The NHL has rescinded the match penalty given to Chicago D-man Duncan Keith Saturday in St. Louis.
Keith cross-checked Blues sniper Andy McDonald in the face late in the Blackhawks 4-3 victory. The league ruled the smooth skating All-Star was simply defending himself from a charging McDonald who was upset with Keith following a cheap shot to the head of Blues forward Paul Kariya.
In reality the Match penalty handed down made little sense, how the league can ignore the elbow to the head of Kariya earlier in the game is a different story.
It was an obvious intent to injure by Keith who attempted to run Kariya’s head through the glass. The NHL says they take hits to the head very seriously so we should assume the league will be reviewing the play. I’m lost in trying to figure out how Keith avoided a major penalty on the play.
The officiating certainly has been rather interesting in recent games involving the St. Louis Blues. Rarely, if ever, do we see unsportsmanlike penalties called for just gumming each other.
That is unless Ian Walsh is assigned to work the game.
I always say a good referee is one that shows the ability to have a feel for the game. If you show you don’t have “feel” you shouldn’t be allowed to referee in the NHL.
Blues defenseman Barret Jackman was penalized early in last Tuesday’s game vs. Detroit for yelling at an opposing player after the whistle.
Doesn’t this happen in every game?
In the same game tough guys Aaron Downey and D.J. King were prepared to square off after the drop of the puck, more than 19,000 fans knew what was about to take place and the Scottrade center was buzzing with anticipation. Until the referees stepped in between King and Downey before the puck even dropped and sent the players off for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Talk about a Buzz Kill!
One person close to the NHL recently told me “There’s a reason Ian Walsh never works the playoffs”.
Word is a member of Blues management confronted the officials near their dressing room following the game. Normally a team can be handed down a pretty stiff fine ($25,000) for doing such a thing.
I don’t expect any sort of fine, all the league has to do is go to the tape and then look to see who worked the game.
Steve Kozari was the other official working the game last Tuesday.
Rink rats!
Sources tell me talks between ESPN and the NHL are progressing. The head executives at ESPN have a strong desire to bring the NHL back to Bristol, Connecticut. The NHLPA is also showing strong support.
The NHL has already extended their current deal with the VS network. Word is ESPN could potentially replace NBC as early as next season. This would allow ESPN to carry the playoffs and the Stanley Cup finals. A Friday night package is also being discussed.
The two sides will continue to negotiate with a possible announcement coming sometime during the upcoming Stanley Cup playoffs.
The recent screw up in Florida by the video judge has prompted the NHL to send out a league wide memo telling all Video Judges they need to be more aware during NHL games.
This past week the Florida Panthers thought they took a third period lead in a battle with Atlanta. Replays show the puck crossed the line, but the play was never reviewed. The memo states the goal should have counted, Florida ended up losing the game 3-2.
The Sprint Center in Kansas City has extended an invitation to the Phoenix Coyotes to play an exhibition game on October 4th against Los Angeles. If Phoenix accepts they will be paid $200,00.
Blues Clues!
The Blues have not extended the contract of General Manger Larry Pleau whose contract expires this summer. Earlier this season Owner Dave Checketts made this comment on my radio show, “ Larry Pleau can work for the St. Louis Blues as long as he wants as far as I’m concerned”. I know the Owners and President John Davidson think very highly of Pleau.
The Blues are dealing with a very difficult decision on whether or not to re-sign forward Ryan Johnson. There are some pressing needs to address this summer for St. Louis and the Blues don’t want to overpay for a player whose primary role is to kill penalties. Johnson is a solid hockey player who any team would love to have. Johnson leads all NHL forwards in blocked shots and is one of the best in the game at doing what he does. With that being said, do the Blues feel it makes more sense to ask a younger player to fill the role for half the price? Immediately Yan Statsny comes to mind. Johnson should be able to command a salary in the neighborhood of $1.5 million this summer if he becomes a free agent.
I’m not opposed to bringing Johnson back, but any money the Blues spend this summer needs to be used on players that add size and finish up front.
A D-man who can compliment Erik Johnson on the power play wouldn’t be such a bad idea either.
Don’t forget the Blues still owe Dan Hinote $1 million dollars next season.
Speaking of EJ, he ranks third in the NHL in scoring among rookie Defensemen. The two ahead of him are 4-5 years older with much more pro experience.
After registering an assist Saturday night EJ now has 30 points on the year.
Jack Johnson in LA has 11 points and averages three more minutes per game.
I’ve come to the conclusion when people call my radio show or e-mail me complaining about David Backes that they don’t pay attention while watching the Blues play.
This kid has really flourished the second half of the year and his teammates should take notice. He is currently 5th in the NHL in hits among forwards with 224. The next closest Blues player is Hinote with 106. When the Blues finally assemble a playoff caliber club down the road Backes will be the perfect third line player.
Jay McKee is 10th in the NHL in blocked shots, but has played fewer games than every other player in the top 10. His blocks per game average is among the best in the game.
David Perron received an assist on Brad Boyes 41st goal of the year Saturday night. It seemed like he was stuck on 11 goals and 11 assists forever. There is an old rule in hockey that is often called the two or three second rule and Perron needs to utilize it a little more. You don’t have time in this league to hang on to the puck, he’s going to have to get better at using his line mates and playing more of a give-and-go game. He’s been hanging on to the puck way too long and is struggling reading the play behind him. This is all part of the growing up process.
Perron played more than 14 minutes on Saturday and was on the ice to finish the game. I wanted to point this out since we scream and holler when he plays limited minutes. He also played in fresh out of the box, brand new skates on Saturday as well.
The Blues have had no discussions with representatives of T.J. Oshie about him turning pro after next weekend. It’s a good thing the Blues haven’t spoken to him about a contract because that would be illegal! Obviously the Blues would gladly sign the North Dakota forward if he decides he’d like to join the organization.
It was nice to see Kariya score his first goal in over 20 games on Saturday. I was afraid he had forgotten how to shoot. For some reason over the last several weeks Kariya has basically refused to shoot the puck when he finds himself in scoring situations.
Congratulations to Portland Pirates goaltender Mike McKenna on being named a finalist to win the Yanick Durpe Memorial award which is given to the AHL Man of the Year. McKenna is his team’s winner for his contributions to the Portland community. The St. Louis native has enjoyed a nice season with a record of 23-12-1, a GAA of 2.80, and save% of .904. His 23 wins ranks him 10th in the AHL.
More to come,
Andy Strickland
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St Louis Blues Blogger •1380 ESPN • 
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