Can Payne End the Suffering?

Looking at the St. Louis Blues history, one could easily point out the pain and suffering the fans, as well as the organization itself, have gone through. Playoff run after playoff run ending in futility will cause such agony. Even a President’s Trophy and division champion could not bring Lord Stanley’s prize to St. Louis. Pain and suffering often go hand in hand with a club and its fans when the team is losing. But can Payne end the pain?

When Davis Payne was promoted to be the new Blues head coach in 2010 there may have been quite a few fans scratching their heads. Who was this coach and what had he done to earn such a coveted position? While not having NHL experience, there is little doubt that his resume’ has procured at least a chance. His dedication to the game and ability to reach young hockey players to further their development made him a prime candidate for the position.

Payne had been a very successful coach at the ECHL level; even earning the title of coach of the decade for the league. He moved up the ranks to the AHL to continue honing his skills as a leader and teacher. Some may have preferred his AHL term to be longer to prove he can continue to meet the demands of a more demanding league. But Payne was fast tracked to the NHL with the departure of Andy Murray.

The Blues, in full swing of a youth movement, decided to take the same approach behind the bench. But it is not only Davis Payne’s ability to command attention of his young players, being a relatively young coach himself, that landed him the job. It was not only his aptitude for deriving the most skill out of the group he has or even his analytical hockey structure that his players understand and appreciate that brought him to the top hockey league. Granted, these are all great qualities to have in a head coach. Foremost of his talents is…winning.

The pain and suffering that comes with losing is not a feeling Payne is used to. A season without playoffs is new for this coach. The man wills victory and submit’s the same mindset upon his players. There is little doubt that the team under his direction has gone from that of a beaten and abused mutt to a proud purebred hungry for domination. Under Payne, the club has had more passion and dedication than we have seen in the entirety of the Murray years. Missing the playoffs last year must have been hard on this coach. While it is not an excuse Payne will use, most agree that the injury plagued season was still a reason for the tough year. Had the club made the playoffs under those conditions it would have been quite the accomplishment.

A team must assume injuries will happen throughout the year as it happens to every club. Although this coming year, the Blues will have much more depth that was lacking in the 2010-2011 season due to the off season additions at both the NHL and AHL level. Now Davis Payne can get back to his old form. Everything is in place to feed this coach’s addiction.  The puck is now on his ice to continue his tradition of winning and to take this hockey club to the next level. It is up to this young coach to end the era of “Pain and Suffering” while bringing in the era of “Payne and Winning.”

What a Difference a Goalie Makes

When Marty Turco manned the crease for the Stars in 2009-10 the Blues had their way Dallas. Outscoring Texas team 12 to 8 and winning three of four contests. Through three games this season the outcome has been reversed. Kari Lehtonon has backstopped three consecutive wins as his teammates have put 7 behind the Blues netminders compared to just 5 behind him. An impressive 1.63 GAA and .953 save percentage.

Interestingly, Lehtonen has allowed just 9 goals in 6 games against the “non-elite” teams of the Central Division. Posting a 4-1-1 record with a 1.50 GAA and .953 save percentage when facing St. Louis, Columbus and Nashville.

Must… Stop… Richards’ Line… & Jamie Benn

The top trio for the Stars has been outstanding to date. Brad Richards, James Neal and Loui Eriksson have combined for 4 goals and 10 points. Spearheading the attack on the Blues from below the redline. Cycling the Blues defense silly to find openings to create scoring chances deep in to shifts. Look for the Eric Brewer and Roman Polak pairing to see a lot of Richards’ line.

Jamie Benn has nearly gained Blues Killer status thanks to his efforts in the back to back, home and home set in late November. Scoring 2 goals and setting up another. All three of the game changing variety. No game plan is needed to neutralize Benn other than adherence to the standards of Davis Payne‘s system.

Closing Out Games

While the effort in the the third period has vastly improved this season, late game flops have reared their ugly head from time to time. Most recently was Friday night against the Phoenix Coyotes. Up 4-0 going in to the final set the Blues let in three Yotes goals and nearly more. The Blues have let points slip away in all three games with Dallas by allowing timely goals and being unable to produce their own. The last game should serve as a reminder of what Dallas is capable of doing. If the Blues are up, a push better be expected and countered at this point.

What a Year of Payne

A year ago today Andy Murray was relieved of his duties as bench boss and Peoria Rivermen head coach Davis Payne was installed in St. Louis. In the 79 games that followed he has a record of 43-27-9. Good enough for 95 points. A playoff pace by standards in either conference.

The Blues truly are his and Scottrade Center has fully become the House of Payne.

Quick Hits & Links

- During the current winning streak the Blues are 12 for 13 on the penalty kill.

- December Record: 8-4-2 | 18 points out of 28 possible, 64% point percentage.

- Currently 5th in Western Conference and 2nd in Central Division with 45 points.

-TJ Oshie skated with Jay McClement and Brad Boyes while Alex Steen was given a maintenance day at Saturday’s practice. David Perron also visited the guys Saturday. [Lou Korac]

From the blog: “the fact Perron is at the facility is a sign he’s getting better since team president John Davidson said recently they told Perron not to come around and lay low until he felt completely better.”

- Lehtonen is the expected starter for Dallas. [DallasNews.com]

- JR’s Morning Skate

Lineup

No changes are expected once again. Tyson Strachan is the lone scratch (healthy).

Vladimir Sobotka – David Backes – Matt D’Agostini
Alex Steen – Patrik Berglund – B.J. Crombeen
Brad Winchester – Jay McClement – Brad Boyes
Chris Porter – Adam Cracknell -Cam Janssen

Eric Brewer – Roman Polak
Barret Jackman – Alex Pietrangelo
Carlo Colaiacovo – Erik Johnson

Jaroslav Halak is the expected starter.

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I believe there are different ‘stages’ to a team that is completely rebuilding from scratch, such as the Blues had to do coming out of the lock out. I’ve identified the three different styles of coaches as: foundation coach, a players coach & an elite coach. No one coach can take a team from scratch to Stanley Cup winner, not completely. There is a right coach for the right time during the building of a Stanley Cup winner.

When you are building a building from the ground up, you need a good foundation. When building a potentially successful team, you need to start off with a coach that builds a good ‘foundation’ which includes at minimum a sense of responsibility and a system of accountability.  This ‘foundation’ coach needs to come in with a game plan, a way to implement it and the complete backing of the organization.

The shelf life of a ‘foundation’ coach is not too long, I’ve usually seen 2-4 years. This is usually due to the veterans tuning out the coach or the coach not relating to the younger players and losing them. At the end of the day, a foundation coach may or may not get his team into the playoffs. If he leads his team to the playoffs it usually is a case of overachieving. When the foundation coach asks his team to wash, rinse and repeat, the players seem to tune them out. That’s when you need to let the foundation coach go, such as Blues did recently with Andy Murray.

The value of what he has done cannot go unnoticed but most people agree that it is time for a change. When it is all said and done, you find yourself with younger players that should know what it means to be a pro. When it’s time to move on, it’s time to bring in a breath of fresh air, a coach that has something to prove, relates to the players and lets the chains off a bit. You find that former NHL players who are extremely cerebral and picked up coaching as their career wound down are extremely suited for this role. Think Joel Quennville when he was hired by the Blues.

A successful ‘players’ coach relates to the players. He understands what it’s like to be in the show and treats them with more respect which in turn allows them to use their skills the way they should be used. What he also does is build upon the foundation the previous coach built. He builds upon that system of accountability and provides enough structure for the team to succeed but allows the players to use their skills. I feel that the proper candidate has to be able to take criticism and take heat even when he feels the team is completely at fault. You need to rebuild that trust that was lost with the previous coach and the only way to do that is to earn it.

The players coach usually seems to take over a team that has playoff expectations, not just feel lucky they got there. He’ll probably get the team to the 2nd or 3rd round of the playoffs consistently, but he doesn’t have that ‘experience’ of losing the big game as a coach. How does he handle the pressure? That is key. Does he learn from it? Does he have enough time to apply what he has learned? Probably not. Think Quennville again, when he was let go by the Blues. That’s when you bring in the coach that you hope to take you that final step, the one that gets you over the hump. The elite ‘Stanley Cup or bust’ coach.

The elite ‘Stanley Cup or bust’ coach comes in with one thing in mind, taking a team to a Stanley Cup championship. Think Mike Babcock with the Red Wings or Mike Keenan with the Rangers. This is a coach that has put it all together. He will provide that gel that binds the team together, whether through motivation or intimidation. With a good foundation that has suffered playoff defeats but still has a phenomenal core of players, he has been provided a team that is hopefully ready to fully sacrifice in order to fully win. Sacrifice to some means physical sacrifice, throwing your body in front of pucks, laying someone out, etc. While that is extremely important, I feel that is only part of the sacrifice. There is a whole other dimension of said sacrifice that needs to happen before you take that next step.

I know this has been long winded, but I felt it necessary to truly understand what the Blues are going through right now. They are making that transition from ‘foundation’ coach to ‘players coach’. I feel that the Blues have made the correct coaching change. I feel that Andy Murray was the right coach at the right time but that time has come and gone.

Time will tell whether or not Davis Payne is the correct coach. Some people have advocated hiring Peter Laviolette. To me this team is not ready for a Peter Laviolette type coach. This team is not ready to make the sacrifices both mentally, physically and emotionally to take it to the Stanley Cup just yet. They need a coach that will listen to their concerns, allow them to grow and develop into a more playoff ready team. They need a coach that is a breath of fresh air from the hard nose ‘foundation building’ that has gone on the last few years. They need to be taught to believe in their skills again.

Time will tell what step the Blues will make next. I believe they will be a playoff team under Davis Payne, but I don’t think they will be a Stanley Cup winning team under him. Not unless they land a Crosby or Malkin any time soon.

All in all, it’s a long road and the first guy that’s hired is just as important as the guy that gets them to the cup victory. Without him you don’t have that strong foundation to build a team.

Thanks for listening.

Blues Interm Coach Davis Payne - Image via pjstar.com

Payne, 39, has a career 62-44-3-6 record with the Blues AHL affiliate in Peoria. This season Peoria is 19-13-1-2 in 3rd Place in the AHL’s Western Conference, West Division. They are tied with three other teams with 41 points, which are the 5th, 6th, and 7th spots on the Conference standings. Last season Payne returned the Riverman to the AHL playoffs after missing two straight. Payne also coached the Blues ECHL affiliate Alaska Aces to a ECHL Championship in 2006.

Former Coach Andy Murray - Image via blues.nhl.com

Murray’s time in St. Louis has been a mixed bag, full of high and low points. When he came to the team on December 11th, 2006 the Blues were in sad shape. Mike Kitchen was just fired as the team began its full scale rebuild. Andy Murray was brought in to maximize the veterans onteh roster while the organization was reshaped. The goal was a team more geared for post lockout styles and rules. Murray lead the Blues to a second half surge, but finished out of the play offs. In the 07-08 season the Blues were still a rebuilding team that Murray was working hard with. Instilling fundamentals anda solid work ethic with newer players. This trend continued to the 08-09 season where he orchestrated a history book like second half run to get the Blues in to the playoffs despite losing Erik Johnson, Eric Brewer, Paul Kariya, and Andy McDonald over long stretches. Expectations were heightened for the 09-10 camping based on returning players and Murray’s Jack Adams Nomination. The team has largely struggled this season, posting a 17-17-6 record with 40 points leading to a 4th place ranking in the Central Division and 12th in the Western Conference.

A fairly good synposis of Payne’s coaching style can be found here.

Please allow me to temper expectations Blues fans. I’ve seen some fans liken tis to the Penguins firing Michel Therrien and bringing in Dan Bylsma. As a huge Pens fan I can shed some light here. Dan did a good job because he understood what he had to work with and relates well to the younger players while still having respect of the veterans.  The high end talent level the Pens have pushed that team over the top. Please, do not put unrealistic expectations on Davis Payne because of Dan Bylsma (or Joe Sacco even). Payne did coach some of the players on the Blues roster, but not many. He will have to work hard to establish himself and that may take time. Do not expect a 5-0 thrashing of the Blackhawks tonight.

Expect some changes in ice-time since Payne is not a match-up intensive coach. Payne likes to be aggressive and forecheck and get the puck north (similar to Byslma, I know, but that’s the new style). I would say expect a high energy game, maybe not the best results to start, but the Blues should be bringing some heat.

I will not be able to get around to a Gameday, I don’t think. I am going to catch Chicago at the Fox today before the Blues game. Please stay tuned to Jeremy Rutherford and Andy Strickland on their websites and Twitter today for updates. We have links to their homes online on our Links Page.

Its a dawning of a new era Blues fans. Right or wrong, both the players and Murray are at fault for the mess that this season has become. As much as I like Murray (and I honestly do), he is just not the coach to take this young team forward. Blues fans had to question if he was able to adapt to the new styles of the post lockout game. From what we can see, he cannot change under adversity. Hopefully Payne can bring his “new school” approach and ramp this teams level of play up like Bylsma, Sacco, and Boudreau have for their teams.

Derek Armstrong recalled from Peoria - photo via blues.nhl.com

Per the St. Louis Post Dispatch and the Blues Official Website, the Blues have recalled Forward Derek Armstrong from their AHL affiliate Peoria Riverman.

It appears the Blues are trying to add a little bit of toughness and leadership to the roster. At age 36 Armstrong has 471 career NHL games played, many of which were with Andy Murray in Los Angeles. Murray was quoted in the Post Dispatch saying:

“I think he brings a Danny Hinote personality to our room, which is good for us. I think we miss Danny’s personality.”

“I think Army is a great addition and brings a lot of energy and so on, but Derek Armstrong is not going to ride in here on a white horse tomorrow and save the group. It’s up to the group itself.”

Important words from Coach Murray. With Paul Kariya on IR with a upper body (likely head) injury and McClement being banged up by a Shea Weber shot the Blues saw a need to recall Armstrong under Emergency Conditions. It is very likely that McClement could play so the interesting part is who sits out when Armstrong arrives? He isn’t be brought up to sit in the box (or work out w/ Nelson Ayotte). So who is out.

My hope is Berglund. Why?

This presents the Blues with a chance to dress a real, big, physical 4th line in Winchester-Armstrong-Janssen. A line that can go out for about eight minutes and just pound the other team. David Perron can go back on a line with McClement and Crombeen, a line he has had success with.

We shall see how this plays out for the Blues tomorrow night. However, this is a good move for the Blues today to help them win now. He is a player that fits in to Murray’s preferred style of play and inserts energy in to the team to light up the home crowd.

]]> http://bluenotezone.com/2009/12/30/blues-recall-derek-armstrong/feed/ 2 http://bluenotezone.com/2009/12/30/looking-for-a-change-blues-recall-armstrong/ http://bluenotezone.com/2009/12/30/looking-for-a-change-blues-recall-armstrong/#comments Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:33:40 +0000 Randall Ritchey http://bluenotezone.com/?p=1054 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.

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

- After last night’s action the Blues are in the top 10 in terms of lowest GAA. They are currently ranked 6th best in the NHL, giving up an average of 2.48 goals against per game. This team has the ability to shut an opponent down. So why can it not turn that shut down play in to offensive opportunities? The Blues spend a fair share of their time in their own end preventing goals. Rather than using the neutral zone to cause turnovers and counter attack. Don’t get me wrong, they can do that, but that is not where the low GAA is coming from. This isn’t a possession team managing the puck well. This is a team absorbing attacks and the goalie ultimately repelling them.

- The least effective power play in the NHL belongs to the St. Louis Blues. Thought we had that stigma shook off. Lots of passing, not so much movement and we time warp back to 2007.

- David Backes, Paul Kariya, Brad Boyes, Patrik Berglund, and Andy McDonald accounted for four goals scored in the 6 game home stand. That is roughly $18million in cap hits producing four goals in 30 total games played. That’s a pace for 11 goals over 82 games played. How is this acceptable? I have a feeling at some point it won’t be. Then again, Brad Boyes has produced this poorly all season and there has been no consequences.

- If the Blues could get one “star player” that might be available, who should it be?
Eric Staal? Not likely available.
Vinny Lecavalier? Is he available and at what cost. That contract is a fair amount to swallow for a player who will stagnate or decline in production over the life of the contact.
Ilya Kovalchuk? What says he will sign here long term and not go back to Russia? What says Atlanta will really trade him?

It’s a nice thought, but there really isn’t anyone there. If the Blues are to get anyone it will be of second or third tier variety. Someone like a Joe Corvo or Eric Belanger. A lower level top 6 forward or lower level top 4 defenseman who doesn’t cost much from a team falling out of the playoff race. Then again, the Kariya signing and Stempniak trade were “out of the blue”, so we will see what Larry, Doug, and JD have in store.

- Can David Perron be the guy to break out and take over this team offensively? He certainly has the tools for it and he is starting to put together the game. Get Brad Boyes off his line and he could likely do more.

- Free Alex Pietrangelo. Make the decision and play the kid Wednesday versus Dallas. No offense to (or from) from Weaver, but I’d like to see Alex get in more games. Having that extra man who can carry the puck in deep and pinch in to keep the play moving is added offense the Blues could use more of.

- Kudos to coach Any Murray for putting the game in the skill. The Backes and McDonald lines lead in even strength time on ice last night versus Boston. Keep doing that and we will win more games than we lose.

Not a pretty record is it?

12th place in the west, 25th in the NHL. That’s in place for a lottery pick. Not where the Blues want to be right now.

Sadly, because of that record, fans are questioning the coaching of head coach, Andy Murray. Fans are calling for Murray’s head after games and are calling for a coaching change.

Andy Murray is in the hot seat with Blues fans after an unacceptable start.

Is it to early? Possibly. The Blues are only a game under .500 and have had some troubles scoring in the last couple of weeks.  Is that result of coaching?

It’s certainly not a result of goaltending. Chris Mason has played 12 games. He holds a 4-5-3 record. Not a pretty thing, but his goals-against-average is impressive 2.29 and his save-percentage is even more impressive at .925. Back up Ty Conklin has played 6 games, holding a 2-2-1 record and has an impressive goals-against-average at 2.24 and a very solid .928 save-percentage.

So many point the finger at Andy Murray, and they actually have a good argument against him.

Many question his constant line matching, the ice time of the youngsters, and his lack of benching the veterans.

Recently, the Blues have dropped their last game to the Nashville Predators by a score of 3-1.  Another ugly stat, this is their eighth game of 17 where they haven’t scored two goals. That is not a good stat when you want to win games. But why is it that the Blues aren’t producing? Could it be the fact that throughout the last ten games, Jay McClement has averaged more ice time than any other forward on the team.

Jay McClement has averaged 21:16 in the last 5 games, while Brad Boyes, is the closest forward in ice time, 18:33. If the Blues plan on scoring goals, it’s not going to be this way.

Jay McClement has 6 points on the season, Boyes has 11 points. So why is McClement averaging more ice time?

Because Andy Murray is continuously matching lines.

Forward B.J. Crombeen is averaging 15:68 of ice time in the last five games. This is more than young forward Lars Eller and Patrik Berglund.  Is this acceptable?

Not if you are looking at scoring goals.

So it’s understandable why Blues fans are upset, but is it time for a coaching change? That is in the hands of John Davidson and co.

So how long is Andy Murray’s leash? That is one thing we are not sure of, but the next month could really change things for the Blues organization.

Randall Ritchey

randallritchey@gmail.com

I can see the fan response now.

“Murray hates Perron”
“Free David Perron”
“Perron being held back again”

I think fans should take a step back before “flipping out” over the latest chapter of the supposed Perron/Murray soap opera.

Perron was out very late on a power play shift Saturday night versus LA. Which turned in to LA’s game winning goal deflecting off Perron’s stick. While the entire game is not on David’s shoulders, that play was. Mason was hung out to dry and Perron was too gassed to make a solid play. It happens and David knows this now.  Murray is simply reminding David that in professional hockey its a consistent 100% effort required by every player. Sometimes the 100% effort means recognizing you are out late on a shift and getting to the bench for a change. The demotion has happened before, it could likely happen again. However, Blues fans should fear not. David usually returns stronger and more dedicated than before. He has taken the tough love in stride and handled it very well, no reason to think he will be or is a headcase.

Some want to say Murray is unduly tough on Perron. I see it as a good coach reminding a very talented player of what it takes to win. David has become and will continue to become a much better player because of Murray.