Stuff the box.

Please go and vote between 11 pm tonight and midnight on the 4th for Hockeyville! Dan Snyder's hometown of Woolwich, ON, is a finalist, and winnings will go to complete the Woolwich Memorial Centre which includes the Dan Snyder Memorial Arena.

Get out of his way...

No, really, GET OUT OF HIS WAY. Jimmy's back, and if you don' move he'll use you as his breaks.

Jimmy Slater, stopping after a long shift.

Slater's off the IR. Now the question is, who gets sent down? Poor Stuart, I guess...

Kovy calls out Sid. Again.

We all know the finger point. Heck, it's even become the logo of the awesome Kovalchuk Army gear that's sold for charity.

PuckDaddy had an interesting write up where more players hop on the "Crosby needs to chill" bandwagon, and one of them happened to be our Kovy, who has made known several times that he thinks Crosby talks too damned much.

More of this to be translated later (like the parts where he says that he likes Atlanta - ha!), but I just found this to be hysterical:

Not long ago Washington played Pittsburgh. And Alex Ovechkin showed a sign to Crosby that might have meant less talk. Did he learn it from you? I remember that when [during one game] Crosby was given a penalty and you scored a goal, you pointed at him with your glove, and that gesture became famous in Atlanta.

KOVALCHUK: "These are emotions. Ovechkin did everything right. [You] have to play hockey. Show on the ice what you are capable of. And the weak talk a lot. Ovechkin proved everything - scored a goal and Washington won. He had a full right to his gesture."

Yay for blunt and to the point Kovy! He's really been stepping that up recently as well. I'm glad that he's found his fire... and to think, all that it took was finally freaking naming him Captain.

Out of the Doldrums

The Preds just *had* to win last night to keep us from hopping into 11th, didn't they? I won't complain, though - the Blues defeated the Stars last night 3-1 to move into 12th and only 3 points out of a playoff spot. One game down, 2 to go before the deadline... I have a weird feeling that Walt shall be around for a while.

Chris Mason has started 17 games in a row, and has moved to 10-3-4 in that time period, which is an amazing turn-around for someone who started the year by having his butt handed to him by the Isles. He also managed 41 saves last night, which means my fantasy team is very happy. The team is 8-2-4 in it's last 14 games and has only 6 regulation losses in 2 months. Next up? Phoenix on Saturday.

Kovy scored yet another goal last night, bringing his total for the year up to 32 and scoring his 11th in 7 games. Yeah, I think his little slump's done. The Todd scored, making it his 6th point in 6 games. If we manage to win tomorrow against the Canes, we'll have our first winning month of the season. Yaaaay.

Trade Deadline Fun!

The deadline's Wednesday, so get your TSN trade tickers ready! Everyone knows that the Thrashers will be sellers... 18 points out, 2nd to last place... the question with them is who. A few names tossed about are Army and Reasoner, who should be two of our top extension/ signing interests. I'm not really going to pretend that I care deeply who leaves. The impact players are safe this year, unlike last year when Hossa wanted to run far, far away.

The Blues are a bit more interesting. A win tonight gets them into 12th in the West and what, 4 points back? Do you blow up the team or do to stand pat? Davidson's made it clear that the next three games decides Walt's future. We come out of those with points, and he stays. But, well, what about the games that come afterward? Just because we don't make it out with 6 points doesn't mean we fall in the standings. Barring a slide like last year, we could be in this until the end.

Davidson seems to realize this, too.

So happy, they'd consider using some of the kids as trade bait for a veteran, or at least entertain the notion.

"Are we ready to take a step where we trade two young kids for a really good player that may help us a lot?," Davidson said. "It depends on that guy's contract, how old he is. It depends on whether we're ready for that, or is it a year or two away yet.

"But we're at least in a position now as an organization that we can think about stuff like this."

Veeeerry interesting. Of course, there's always this.

Rumors have been flying around about Keith Tkachuk being traded to all different teams, particularily the Bruins for high-end prospects or teams that are high in the draft picks (Islanders, Lightning, Maple Leafs, that sort).

I am here to tell you, that when Keith Tkachuk re-signed with the Blues last year, he added a No-Trade Clause. He's said a couple times that he isn't going to waive it and he'd rather stay in St. Louis, where he plans to stay after he retires from the NHL.

That is sad news to many teams who would love to have his offensive prowess in front of the net, tipping shots and knocking home rebounds (what better way to get all those goals?).

I really want to see Tkachuk retire a Blue, but the issue is, when does he retire? If he goes at the end of next year, do we rent him for picks and then re-sign? Do we keep hope alive for this year and re-sign him for another season? It's all in the best interests of your club. Heck, Ryan Whitney got shipped to the Ducks, who are either building their D core or working to dump Pronger. How about a Brewer for Pronger deal? It's worked before...

Things I discovered today...

It's not hockey related, but I AM starving, so I decided to putter around on the origins of food. I knew that the ice cream cone was invented at the 1904 World's Fair, but I never knew that the crab freaking rangoon was too. Best food ever, and I shall probably make a butt-ton of these for dinner tonight.

Also distinctly St. Louisan? Pork steaks. Weird... I guess growing up eating them all of the time made me just think that everyone was that smart. Other foods I miss and damn well better be eating over spring break: Ted Drewes Concretes, toasted ravioli, and Imo's Pizza. And anything coming from the Hill. And, well... about half of this website. God, I hate Atlanta food. It's not bad, it's just not... unique in any way, shape, form, or fashion. This is what happens when you have no immigrant community. Grits. Take that as a warning.

This Cardinals Opening Day trip better not get screwed up.

If you recall...

Looks like it's time for the return of the Stastny. His 14 day conditioning stint is done, and he is good to go. Not sure who, if anyone, the Blues'll re-assign to Peoria.

EDIT: Maybe we'll assign Yan back to the Rivermen. He's been put on waivers, and I'm not sure if anyone'll claim him. Hey, Thrashers - you want ANOTHER center? At least this one can knock people around. If we trade Reasoner (sigh) since he's a UFA for picks, he'd be a replacement in a pinch, albiet one who can't score and who has a lower FO% than any of our current centers.

Yep. Expect to see him in Thrasher Blue by tomorrow. He seems to fit the bill.

Stupid Finn.

No, I'm not complaining about Kari. Pekka Rinne is a beast. Amazing. But did he really have to show it last night? 0-0 going into OT, and Nashville and St. Louis still wind up with 3 points each from this home-home series. We should be 2 points out of a playoff spot, not 5. Yes, there's still plenty of time to make this up, but it still annoys me and makes me nervous, because God only knows what is coming in the future.

Something to smile about - February has been very, very good for the Blues. Out of 11 games played in February, we’re 5-2-4, and have gotten 14 out of 22 possible points. That’s not horrible. We’ve only lost 6 games in regulation in 2 months. We're playing like a contender, because we are. This season can probably be considered season number one of the true re-build. We are going to be a force next year.

Speaking of rebuilding parts... Johnson was back on skates the other day for the first time since the Golf Cart Incident. Hopefully he'll be back in time for the mother of all road trips to Sweden next year.

I'm really enthuastic about the road trip, but it robs me of a chance to see the Blues pre-season next year, and possibly during the season. :( I hate being out of market.

*nom nom nom*

Looking to take a bite...

The Sharks and Preds are both looking to take a chomp out of my two teams today - gotta love a 4:00 start time on a Saturday, and a Center Ice free preview. I should be in a hockey coma for about 8 hours.

I'm not really betting on the Thrashers (EC just busted his butt on the faceoff - cute), but Kovy & Stuart are on fire, and Boris is playing, so it should be at least fun.

I'm WAY more concerned about the Blues/Preds game tonight... we're only 5 points out of a playoff spot, and 1 point back from them. We ABSOLUTELY need to win tonight, and I think that we can. There's a good write-up in the News Democrat on Mason and how they've turned themself into a team that can be a contender for a playoff spot.

Here's hoping they can turn themselves into more than that - we're getting more people back from injury (Polak's back after 13 games) and we're really busting it.

Finally!

Being called up almost a week ago has gotten Jordan LaVallee a lot of time on the bench, but not tonight. Boults might be the scratch (because it doesn't hurt his psyche to be one) tonight in Phoenix. This is a good move, because Boults might, um... come in handy in San Jose Saturday night.

I really think that we have a chance tonight... we're not the "fragile" team for once.

gag

The Blues proved last night that they really don't seem to be clutch when it counts, which is a hallmark of a playoff team. A win would have tied us with the Preds and pushed us into 12th. We rally back after a first period of not showing up, and get within 1 (and a couple of times LITERALLY have the puck dropped in front of Steve Mason with no one there to tap it in)... and can't convert.

A win tonight could put us in the same position, and Nashville just got killed by the Red Wings (poor Suter... getting beaten up by Hossa) last night, so there is hope. Just not a ton. My main goal is that we save face as a team and not finish in the cellar... we're not basement dwellers like the Isles, and we need to prove that.

Speaking of basement dwellers, the Thrashers have a chance for a 5th straight road win on this improbably 2-0 so far West Coast vacation tonight when they hope to give the 'Yotes their 7th straight home loss. Ahh, yes, the battle of the teams who have weak ownership and who don't have faith in the security of the franchise. This should be brilliant.

Let's see if Kovy can net a few more. He has about 15 to go before he catches AO. He can do it. Or, at least, he can nail 40 goals this season and make up for the slow start. Note to Kovy - have more babies.

From the only guy at Hockeybuzz who knows what he's doing...

Andy Strickland has a new blurb up about McKee and the possibility that he'll be moved soon.

More interestingly, he has this:

Blues Clues!


Blues CEO Peter McLoughlin has had conversations with the St. Louis Cardinals within the last few weeks regarding Busch Stadium hosting the 2011 NHL outdoor game.

The Cardinals are definitely interested and the Blues have contacted the necessary people with the NHL expressing serious interest.

The Blues are hoping to re-open the Kiel Opera House in December, 2010 with a Christmas show.

The Blues are also hoping to host the 2011 NHL All-Star game and are following the necessary steps to make this a reality.

How wonderful would this be for the city? MLB and NHL All-Star games within 2 years of each other? I'm not sure how the Winter Classic'd work out. Busch'd be a beautiful place, but... the weather's too wonky. It'd probably wind up being 65 and sunny that year. I'm just psyched for the opening day game in Sweden. And, of course, I'm thrilled at all the attention and love the Cards and Blues are getting... as they should be.

I'll do a post on the roast duck...

... tomorrow some time, as well as some sort of post on the Kings game that I will sleep through.

But in better news... Blues beat the Rags 2-1. Blues got 2 more points. Blues are in 13th place in the West, only 6 points back! We are amazing, we're playing well against all odds, and we are proof that a franchise with a real plan can succeed. Enough said.

Schneider Traded to Habs...

Goin' back to the Bleu, Blanc, et Rouge

Per TSN, we get a 2nd and 3rd round pick plus a conditional one. What - did anyone expect an actual player to use NOW? Pffft. We need young uns.

Good to hear. I'm interested to see who they pair with Bogosian now from here on out. I would assume it would still be a vet for the rest of the season. Perhaps we WILL get a chance to see Boris in action tonight.

I appreciate Schneider's help with Bogosian and wish him the best back home with the Habs. I think he'll fit better with their style than he did with ours anyway.

EDIT: Specs from Ben's Tweet (Twit? Twitter? Whatev.):

2009 3rd Round pick (the Ducks'), 2010 2nd round, conditional 2009 3rd round.

New addition to the Bogo Blog.

THIS one is especially cool, as he's blogging about being Armenian, which is something I know full and well about, since I'm one too. :)

I enjoy getting a chance to read what Zach has to say - our team needs to promote the personalities of the guys more, and this (along with Kovy's special tonight) are a great start.

SportSouth Presents Under The Lights: Ilya Kovalchuk

Finally... because the Blue Crew one was just getting stupid (JUST getting??) SportSouth has decided to start covering our players. I have to give props to Kovy on owning a poodle. I really, really do.

This debuts Monday at 10 before we play the Kings and I go to bed early.

Take THAT, Blackhawks.

Dude, Andy Mac, you just came back. Take it easy, huh?

Mason is the only Blues goalie to shut them out twice in the same year with our 1-0 win last night. It really was a battle of the goaltenders, but the better (well, in my biased opinion) one won. Mason stopped 22 shots to help us be 4-0-1 against the resurgent "OMFG THEY'RE AWESOME!!!!!111!!!!" Chicago team that the whole league drools over.

Yes, they used to suck. Yes, their owner who recently died killed the fan base by not allowing them on TV. But I can't help but think that some of these people who are all about them are bandwagon fans, who took 10 years off of the team while they sucked and have just now rediscovered them. You know, the ones who own 2 jerseys - Chelios and Kane. I can't say that I know a single Blues fan who has dropped the team like that, even over the past 4 years where we have been rebuilding, and doing quite well at that thank you. There's been a team here since 1993 and the golden days of the Golden Brett, but I can't say the same for the Blackhawks.

And, in case no one's noticed, we're not in last place. Sadly, the wins we should have had over Vancouver and Nashville (which I am still upset about, and we'll be kicking ourselves later on) would have given us 56 points instead of the 53 that we have now, which'd be good for 11th place instead of our current 14th. There's still time left, though, and I'm amazed that we're in the playoff hunt. Proof positive that intelligent drafting, cultivating talent from within, and a great ownership group can turn a team around.

I would ask if the Atlanta Spirit is paying attention, but they have a lawsuit to settle. BTW, this was the Blues 20th sellout this year. How many have the Thrashers managed? Hell, how many have the Thrashers managed to actually get more than 10,000 INTO THE ARENA? 3?

I'm gonna sit down riiiiight... *WHUMP*

God bless Boults. Sometimes it's the big guys who are the biggest hoots.

Yan Coming Back?

Just happy to be anywhere.

Andy Mac is back, and it looks like Yan Stastny is set to make a return soon... he's playing with the Rivermen right now on a conditioning stint. Awesomeness. I hope that we get some semblance of the roster we're supposed to have by a time during the year that it still matters.

And the Riverfront Times has a perfect analogy for what happened Tuesday night: Pulling an Izzy. I think it needs to catch on.

Not THAT horrible!

Yes, we lost to the Blackhawks 3-1, but one of those was an EN. The only reason we lost was Khabby. That's it. We had about 15 more SOG (I believe) than them, and 2 goals were disallowed - one after the horn to end the 2nd and one because they didn't feel like really checking to see that the puck was in. I'm happy with how we played, and if there is such a thing as a moral victory in hockey, THAT was one. Kari was sharp, Kovy was AMAZING considering he probably is getting 2 hours of sleep a night, and really, I can't think of anyone I had a beef with. They all looked good. I hope that the Thrashers tenderized them for the Blues Friday.

Speaking of El Blues, and you know, how they need to win tonight against the Preds because we are only three points behind them, I met a really nice guy in a Blues jersey last night - I think he wore it to counteract all the Blackhawk mojo. I think it worked. Maybe I should wear mine to the Detroit game to make their heads explode.

On a very happy note, congrats to Kovy on the birth of his son, Philipp, and to Marty Reasoner, whose wife gave birth to a baby girl yesterday. I suppose that's a legit reason to miss a game.

The hockey gods giveth...

... and the Blues take away. One win... 5 points out of 8th. All we need. We BLOW a 3-1 lead to allow the Canucks to come back and win. Horrible, sloppy, just bad 3rd period play. Why is there this mentality that we're better than we really are so we can goof off? We need to focus and realize that while we're on the doorstep of the playoffs, we're not sitting on his couch munching Cheetos quite yet.

Kari was a wall last night, BTW. The Thrashers managed to beat Tampa Bay 2-1 (Stuart and Kovy, who made SURE that the puck went into the empty netter this time). Tonight we're playing the Blackhawks, who I was sure would just wipe the ice with us. And then I read this:

Marty Reasoner is doubtful for tonight and several other forwards are sick and/or dinged up. That might lead John Anderson to dress seven or eight defensemen and play one of two of them as forwards. He mentioned Zach Bogosian as a possible candidate but liked the idea of Oystrick or Valabik playing as a checking forward. Or how about Enstrom as a forward, since Anderson has been trying to get him going offensively all season? The coach didn't rule it out.

Fun! My money's on Toby and Bogosian actually working out ok, since they're fast, can puck handle, and tend to be a bit more offensively minded.

Andy, oh Andy Mac...

When are you comin' back?

Next year and four more afterwards. The Blues signed him to a 4 year extension - good to see. We have one major hurdle taken care of for next season. If we continue in this path, we'll be a lock for a playoff spot next year.

One piece of trade bait taken off of the market... will we see a Big Walt signing here soon too? I'm not in the dump Tkachuk camp. He's #3 on our team in points, tied for 3rd in goals, and is 3rd in assists. He's also a good piece of vet leadership with a NTC and who is unsure about returning, and who seems to want to retire a Blue.

We're only 6 points back. Do we dump pieces and mess up our team chemistry, which apparently can click now? I wouldn't advise messing with the mojo at all.

EDIT: Per TSN, the contract is 4 years, $18.8 million, and a NTC. Shuweeeeet.

*gasp* We LOST TO PHILLY.

I know, right?

Anyway, other than the best fight I've seen in a while between Boulton and Cote that got Cote kicked out for the game, and Hedberg keeping us competitive until the end (because GOD FORBID we score a goal in the 1st two periods), the best part about the game today came in the AJC afterwards:

"Hopefully, Kozzy is going to play on the right side, because I think if we play together, we've got a good chemistry," Kovalchuk said. "Maybe next year, he'll go on the right side, and we'll play together all year long."


Hope for the future. For Thrashers fans, we'll take what we can get.

Why do I go to these things?

This's cross posted on the boards over at the Thrash site... last night's embarassing loss to the Devils is getting too much for a lot of posters to take, and while I'll continue to go to these things, well...

Like Argent said, we pretty much agreed that we go because we like hockey. I just wish that my favorite team was here more often than once or twice every couple of years, because THAT was one of the few games at Philips where I had a freaking blast... being the "other guy," being on the glass to see Walt's 1000th point... being there to see them win. It was awesome. The Blues game and the season opener are my 2 favs this season, and one of them I was cheering against the Thrash. There's no reason that I should have 2 games this season that I've enjoyed.

I don't know if I'll be getting tickets next season or not... I probably will, b/c hockey's my hobby and I love every aspect of it, not just the Thrashers. I also love the fun of being in the arena... the arena food, the opening video, the puck drop... but the video sucks this year, stuff's falling apart inside (I got a hold of a broken sink last night that belched out brown water). The food, well... the food's still the best stadium food in Atlanta, so yaaaaaay, food staff!

The giveaways suck, there's no incentive to purchase more expensive seats (and def. none to spend the money on goodies in the club sections). I appreciate the $1 concessions, but that's not going to make my time that much more enjoyable. Going to games here makes me even more damn homesick than I usually am - the giveaways for the Blues (as I have pointed out before) are miles ahead of ours, the STH perks are amazing, the glass seats and club seats are all inclusive (including food AND BEER) and come with free parking. Oh, and the product on the ice is superior and a blast to watch.

The owners care, the GM cares, the coach cares, and the team cares. They have a rebuild plan and it WORKS. The arena is nice, and it's a lot older than ours. Honestly, the Thrashers better watch it... they're about enough to make me go "Farg the commitments I have keeping me down here" and send me back to the metro StL. At least I'd get fun hockey and baseball out of it.

And probably a payraise.

Eric Brewer and a marketing tie in?

I just found this funny.

Well... not so much him, but the show that he's on. Captains: Driven by Bridgestone (what happens if he has Perellis or something?) is the NHL Network's show highlighting each and every captain in the league. Get ready for hard hitting questions from Christine Simpson which possibly point out age/injury/something else embarassing.

It first aired Thursday night, but will probably be run a million times off and on. Do a DVR search and record.

Here comes the new boss...

Well, back up boss. Please to be welcoming Chris Holt to St. Louis. In 12 games with the Rivermen this year, he has a .932 SV% and a 1.70 GAA. Here's wishing him the best of luck and the continuation of those stats in St. Louis.

If anyone can find a photo of him in a Rivermen uniform, I'll love you forever.

Manny on Waivers

Excuse me as I fall out of my chair.



*OW*


Hold on... I need to regroup... so we're putting a goalie who is a UFA on WAIVERS when we could trade him?? What? And are we going to bring up Bishop? I like the kid - he's gonna be GOOD - but he's not 100% ready yet, and Mason's been so streaky off and on this year. I don't think that this is really the best decision for the team as a whole.

One year removed from the ASG, and then this? Manny's been in an emotional funk since Mason's picked up, and he's been hurt about 3 times this year. I don't particularly think that this is fair.

Come to think of it, the thought of Manny on another team or with the Rivermen just kind of makes me sad and a little pissed off.

Bishop's out, so we're calling up Chris Holt. God freaking help us if Mason goes back to the way he was at the beginning of the year.

I agree with Legace:

"It's extremely tough," Legace said this morning. "You play your heart out for a team, and the minute you hit a little bit of a rough patch, they dump on you.

"It was very hard to hear."

It's ok, li'l guy. I'm sure that a lot of fans agree. If we're really pushing for the playoffs we need the best we can get - we have that for right now, but what of down the road?

EDIT: As of 12:00 CST, Manny went unclaimed... he'll be reporting to the Rivermen.

Berglund gets to start the year at home.

It's official - Blues v. Wings. Opening games. Stockholm, 2009-2010 season. Be there.

Actually, the tickets'll be kind expensive, so watch on tv. I'm excited with all of the recent fun St. Louis specialty merch there is... All Star swag... opening day swag. Any PR is good PR for the city, and I just enjoy seeing St. Louis in the spotlight, especially our sports.

Crime rate? Now that... not so much.

Something stinks around here.

Not for me to question Andy Murray or anything, but... Mason's stopped 97 of the last 99 shots faced. The man is on a hot streak. We have to win the game last night. What do you do? You put Manny (who I love) into net, and he lets in 3 goals on 8 shots, all three of which he should have had. Brilliant.

I have NEVER been so mad to see a game end in the skills comp in my life. We outplayed the Wings, and we deserved those two points. What happens? 4-3 SO loss.

I'll let Legace sum this up:

“Guys played great and I’m the reason that we lost,” Legace said. “I was the worst guy in the NHL tonight."

The Return of Ron Burgandy.

X is clear to go, probably for Friday night's game at home against NJ. Glad to see him back, but we're getting quite the log jam at D. Stop worrying about replacing NHL 3rd liners with AHL 1st liners (Stuart and Motzko for EC), and start trying to figure out what we're going to do at D. From what Knobler said, Boris has a future. X is back. Oyster is probably our 7.

That leaves our 2 UFAs out in the cold... are we going to NOT play Oyster and Boris for a month? We can't sit MS and Havelid. This whole situation has been setting up for a while... DW acquired a few AHL defensemen recently. Cut the UFAs.

Also from Knob, probable lines for tomorrow?

Kovalchuk-Peverley-Thorburn

Kozlov-White-Little

Stuart-Reasoner-Armstrong (Christensen)

Boulton-Perrin-Motzko