The young defender has done nothing but impress since he’s joined the Blues full time after spending two extra seasons in Juniors, a route in which Doug Armstrong deserves a ton of credit for.

Many people have talked about Pietrangelo’s play this season, and rightfully so, he’s easily been the best defender on the ice for the Blues this season. His offensive play is obviously there, as he is third on the team in points with 36 points (10 goals, 26 assists) in 64 games this season, but his shutdown game is what comes as a surprise to most.

Alex Pietrangelo, courtesy of TSNPhotography

The King City, Ontario native plays defense so well, because he always has the puck on his stick. If he doesn’t, he uses his stick skills to get the puck on his stick. You can just watch him in a game and his decisions and skills with and without the puck allow him to be the Blues top defenseman, night in and night out.

Pietrangelo has all the makings of an Norris caliber defensemen and I do believe one day he’ll win one, if not multiple Norris Trophies. I also believe he’ll receive a handful of votes for the Norris this year, however, I do not see him reaching the top three for nominees. Erik Karlsson of Ottawa, Shea Weber of Nashville, and Zdeno Chara of Boston have all but locked down those three slots.

As Blues fans, we’re all hoping that a few Norris trophies aren’t the only thing Pietrangelo can bring to the Blues. A nice Stanley Cup ring or two or five would be quite nice, don’t you think?

This takes some concentration, actually. Cody McLeod, kids. Image via BridgetDS/Flickr

Good teams find ways to win like the St. Louis Blues found a way to beat the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. And not only that, the deed was done in the dastardly SHOOTOUT portion of the contest! Yes, the Blues actually won a shootout! 4-3 was the official final score. Despite the fact that Cam Janssen was buzzing around the team he used to root for AND play for, there were no fights in the contest, which may be just as well, actually. The Blues now sit in an 11th place tie with the Buffalo Sabres with 26 fighting majors each on the National Hockey League season. The team’s fight record still holds at 12-3-11.

Home sweet home! The Blues now play host to one of the league’s weirdest teams to put a proper gauge on, the Colorado Avalanche. They’re young, sure, but they have enough skilled players in all three zones to be better than they actually are. Lately, save for one game back in January, the Avs have had the Blues’ number. This is the last of four meetings between the Blues and Avs this season (barring a playoff series, I suppose), so we have covered this team three previous times (December 2nd, December 21st and January 7th). The Avs are shockingly similar to the Blues fighting-wise, in that there is one main fighter and some secondary fighters mixed in there. The Avs are currently tied for 14th in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks with 24 fighting majors collected on the season. Their fight record is a bit on the downside, though, at 5-8-11.

The Avs are led in fights by Cody McLeod (6’2”, 210lbs, 3-3-5) with 11 fights on the season, which is currently good for a top-ten place among the NHL’s individual fight leaders. Following him is former Predator and Canuck Shane O’Brien (6’3”, 230lbs, 2-0-1) with three fights. Ryan Wilson (6’1”, 207lbs, 0-0-2), David Jones (6’2”, 210lbs, 0-2-0) and Daniel Winnik (6’2”, 210lbs, 0-0-2) each have fought twice. Four Avs players have fought once each, they are former Blue and golf cart driving extraordinaire, Erik Johnson (6’4”, 232lbs, Draw), TJ Galiardi (6’2”, 190lbs, Draw), Chuck Kobasew (6’0”, 192lbs, Draw) and Ryan O’Byrne (6’5”, 234lbs, Loss).

I’ve always said McLeod is very similar in fighting style and playing style to BJ Crombeen, and for once I’d really like to see the two mix it up with each other, because I don’t recall the two ever fighting each other. It might be the most even fight in the history of ever.

Home action means home wins, right? Well, I hope so, anyway.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

Ryan O’Byrne (3) is tall. Image via BridgetDS/Flickr

What a rally! The St. Louis Blues have proven to be a never-say-die team under Ken Hitchcock, and they proved it again by rallying from a 3-1 deficit after a HORRIBLE second period to win 4-3 over the Edmonton Oilers with a flurry of goals to begin the third period. The only bad part about all this was the lack of a fight. This was only a touch disheartening, considering how the action was going in this game and the fact that the game flow and action nearly dictated that a fight was to happen. Oh well, I guess I’ll survive . . . . Anyway, the Blues stick and stay at 15 fights on the season, which now gives the squad 18th spot all alone in the National Hockey League. And they remain at a nice 6-2-7 fight record. Hey, when your team plays well, your team generally does not have to fight as often. I get that. So I’m cool with it.

The last game of THIS home stand (but only the third home game of the month out of a total of nine) brings Denver’s hockey team to town . . . yes, the Colorado Avalanche. We’ve covered the Avs twice this season, both prior to road losses to that team (December 2nd and December 21st). The Avs are not allergic to fisticuffs, but they seem to do it just about as often as the Blues do this season, which is to say “not that much”. Also of note . . . the Avs are coming off a road game in Chicago, so it’s possible they may not be in the mood to fight anyone tonight. But I digress . . . the Avs are tied for 10th in the NHL with the Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks and the Minnesota Wild with 18 fighting majors collected on the season. Their fight record is a very respectable 5-5-8 on the season.

The Avs are led in fights by a familiar face around these parts, fighter extraordinaire Cody McLeod (6’2”, 210lbs, 3-2-2) with seven fights on the season. Following him is former Predator and Canuck Shane O’Brien (6’3”, 230lbs, 2-0-1) with three fights. Ryan Wilson (6’1”, 207lbs, 0-0-2, on IR with a head injury) and David Jones (6’2”, 210lbs, 0-2-0) each have fought twice. Three Avs players have fought once each, they are former Blue and golf cart driving extraordinaire, Erik Johnson (6’4”, 232lbs, Draw), fresh figher TJ Galiardi (6’2”, 190lbs, Draw), Ryan O’Byrne (6’5”, 234lbs, Loss) and Daniel Winnik (6’2”, 210lbs, Loss).

Since there were no fights in the first two contests between these two teams, plus this being the second of a back-to-back set for the Avs, I will not predict a fight, and it’s possible that there will be no fights tonight. But that’s not what I want! I want BLOOD! That said, in four games last year, the two teams fought somewhere around 10 times, and there was big trade between the two clubs less than a year ago. Anything is possible. For your best bet, go with McLeod and BJ Crombeen.

Let’s continue this winning streak, why don’t we?

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

“No golf carts? Sweet, bro.” Image via Mafue/Flickr

They are the St. Louis Blues, and lately all they can do is win hockey games, even if it’s just brutal to watch. Another ugly-yet-effective game led to a 2-1 win to spoil Dale Hunter’s  Washington Capitals coaching debut. And there WAS a fight in the contest! Scott Nichol got into it with noted scrapper Matt Hendricks. I thought a slight edge could be given to Hendricks, but the bout was adjudged a draw (you be the judge – video here). The fight brought the Blues to a total of 11 fighting majors on the season, currently good for a tie for ninth in the National Hockey League with the Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars and Pittsburgh Penguins. The team’s fight record now stands at 5-1-5 on the season.

The last stop on this weird road trip takes the Blues to Denver to face the Colorado Avalanche. A hot start had Avs fans thinking the days of glory could be returning, but a quick crash back to reality now leads folks to wonder whether or not their head coach will keep his job. Familiar story, eh? Well, except for the whole “hot start” thing. Anyway, the Avs are not the most violent team on the planet, which is pretty evident if you take a look at their roster. That said, the team is tied for 13th with the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, New York Islanders and San Jose Sharks with 10 fighting majors apiece. The team’s fight record is relatively atrocious at 1-5-4. Last year, the Avs were 11-14-18 in 43 fights, good for 16th in the league.

Of Avs players that have fought this season, noted brawler Cody McLeod (6’2”, 210lbs, 1-2-1) leads the way with four fights. Ryan Wilson (6’1”, 207lbs, 0-0-2) and David Jones (6’2”, 210lbs, 0-2-0) have each fought twice, and newly-minted journeyman Shane O’Brien (6’3”, 230lbs, Draw) and Ryan O’Byrne (6’5”, 234lbs, Loss) each have fought once. Among players currently on the Avs roster, last season’s fighters are led by McLeod (5-2-7) with 14 bouts. Wilson (3-1-2) followed him with six fights. O’Brien (1-4-0) follows with five fights. Brandon Yip (6’1”, 195lbs, 1-0-1) and former Blue Erik Johnson (6’4”, 232lbs, 1-1-0) each checked in with two fights. Solo fighters include former Wild Chuck Kobasew (6’0”, 192lbs, Draw), Daniel Winnik (6’2”, 210lbs, Draw), Kevin Porter (6’0”, 190lbs, Draw), O’Byrne (Loss), young star Matt Duchene (5’11”, 200lbs, Loss) and Matt Hunwick (5’11”, 190lbs, Loss).

Last year, toward the end of the season, McLeod and Ryan Reaves went after each other. I would say this is the best bet for a fight this evening, honestly. Who knows, though? Johnson could figure out someone he’d like to pick a fight against. A lot of possibilities abound in this matchup.

I like this whole “Blues Winning Games” thing. I will not at all be upset with it continuing.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

Eric Brewer:

Now former captain of the St.Louis Blues and current member of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Brewer played his best hockey in the 10-11 season as a member of the Blues. The big veteran defenseman had been plagued by injuries his entire time in St.Louis and was finally healthy for a full year, some will argue Brewer was in a contract year, I lead to believe health goes a long way and we finally got to see the real Eric Brewer that Larry Pleau traded for. Before Brewer was dealt to Tampa he had tied a career high in goals (8) in the regular season. Brewer’s success continues on as he along with Matthias Ohlund have anchored down the blue line for the Tampa Bay Lightning as they make a run for Lord Stanley.

Barrett Jackman:

There’s only a few words that can describe the veteran and longest tenured Blue, tough as nails. At times during the 2010-2011 season number 5 looked like a true number 1 defenseman, at other times he was a liability which often led to his play being scrutinized by fans. When healthy Barrett Jackman was the Blues most consistent defenseman this season; Jackman is a solid second line defenseman but can be overexposed logging too many minutes. I would like to hear what Patrick Kane has to say about playing against Jackman several times a year.

Erik Johnson:

Blues fans and management had high hopes for the former #1 overall pick heading into this year as Johnson left the Blues fans wanting more with his spectacular play at last year’s Olympics and hopeful that the young defenseman would mature into a franchise player. Johnson struggled mightily for the majority of the year, he arguably had his best game early in the year vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins, EJ dominated the overtime frame before netting his first goal of the year, Johnson recorded 19 points and was -8 in 55 games with Saint Louis. The up’s and downs of his play along with the emergence of rookie Alex Pietrangelo made the former #1 overall pick expendable in the eyes of Blues GM Doug Armstrong, rumors began to swirl around the hockey world that the Blues were shopping EJ, those rumors became true in the wee hours of the morning on February 19th as Johnson was dealt to Colorado along with Jay McClement.

Kevin Shattenkirk:

What a hurdle this kid overcame earlier in the year after being sent down to Lake Erie of the AHL and working his way back to the NHL and taking Avalanche fans by storm, acquired in the Johnson trade, most credible hockey sources considered “Shatty” to be a steal in the trade. The former first round pick Shattenkirk is known as a puck moving defenseman (compared by some to Brian Rafalski) who was a little raw on the defensive side. At times, Kevin Shattenkirk looked like a veteran defenseman. Shatty was tied for 5th (1st among d-man) in points amongst all rookies; he tallied 17 points in 26 games with St.Louis and has given the Blues blue line a new look. Blues fans have a lot to get excited about in the future with Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk manning the Blues back line. Shattenkirk is currently representing Team USA in the IIHF World Championships in Slovakia.

Ian Cole:

Not many Blues fans expected to see much of Ian Cole this year but with the amount of injuries and inconsistent play of Tyson Strachan (when inserted into the lineup); we were able to see Cole for 26 games. Cole not really known for an offensive game registered 4 points in his first year as a Blue, he picked up his 1st goal NHL and points against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Cole was solid in his first call up, after that his play was very lackluster, at times it looked as if the young defenseman was afraid to make a mistake in fear of being booked on the Peoria shuttle. In his most recent call up Ian Cole looked like a veteran defenseman, making quick smart decisions with the puck, stepping up and holding the blue line and using his size and strength more then what we had seen early in the year.

Alex Pietrangelo:

“Petro” made every game count when it came to his first full year in the NHL. The highly touted Blues rookie took the league by storm with his tremendous play this year. There’s not a single Blues fan out there that can honestly say that they expected Pietrangelo to be as good as he was this year’ Pietrangelo registered 11 goals and 43 points; Pietrangelo and teammate Kevin Shattenkirk led all rookie defenseman in scoring. Throughout the year Petro looked like a man among the boys, a 10 year veteran and an absolute stud not only on the offensive side of the puck but on the defensive side as well. The 21 year old has nowhere to go but up and has opened the eyes of many around the league; he will represent Team Canada in the IIHF World Championships.

Carlo Colaiacovo:

Not known or acquired for his defense, when healthy Colaiacovo was a steady/solid all around defender. Colaiacovo missed a handful of games on two occasions after being struck in the face by a puck, after the second occurrence Colaiacovo was forced to wear a full cage before switching to a half shield visor towards the end of the year. Carlo arguably played his best hockey down the stretch along side Alex Pietrangelo; the two have reportedly become very close and have made a bond, will the Blues shop Colaiacovo this summer in favor of a veteran defenseman or will they hold onto him? Time will tell. Carlo Colaiacovo was a late addition to team Canada in Slovakia for the IIHF World Championships.

Tyson Strachan:

Not much can be said about Strachan as he made the team out of camp as a 7th defenseman, before coming into this year Strachan had been a solid go to guy when called upon but when inserted into the lineup he was far from good this year, it’s not very hard to see when Ian Cole and Nikita Nikitin were recalled several times in favor of Strachan. I fully expect the Blues and Strachan to go their separate ways this summer.

Roman Polak:

After being one of the Blues most consistent all around defenseman in the 09-10 season the Blues and fans had high hopes for Roman Polak. Polak missed 27 games after being cut by Sidney Crosby’s skate early in October which required wrist surgery; Roman was not the same guy the rest of the year and his play left a lot to be desired although Polak played his best hockey down the stretch along side Russian defenseman Nikitia Nikitin. Look for Roman to bounce back in 11-12 to anchor the Blues defense and work his way into a top 4 position.

Nikita Nikitin

Blues fans didn’t know what to expect from the rookie Russian d-man, not much was out there in terms of scouting reports or analysis. Nikitin opened the season on the IR after breaking his wrist late in training camp. Nikitin made his NHL debut in November and was solid at times, but looked lost at times; it comes to be expected for a guy that did not speak a lick of English and was working with a translator and adjusting to a whole new culture. It’s been noted that Tyson Strachan took big Nikitin under his wing in terms of adjusting to the lifestyle in the United States. “NN64” was sent to Peoria to re-tool his game, after his recall Nikitin looked like a veteran defenseman and flat out looked more comfortable in the NHL. Nikitin is a big body defenseman who is physical, has a heavy shot as we’ve seen him on the power play and solid defensively, fully expect Nikitin to be better next season as he has a full summer to work out in North America with teammates and become more acquainted to the lifestyle.

Overall the Blues defense was mediocre, as the rest of the team injuries really affected this group; the penalty kill was not as good as the past couple of years but in large part that can be credited to the departure of Mike Weaver. The Blues found a new style of hockey that included an up tempo pace from their blue line after the deals that sent Eric Brewer and Erik Johnson packing, this has been some of the most exciting play we have seen from the blue liners since Pronger/MacInnis. General manager Doug Armstrong has some tough decisions to make come July 1st, it’s no secret that the Blues could benefit from the addition of a true veteran defenseman, two names that instantly come to mind is Kevin Bieksa and Hal Gil. Will Armstrong kick the tires on throwing an offer at these guys, or will he move a guy like Carlo Colaiacovo along with a draft pick and or prospect for a defenseman? Another reason to keep your eyes peeled to the St.Louis Blues this summer, bottom line is this team and organization cannot afford to miss the playoffs yet again in the 11-12 season.

Eeej still has the locks. Still losing fights, though. Image via Yahoo

What an IMPRESSIVE win by the Blues over the despised Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday.  Yes, the season is over, but a 6-1 victory over a divisional opponent NEVER gets old to watch.  And there were two scraps!  First, Ryan Reaves and Derek Dorsett went at it in a fight that Reaves made close, but Dorsett clearly won (video here).  Then, of all people, Vladimir Sobotka had a go with Kris Russell and defeated him (video here).  The two fights move the Blues to 74 fighting majors on the season, still good for tops in the NHL.  Their fight record moves to 31-22-21.

This is the fourth and final meeting between the Blues and the Colorado Avalanche on the season.  In the previous three meetings (November 15th, January 24th and February 22nd, a make-up game from a February 1st “ice-out”), the Blues fought four times with the Avs.  All of those fights came in the first two match-ups . . . in other words, before the blockbuster trade that gave the Blues Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk and gave the Avs Erik Johnson and Jay McClement.  Coincidence?  Actually, I do think so.  The Avs have garnered 38 fighting majors on the season, and while that’s not nearly as many as the Blues, it’s not bad in today’s NHL.  In fact, they are good for 16th overall in the NHL with those 38 fights.  Their fight record, though, is not spectacular at 10-12-16.

Cody McLeod (6’2”, 210lbs, 5-1-7 including a draw with Brad Winchester) leads the team with 10 fights.  Following him is former Blue David Koci (6’6”, 238lbs, 0-3-4, including a draw with Cam Janssen) with seven fights.  Ryan Wilson (6’1”, 207lbs, 2-1-1) follows with four fights.  Also included in this list are new Blue Stewart (6’2”, 228lbs, 1-0-1 with the Avs and 2-0-1 overall), Brandon Yip (6’1”, 195lbs, 1-0-1) and recent call-up Cameron Gaunce (6’1”, 203lbs, 0-2-0, Day-to-day with a hand injury) with two fights each.  The rest of the Avs fighters have fought once each as Avs, and they are David Liffiton (6’2”, 210lbs, Win, currently with Lake Erie of the AHL), veteran Adam Foote (6’2”, 220lbs, Draw), Daniel Winnik (6’2”, 210lbs, Draw), John-Michael Liles (5’10”, 185lbs, Loss), Phillipe Dupuis (6’0”, 196lbs, Loss), Matt Duchene (5’11”, 200lbs, Loss . . . to Sobotka), Ryan O’Byrne (6’5”, 234lbs, Loss . . . to BJ Crombeen) and former Blue Johnson (6’4”, 236lbs, Loss with the Avs and 1-1-0 overall).

Seriously, neither team has much to play for, so I will be clearly disappointed if there is not at least one fight in this game.  I would love to see McLeod square off with someone like Crombeen or Reaves.  That would make my night.

Second-to-last home game.  MAKE IT COUNT!

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

On the ice.

Oshie’s peculiar and unexpected absence from the Blues practice on Monday has “cost” the fan favorite two games according to reports and maybe more. He is not officially suspended, but will be a scratch for Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Wild and will not travel with the team to Detroit for Wednesday’s game. At that point management will reevaluate the punishment on Thursday and decide if the third year pro can return to the lineup.

Kudos to Doug Armstrong and Davis Payne for maintaining the standard the organization set previously with two other important young forwards.

Remember way back when to December 2007? David Perron missed his flight out of Montreal back to St. Louis, arrived late to Scottrade for practice and Andy Muray scratched him the following game. Patrik Berglund “overslept” in late March last year. Missing a 10 am practice due to a dead phone battery preventing his only alarm from going off. Berglund was a healthy scratch and missed the following game as well.

Measured and appropriate responses to absentminded actions. Sometimes young men striving to become professionals slip and forget to take care of the details. A night off reminds them to of their responsibilities.

With Oshie missing at least two and possibly more, the question on all Blue Bleeder’s minds has to be, “what did he do?”

Speculation will be what it will be and participating in such nonsense is not something I honestly care to entertain. However, Oshie does have a checkered history when it comes to off ice incidents. He had his fair share of “partying” issues while a student athlete at North Dakota. He appeared on a UND game telecast appearing to be inebriated. There have also been rumors of “excessive drinking” between himself, Berglund and the exiled Erik Johnson during the 2009-10 season.

It’s very difficult to not look at his past transgressions, proven or frivolous gossip otherwise, and connect dots.

TJ is a young man with seemingly few attachments and presumably a deep bank account to play around with. Remove “hockey player” from his resume. Imagine he is an every day 24 year old with some money to burn and no strings attached. What do you think he would be doing… Yes, that is exactly where I am going. We’ve all got buddies like that. There is nothing wrong with having some fun, so long as it’s under control.

If he truly has gotten in to some trouble, above and beyond adolescent brain farts on the level of skipping class, the Blues had to take strong action to protect their investment. The franchises most marketable asset to the next generation of puckheads cannot wash out in the gutter down in Soulard, Sauget or the Landing .In the future Vladimir Tarasenko, Alex Pietrangelo and Jaroslav Halak may be the names that drive the success on the ice, but in the stands, at the box office and in the True Blues stores, TJ is and will be the cash cow.

Keeping that bright, smiling face clean is imperative. Not just for the the warm fuzzy feeling motivations to keep Midwestern values centric parents happy and spending their dollars with the Note, but fore hard financial reasons. Without a winning product to attract fans individual personalities have to sell the team. Taking Oshie’s personal appeal down a notch or two is certainly not going to help the bottom line in the short term future.

For now all appears settled. At least as much as it can given changes that could come Thursday. Focus correctly returns back to the game against the Wild tonight.

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As always, you are invited to follow @618_STLBlues and @BlueNoteZone on Twitter and on the BlueNoteZone Facebook Fan Page for in game updates and Blues news.

There have been many holes in the Blues lineup during the rebuilding era.

Organizational depth to counter injuries and free agency churn.
Offense from the blueline.
Long term goaltending solution.
A defensive anchor.
An offensive workhorse.

A few have been addressed while others remain work in progress, but perhaps the most glaring of them all has been filled.

Since forward Chris Stewart was obtained from the Colorado Avalanche all he has done is produce points. More importantly, he’s put the rubber in the net. To the tune of 9 goals and 12 points in 13 games. Including 4 multi-goal efforts.

The hockey world (and Blues fans) already knew about his talents long before the trade. Since 2008 Stewie has been a Blues killer. Netting 8 goals and registering 17 points in 9 career games against the Note. Goals coming in many different ways. Power moves to the net, deflections, quick snap shots. You name a way of scoring and he’s done it or come very close against his current club.

With such diversity in his finishing ability combined with the rare blend of size, speed, and skill, (and willingness to drop the mitts) comparisons to two future Hall of Fame power forwards are inevitable. Former Blue, Brendan Shanahan and current Calgary Flames captain, Jarome Iginla.

By the Numbers:
Shanny: 59 goals in 206 games | .286 goals/game.
Iginla: 62 goals in 234 games | .265 goals/game.
Stewart: 62 goals in 179 games | .346 goals/game.

Don’t care for the Hall of Fame comparisons? How about some similar, “younger” players over their first three full seasons.

Corey Perry: 59 goals in 138 games | .428 goals/game.
Milan Lucic: 34 goals in 199 games | .171 goals/game.
David Backes: 54 goals in 203 games | .266 goals/game.
Brooks Laich: 36 goals in 228 games | .158 goals/game.
Alex Burrows: 22 goals in 206 games | .106 goals/game.
James Neal: 73 goals in 224 games | .326 goals/game.

A pretty respectable group Stewart has surpassed or have kept a close pace to. But stats can’t tell the whole story.
Lighting the lamp and being an counted on producer is more than talent and skill. The mental toughness to grind out every game and the will to succeed are just as much a requirement. For an example see what happened when Sidney Crosby decided he needed to score more goals. Mark that one as a complete on the list. Don’t believe me? Check out Jeremy Rutherford’s article about where Stewie comes from and what he has fought through to make it to the NHL. A hard working guy from humble beginnings makes his way to the big show. How can you not root for a guy like that? Especially when Stanley Cup winner defenseman Adam Foote said “‘This [Stewart] is the future captain”.

What the future holds for the Toronto native is unknown. Given who was traded to acquire his services, Stewart will be a long term center piece in Doug Armstrong’s vision of the Blues. He will be given every opportunity to develop in to what what the numbers say he could be. If the partial season glimpse in to what Stewart can achieve, the Blues have found their offensive workhorse.

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As always, you are invited to follow @618_STLBlues and @BlueNoteZone on Twitter and on the BlueNoteZone Facebook Fan Page for in game updates and Blues news.

“I got Dukes, do you?” Image via AOL News by way of Getty

The way I saw it, you can’t really fault the Blues’ effort in their 5-3 loss to the despised Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night.  They played hard, they scared the crap out of a veteran team AND they did so with a bunch of folks from up the Illinois River.  There were no fights in this game, as I anticipated, so the Blues hang tight at 65 fighting majors on the season, which is still good for third place in the NHL.  The Blues’ fight record stays steady at 27-19-19.

From past reports, you may be able to tell that I really love to write about this Anaheim Ducks team.  They are the type of violent that a self-proclaimed drunken Irishman like me can truly appreciate (even though I’m not a violent person . . . go figure).  We have covered the Ducks three times this season (October 11th, January 12th and February 19th), and they sure as heck do NOT shy away from a fight.  They also do not lack toughness or scoring touch.  This team is TRULY one of my favorite hockey teams to watch AND to see the Blues play against, since I’m almost assured there’s going to be at least one fight.  The Ducks currently sit at fourth place in the NHL with 60 fights on the season.  Their fight record, much like the Blues, is pretty even at 20-15-25.

George Parros (6’5”, 222lbs, 11-3-9 with wins over Barret Jackman and Cam Janssen) is not only the team leader in fights with 23, but the individual league leader as well.  He is followed by Sheldon Brookbank (6’1”, 200lbs, 2-1-3) and Kyle Chipchura (6’2”, 206lbs, 0-2-4 including a loss to Ryan Reaves) with six fights each as Ducks.  Aaron Voros (6’4’, 215lbs, 2-2-1 including a win over Eric Brewer, traded to Toronto) and Luca Sbisa (6’2”, 204lbs, 1-1-3 including a draw with Brewer and a loss to Matt D’Agostini) have each fought five times as Ducks.  Andy Sutton (6’6”, 245lbs, 0-1-2) may not be an expert, but has fought three times.  Matt Beleskey (6’0”, 204lbs, 2-0-0 with a win over Vladimir Sobotka, in the AHL with Syracuse), Ryan Carter (6’2”, 200lbs, 1-1-0 as a duck and 1-2-1 overall, traded to Carolina) and Corey Perry (6’3”, 206lbs, 0-0-2) have each fought twice as Ducks.  The rest of the fighters all have fight experience but have only one fight each as Ducks, and they are Bobby Ryan (6’2”, 208lbs, a non-fight Win over David Perron that yielded only one fighting major to Ryan), our old friend Brad Winchester (6’5”, 231lbs, one Draw as a Duck and 2-2-5 overall), Troy Bodie (6’4”, 214lbs, one Loss as a Duck and 1-5-5 overall, claimed by Carolina early in the season), Brendan Mikkelson (6’3”, 205lbs, Loss to Erik Johnson, claimed by Calgary early in the season), Ryan Getzlaf (6’4”, 220lbs, Loss) and Maxime Lapierre (6’2”, 207lbs, a Loss as a Duck to BJ Crombeen and 0-3-0 overall, traded by Montreal to Anaheim, then from Anaheim to Vancouver).  This team is QUITE violent.

You have the chance to see SEVERAL fights tonight, even with all the AHLers up for the Blues.  Parros, if he plays, will fight anyone that challenges him.  Brookbank and Chipchura are always good bets as well, but it’s hard to say whom with . . . although Janssen is a GREAT option for all of the above.  And I really would love to see Reaves fight again.

This is a chance to play spoiler to a whole bunch of West Coast opponents.  Why not start it at The Pond?

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

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Blues vs Avs Quick Hits

- Yes, the Blues are tired. There are 29 other teams that are on February 23rd. The bottom line is playoff caliber teams find ways to win these types of games. Second half of back to back set, at home, against a team lower in the standings. Just like how playoff teams find ways to win a home and home series. The gaffes in this two game set carry the same impact as the losses to Minnesota two weeks ago. Missed opportunity in the face of adversity.

- This game showed how will, heart and experience can trump skill. There is little doubt that the current version of the Blues is more skilled than the 2008-09 club. There is little doubt that group had more experience and mental fortitude than the post EJ trade crew. All opportunities to resurrect the Boston Miracle have failed. Last night was a chance to find that magic again. It just isn’t there this time around.

- The goal by Paul Stastny was masterful, but also caused by TJ Oshie, Patrik Berglund and Kevin Shattenkirk careless play with the puck in their own end. Trying to avoid contact to make a play rather than taking the hit to prevent a scoring chance.

- Ty Conklin just wasn’t very good either. Stopping just 23 of 27 shots against. Some have question marks about Ben Bishop taking over, I saw bring him on. It’s an equal roll of the dice. At least with Ben they can save some cash to spend to upgrade the five guys in front of him.

- Peter Budaj is the new Dwayne Roloson. End of story.

- Anyone else noticing a recurrence of a nasty trend? Blues being locked out of the middle of the offensive zone by five guys collapsing in the slot? Shots don’t get through and the little plays around the net can’t be made because there is no room.

- Barret Jackman looked out of it again. Starting to play similarly to his poor stretch at the end of last season before he was shut down due to an injury. Part 2?

Diarrhea of the Mouth

I’m glad Erik Johnson is gone. I can finally feel like giving an unfettered opinion of the former #1 pick isn’t an unfair thing to do.

I’ve been critical before, so what is different now? Well, when he started running his mouth about “making Armstrong pay”… I had a little “WTF” moment.

Where was this fire and passion in St. Louis? Most of his answers on camera (at least) we’re standard issue cliched athlete lingo. All of a sudden he has some real intensity brewing? To be honest, as someone built up and bulked up to be a physical monster on the back end, he never consistently showed that controlled raw emotion to earn such potential.

I am NOT a fan, in any stretch of the imagination, of spouting off what you can’t back up. Looking back at his two seasons since the knee injury, he hasn’t really had a reason to claim he was wronged in the trade.

He hit few, if any, standards or benchmarks that a first overall selection is expected to. Little consistency. Regression of his hockey IQ. Never really could take over a game. Failed to lead his team to any significant (positive) placements in the standings. He wasn’t even the top defensemen in the lineup most nights. Alex Pietrangelo took and succeeded in more pressure situations than Johnson did.

Defensemen slower to develop or not. Injury or not. He hasn’t shown enough growth over the course of his time in St. Louis to say he shouldn’t be the one moved. Not when he is falling from the perch he was supposed to take over and couldn’t.

One word comes to mind. Expendable. Armstrong has to give to get and he HAS to be the impartial auditor that doesn’t care about what “EJ was supposed to be”. His job is to get the Blues from re-builder to contender. Erik factored himself out of that equation.

I’m sure he doesn’t like it. Nor should he. Bottom line is that his performances to date haven’t warranted such diarrhea of the mouth. Let your play do the talking first. Then talk.

He is the darling of the NHL and Denver today. We’ll see if he can keep it up.

Before you can say “what about Chris Stewart’s comments”, I feel 100% the same way about him. Keep the zipper closed and play the game first. Although, his three goals since the deal do carry a little more weight.

Standings Watch

The Blues are in 13th place with 63 points. Just 4 points ahead of Colorado and now 3 points behind Columbus. They are 5 points behind 8th place LA and 7 points behind places 5th, 6th and 7th.

Scoreboard watching: LA is at Anaheim, Edmonton takes on Colorado, Phoenix is in Tampa, and San Jose is playing in Pittsburgh.

Trade Scutlebutt

- Andy McDonald’s name has come up (via Eklund) in association to the Washington Capitals. They are still likely looking for a second line center. Would have to think the Blues want equal value. Another hockey trade. Without Eric Brewer a top pairing left handed defenseman to play a shutdown role next to Petro would (should) be high on the list. Jeff Schultz anyone?

- Say mention of Brad Boyes to Pittsburgh still. Adding James Neal nixed the possibility of Boyes heading to the Pens.

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