By Randall Ritchey on July 26, 2010
I’ve been gone for far to long and I’m back here to help contribute for BNZ. I am over at St. Louis Game Time. I am working a few player profiles over there at the moment and I’ll link them once they are finished.
ANYWAY, What I am here to right about……Peoria needs some help!
Ian Cole will likely be back in Peoria next season, but my question is, what role will he play?
Can we expect any more free agent signings? My answer would be yes, but it will not be anything in St. Louis. Peoria needs some depth after seeing Justin Fletcher, Barry Tallackson, Jonas Junland, and Pascal Pelletier all inked contracts over seas. Leaving some pretty big holes on the Rivermen roster.
Having signing Matt D’Agostini and TJ Hensick, we can likely expect to see one of these two in Peoria unless they both have dominant training camps. Which will add some high power American League scoring. Adding rookies such as Philip McRae, Tyler Shattock, and Anthony Nigro the Blues will be adding size and scoring to their top affiliate team through rookies.
Though this being said, veterans are very much needed. We will see veteran forwards Nicholas Drazenovic and Chris Porter, who are my two top candidates for captain of the Rivermen. Not to mention forwards Cam Paddock, Ryan Reaves and Adam Cracknell returning as well. Who Peoria adds on AHL/ECHL deals or the Blues add via NHL/AHL deals, the offense could shape out in many different ways. Seeing Brett Sonne in a second year, hoping that one of D’Agostini/Hensick can dominate at the AHL level, we could see a very strong scoring team with a lot of toughness as well.
On the defense, we’ll see Daryl Boyle and Bryce Lampman most likely make the return as the only veterans returning.
Ian Cole will most likely will return to Peoria (unless he impresses at camp) and will be a big part of the Rivs defensive unit. Rookie Mark Cundari will be joining the ranks in Peoria and I wouldn’t be to surprised to see TJ Fast and Ryan Turek jump from Alaska to join the ranks in Peoria. The newest addition brings some NHL experience from Nathan Oystrick. I expect to see Oystrick in Peoria and Strachan in the role of the 7th defensemen in St. Louis. But the Blues could go opposite and stick Strachan back in Peoria as a top pairing defender and have Oystrick riding the pine in the Lou.
Add in defensemen and tough guy Brennan Evans on the blueline in Peoria and you round out a solid defensive core. Veterans in Boyle, Lampman, Evans, Oystrick/Strachan leaves me to question the roles of Ian Cole and Mark Cundari. Mex guess, they’ll be leading the Rivermen’s powerplay. We could see Russian Nikita Nikitin in Peoria as well which could add a big body to help stabilize the power play.
Bishop will be the go to goalie if Halak or Conklin sustain injuries.
Both Ian Cole and Mark Cundari play the same type of game. The ability to play the two way game of ranking up some points and shutting down the opponents. Not to mention both players can deck you if you’re coming down the rink the wrong way, the Rivermen blue line is going to be fun to watch.
The goaltending is pretty straight forward. St. Louis let Joe Fallon, acquired from Chicagolast season, go by not tendering him a contract last season. Peoria is going to work with Ben Bishop and Jake Allen this season. Who will start and who will back up? That’ll likely be whoever has the hot hand.
Now I don’t expect all of this to be right because the Blues could trade one or two of these players, or they could prove their worth in camp and force the Blues to keep them (ala Steve Wagner….wow that went down hill didn’t it?)
Here are my top call ups on the season;
Forwards : Nicholas Drazenovic, TJ Hensick/Matt D’Agostini/Chris Porter
Defense : Ian Cole, Nikita Nikitin/Tyson Strachan, Mark Cundari
Goaltending : Ben Bishop
Do you agree? Let me know!
RandallRitchey@gmail.com
Posted in Articles, Prospects | Tagged Adam Cracknell, Anthony Nigro, Barry Tallackson, Ben Bishop, Brennan Evans, Brett Sonne, Bryce Lampman, Cam Paddock, Chris Porter, Daryle Boyle, Ian Cole, Jake Allen, Joe Fallon, Jonas Junland, Justin Fletcher, Mark Cundari, Matt D'Agostini, Nathan Oystrick, Nicholas Drazenovic, Nikita Nikitin, Pascal Pelletier, Philip McRae, Ryan Reaves, Steve Wagner, TJ Hensick, Tyler Shattock, Tyson Strachan
By Jeff Quirin on April 30, 2010
According to reports in Sweden Blues prospect Defenseman Jonas Junland has signed a contract with Farjestad of the SEL.
This certainly opens the possibility that Jonas goes straight back to Sweden and moves past his NHL aspirations. There is also a possibilty that this contract is a fall back plan if he isnt unable to secure a spot on the NHL roster leaving training camp.
It’s too early to tell what is actually going on. Blues fans will have to wait for the hockey media to roll out of bed and bring in the details.
It’s an odd move now that Jonas is closer than ever to playing in the NHL full time. The Blues are losing three defensemen to free agency this summer and the Blues need his puck moving ability. Yes, his defensive abilities are in question. However, defense can be taught and the Blues are in need of more skill on the blue line.
As more info becomes available I will update the blog.
Update 5-1-10:
Jeremy Rutherford elaborated Friday on his Morning Skate blog on some details of the Junland contract.
Basically, JR confirmed that Junland agreed to the SEL contract and an out clause was not confirmed.
JR also cited the Peoria Star Journal saying Junland rejected a one year, one way contract for $500,000.
The Blues can continue to talk with Junland who is a RFA, but at this time there us no indication that the issue will be resolved soon.
See more on my Hockey Independent blog later tonight.
Posted in Around the NHL, Articles, Prospects, Transactions | Tagged hockey, Jonas Junland, NHL, Peoria Rivermen, St. Louis Blues
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.
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.
Posted in Articles, Prospects | Tagged Alex Pietrangelo, Chris Kerber, Jeremy Rutherford, Jonas Junland, St. Louis Blues, Tyson Strachan
By Jeff Quirin on October 10, 2009
Per St. Louis Post Dispatch Blues writer Jeremey Rutherford, the Blues have placed Defenseman Barret Jackman on IR. Per IR rules Jackman will not be available to play for at least 7 days, however the Blues are calling the injury “week to week”. Rutherofrd and Blues Insider Andy Strickland have mentioned that Tyson Strachan or Jonas Junland could receive a call up while Jackman is on IR.
Rutherford also reported that Coach Andy Murray will give Alex Pietrangelo his first work of the 09-10 season vs. the LA Kings on Saturday night. Per the Friday practice expect Pietrangelo to be paired with fellow Lottery Pick Erik Johnson.
Fans could “read between the lines” about Keith Tkachuk not practicing today. Since Cam Janssen skated with TJ Oshie and David Perron it’s possible that Murray wants to get Cam on the ice to warm him up to dress for tomorrow night’s game. Who could he replace? Money would be on Brad Winchester, Patrik Berglund or BJ Crombeen. If I was a gambling man, I’d put the chips on Winchester. I really like Brad, from meeting him in person to his on ice game, but he has been the least effective of the 12 forwards to play to date. Murray did mention a few days ago that a couple forwards were not up to standard.
Another FYI in case you missed it. Forward DJ King was sent to Peoria for a two-week conditioning stint. At that point DJ must return to the active NHL roster.
Former Blue Kudos today go to former Blue Rod Brind’Amour. He tallied a Goal and an Assist and a +2 rating while the Carolina Hurricanes beat up on the Florida Panthers 7-2 last night. Fellow Former Blues Cory Stillman and Radek Dvorak also played in that game for the Panthers. To the tune of a combined -4 rating and 1 Shot on Goal. At least they did better than Former Blue Jeff Woywitka, who was a healthy scratch for Dallas Friday night.
Posted in Articles | Tagged Alex Pietrangelo, Barret Jackman, Brad Winchester, DJ King, Jonas Junland, LA Kings, St. Louis Blues, Tyson Strachan