Like an Old Girlfriend, They Keep Coming Back
Posted 10:09 PM ET | Comments 1
GM Doug Armstrong and the Bluenote brass have done what they set out to do. No, they didn't sign the top 4 centers available to solidify the position where we diehards have placed this offseason blame, but they did address an obvious need. In the span of three days we (and yes I say we. At this point so much sorrow shared by such a large group of people can only be described as family) have signed 3 centers. A veteran, a yet to be proven and a well known name this town so desperately craved.
From the outside looking in, two of the signings may look like minor deals, but there is a much larger story afoot. Not only does this give a true number one, playmaking center to relieve Backes, but also relieves Berglund to a position where Coach Hitch thinks he can excel on the wing. Backes in all his mythological feats is not going to put an astonishing point total on the board come next June. I believe he is more that capable, but Backes is more of the bang home, down and dirty player us Missourians crave. I love seeing hard working hockey players get on the board as much as the next fan, but we cannot count on scoring exclusively dirty goals and asking Backes to become a playmaking center is just too much given his current load of keeping the young talent grounded and taking a beating from teams top lines night in and out.
On to my next point. All signs point to Berglund being moved to the wing next season. GM Armstrong has expressed coach Hitchcock's want to place Berglund on the wall where he believes he would excel. I personally have no problem with this at all. Berglund is a big, hockey smart player who is coming into his own. The problem I have, which most Note fans have noticed is the fact that he isn't necessarily the fastest person on the ice. Im not frowning on Berglund by any means, but when your offense if based on turnovers, flip the puck and turn on the burners Berglund isn't quite the guy you want to chase the puck. So the question stands, where do you want him? In my opinion, you want the big frame with the long reach and puck skills in the corners and taking up the goalies line of sight.
So what does Roy bring to the table? If you're like me, you only know know him from stat sheets on NHL.COM and once a year when we played against him minus this past year where he was coming back from injury and juggled between teams. Watching his highlights he seems to be a great two-way player who can lead a rush and create some room, which is what we need. There is so much talent on the roster right now and I for one believe so much more could be done if there was just a little more ice to work with. Roy looks like he's up to the task and judging from his one year deal he is more than willing to prove so. Going through his highlights he is quick, can make plays and actually has a great point shot which we all know will provide valuable as coach Hitch likes to have that forward on the point and his power play to pivot.
In conclusion Blues fans, do not fret. We all feel this way on this very time of year, but there is room for optimism. The front office is spending towards the salary cap and even doing so to where they can maintain payroll for years in advance. We still have a great goalie (whichever duo they decide to go with) a world class defense corps and the offense if finally shaping itself out. It's piece by piece. Don't be surprised if you see Berglund streaking up the wind this upcoming year and if you do, be thankful that we can afford to put a player in a position that we feel he can come into his own. I for one expect Berglund to have a great year including his new position and 1 year "prove yourself" deal.
This is the time of year we forget. This is the time we know that this year will will be different. This is the time where we Bleed Blue.
From the outside looking in, two of the signings may look like minor deals, but there is a much larger story afoot. Not only does this give a true number one, playmaking center to relieve Backes, but also relieves Berglund to a position where Coach Hitch thinks he can excel on the wing. Backes in all his mythological feats is not going to put an astonishing point total on the board come next June. I believe he is more that capable, but Backes is more of the bang home, down and dirty player us Missourians crave. I love seeing hard working hockey players get on the board as much as the next fan, but we cannot count on scoring exclusively dirty goals and asking Backes to become a playmaking center is just too much given his current load of keeping the young talent grounded and taking a beating from teams top lines night in and out.
On to my next point. All signs point to Berglund being moved to the wing next season. GM Armstrong has expressed coach Hitchcock's want to place Berglund on the wall where he believes he would excel. I personally have no problem with this at all. Berglund is a big, hockey smart player who is coming into his own. The problem I have, which most Note fans have noticed is the fact that he isn't necessarily the fastest person on the ice. Im not frowning on Berglund by any means, but when your offense if based on turnovers, flip the puck and turn on the burners Berglund isn't quite the guy you want to chase the puck. So the question stands, where do you want him? In my opinion, you want the big frame with the long reach and puck skills in the corners and taking up the goalies line of sight.
So what does Roy bring to the table? If you're like me, you only know know him from stat sheets on NHL.COM and once a year when we played against him minus this past year where he was coming back from injury and juggled between teams. Watching his highlights he seems to be a great two-way player who can lead a rush and create some room, which is what we need. There is so much talent on the roster right now and I for one believe so much more could be done if there was just a little more ice to work with. Roy looks like he's up to the task and judging from his one year deal he is more than willing to prove so. Going through his highlights he is quick, can make plays and actually has a great point shot which we all know will provide valuable as coach Hitch likes to have that forward on the point and his power play to pivot.
In conclusion Blues fans, do not fret. We all feel this way on this very time of year, but there is room for optimism. The front office is spending towards the salary cap and even doing so to where they can maintain payroll for years in advance. We still have a great goalie (whichever duo they decide to go with) a world class defense corps and the offense if finally shaping itself out. It's piece by piece. Don't be surprised if you see Berglund streaking up the wind this upcoming year and if you do, be thankful that we can afford to put a player in a position that we feel he can come into his own. I for one expect Berglund to have a great year including his new position and 1 year "prove yourself" deal.
This is the time of year we forget. This is the time we know that this year will will be different. This is the time where we Bleed Blue.
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As a sabres fan i have seen plenty of mr. Roy. I hate to be negative but based on your impression above you will be disapppointed in his performance. Roy was a ball of fire his first two years with the sabres. Then he received his second pro contract for 4 million per year and it was downhill. He stopped giving effort to the defensive side of things, would not follow ruffs system which will be worse with hitchock, was a cronic whiner to the refs and became a diver. To make matters worse he became such a puckhog two years ago that thomas vanek could not function on the same line with him and the sabres record and locker room atmosphere improvedgreatly when he was out of it. Hopefully the one year contract will keep him inline.