels great. I think I’m kinda still overwhelmed by everything that’s happening but its great to be apart of a great organization and I know they are certainly going in the right direction so I’m happy to be a part of it.” It’s obvious the kid is excited being drafted, but many questioned his ability to stick in the NHL the next season.

POST DRAFT AND PRO HOCKEY

They turned out to be correct. After an eight game trial with the St. Louis Blues, he was sent back to his OHL team, the Niagara Icedogs for a third season. Some believe that this is because of an injury Pietrangelo received after being boarded in his second NHL by the Toronto Maple Leafs then goon, Ryan Hollweg. He missed quite a few games and eventually was sent back to Niagara.

Pietrangelo wearing the 'C' in Niagara

Pietrangelo wearing the 'C' in Niagara

Pietrangelo only played 36 games for the Icedogs in the regular season, but he had a lot more placed on his shoulders as he was named captain.

Pietrangelo finished with eight goals, 21 assists for a total of 29 points in those 36 regualar season games. Into the playoffs, Pietrangelo played 12 games, recording a goal and five assists which ended his OHL season.

After the Icedogs were eliminated from postseason play, Pietrangelo signed a PTO with the Peoria Rivermen. Pietrangelo played in one regular season game and seven playoff games for Peoria. He recorded one assists in one of his seven playoff games as Peoria was eliminated by the Houston Areos.

Coming into the 2009-2010 season, many suspected that Pietrangelo would stick full time with the Blues. But after playing hit and miss games in which Pietrangelo would play one game, then sit the next three, his total finally came to nine, the magic number for players who can’t play in the AHL. It was either keep Pietrangelo on the Blues roster, or send him back to the OHL. The Blues we’re to keen on sending him back to Niagara as they were one of the worst teams, and remain one of the worst teams in the OHL. He sat during games, but remained for NHL practices. A name on the roster and a seat in the press box wa the fate for Pietrangelo. But finally a release, Pietrangelo was selected by team Canada for the World Junior Championships. Four other Blues prospects were named to teams playing in the WJC (Jake Allen – Canada, Philip McRae – USA, David Warsofsky – USA, and David Rundblad – Sweden).

Pietrangelo playing for Team Canada.

Pietrangelo playing for Team Canada.

Pietrangelo has played very well for team Canada. He’s played in five games throughout the tournament and has recorded three goals and eight assists, the most amount of points by a defensemen all tournament long.

He, along with team Canada is set to face off against team USA in the gold medal game of the WJC. In the last meeting between Canada and the USA, Pietrangelo scored the game tying goal, short handed to help lead Canada to a win in the shootout over USA.

We do not know the future of Alex Pietrangelo as of now. Will he return to the OHL or will he stick in St. Louis as they are heading in a new direction under a new coach in Davis Payne? Only time will tell, but one thing we can be sure of, Alex Pietrangelo has a very bright future ahead of him.

Thanks for reading,

Randall Ritchey

randallritchey@gmail.com

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WJC Update: USA vs Canada

By Jeff Quirin on January 1, 2010

What a game that was. I hope Blues fans got a chance to see this, because it was a vastly more entertaining game than the game we were treated to last night.

Here is a pretty good recap from TSN.

Here is a quote that I think summed the game up the best.

“Maybe people will say we didn’t play well, but we did, it’s just that the U.S. played unreal,” Canadian coach Willie Desjardins told the Canadian Press. “We were lucky tonight.”

Team USA did play an outstanding game. Both teams dominated the flow of play several times in the game. It was up and down, fast and furious. You could see that both teams wanted the game. I will leave the game recap stuff to TSN and alike. Here is what I saw impacting the Blues.

Phil McRae
Played his second best game to date. He was aggressive and pressing and opened the scoring in the first period. Banging in a goal point blank to give the US a 1-0 lead. He didn’t see tons of ice-time, but he played well in the time he had. Nothing earth shattering for Blues fans other than he didn’t look out of place. As Red Wings GM Ken Holland said during the game (paraphrasing), that if you can compete at this level in the WJC you can be pretty close to NHL ready. McRae can certainly make it and make an impact. He worked well within the flow of the game.

Warsofsky

Image via blues.nhl.com

David Warsofsky
I think he looks good. He still is prone to a few mental mistakes, but he can usually make up for them on a later play. He is quick with the puck and still showing good poise at the offensive blue line. Hall of Famer Ray Bourque had nothing but good things to say about David during a period break. Again, he understands the game and is mentally capable of playing the game. Its just fine tuning he needs. That comes with age and experience. Even at 5′9 he was holding his own against stronger talent players like Taylor Hall.

Jake Allen
Beat 5-Hole twice but held his own under sustained pressure by Team USA. He made the save Campbell couldn’t in the shootout.

Image via blues.nhl.com

Image via blues.nhl.com

Alex Pietrangelo
Failed his first real test of the tournament. He was burned for three goals and only accounted for one. Grant it, his one goal was a good read shorthanded that was the game tying goal, but his play was just not that good. HE didn’t see much even strength ice time and when he did it wasn’t that impactful. Not any rushes, pinches, lugs. A few good passes, but nothing major.

This many not be popular with many Blues fans, but unless he really turns it on in the medal round, he should go back to juniors. Putting up 8 points in three games against weak teams doesn’t mean much when you cannot pu tup a solid game against an equal opponent.

Non Blues Players
I was impressed by Cam Fowler, his game is heads above everyone except Carlson on the blue line. Ryan Ellis is good on the power play for Canada. He is going to be just a pain in the butt next to Shea Weber for the four other Central Division teams. Jason Zucker had a solid game, similar to McRae. The Original 6 line of D’Amigo-Stepan-Kristo was put back together and did ok. Stepan is going to be a real good player for the Rangers. John Ramage was ok, more of the same. Which is a good thing considering the level of competition was raised exponentially. Donovan was ok, but not as good as against the weaker teams. Carlson really seems to tailor his game well depending on the opponent. He will be a great compliment to Mike Green in the near future for the Caps. Despite Campbell’s inability to stop an attempt in the shootout, he had a solid game for Team USA. Hopefully he (as well as Zucker and Ramage) is on the Blues radar come draft day.
*The Medal Round begins Saturday. Team USA takes on Finland and Canada has the day off. David Rundblad will not be in action Saturday as Sweden has the day off as well.


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US forward Jason Zucker

WJC Update: Countdown to the Big Game

By Jeff Quirin on December 31, 2009

When I last left off I had taken in the first two US games and the second Canadian game for an update on four of the Blues prospects participating in the IIHF World Junior Championships.

I am now caught up on both teams through three games. Here is an update on all four players.

Team USA vs. Latvia

Team USA had a better first period than they had in the previous two.  Overall eam USA was good, but not completely lights out like Canada has been.

Warsofsky has had a solid tourney, but has suffered from a few mistakes. He made more in the Latvia game than I think he has made in the previous two. In the third he allowed a player to get behind him for wide open chances on net. Grant it, they were up by about 8 goals at that point. However, you need to see players hold mental focus in those games. Warsofsky did lose a little in this game.

Where I was impressed with David was the same spots as before. He has good patience under pressure and seems to see the play forming in front of him. He likes to join the play and create weak side pressure. He has shown deft hands moving the puck off the offensive blueline to a player down in the slot. He seems to be able to find the open player from the point. Mainly because his hockey IQ is very high and he understands the play unfolding in front of him. He has shown a quick shot through on the point.

He made up for his mental lapse in the third by later taking a Latvian attacker one on one. He saw no one else but him and the forward. He cut off the forward and gave him no angle but to the wall. He was down low and prevented a pass to poen space and ended the scoring chance. The frame work is there for a mentally capable NHL player. I just worry about his size.

Phil McRae had his best game of the tourney. He was working hard again and seemed to find the holes and get pucks through the open lanes. Pass or shoot, he made the quick, smart play. I thought he worked well with Kristo who was on a new line after the “Original 6″ trio was split up. McRae also made a skilful move oan  2 on 1 break to create a chance that was rather impressive.

I continue to be impressed with the offensive “giddy-up” shown by Matt Donovan. He may not be the greatest defenseman out there, but he shows iniative with the puck. He wants it and he wants to take chances. The Islanders 4th Rd pick in 2008 is having a solid tournament.

US forward Jason Zucker

US forward Jason Zucker

I really hope the Blues take a long look at Jason Zucker in the draft this summer. The kid has a knack for being in the right place. He plays hard and has a good shot. His style reminds me of Geoff Courtnall mixed with some David Booth. If he is available, I want this kid in our organization. John Ramage is doing well and he was not drafted in 2009. I would love to see the Blues add him as well. Think of Mike Weaver meeting Roman Polak. He can use his stick and body positiong very well to take players off the puck or protect it. I am really interested to see how Ramage and the other US defenders do against Canada.

Canada vs Slovakia

Jake Allen did not get the start in net. I am assuming to get time off before the big game tonight.

Alex Pietrangelo was what he has been, impressive. He shows what being with the Blues for extended periods the last two years has meant to him. When playing with skilled players, he can match their level and bring more. He stepped up for a big hit and was moving the puck well. Really just more of the same in regards to Canadian dominance. Pietrangelo now has 2 Goals and 6 Assist to go with his Plus-6 rating.

Team USA takes on Canada tonight for a New Year’s Eve rumble. This will be the best game of the WJC so far. Tune in on NHL Network at 7pm Central. Will it be more exciting than the Blues game? There is a strong possibility. At the very least, make sure this game is set to record on the DVR.

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The Blues road record is best of the NHL, their home record, the worst.

Looking For A Change

By Randall Ritchey on December 30, 2009

I think it goes without saying that the Blues fans are getting fed up with how this team has played on home ice.

How a team can be as dominant on the road sometimes, and be one pace for their best road record in team history, to go home and already have 13 losses, a total that equaled all of last season. Many questions are in need of answering.

The Blues road record is best of the NHL, their home record, the worst.

The Blues road record is best of the NHL, their home record, the worst.

Why is the teams play so depressing at home compared to when they are playing on the road?

Why is Andy Murray still behind the bench?

Why is David Perron not playing on the power-play?

Why does Patrik Berglund averaging around 14 minutes a game while Paul Kariya is averaging 18 to 19 minutes a night?

Why is Erik Johnson sitting in the press box while Mike Weaver and Darryl Sydor continue to get ice time?

As much as I want to be able to answer these questions, I cannot. But there are a few things I can answer.

Like why did people think we should be battling for the top spot in the west this year. We are a young up and coming team. TJ Oshie just turned 23 while Berglund and David Perron are younger still. Erik Johnson, Alex Pietrangelo all yet to hit their mid 20’s. David Backes, Brad Boyes, Alex Steen, and Carlo Colaiacovo are starting to come into their prime. This team is a very young, very inexperienced team. They are going to make mistakes and they have to learn from them. But how can they?

Remember Lars Eller’s call up this season? Played two very good games. In his third game, he made a mistake, a bad turnover in the offensive zone which aloud the puck to be cleared. He sat on the bench pretty much the rest of the game. Why does this happen?

Keith Tkachuk, Andy McDonald, Paul Kariya ALL have had glaring turnovers  in almost every game this season, but are they benched? No. Why is this?

You can say it’s because Andy Murray favors the veterans and you’d likely be correct. Andy Murray has strong double standards when it comes to young players and veteran players.

Another point of this is how David Perron has struggled to hit the net on the power play and has recently been taken off of it. But yet we continue to see Brad Boyes set up on the left side of the net and fan on pucks and miss empty nets, why is this?

I’ve left you with a lot of questions and if you can answer them, by all means, please do, because all the other Blues fans and I are dying to know.

Randall Ritchey

randallritchey@gmail.com

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Blues Prospects on Team USA for World Juniors

By Jeff Quirin on December 23, 2009

You can see the full article on the Team Roster here.

Blues Forward Phil McRae (son of former Blue Basil McRae) and Defensemen David Warsofsky were named to the Team USA World Juniors Roster today.

They join Blues Defensemen Alex Pietrangelo and Goalie Jake Allen who are also playing in the tournament for heavily favored Team Canada. Blues 2009 1st Round selection David Rundblad is playing for Sweden as well.

The games are being covered on the NHL Network.  A US TV Schedule is located here.

Fans can catch some highly touted players from the 2010 NHL Draft Class as well. Cam Fowler (USA) and Taylor Hall (Canada) are also participating.

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