I was like Vlasic is a strange way of spelling Pietrangelo

If he is leaving Pietro off for wear and tear for the blues than he should resign as Team Canada GM

He has to separate jobs and this is why I agree with Guru

He should not be the GM for both Team Canada and the Blues
- sycsam

Yeah...

Maybe his cap management and talent management with the Blues is why he wants to be GM for Canada. Maybe he's looking for a way out.

Though, in all honesty, the U.S.'s GM is Lombardi. Seems as though there is always crossover between professional team management and nation tournaments team management...

The only thing that I can think of is that he doesn't want to put wear and tear on his own guy...

Seems odd though.
- eggsegan

Which is why if it were me, I'd name Keith and Seabrook as the only two defensemen for the entire tournament.......

Which is why if it were me, I'd name Keith and Seabrook as the only two defensemen for the entire tournament.......
- bcallaway

Which is why if it were me, I'd name Keith and Seabrook as the only two defensemen for the entire tournament.......
- bcallaway

I knew there was a reason I wanted you to be the next GM of Team Canada...

Which is why if it were me, I'd name Keith and Seabrook as the only two defensemen for the entire tournament.......
- bcallaway

cannot root for usa as i hate pat kane. thankfully i am unlikely to run into him.

cannot root for usa as i hate pat kane. thankfully i am unlikely to run into him.
- BluemanGuruu

I have a higher chance of running in to him but I don't frequent the bars much anymore

It is nice for the team to get a little rest after playing so many games in such a short time period but man is it boring for the fans

Come on Sunday

So 3 more victories by Anaheim and Tampa give them as many consecutive victories as Toronto has wins all season.

So 3 more victories by Anaheim and Tampa give them as many consecutive victories as Toronto has wins all season.
- Jason Millen

TO should be really interesting over the next couple of seasons. Completely bottomed out, lots of cap space, no commitments and a couple very solid prospects. With the right moves they could be in the mix in a couple years. Big question is how many UFA's are they going to overpay. I could see them looking pretty hard at Backes as a player to come in and help get them through the next couple years with the right attitude.

TO should be really interesting over the next couple of seasons. Completely bottomed out, lots of cap space, no commitments and a couple very solid prospects. With the right moves they could be in the mix in a couple years. Big question is how many UFA's are they going to overpay. I could see them looking pretty hard at Backes as a player to come in and help get them through the next couple years with the right attitude.
- Blue Clam

Good let them overpay him

TO should be really interesting over the next couple of seasons. Completely bottomed out, lots of cap space, no commitments and a couple very solid prospects. With the right moves they could be in the mix in a couple years. Big question is how many UFA's are they going to overpay. I could see them looking pretty hard at Backes as a player to come in and help get them through the next couple years with the right attitude.
- Blue Clam

they have three issues in toronto: canadian dollar, taxes and the heat of a bright spotlight.

that has been part of their issues. hockey players in toronto are followed like movie stars. make one mistake and you can't escape it. makes it difficult.

Good let them overpay him
- sycsam

yeah i would not want to get stuck with term and a high cap hit on a declining player. unless said player gets a second or third breath a la jagr.

Good let them overpay him
- sycsam

That was my thought exactly, it depends a lot on the captain though, he seems to like being a blue. If he decides to test free agency and Lou offers him 3 years at 6M, there's no way STL should match it. Would he stay here another 2 years at < 5M though?

they have three issues in toronto: canadian dollar, taxes and the heat of a bright spotlight.

that has been part of their issues. hockey players in toronto are followed like movie stars. make one mistake and you can't escape it. makes it difficult.
- BluemanGuruu

Players are paid in USD, everyday goods and services tend to cost a little more here though. Taxes are a big issue. The spotlight can be a good thing, for instance if Stamkos signs in Toronto he'll end up with a lot more endorsement money. The pressure can even bring something out of a player. Kessel was probably putting in more effort and playing better in Toronto than he is in Pittsburgh, despite constant scrutiny.

As for Backes in the spotlight, if he signed in TO, I don't think most of the fans would really know who they were getting. He'd be overhyped and and up underperforming to their expectations. Could go sour for him in a hurry.

So let me go on record by saying I HATE THIS TEAMS SCHEDULE EVERY YEAR.

A bulk of our home games in december and then odd 5 day layoffs at weird times. Glad we have time for team chemistry?? but if you do not have chemistry in march, then what are you doing??

Glad we did not overpay at the trade deadline. I expect draft day to be busy. I did not read any previous comments so………

Is Backes going to stay? I heard from a friend Army told him he was not getting a raise. Honestly why would he. He is overpaid right now for what he does. Shot blocking, defensive time…. etc etc…

Cant wait till Sunday but then that means work the next day

Finally got tickets to the Boston game!!!!! Thats a game i go to every year even though this years team is not one i really dig so much, they still have Bergeron. I loved Lucic……in the east.

Hopefully Steen can come back for some games in April and get hot before/during the playoffs.

Goaltending is not the issue. Neither really is our scoring when we score 3. Its our defense oddly enough. We sit back and play defensively and let the opponent gain momentum and they take it to us, perfect example is the Ottawa game. Yeah we had GREAT chances but the kicked our butts in the 3rd.

They have finished a lot of games in the win column.......
- carcus

How poorly this team has played all year i am astonished. I have not missed being at the game or at least watching it. I don't remember us being as good as our record indicates. That is what worries me come playoffs. In ot it's 5 on 5 till they score. Something we are lacking on come the crucial time and especially 5 on 5

That was my thought exactly, it depends a lot on the captain though, he seems to like being a blue. If he decides to test free agency and Lou offers him 3 years at 6M, there's no way STL should match it. Would he stay here another 2 years at < 5M though?



Players are paid in USD, everyday goods and services tend to cost a little more here though. Taxes are a big issue. The spotlight can be a good thing, for instance if Stamkos signs in Toronto he'll end up with a lot more endorsement money. The pressure can even bring something out of a player. Kessel was probably putting in more effort and playing better in Toronto than he is in Pittsburgh, despite constant scrutiny.

As for Backes in the spotlight, if he signed in TO, I don't think most of the fans would really know who they were getting. He'd be overhyped and and up underperforming to their expectations. Could go sour for him in a hurry.
- Blue Clam

yeah not sure why i put the money thing in there. but i do not know how the international bankng works out even with canada.

taxes are high. do not get me wrong there is a lot i love about canada. i know some farmers and such up there.

just know that is see players go there and the media follows them around and asks them thousands of dumb questions, sometimes pushing things to try and get a response for a story.

i have no idea why kessel has been sucking other than you got to take care of yourself.

How poorly this team has played all year i am astonished. I have not missed being at the game or at least watching it. I don't remember us being as good as our record indicates. That is what worries me come playoffs. In ot it's 5 on 5 till they score. Something we are lacking on come the crucial time and especially 5 on 5
- BluesDroogie

be weary of confirmation bias.

for one backes is worth his money. he does a great job against the best olayers in the league period. the question term, cap hit and trying to predict his decline as it continues. it is likely he would be doing us a favor by seeking out a big long term contract somehwere. that would the team signing him mostly likely.

the big thing that happens on defense i do not like is the backing up and not standing up at the lines as panger often notes. i agree with him on this. but to say this team is bad defensively would not be the reality.

where this team tends to truly fail is in the prime scoring areas and creating second and third chances.

but they keep winning. finding a wya to win is the hallmark of championship teams. considering with the hand dealt to them they have played exceedingly well.

remember army did make a lot of moves by giving young dmen chances and that has turned out great.

often my negative reactions to things tend be inspired by emotions. like most of you i still carry around all that disappoint of these great teams since the ninities especially. oh so close so many times. last year sucked because it wasn't even the crap goals allen gave up. when the team showed up they dominated. but then oddly they gave ho hum efforts at times. oshie continued to try and do things on his own instead of playing for the team.

i really look for teams to show something akin to what we felt in war, which was we would do anything for the man next to us to include giving up our lives no questions asked. it is otugh to see how that comes about without seeing a lockerroom. used to be you could see it well in hockey games. backes often demonstrates this aspect and you have to respect it.

that is my buck o'five on it.

be weary of confirmation bias.

for one backes is worth his money. he does a great job against the best olayers in the league period. the question term, cap hit and trying to predict his decline as it continues. it is likely he would be doing us a favor by seeking out a big long term contract somehwere. that would the team signing him mostly likely.

the big thing that happens on defense i do not like is the backing up and not standing up at the lines as panger often notes. i agree with him on this. but to say this team is bad defensively would not be the reality.

where this team tends to truly fail is in the prime scoring areas and creating second and third chances.

but they keep winning. finding a wya to win is the hallmark of championship teams. considering with the hand dealt to them they have played exceedingly well.

remember army did make a lot of moves by giving young dmen chances and that has turned out great.

often my negative reactions to things tend be inspired by emotions. like most of you i still carry around all that disappoint of these great teams since the ninities especially. oh so close so many times. last year sucked because it wasn't even the crap goals allen gave up. when the team showed up they dominated. but then oddly they gave ho hum efforts at times. oshie continued to try and do things on his own instead of playing for the team.

i really look for teams to show something akin to what we felt in war, which was we would do anything for the man next to us to include giving up our lives no questions asked. it is otugh to see how that comes about without seeing a lockerroom. used to be you could see it well in hockey games. backes often demonstrates this aspect and you have to respect it.

that is my buck o'five on it.
- BluemanGuruu

Defensively, i was saying how the team backs off the offensive attack with the lead in the 3rd period. They already have the momentum but they sit back and WATCH for the opponents comeback. Continue your damn game plan and attack. If we had done this numerous times then we would be successful. If we carry a lead into the 3rd we are in defense mode most times, WHY IS THAT???? Our offense has carried us this far, continue to PUSH.

Thats really all i was saying.

yeah not sure why i put the money thing in there. but i do not know how the international bankng works out even with canada.

taxes are high. do not get me wrong there is a lot i love about canada. i know some farmers and such up there.

just know that is see players go there and the media follows them around and asks them thousands of dumb questions, sometimes pushing things to try and get a response for a story.

i have no idea why kessel has been sucking other than you got to take care of yourself.
- BluemanGuruu

Kessel, just sucks. He can score goals….when he wants to. So far as i have seen it's motivation, conditioning. He seems to take his big paycheck and be contempt. Has no other desire than money.

be weary of confirmation bias.

for one backes is worth his money. he does a great job against the best olayers in the league period. the question term, cap hit and trying to predict his decline as it continues. it is likely he would be doing us a favor by seeking out a big long term contract somehwere. that would the team signing him mostly likely.

the big thing that happens on defense i do not like is the backing up and not standing up at the lines as panger often notes. i agree with him on this. but to say this team is bad defensively would not be the reality.

where this team tends to truly fail is in the prime scoring areas and creating second and third chances.

but they keep winning. finding a wya to win is the hallmark of championship teams. considering with the hand dealt to them they have played exceedingly well.

remember army did make a lot of moves by giving young dmen chances and that has turned out great.

often my negative reactions to things tend be inspired by emotions. like most of you i still carry around all that disappoint of these great teams since the ninities especially. oh so close so many times. last year sucked because it wasn't even the crap goals allen gave up. when the team showed up they dominated. but then oddly they gave ho hum efforts at times. oshie continued to try and do things on his own instead of playing for the team.

i really look for teams to show something akin to what we felt in war, which was we would do anything for the man next to us to include giving up our lives no questions asked. it is otugh to see how that comes about without seeing a lockerroom. used to be you could see it well in hockey games. backes often demonstrates this aspect and you have to respect it.

that is my buck o'five on it.
- BluemanGuruu

I get what Backes does defensively for this team and how his numbers are skewered by the majority of his face-offs start in the defensive zone and such. But does that relegate into a raise when he might not even be a 20 20 player this season. You cannot pay a solely defensive player 6 mill in this cap era league. If he wants to stay at 4.5 then by all means sign him. I think he is very much worth that, and will continue to be worth that for a term limit of 3-4 years.

I get what Backes does defensively for this team and how his numbers are skewered by the majority of his face-offs start in the defensive zone and such. But does that relegate into a raise when he might not even be a 20 20 player this season. You cannot pay a solely defensive player 6 mill in this cap era league. If he wants to stay at 4.5 then by all means sign him. I think he is very much worth that, and will continue to be worth that for a term limit of 3-4 years.
- BluesDroogie

With all that being said i think they let him walk for nothing or a trade on draft day as he is part of the old guard that we are getting away from. We will use that money to resign Schwartz and Steen.


I KNOW MY CHOICE OF CURRENT BLUES PLAYERS TO BE THE NEXT CAPTAIN(assuming Backes walks this year)

WHO DO YOU GUYS THINK???

http://www.cbc.ca/radio/i...-shoot-the-puck-1.3420306

Andrew Ference thanking the fans

Defensively, i was saying how the team backs off the offensive attack with the lead in the 3rd period. They already have the momentum but they sit back and WATCH for the opponents comeback. Continue your damn game plan and attack. If we had done this numerous times then we would be successful. If we carry a lead into the 3rd we are in defense mode most times, WHY IS THAT???? Our offense has carried us this far, continue to PUSH.

Thats really all i was saying.
- BluesDroogie

yeah i have no ida either on that score. why teams can push back or dominate for a period of time then get yeeled at or become desperate and go the other way. seems a farce.

I get what Backes does defensively for this team and how his numbers are skewered by the majority of his face-offs start in the defensive zone and such. But does that relegate into a raise when he might not even be a 20 20 player this season. You cannot pay a solely defensive player 6 mill in this cap era league. If he wants to stay at 4.5 then by all means sign him. I think he is very much worth that, and will continue to be worth that for a term limit of 3-4 years.
- BluesDroogie

that is what i am saying. term and cap hit versus value. i think cap hit can go up a bit the shorter the contract in the one to two year range. medium length medium salary. long length low salary.


everything you have responded to is what i was saying.

kessel has to take care of himself....meaning you got be in shape. backes worth a signing depnding on term and cap hit. not saying six million anything for him but maybe a single season and even then it is pricey. and he will want an ntc which should make his contract less money but that is not how it tends to work so.

let him walk most likely. looks like a thick free agent crowd. the blues have enough depth to stay the hell oit of it and let other teams put weits on their ankles for some short term boost.

petro or steen is next captain.