Confirmed with Link: Blues Sign Clifford

[ChicagoBlues]

But but but we lost a player!!

One single player.

We are so doomed and are never going to be competitive again.

EVER!!!!!!

 

[mk80]

Well if Armstrong’s comment about Steen in the video didn’t signal anything, this signing likely confirms Steen is LTIRetired. Good term and dollars too.

Now hopefully we go out and get a forward that can help the Top 6.

 

[EastonBlues22]

But but but we lost a player!!

One single player.

We are so doomed and are never going to be competitive again.

EVER!!!!!!

It's a team game, sure but individual players matter.

Having an elite defenseman helps cover a lot of team warts, and Pietrangelo to Krug is a big team downgrade even if Krug himself is very good for the sort of player he is. That downgrade alone shouldn't keep the Blues from making the playoffs, but it's not an unreasonable opinion to believe that it's a big enough downgrade to keep them from being a real contender.

Likewise, this team wasn't a real contender until it traded for ROR, which is the closest thing we've had to an elite center in quite awhile. He certainly played like one his first year here when we won the Cup. If we lost ROR and replaced him with, say, Mikael Granlund, then that's probably not going to cut it when it comes to winning a Cup, either.

As someone that I know has been a fan of this team through a whole lot of mediocre years, I would think you would appreciate that having a couple of elite players at key positions is a big part of what separates teams with a real shot from teams that will just be showing up.

 

[The Grouch]

Not a bad signing, especially if Steen is LTIRetired. Though I would've preferred Jesper Fast for 1 million more as he can play further up the depth chart if needed. Also this.....Barbashev - Sundqvist - Fast.....would be sexy!

 

[Em etah Eh]

Not sure how people can be mad or disappointed about this deal. It’s a 1M depth signing. It’s always good to have cheap vets like this that you can leave in the press box instead of letting prospects rot there. Much rather have Clifford in this role than Brouwer...

 

[simon IC]

I Iiked Clifford on LA. I am not sure how much he has left in the tank, but Leaf fans and Kings fans still seem to like him. I am okay with this signing.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

It's a team game, sure but individual players matter.

Having an elite defenseman helps cover a lot of team warts, and Pietrangelo to Krug is a big team downgrade even if Krug himself is very good for the sort of player he is. That downgrade alone shouldn't keep the Blues from making the playoffs, but it's not an unreasonable opinion to believe that it's a big enough downgrade to keep them from being a real contender.

Likewise, this team wasn't a real contender until it traded for ROR, which is the closest thing we've had to an elite center in quite awhile. He certainly played like one his first year here when we won the Cup. If we lost ROR and replaced him with, say, Mikael Granlund, then that's probably not going to cut it when it comes to winning a Cup, either.

As someone that I know has been a fan of this team through a whole lot of mediocre years, I would think you would appreciate that having a couple of elite players at key positions is a big part of what separates teams with a real shot from teams that will just be showing up.

Of course, I get it, but it’s one player.

 

[EastonBlues22]

Of course, I get it, but it’s one player.

For some people, the (perceived?) shift from being a potential contender to not being one is a pretty big deal. Some are handling it better than others, but it's still going to elicit some strong emotions.

Out of curiosity, do you think this team as currently constructed is a legitimate contender?

 

[BlueKnight]

For some people, the (perceived?) shift from being a potential contender to not being one is a pretty big deal. Some are handling it better than others, but it's still going to elicit some strong emotions.

Out of curiosity, do you think this team as currently constructed is a legitimate contender?

The Blues as currently constructed nope they are not a legit contender. They are a pretender at best.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

For some people, the (perceived?) shift from being a potential contender to not being one is a pretty big deal. Some are handling it better than others, but it's still going to elicit some strong emotions.

Out of curiosity, do you think this team as currently constructed is a legitimate contender?

Yes, lots of members here are feeling some very strong emotions; myself not included.

My point is that, while a single player can put a team over the top AND being without a particular single player can sometimes break a team, this Blues team is tough-minded with an all-in attitude.

That is rare in today’s team sports.

This roster, as currently constructed, is probably NOT a Cup contender. The loss of Pietrangelo hurts, but this team sorely needs a top offensive threat as well AND a decent back up goaltender.

With that said, I’ve always been a goaltending and defense/pitching and defense kind of person when it comes to team sports. Strength down the middle is always the key, in my opinion.

I don’t know, EB. I’m sad at the turn of events, but am almost always optimistic that the Blues will overcome.

I just don’t think the loss of Pietrangelo is going to be as much of a problem as some of our members are portraying.

 

[EastonBlues22]

Yes, lots of members here are feeling some very strong emotions; myself not included.

My point is that, while a single player can put a team over the top AND being without a particular single player can sometimes break a team, this Blues team is tough-minded with an all-in attitude.

That is rare in today’s team sports.

This roster, as currently constructed, is probably NOT a Cup contender. The loss of Pietrangelo hurts, but this team sorely needs a top offensive threat as well AND a decent back up goaltender.

With that said, I’ve always been a goaltending and defense/pitching and defense kind of person when it comes to team sports. Strength down the middle is always the key, in my opinion.

I don’t know, EB. I’m sad at the turn of events, but am almost always optimistic that the Blues will overcome.

I just don’t think the loss of Pietrangelo is going to be as much of a problem as some of our members are portraying.

We can certainly hope it won't be.

 

[BlueKnight]

Yes, lots of members here are feeling some very strong emotions; myself not included.

My point is that, while a single player can put a team over the top AND being without a particular single player can sometimes break a team, this Blues team is tough-minded with an all-in attitude.

That is rare in today’s team sports.

This roster, as currently constructed, is probably NOT a Cup contender. The loss of Pietrangelo hurts, but this team sorely needs a top offensive threat as well AND a decent back up goaltender.

With that said, I’ve always been a goaltending and defense/pitching and defense kind of person when it comes to team sports. Strength down the middle is always the key, in my opinion.

I don’t know, EB. I’m sad at the turn of events, but am almost always optimistic that the Blues will overcome.

I just don’t think the loss of Pietrangelo is going to be as much of a problem as some of our members are portraying.

I disagree. So you are ok if the Blues get knocked out in the first round year after year? And Pietrangelo is a lot more important to the Blues than some people realize.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

We can certainly hope it won't be.

I’ve been hanging around here for a loooong time now and have lived through the ups and downs along with you and the rest of us here.

I hope Pietrangelo comes to his senses and signs with the Blues.

 

[simon IC]

Yes, lots of members here are feeling some very strong emotions; myself not included.

My point is that, while a single player can put a team over the top AND being without a particular single player can sometimes break a team, this Blues team is tough-minded with an all-in attitude.

That is rare in today’s team sports.

This roster, as currently constructed, is probably NOT a Cup contender. The loss of Pietrangelo hurts, but this team sorely needs a top offensive threat as well AND a decent back up goaltender.

With that said, I’ve always been a goaltending and defense/pitching and defense kind of person when it comes to team sports. Strength down the middle is always the key, in my opinion.

I don’t know, EB. I’m sad at the turn of events, but am almost always optimistic that the Blues will overcome.

I just don’t think the loss of Pietrangelo is going to be as much of a problem as some of our members are portraying.

But if you are defense first, ( as I am), are you not alarmed at the current makeup of our D corps? I will very grudgingly admit that the loss of Pietrangelo alone is surmountable. What is not surmountable, at least to me, is the loss of Pietrangelo and his replacement with Faulk and Krug.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

I disagree. So you are ok if the Blues get knocked out in the first round year after year? And Pietrangelo is a lot more important to the Blues than some people realize.

Didn’t we just get booted in the first round?

 

[ChicagoBlues]

But if you are defense first, ( as I am), are you not alarmed at the current makeup of our D corps? I will very grudgingly admit that the loss of Pietrangelo alone is surmountable. What is not surmountable, at least to me, is the loss of Pietrangelo and his replacement with Faulk and Krug.

Certainly challenging, my friend.

 

[BlueKnight]

I hope Pietrangelo comes to his senses and signs with the Blues.

I agree with you on this one

Didn’t we just get booted in the first round?

You got me there, But to me I considered that an anomaly considering the circumstances that led up to it.

 

[EastonBlues22]

Didn’t we just get booted in the first round?

It's hard for me to read too much into that, given the circumstances.

The Blues were looking pretty good during the regular season, in spite of losing five of their first eight games, up until it was cancelled. Then nothing for months, and the team (and Binnington) clearly never found its stride during a miniscule ramp up into the playoffs. I'd like to think we would have seen a very different team and result if the season had played out normally.

 

[Zizzle]

Hey Army did leave the door open for Pietro to return. Maybe he will come to his senses? I hope he does resign....Krug, Parakyo, Pietro, Faulk, Scandella, Gunner, Bortozzo would be an awesome D....I would think trading Bozak and Dunn, and then you LTIR Steen and Vladi you would clear up 18M ish? Then go and sign a Hoffman or Tofolli

 

[BlueKnight]

Hey Army did leave the door open for Pietro to return. Maybe he will come to his senses? I hope he does resign....Krug, Parakyo, Pietro, Faulk, Scandella, Gunner, Bortozzo would be an awesome D....I would think trading Bozak and Dunn, and then you LTIR Steen and Vladi you would clear up 18M ish? Then go and sign a Hoffman or Tofolli

Army did say he was keeping the door open, I don't know if it was GM speak or not. And I do hope Petro does come to his senses. I love that D core with Petro on it.

 

[EastonBlues22]

Hey Army did leave the door open for Pietro to return. Maybe he will come to his senses? I hope he does resign....Krug, Parakyo, Pietro, Faulk, Scandella, Gunner, Bortozzo would be an awesome D....I would think trading Bozak and Dunn, and then you LTIR Steen and Vladi you would clear up 18M ish? Then go and sign a Hoffman or Tofolli

"Leave the door open" doesn't mean much if there isn't any contact with Pietrangelo's camp or an offer on the table...which there doesn't seem to be.

 

[Xerloris]

"Leave the door open" doesn't mean much if there isn't any contact with Pietrangelo's camp or an offer on the table...which there doesn't seem to be.

It's not Armstrongs place to go chasing him. If Petro wants to talk he knows the number.

 

[Klank Loves You]

Necessary, but probably not an impactful signing. Have to imagine Steen ends up working with the org at some level.

 

[Eldon Reid]

Not a bad signing.

If somehow Clifford gets put on waivers and clear, it won't hurt our cap space.

 

[Renard]

I remember him as the guy who decked Polak with an uppercut, to the delight of Kings fans, and got clobbered by Reaves later. Clifford seemed to fight only middleweights after the Reaves fight.

Did we really need a past-his-prime middle weight fighter for the 4th line? Fighting is pretty nearly dead in the NHL.