St. Louis Blues 2010 Regular Season Thread

[st.lewis11]

What an amazing weekend. Armstrong sure has a pair. doesn't he?

[MrCrowesGarden]

I'm glad the Avs fans are enjoying Erik Johnson, and he is their best D-man by a mile right now, but they're a bit prone to exaggeration right now. One even went so far as to call him the best d-man they've ever had (including Rob Blake, Sandis Ozolinsh and Adam Foote in their primes).

He could become the next Pronger, but I've got some big doubts about that ever happening. To me, he's kind of like the Blaine Gabbert of the NHL. The prototypical body and all the physical tools you could ask for, but that's only amounted to some limited success which is almost certainly less than what's been expected. Fortunately for both of them, they still have time to put it all together.

Ultimately, I think both sides will be happy with their returns.

[Radbird]

The view from Denver.

Frei: Stewart move could haunt the Avs

This is a longshot, but possible: Chris Stewart could become to the Avalanche what Cam Neely was to the Vancouver Canucks, the power forward his original team gave up on much too soon. I'm not saying Chris Stewart is Cam Neely; I'm saying he can be.

Barely two months ago, after all, Stewart was off to a strong start coming off a 28-goal season. Then came his injury, his unimpressive play after his return, and his retreat into Joe Sacco's doghouse, an interesting status considering Sacco also coached him in the American Hockey League and presumably could take considerable credit for his development.

I don't go along with the argument that in the wake of the broken hand he suffered in a senseless fight, telling Stewart he needed to better pick his glove-dropping battles enfeebled his game. Balancing common sense and passion is possible, and it isn't telling a power forward to hum "Peace Train" as he heads into the corners.

So, absolutely, I'm convinced that Stewart could come back to haunt the Avalanche, both on the ice as soon as Tuesday at the Scottrade Center, and for seasons to come. Colorado can say what it must about needing to give up something of quality in this kind of deal, and that it isn't a denigration of Stewart, but the conclusion is that he quickly went from cornerstone and untouchable to expendable.

[Leroy]

I'm totally listening today.

[thrill]

I'm totally listening today.

I believe GameCenter Live is free on NHL.com today so you can watch.

[thrill]

Bishop wanders too much.

[MrCrowesGarden]

Got to win tomorrow night against EJ and J-Mac. Tough loss to the Hawks.

[Hungary Jack]

This seems like a great trade for the Blues: two top-line players for a guy whom the Blues probably can replace with AP (the other AP). EJ will probably be a very good player, but they addressed a huge need with Stewart.

[MrCrowesGarden]

Predictions for tonight's game? I'll say Blues win it 4-2. Stewart gets a goal and an assist and Shattenkirk gets a helper. No points for EJ.

[longhornbaseball]

I really like what I've seen from Shattenkirk so far. I didn't know much about him prior, but he and Petro have been moving the puck well on the PP. Nikitin is still awful in the defensive zone. With Petro, Shattenkirk, and CC, we have more of a need for a defensive defenseman. Cole is still a little raw but he reminds me of Polak. I wouldn't mind seeing him called up. Gotta win tonight. Avs have lost 11 in a row.