Dr.Sens(e)
Registered User
St. Louis Blues Team Preview 2005-2006
Off-season
After finishing first in the Western Conference for the second straight season and for the second straight season falling short of the Stanley Cup, this time falling to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the Western Conference final, General Manager Nick Quain has made several changes to the Blues, albeit more of a tinkering than overhaul.
Gone are skilled forwards Paul Kariya and Luc Robitaille, both of whom filled the left wing slots on the 2nd and 3rd lines respectively. In are Physical forwards Scott Walker and Tyler Wright, seasoned gritty roll players capable of contributing offensively, albeit not with the productive resume of either Kariya or Robitaille. Management believes the grit quotient was more lacking up front than the need to preserve a high end skill level at every forward position.
Management
Quain has finally reached a position where he can no longer be criticized for failing to spend, as the Blues boasted one of the highest payrolls in the last HNFHL season, and that trend will continue into 2005-2006, despite the new salary cap and luxury tax.
For Quain, his priority has always been that of a defensive team, with this fact marked by the Blues having led the league in fewest shots allowed for the past two seasons. This trend should continue. Quain’s preference has always been to build a physical defensive team from the blue-line out, and for all his faults in building the Blues, the team remains robust on the back-end, complimented by a select group of dynamic franchise forwards
While the Blues steady ascent to the top of the Western conference is now complete and unquestioned, Quain’s task now remains to help guide the Blues to become a perennial threat for the Stanley Cup over the next half decade – and of course, to claim a Cup or two in the process.
Coaching
While head coach Marc Crawford’s track record is unquestioned and his six years of tenure with the Blues remains one of the longest in the HFNHL, many experts still wonder about a potential conflict with Quain. Rumours have persisted over the years that Quain’s defence-first approach in building the Blues has frustrated Crawford at times, who is renowned for advocating a more offensive style of play.
Finances
The Blues remain the envy of the HFNHL, boasting a league high war chest of almost $50 million in cash reserves. Despite the acquisition of several high priced players last season, the Blues made money on the season thanks to substantial playoff revenues and significant endorsement achievements. With only one more year left on Steve Yzerman’s contract of $7.5 million per season, the Blues have the luxury of considering expensive players to add at the deadline.
The main problem for the Blues will continue to be the re-signing of their key franchise players. Lecavalier, Heatley and Pronger all received healthy raises this last season, and its expected Demitra, Chara and McCabe will be expecting the same in the next few years. Keeping the core happy and signed will be the team’s biggest challenge.
Forwards
The Blues boast a formidable top 6 complimented by highly respected veterans and role players throughout their third and fourth lines. They have also added an element of grit over the last year that was lacking in seasons past – especially in the post-season. The following is a unit-by-unit analysis.
1st Line: Pavol Demitra – Joe Thornton – Dany Heatley
The “Flash, Smash and Panache†line was together for the third consecutive season and combined to score 120 goals - an astonishing 1.5 goals per game. They were also a daunting +154, once again causing opposing teams misery as arguably the top offensive unit in the league. All three finished in the top 10 of HFNHL scoring. Look for them to top 120 goals again this year.
2nd Line: Steve Yzerman – Vincent Lecavalier – Scott Walker
With the departure of Kariya, the Blues have clearly indicated they expected bigger and better things from their #2 line. The Prince Vince shall forever remain at the center of this controversy. With a penchant for eye-popping moves, Lecavalier should be well complimented by the savvy Yzerman, along with the abrasive style of Walker, whose goal will be to create more space for his skilled line-mates.
3rd line: Peter Schaefer – Craig Conroy – Matthew Barnaby
The Blues new shut-down unit features the ultimate checking center in Conroy with the veteran the savvy two-way play of Schaefer, and the belligerence of Barnaby. The depth of having Wright waiting on the 4th line, leaves this unit open for adjustment as required.
4th line: Jarko Ruutu – Tyler Wright – Chuck Kobasew
This motley crew combines an intriguing combination of grit, offensive potential and guile. They will be asked to hold their own this season and nothing more.
Depth:
Former Hobey Baker winner Peter Sejna will play in the minors this season, but is ready to provide occasional 4th line support when called upon due to injuries. Dana Lattery and Barrett Ehgoetz remain suspects more than prospects.
Trade Talk:
The Blues have been rumoured to be after a more prolific and durable 2nd line winger to compliment Lecavalier. With the addition of Walker however, it seems Quain is content with the status quo until the right deal arises.
Overall Forward Grade: A-
The Blues top two units are amongst the best in the league, and the addition of Walker and Wright provide additional grit and jam for the supporting lines.
Defence
With all due respect to the likes of Thornton, Heatley, Demitra and Lecavalier, the ‘Dobermans†as Crawford affectionately refers to his virtual dog-pound of big physical blue-liners, remain the strength of the Blues. Lead by perennial Norris candidate Chris Pronger, the Blues boast a monstrous group of rather large and disagreeable defencemen – with an under-rated skill quotient of offensive abilities. And this unit may be together for quite some time, as none of the top 6 are over 30 years of age. The only lingering question is the lack of a right-hand shot on the unit, which could seemingly improve the Blues above average powerplay.
1st Unit: Chris Pronger – Brendan Witt
Pronger remains the team Captain and leader, although Crawford expects to put less of a load on his shoulders this season. This is one of the most formidable physical pairings in the league.
2nd Unit: Zdeno Chara - Bryan McCabe
Chara and McCabe seem like the perfect compliments with one common element – they are both down right nasty.
3rd Unit: Denis Gauthier – Rostislav Klesla
Gauthier keeps the opposing forward’s head’s up, while Klesla continues to be slowly groomed for a top 4 role.
Depth: Nolan Baumgartner, Curtis Leschyshyn, Thomas Pock
Trade Talk:
It is reported Bryan McCabe requested a trade during training camp, and while the Blues are rumoured to have received offers from no less than 10 HFNHL teams for McCabe, they remain content to enter the season at least, with the status quo. If a move is made, any one of McCabe, Witt or Gauthier could be dangled as trade bait.
Overall Defensive Grade: A
The Blues will once again pose a difficult opposition for forwards and most likely continue to lead the league in fewest shots against.
IN GOAL
The Blues finally made the much anticipated move for a top flight goaltender with the acquisition of Nickolai Khabibulin last season. And while Khabibulin did provide adequate goaltending that would be called stabilizing at best, the fact remains he was solid in the playoffs, but hardly the dominant force the Blues had been hoping for. In Khabibulin’s defence, he was injured during the conference final loss to the Ducks and attempted to return before he was 100%.
Former starter Martin Biron remains an extremely reliable back-up with the upside to ultimately take over for Khabibulin, but remains the undisputed #2, and nothing more.
Trade Talk:
There has been speculation the Blues may consider moving Biron as part of a larger trade, but that remains unlikely, as prospect David LeNevau is simply not ready to take over the back-up duties for the Bulin Wall quite yet. If Biron was moved, it would be likely a capable goalie would be part of any return package.
Overall Goalie Grade: A-
A talented pairing with loads of experience, but until a St. Louis goalie shows they can steal a playoff game; it remains a minor question mark.
OUTLOOK
The Blues will once again be amongst the top teams in the Western conference, and seem likely to challenge for the President’s Trophy. However, it is the playoffs that this team will be judged, and anything short of an appearance in the Stanley Cup final will be considered a disappointment.
Blues Top 25 Prospects
With the graduation of Chuck Kobasew to the pro ranks, David LeNevau moves to the top of the list:
1. David LeNevau, G
2. Daniel Paille, F
3. David Bolland, F
4. Guillaume Latendresse, F
5. Andrew Cogliano, F
6. Adam Pineault, F
7. Peter Sejna, F
8. Brendan Mickelsson, D
9. Thomas Pock, D
10. Michael Garnett, G
11. Colin McDonald, F
12. Josh Gorges, D
13. Zach Fitzgerald, D
14. Paul Bissonette, D
15. Ryan Garlock, F
16. Nate Hagemo, D
17. Denis Denisov, D
18. Dustin Byfuglien, D-F
19. Garth Murray, F
20. John Laliberte, F
21. Richard Demen-Willaume, D
22. Oskars Bartulis, D
23. Fredrik Pettersson. F
24. Jared Boll, F
25. Kris Hogg, F
Off-season
After finishing first in the Western Conference for the second straight season and for the second straight season falling short of the Stanley Cup, this time falling to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the Western Conference final, General Manager Nick Quain has made several changes to the Blues, albeit more of a tinkering than overhaul.
Gone are skilled forwards Paul Kariya and Luc Robitaille, both of whom filled the left wing slots on the 2nd and 3rd lines respectively. In are Physical forwards Scott Walker and Tyler Wright, seasoned gritty roll players capable of contributing offensively, albeit not with the productive resume of either Kariya or Robitaille. Management believes the grit quotient was more lacking up front than the need to preserve a high end skill level at every forward position.
Management
Quain has finally reached a position where he can no longer be criticized for failing to spend, as the Blues boasted one of the highest payrolls in the last HNFHL season, and that trend will continue into 2005-2006, despite the new salary cap and luxury tax.
For Quain, his priority has always been that of a defensive team, with this fact marked by the Blues having led the league in fewest shots allowed for the past two seasons. This trend should continue. Quain’s preference has always been to build a physical defensive team from the blue-line out, and for all his faults in building the Blues, the team remains robust on the back-end, complimented by a select group of dynamic franchise forwards
While the Blues steady ascent to the top of the Western conference is now complete and unquestioned, Quain’s task now remains to help guide the Blues to become a perennial threat for the Stanley Cup over the next half decade – and of course, to claim a Cup or two in the process.
Coaching
While head coach Marc Crawford’s track record is unquestioned and his six years of tenure with the Blues remains one of the longest in the HFNHL, many experts still wonder about a potential conflict with Quain. Rumours have persisted over the years that Quain’s defence-first approach in building the Blues has frustrated Crawford at times, who is renowned for advocating a more offensive style of play.
Finances
The Blues remain the envy of the HFNHL, boasting a league high war chest of almost $50 million in cash reserves. Despite the acquisition of several high priced players last season, the Blues made money on the season thanks to substantial playoff revenues and significant endorsement achievements. With only one more year left on Steve Yzerman’s contract of $7.5 million per season, the Blues have the luxury of considering expensive players to add at the deadline.
The main problem for the Blues will continue to be the re-signing of their key franchise players. Lecavalier, Heatley and Pronger all received healthy raises this last season, and its expected Demitra, Chara and McCabe will be expecting the same in the next few years. Keeping the core happy and signed will be the team’s biggest challenge.
Forwards
The Blues boast a formidable top 6 complimented by highly respected veterans and role players throughout their third and fourth lines. They have also added an element of grit over the last year that was lacking in seasons past – especially in the post-season. The following is a unit-by-unit analysis.
1st Line: Pavol Demitra – Joe Thornton – Dany Heatley
The “Flash, Smash and Panache†line was together for the third consecutive season and combined to score 120 goals - an astonishing 1.5 goals per game. They were also a daunting +154, once again causing opposing teams misery as arguably the top offensive unit in the league. All three finished in the top 10 of HFNHL scoring. Look for them to top 120 goals again this year.
2nd Line: Steve Yzerman – Vincent Lecavalier – Scott Walker
With the departure of Kariya, the Blues have clearly indicated they expected bigger and better things from their #2 line. The Prince Vince shall forever remain at the center of this controversy. With a penchant for eye-popping moves, Lecavalier should be well complimented by the savvy Yzerman, along with the abrasive style of Walker, whose goal will be to create more space for his skilled line-mates.
3rd line: Peter Schaefer – Craig Conroy – Matthew Barnaby
The Blues new shut-down unit features the ultimate checking center in Conroy with the veteran the savvy two-way play of Schaefer, and the belligerence of Barnaby. The depth of having Wright waiting on the 4th line, leaves this unit open for adjustment as required.
4th line: Jarko Ruutu – Tyler Wright – Chuck Kobasew
This motley crew combines an intriguing combination of grit, offensive potential and guile. They will be asked to hold their own this season and nothing more.
Depth:
Former Hobey Baker winner Peter Sejna will play in the minors this season, but is ready to provide occasional 4th line support when called upon due to injuries. Dana Lattery and Barrett Ehgoetz remain suspects more than prospects.
Trade Talk:
The Blues have been rumoured to be after a more prolific and durable 2nd line winger to compliment Lecavalier. With the addition of Walker however, it seems Quain is content with the status quo until the right deal arises.
Overall Forward Grade: A-
The Blues top two units are amongst the best in the league, and the addition of Walker and Wright provide additional grit and jam for the supporting lines.
Defence
With all due respect to the likes of Thornton, Heatley, Demitra and Lecavalier, the ‘Dobermans†as Crawford affectionately refers to his virtual dog-pound of big physical blue-liners, remain the strength of the Blues. Lead by perennial Norris candidate Chris Pronger, the Blues boast a monstrous group of rather large and disagreeable defencemen – with an under-rated skill quotient of offensive abilities. And this unit may be together for quite some time, as none of the top 6 are over 30 years of age. The only lingering question is the lack of a right-hand shot on the unit, which could seemingly improve the Blues above average powerplay.
1st Unit: Chris Pronger – Brendan Witt
Pronger remains the team Captain and leader, although Crawford expects to put less of a load on his shoulders this season. This is one of the most formidable physical pairings in the league.
2nd Unit: Zdeno Chara - Bryan McCabe
Chara and McCabe seem like the perfect compliments with one common element – they are both down right nasty.
3rd Unit: Denis Gauthier – Rostislav Klesla
Gauthier keeps the opposing forward’s head’s up, while Klesla continues to be slowly groomed for a top 4 role.
Depth: Nolan Baumgartner, Curtis Leschyshyn, Thomas Pock
Trade Talk:
It is reported Bryan McCabe requested a trade during training camp, and while the Blues are rumoured to have received offers from no less than 10 HFNHL teams for McCabe, they remain content to enter the season at least, with the status quo. If a move is made, any one of McCabe, Witt or Gauthier could be dangled as trade bait.
Overall Defensive Grade: A
The Blues will once again pose a difficult opposition for forwards and most likely continue to lead the league in fewest shots against.
IN GOAL
The Blues finally made the much anticipated move for a top flight goaltender with the acquisition of Nickolai Khabibulin last season. And while Khabibulin did provide adequate goaltending that would be called stabilizing at best, the fact remains he was solid in the playoffs, but hardly the dominant force the Blues had been hoping for. In Khabibulin’s defence, he was injured during the conference final loss to the Ducks and attempted to return before he was 100%.
Former starter Martin Biron remains an extremely reliable back-up with the upside to ultimately take over for Khabibulin, but remains the undisputed #2, and nothing more.
Trade Talk:
There has been speculation the Blues may consider moving Biron as part of a larger trade, but that remains unlikely, as prospect David LeNevau is simply not ready to take over the back-up duties for the Bulin Wall quite yet. If Biron was moved, it would be likely a capable goalie would be part of any return package.
Overall Goalie Grade: A-
A talented pairing with loads of experience, but until a St. Louis goalie shows they can steal a playoff game; it remains a minor question mark.
OUTLOOK
The Blues will once again be amongst the top teams in the Western conference, and seem likely to challenge for the President’s Trophy. However, it is the playoffs that this team will be judged, and anything short of an appearance in the Stanley Cup final will be considered a disappointment.
Blues Top 25 Prospects
With the graduation of Chuck Kobasew to the pro ranks, David LeNevau moves to the top of the list:
1. David LeNevau, G
2. Daniel Paille, F
3. David Bolland, F
4. Guillaume Latendresse, F
5. Andrew Cogliano, F
6. Adam Pineault, F
7. Peter Sejna, F
8. Brendan Mickelsson, D
9. Thomas Pock, D
10. Michael Garnett, G
11. Colin McDonald, F
12. Josh Gorges, D
13. Zach Fitzgerald, D
14. Paul Bissonette, D
15. Ryan Garlock, F
16. Nate Hagemo, D
17. Denis Denisov, D
18. Dustin Byfuglien, D-F
19. Garth Murray, F
20. John Laliberte, F
21. Richard Demen-Willaume, D
22. Oskars Bartulis, D
23. Fredrik Pettersson. F
24. Jared Boll, F
25. Kris Hogg, F
