Dr.Sens(e)
Registered User
Residing in the “Show Me†state, this catch phrase couldn’t be more appropriate for the 2007-2008 St. Louis Blues.
While the team is undoubtedly set to establish themselves once again as a perennial regular season power-house and one of the elite HFNHL teams going into the playoffs, no regular season performance will cast aside the general viewpoint on the Blues that they are regular season power, yet a post-season disappointment.
More specifically, despite five straight years of high level regular season performances, the Blues have failed to go beyond the second round all but twice, and one of those appearances was as a playoff underdog with nothing to lose, when as the 7th seed five years ago, they advanced to the conference finals. Even their four year streak of consecutive second round appearances ended last year when they fell in the first round to the upstart Vancouver Canucks.
Interestingly, this year’s version of Blues seems eerily similar to last year’s edition. There are no significant changes in the team’s top two lines other than the expected permanent graduation of Milan Michalek to the second line, and no changes whatsoever to their top 4 on the blueline or in between the pipes.
Indeed, this is perhaps the fewest number of off-season changes the Blues have ever made.
Amongst the forwards, the Blues did shake up their checking line by trading Jeff Halpern and Peter Schaefer and by letting Shawn Bates walk via free agency. In their place Kris Draper is an upgrade at the third line center position, while Dan Paille and Guilluame Latendresse have graduated to full time NHLers amongst the Blues bottom six.
On the blue-line, Nolan Baumgartner lost his #6 position to new arrival Dimitri Kalinin, while Josh Gorges and Dustin Byfuglien have will compete with Baumgartner as first minor league call-up.
If nothing else, the arrival of several young players has given the Blues more organizational depth going forward. Next year, it is expected Andrew Cogliano, Jared Boll and David Bolland will push for playing time themselves, bringing the total to six of Blues forwards drafted.
First line: Dany Heatley – Joe Thornton – Daniel Alfredsson
The Blues hope their top trio can find the chemistry this season they have been unable to find over the last two years. Heatley in particular has never faired too well on this line, however if the preseason is any indication, 2007 might be the year they find their collective mojo. Count on the audition to last ten games before Crawford splits them up to test other combinations amongst the top six.
Second line: Milan Michalek – Rod Brind’Amour – Jamie Langenbrunner
Brind’Amour’s line-mates are typically a bi-product of the top line combination du jour, so look for both Heatley and Alfredsson to get some time alongside Brind’Amour at different times, which means Langenbrunner and Michalek will also see time with Thornton.
Third line: Dan Paille – Kris Draper – Chuck Kobasew
While Paille beat out fellow rookie Latendresse for the third line roll based on his consistent high tempo play and defensive conscience, Lats may see time here on occasion to give the unit a little more offensive punch.
Fourth line: Guillamme Latendresee – Brian Sutherby – Jarkko Ruutu
While all three are big, strong and physical, questions about whether they have the collective discipline to play be positive change of pace amongst the forward units.
Extra forwards: Garth Murray, Simon Gamache, Krys Kolanos
1-2 DF: Chris Pronger – Zdeno Chara
While Crawford has typically opted to split his towers of power, the Blues will open the season with this power combination. The presence of Chara allows Pronger to play a more offensive game.
3-4 DF: Brad Stuart – Brendan Witt
While Witt brings his predictable physicality and belligerence, Stuart is strong at both ends of the ice while having is own edge to his game as well. While it looks good on paper, they have never been paired together for an extended period of times during their time with the Blues, so only time will tell whether it is a good match.
5-6 DF: Rostislav Klesla – Dmitri Kalinin
Kalinin brings a much needed upgrade to the third pairing in terms of overall skill level, while still being solid in his own end. His presence allows Klesla to play a simple game, while balancing the pairing with a physical edge.
Extra DF: Nolan Baumgartner, Dustin Byfuglien, Josh Gorges
Goal: Marty Turco – Mattieu Garon
While Turco does not have a stellar post-season record in the HFNHL with either the Blues or Bruins, St. Louis is bringing him back for one more year to see whether he can deliver the goods. As a pending UFA, his performance this season will dictate whether the Blues will make an attempt to resign the veteran goalie for next year, as will the performance of Garon when spelling Marty every third or fourth game.
Regardless of their relative success this season, next year's team is likely to look much different. In addition to Turco, Langenbrunner and Brind'Amour are also pending UFA's, while the likes of Heatley, Michalek and Klesla are pending restricted free agents. Despite an increase to the salary cap next season, the pure economics of their current salary commitments and the fair raises required of these players means the Blues simply will not be able to afford all of these players.
While the team is undoubtedly set to establish themselves once again as a perennial regular season power-house and one of the elite HFNHL teams going into the playoffs, no regular season performance will cast aside the general viewpoint on the Blues that they are regular season power, yet a post-season disappointment.
More specifically, despite five straight years of high level regular season performances, the Blues have failed to go beyond the second round all but twice, and one of those appearances was as a playoff underdog with nothing to lose, when as the 7th seed five years ago, they advanced to the conference finals. Even their four year streak of consecutive second round appearances ended last year when they fell in the first round to the upstart Vancouver Canucks.
Interestingly, this year’s version of Blues seems eerily similar to last year’s edition. There are no significant changes in the team’s top two lines other than the expected permanent graduation of Milan Michalek to the second line, and no changes whatsoever to their top 4 on the blueline or in between the pipes.
Indeed, this is perhaps the fewest number of off-season changes the Blues have ever made.
Amongst the forwards, the Blues did shake up their checking line by trading Jeff Halpern and Peter Schaefer and by letting Shawn Bates walk via free agency. In their place Kris Draper is an upgrade at the third line center position, while Dan Paille and Guilluame Latendresse have graduated to full time NHLers amongst the Blues bottom six.
On the blue-line, Nolan Baumgartner lost his #6 position to new arrival Dimitri Kalinin, while Josh Gorges and Dustin Byfuglien have will compete with Baumgartner as first minor league call-up.
If nothing else, the arrival of several young players has given the Blues more organizational depth going forward. Next year, it is expected Andrew Cogliano, Jared Boll and David Bolland will push for playing time themselves, bringing the total to six of Blues forwards drafted.
First line: Dany Heatley – Joe Thornton – Daniel Alfredsson
The Blues hope their top trio can find the chemistry this season they have been unable to find over the last two years. Heatley in particular has never faired too well on this line, however if the preseason is any indication, 2007 might be the year they find their collective mojo. Count on the audition to last ten games before Crawford splits them up to test other combinations amongst the top six.
Second line: Milan Michalek – Rod Brind’Amour – Jamie Langenbrunner
Brind’Amour’s line-mates are typically a bi-product of the top line combination du jour, so look for both Heatley and Alfredsson to get some time alongside Brind’Amour at different times, which means Langenbrunner and Michalek will also see time with Thornton.
Third line: Dan Paille – Kris Draper – Chuck Kobasew
While Paille beat out fellow rookie Latendresse for the third line roll based on his consistent high tempo play and defensive conscience, Lats may see time here on occasion to give the unit a little more offensive punch.
Fourth line: Guillamme Latendresee – Brian Sutherby – Jarkko Ruutu
While all three are big, strong and physical, questions about whether they have the collective discipline to play be positive change of pace amongst the forward units.
Extra forwards: Garth Murray, Simon Gamache, Krys Kolanos
1-2 DF: Chris Pronger – Zdeno Chara
While Crawford has typically opted to split his towers of power, the Blues will open the season with this power combination. The presence of Chara allows Pronger to play a more offensive game.
3-4 DF: Brad Stuart – Brendan Witt
While Witt brings his predictable physicality and belligerence, Stuart is strong at both ends of the ice while having is own edge to his game as well. While it looks good on paper, they have never been paired together for an extended period of times during their time with the Blues, so only time will tell whether it is a good match.
5-6 DF: Rostislav Klesla – Dmitri Kalinin
Kalinin brings a much needed upgrade to the third pairing in terms of overall skill level, while still being solid in his own end. His presence allows Klesla to play a simple game, while balancing the pairing with a physical edge.
Extra DF: Nolan Baumgartner, Dustin Byfuglien, Josh Gorges
Goal: Marty Turco – Mattieu Garon
While Turco does not have a stellar post-season record in the HFNHL with either the Blues or Bruins, St. Louis is bringing him back for one more year to see whether he can deliver the goods. As a pending UFA, his performance this season will dictate whether the Blues will make an attempt to resign the veteran goalie for next year, as will the performance of Garon when spelling Marty every third or fourth game.
Regardless of their relative success this season, next year's team is likely to look much different. In addition to Turco, Langenbrunner and Brind'Amour are also pending UFA's, while the likes of Heatley, Michalek and Klesla are pending restricted free agents. Despite an increase to the salary cap next season, the pure economics of their current salary commitments and the fair raises required of these players means the Blues simply will not be able to afford all of these players.
