This by no means is, or will become, a hockey blog but anyone who knows me knows that Blues hockey is most certainly my #1 interest in this short time I have on Earth. So you can expect a hockey post from time to time: this being one of them.Last season the Blues jumped out to a great start and looked to definitely be a playoff time come April. But it was not to be as the Note limped their way to the end with a dismal second half of the season, missing the playoffs for the third straight season.
So here we are, almost August, roughly 2 months from the start of the 08-09 season and the question on everyone's mind, well mine I guess, is: What have the Blues done to improve and make sure they aren't on the outside looking in come next April.
The answer: Unfortunately not much.
They did address one major need by acquiring goaltender Chris Mason from Nashville, ensuring Blues fans won't have to suffer through anymore painful losses due to the netminding of Hannu Toivenen.
Grinders Jamal Mayers and Ryan Johnson have both been traded away leaving one of the Blues strengths from last season, the penalty kill, in question.
There are some positives to report though. Top prospect TJ Oshie is is now a St. Louis Blue, leaving college after his junior year to play in the NHL. David Perron is a year older and hopefully will continue to improve and become a real offensive threat for this team.
Paul Kariya is in the second year of his three year contract and, although the assists were there last year, the goals were not. Hopefully he can regain the scoring touch. Also, Lee Stempniak cannot possibly have an off a year as he did last year, can he?
Also, the Blues drafted 4th overall in this years entry draft and picked up a stud defensemen by the name of Alex Peterangelo who will start the season with a 10 game tryout in the NHL. Combine him with Eric Johnson and the Blues defense is set for years to come.
Unfortunately, a few of the teams in the Central Division, namely Chicago and Detroit have made some serious splashes in the free agent market and look to be serious competition this season.
---
In other Blues news:
In September, the Blues are releasing a 3rd jersey rumored to be navy blue, featuring the lace-up front and will incorporate the Gateway Arch.
1 comment:
I think what the Blues are really counting on the most is for the current players to start performing up to their potential. I felt we were a very underachieving team last year, with Osgood and Boyes being the exceptions. Once we are about halfway through, we'll have a better idea on what our true strengths and weaknesses are.
-DM
Post a Comment