Tuesday, July 10, 2012
The Blues make two moves
Today the Blues started off the day by re-signing right winger Jamie Langenbrunner to a 1 year extension worth $1.25 million. The contract was reported to contain a $250k performance bonus as well. Langenbrunner was with the Blues last season and recorded 6 goals and 24 points in 70 games.
The second move that was made involved the Blues trading right winger BJ Crombeen and the team's 2014 5th round draft pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Tampa's 2013 and 2014 4th round draft picks.
This move was undoubtedly was in response to Langenbrunner committing to the team and leaving little ice time available for Crombeen.
The Blues managed to shed a contract and a little bit of money while acquiring two future draft picks in the process.
Many speculate that those picks will be involved in a bigger trade later on for either a top pairing defenseman or a veteran scoring forward.
Doug Armstrong is on record saying that he wishes to trade draft picks at this point to upgrade the team as he doesn't wish to dismantle the core in order to get what he wants.
We will see what the rest of the summer will bring as the Blues start getting their roster in order for the upcoming 2012/2013 regular season in September.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
The Blues Goalie Situation
What happens now?
The Blues have too many goalies in the organization.
With the signing of Brian Elliott to a two year $3.9 million extension, the Blues have decided to trust the net-minding duties to him and Jaroslav Halak for the next two years.
Ben Bishop was hopeful for his chance to play for the Blues at some point this season but it looks like with the continued stellar play between the Jaro and Elliott, that he won't be getting a look unless one of those two goes down with an injury.
The writing is on the wall for Big Ben so-to-speak.
Not to mention the Blues also have another top young goalie prospect in Peoria named Jake Allen. I'm sure the Blues would like to see him grab some minutes in Peoria as well...
The other factor that has come into play is that Ben Bishop will become an Unrestricted Free Agent in July if the club elects to not play him for 15 NHL games (as well as at least 30 minutes during each of those games). If the Blues do not meet those requirements then Ben Bishop is not eligible for Restricted Free Agency and the Blues will lose his rights July 1.
It will be interesting to see if they decide to
A.) Trade Bishop
B.) Trade Halak or Elliot
C.) Send Elliott to the minors in favor for calling up Ben and getting him those games played for Restricted Free Agency qualification
D.) Wait until the offseason and see if he will re-sign with the Blues or potentially risk him walking on July 1 and not turning him into any assets.
I will support whatever management decision that Doug Armstrong and the Front Office decide to choose but it will be interesting what happens indeed.
Among the teams interested in Bishop (based solely on speculation and rumors):
Tampa Bay Lightning
Anaheim Ducks
New York Islanders
Edmonton Oilers
Buffalo Sabres
The Blues have too many goalies in the organization.
With the signing of Brian Elliott to a two year $3.9 million extension, the Blues have decided to trust the net-minding duties to him and Jaroslav Halak for the next two years.
Ben Bishop was hopeful for his chance to play for the Blues at some point this season but it looks like with the continued stellar play between the Jaro and Elliott, that he won't be getting a look unless one of those two goes down with an injury.
The writing is on the wall for Big Ben so-to-speak.
Not to mention the Blues also have another top young goalie prospect in Peoria named Jake Allen. I'm sure the Blues would like to see him grab some minutes in Peoria as well...
The other factor that has come into play is that Ben Bishop will become an Unrestricted Free Agent in July if the club elects to not play him for 15 NHL games (as well as at least 30 minutes during each of those games). If the Blues do not meet those requirements then Ben Bishop is not eligible for Restricted Free Agency and the Blues will lose his rights July 1.
It will be interesting to see if they decide to
A.) Trade Bishop
B.) Trade Halak or Elliot
C.) Send Elliott to the minors in favor for calling up Ben and getting him those games played for Restricted Free Agency qualification
D.) Wait until the offseason and see if he will re-sign with the Blues or potentially risk him walking on July 1 and not turning him into any assets.
I will support whatever management decision that Doug Armstrong and the Front Office decide to choose but it will be interesting what happens indeed.
Among the teams interested in Bishop (based solely on speculation and rumors):
Tampa Bay Lightning
Anaheim Ducks
New York Islanders
Edmonton Oilers
Buffalo Sabres
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Much Needed Update
It's been a few month but I'm back to posting on the good old Blues blog.
So much has happened since the firing of Davis Payne and the hiring of Ken Hitchcock as head coach.
The Blues started gaining chemistry from each other and playing as a defensive unit.
The powerplay really hasn't improved much but it seems to be getting a little bit better every game.
The biggest surprise by far has been Brian Elliott. His play allowed the Blues to salvage a poor October and go into the rest with a force behind them in net.
Jaroslav Halak has especially benefited from him as he has improved his overall goals against and save percentage to one of the best in the league.
Speaking of Elliott, if you missed it the Blues just re-signed the 26 year old net minder to a very budget friendly 3.8 million dollar deal over the next 2 years.
This opens up a very interesting situation in net going forward.
Not only do the Blues have two stellar NHL goalies in Halak and Elliott, but they also have two top goalie prospects in Bishop and Allen in Peoria. Could they be thinking about trading one of these two in order to bring in a goal scorer for the snakebitten offense?
I know I for one am on board with that idea.
More to come.
So much has happened since the firing of Davis Payne and the hiring of Ken Hitchcock as head coach.
The Blues started gaining chemistry from each other and playing as a defensive unit.
The powerplay really hasn't improved much but it seems to be getting a little bit better every game.
The biggest surprise by far has been Brian Elliott. His play allowed the Blues to salvage a poor October and go into the rest with a force behind them in net.
Jaroslav Halak has especially benefited from him as he has improved his overall goals against and save percentage to one of the best in the league.
Speaking of Elliott, if you missed it the Blues just re-signed the 26 year old net minder to a very budget friendly 3.8 million dollar deal over the next 2 years.
This opens up a very interesting situation in net going forward.
Not only do the Blues have two stellar NHL goalies in Halak and Elliott, but they also have two top goalie prospects in Bishop and Allen in Peoria. Could they be thinking about trading one of these two in order to bring in a goal scorer for the snakebitten offense?
I know I for one am on board with that idea.
More to come.
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