Some Blue Notes
Posted 2:22 PM ET | Comments 0
Just going to make an update about several Blues related topics.
- Looks like Adam Cracknell has been signed to a 1 year contract worth 600k. Well deserved for him, the CPR line was a treat to watch down the stretch, and I'm more than happy to be able to see Cracknell back in the note in October. He knows how to use his body to shield the puck, and can lay out devastating hits to swing momentum. Opponents should be in fear when him and Reaves are on the ice together.
- Ty Rattie is a stud. An absolute stud. Watching him in the Memorial Cup is something else. This kid can snipe any corner at will, and his quick release is tantalizing. I have high hopes for Rattie and if I'm Armstrong, I make Rattie untouchable. We need high octane wingers and Rattie certainly has the potential to become one. Skating has always been an issue for Rattie, but from what I've seen he's definitely improved in that regard. Average skating ability is fine in the NHL if you have a high hockey IQ, and Rattie offensive instincts are through the roof. I think he'll be fine, just needs some seasoning. Expect Rattie to start in the AHL unless he has a stellar training camp like Schwartz did last year, or if a couple wingers are moved this offseason to acquire a #1C.
- I believe Stewart's time in the blue note is slowly coming to an end. With high end prospects such as Rattie and Jaskin on the RW, we now have a surplus of right wingers. I don't see Oshie getting moved, his value to the franchise is much higher than simply his on ice play. Tarasenko will obviously not be moved either. That leaves Stewart as the odd man out. It's pretty clear that Stewart thrives most when he has a playmaking center such as Stastny. Blues don't have that luxury as they usually deploy Backes and Berglund as the top 2 centers, both being primarily shooters. You know who's a good playmaker? Jason Spezza. With Alfredsson's career slowly coming to an end, the Sens could use a right winger to replace that void. Stewart would fit in perfectly, and if any coach can get the most out of him, it's Paul McLean. Stewart for the 17th pick plus a B-level prospect would be a fair deal. Sens are loaded with prospects at the moment so roster players should be their target in the offseason. Blues could use that first rounder this year to make up for the one that was lost in the JBo trade, and hopefully snag a center. Nicolas Petan is a name I've been intrigued with. Kid is oozing with skill but the issue here is size. Hitch seems to prefer big centers, or players that play bigger than their size (ex. Sobotka, Nichol), would Petan fit our system? I'm not sure, but you can't deny his skill, many believe his talent alone is top 10 material.
- According to Jeremy Rutherford, their have been rumors that McDonald would be returning to Anaheim. Sounds good to me. Down the stretch, McDonald was one of our worst players. His loss can be easily replaced with Schwartz, who doesn't come with the concussion history as well. McDonald was a hell of a player in his tenure as a Blue, it was almost depressing to see how rapidly he declined as he aged. Best of luck to him in future endeavors, your time in St. Louis was appreciated.
- Swedish goalie prospect Niklas Lundstrom was also signed a little while back. I haven't watched too much of him personally, so I can't give a good opinion of him. I believe he will remain in Sweden next season as the Wolves will be full with Binnington and Climie. I think this is a good move for Lundstrom, the SEL is a strong league and it won't hurt his development by any means. He seems committed to play in the NHL, and it never hurts to have an abundance of goalie prospects considering how tough it is to project how they will turn out.
Thanks for reading guys! My next blog will be a report card where I grade each player's performance over the course of the regular season and playoffs.
- Looks like Adam Cracknell has been signed to a 1 year contract worth 600k. Well deserved for him, the CPR line was a treat to watch down the stretch, and I'm more than happy to be able to see Cracknell back in the note in October. He knows how to use his body to shield the puck, and can lay out devastating hits to swing momentum. Opponents should be in fear when him and Reaves are on the ice together.
- Ty Rattie is a stud. An absolute stud. Watching him in the Memorial Cup is something else. This kid can snipe any corner at will, and his quick release is tantalizing. I have high hopes for Rattie and if I'm Armstrong, I make Rattie untouchable. We need high octane wingers and Rattie certainly has the potential to become one. Skating has always been an issue for Rattie, but from what I've seen he's definitely improved in that regard. Average skating ability is fine in the NHL if you have a high hockey IQ, and Rattie offensive instincts are through the roof. I think he'll be fine, just needs some seasoning. Expect Rattie to start in the AHL unless he has a stellar training camp like Schwartz did last year, or if a couple wingers are moved this offseason to acquire a #1C.
- I believe Stewart's time in the blue note is slowly coming to an end. With high end prospects such as Rattie and Jaskin on the RW, we now have a surplus of right wingers. I don't see Oshie getting moved, his value to the franchise is much higher than simply his on ice play. Tarasenko will obviously not be moved either. That leaves Stewart as the odd man out. It's pretty clear that Stewart thrives most when he has a playmaking center such as Stastny. Blues don't have that luxury as they usually deploy Backes and Berglund as the top 2 centers, both being primarily shooters. You know who's a good playmaker? Jason Spezza. With Alfredsson's career slowly coming to an end, the Sens could use a right winger to replace that void. Stewart would fit in perfectly, and if any coach can get the most out of him, it's Paul McLean. Stewart for the 17th pick plus a B-level prospect would be a fair deal. Sens are loaded with prospects at the moment so roster players should be their target in the offseason. Blues could use that first rounder this year to make up for the one that was lost in the JBo trade, and hopefully snag a center. Nicolas Petan is a name I've been intrigued with. Kid is oozing with skill but the issue here is size. Hitch seems to prefer big centers, or players that play bigger than their size (ex. Sobotka, Nichol), would Petan fit our system? I'm not sure, but you can't deny his skill, many believe his talent alone is top 10 material.
- According to Jeremy Rutherford, their have been rumors that McDonald would be returning to Anaheim. Sounds good to me. Down the stretch, McDonald was one of our worst players. His loss can be easily replaced with Schwartz, who doesn't come with the concussion history as well. McDonald was a hell of a player in his tenure as a Blue, it was almost depressing to see how rapidly he declined as he aged. Best of luck to him in future endeavors, your time in St. Louis was appreciated.
- Swedish goalie prospect Niklas Lundstrom was also signed a little while back. I haven't watched too much of him personally, so I can't give a good opinion of him. I believe he will remain in Sweden next season as the Wolves will be full with Binnington and Climie. I think this is a good move for Lundstrom, the SEL is a strong league and it won't hurt his development by any means. He seems committed to play in the NHL, and it never hurts to have an abundance of goalie prospects considering how tough it is to project how they will turn out.
Thanks for reading guys! My next blog will be a report card where I grade each player's performance over the course of the regular season and playoffs.