The Blues went from playing their best game of the year in Anaheim to their worst Tuesday night in Pittsburgh.
When I evaluate the Blues offensively I see plenty of skill. I see plenty of guys who are more than capable of making plays with the puck.
Problem is we’re not seeing it on the ice.
Look, the ceiling is far from caving in here but I’m seeing multiple offensive players currently struggling and finding answers is far easier said than done.
Some may disagree with me but I think for the most part the Blues goaltending and defense has been fine. Remove Tuesday night from the equation, pretty much the entire team top to bottom failed to show up.
I do find it difficult to direct blame at Chris Mason who had little, if any, help vs. Crosby, Malkin, and company. The only goal I thought he should have stopped was Fedotenko’s ppg that beat Mason high glove.
Offensively the Blues did little. They generate very little speed in the neutral zone and that usually creates problems. With the elimination of the red line combined with the lack of hooking or holding you can make the case the game can be won in the neutral zone.
The reluctance to gain the blue line with the puck is puzzling.
The Blues first two lines are skilled enough to freewheel every once in a while. There are times the Blues look like they play four checking lines.
Where’s the creativity?
There is plenty of hockey to be played and Blues fans are anxious for the team to hit their stride.
To me the team looked tense Tuesday night? The bench looked tense and usually when there is tension it forces teams to play tight.
Just play hockey.
There is always more to add but it’s way too early in the season for that! I’m not going to point fingers either, everyone needs to be better. That loss Tuesday night is on the players and the coach’s.
Petro sits again….
I remember writing during training camp that if Alex Pietrangelo stays in the NHL then he needs to be a top six guy and he needs to play.
Well, he’s still here but he’s not playing.
If the Blues staff felt he could help the team win he’d be playing.
So far this season Pietrangelo has played one game and that was because of a Barret Jackman injury.
Once the team learned Jackman would miss a chunk of action the club turned to Peoria to find his replacement. Tyson Starachan drove directly from the AHL into the Blues lineup bypassing Pietrangelo in the process.
His performance in his only appearance vs. LA was (as Joel Quenneville used to say) just ok. We saw very little from Pietrangelo in the final period of that game.
Unless a trade is looming or an unforeseen injury, it makes sense to assume his days are only numbered before he is sent back to the OHL.
With the return of Jackman and Brewer where does that obviously leave Pietrangelo?
How much confidence is Pietrangelo gaining by never playing and bag skating nearly everyday. Not exactly the best recipe to feel part of the team.
If he’s not ready should he even be here?
Rink Rats!
I was sorry to hear the news of Don Granato being fired as head coach of the Chicago Wolves. It was a great situation for Granato to coach in his hometown city. Here’s a guy who is very well respected in the hockey world and it won’t be long before he lands a job. He was a pro scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs prior to accepting the job as the Wolves Head Coach.
Chris Chelios will back in the NHL this season. Once teams start to suffer multiple injuries he will sign.
Sergei Gonchar apparently broke his wrist Tuesay night against St. Louis and could miss two months.
Blues Clues!
D.J King will play for Peoria tonight before returning to St. Louis as his two week conditioning assignment will come to an end. King has received some positive reviews down there as he looks to bounce from shoulder and thumb injuries.
Some industry sources tell me the Blues are currently shopping King around for a potential trade.
Eric Brewer will not return until he receives clearance from the doctors. There is no timetable for that to happen.
I would think a game or two in Peoria would be on the horizon as well prior to a Brewer return.
It is very likely if the opportunity presents itself that we see Lars Eller as some point in the second half. The report on him has been very good. He’s a dynamic player with the puck and is the fastest player on the ice when he’s out there. He has tremendous one on one skills from the top of the dot on down. He also delivers big hits, apparently there have been games this season when the opposing team is chasing him around and it doesn’t faze him.
Blues draft pick Jori Lehtera is currently leading the Finnish Elite League with 17 points in 13 games.
All seven D-men currently in Peoria are left shot defenseman including Jonas Junland who continues to make noise with the offensive side of his game. As soon as his defensive game develops he’s a player.
Blues goaltending consultant Ed Belfour is in Peoria all this week working with the goaltenders.
Yan Stastny has been Peoria’s best player and was a top 3 star in four of the Rivermen first six games.
Former Blues D-man Jamie Rivers is working out in St. Louis holding out hope for an AHL contract. He is skating with the St. Louis Bandits every day.
There is a Blues alumni charity hockey game being planned for Novemebr 20th. I should have more details soon.
Blues color man Darren Pang recently went to Florida to contribute to an upcoming story on the history of the goalie mask.
D-man Erik Johnson is this week’s Blues Buzz guest live at Johnny Mac’s. Join us Thursday night October 22 at the Sunset Hills Location located at 10100 Watson Rd. The show can be heard from 6-7 pm on 590 AM Thursday night. Next week’s show will broadcast Monday night October 26th.
Congrats to the 1995 AAA Blues on winning the Junior London Knights hockey tournament last weekend in London, Ontario.
The 1996 AAA Blues lost in the finals in London 1-0 to the Vaughn Kings who are considered the top 96’ AAA team in Ontario.
Both the 97’s an 98’s lost in the semi-finals at the Little Caesars tourney in Detroit.
More to come,
Andy Strickland
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St Louis Blues Blogger •1380 ESPN • 
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