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(AP) St. Louis: In what can only be seen as a slight step backwards in their quest for the Stanley Cup, St. Louis shipped out all-star defenceman Bryan McCabe in a deal meant to shake-up the slumping Blues.
Along with McCabe, Matthew Barnaby and a 4th round pick in the 2006 draft were sent to Boston in exchange for rear-guard Brad Stuart, forward Alyn McCauley and the Bruins 1st round pick in 2006.
Going into last night’s 5-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche, the Blues had lost three consecutive games to division rivals Detroit and Columbus, in addition to the Bruins, the at which game the deal was finalized by both team’s General Managers.
“This is not a panic move.†claimed Blues General Manager Nick Quain. “We have been discussing moving McCabe since training camp and some times these deals take a whileâ€.
“This is a good long-term and short-term deal for this team, both in terms of the expectation both players will contribute right away and will also be with us for many years to come.â€
In Stuart, the Blues get a capable replacement for McCabe, albeit a player that has yet to achieve the potential some envisioned when he was selected 3rd overall behind Vincent Lecavalier and David Legwand in the 1998 Entry draft.
McCauley is seen as a better checker and long-term upgrade over Barnaby, who had shown a penchant for ill-timed penalties this season. The Blues currently lead the HFNHL is penalty minutes, averaging a whopping 13.1 minutes per game, more than double that of their division rivals in Detroit.
The Bruins top pick is expected to be at the end of the first round, likely right beside the Blues own 1st rounder.
Quain also went on to say the Blues are likely not finished with their deal making and could bring in another forward before the trade deadline, one that would ideally add to the potency of the 2nd line. But he also insisted he would be comfortable going into the playoffs with this team if the right deal can be made.
The initial reaction of St. Louis fans was one of distrust, as many questioned Blues management’s commitment to the Cup. There have been high expectations and Stanley cup aspirations for several years now, hopes that have thus far gone unrealized.
Over the last three seasons, the Blues have lost in the finals of the Western Conference twice (to San Jose in 2002 and Anaheim in 2004), in addition to falling to the Red Wings in the conference semi-finals (2003). While the Blues were considered a dark horse during their playoff run in 2002, the losses to the Red Wings and Ducks were both considered upsets given the Blues were the top seed in the western conference in both years.
Suffice it to say, anything short of a Stanley Cup appearance will be considered a major disappointment in the Show Me State this season.
Along with McCabe, Matthew Barnaby and a 4th round pick in the 2006 draft were sent to Boston in exchange for rear-guard Brad Stuart, forward Alyn McCauley and the Bruins 1st round pick in 2006.
Going into last night’s 5-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche, the Blues had lost three consecutive games to division rivals Detroit and Columbus, in addition to the Bruins, the at which game the deal was finalized by both team’s General Managers.
“This is not a panic move.†claimed Blues General Manager Nick Quain. “We have been discussing moving McCabe since training camp and some times these deals take a whileâ€.
“This is a good long-term and short-term deal for this team, both in terms of the expectation both players will contribute right away and will also be with us for many years to come.â€
In Stuart, the Blues get a capable replacement for McCabe, albeit a player that has yet to achieve the potential some envisioned when he was selected 3rd overall behind Vincent Lecavalier and David Legwand in the 1998 Entry draft.
McCauley is seen as a better checker and long-term upgrade over Barnaby, who had shown a penchant for ill-timed penalties this season. The Blues currently lead the HFNHL is penalty minutes, averaging a whopping 13.1 minutes per game, more than double that of their division rivals in Detroit.
The Bruins top pick is expected to be at the end of the first round, likely right beside the Blues own 1st rounder.
Quain also went on to say the Blues are likely not finished with their deal making and could bring in another forward before the trade deadline, one that would ideally add to the potency of the 2nd line. But he also insisted he would be comfortable going into the playoffs with this team if the right deal can be made.
The initial reaction of St. Louis fans was one of distrust, as many questioned Blues management’s commitment to the Cup. There have been high expectations and Stanley cup aspirations for several years now, hopes that have thus far gone unrealized.
Over the last three seasons, the Blues have lost in the finals of the Western Conference twice (to San Jose in 2002 and Anaheim in 2004), in addition to falling to the Red Wings in the conference semi-finals (2003). While the Blues were considered a dark horse during their playoff run in 2002, the losses to the Red Wings and Ducks were both considered upsets given the Blues were the top seed in the western conference in both years.
Suffice it to say, anything short of a Stanley Cup appearance will be considered a major disappointment in the Show Me State this season.
