It’s ok if you want to play tough. You won’t find a person in hockey that would criticize a player who plays mean, but when you’re gutless it’s a whole different story.
Jordin Tootoo has overcome some serious adversity to make it to the NHL. He became the first player of Inuit decent to either be drafted or to play in the NHL. He also lost his brother Terence who he was extremely close with. I can appreciate the person Tootoo is based on the obstacles he has overcome to play in the best league in the world.
With that being said I have a difficult time appreciating Tootoo the hockey player. Tootoo needs to understand he can’t play the game on his terms. If he’s going to run around head hunting and trying to hurt players he is going to either get himself or get one of his teammates injured.
Does Tootoo even know there’s a puck out on the ice? You have to wonder if he knows how to play the game because there is no proof that he’s a good player. If there is, feel free to pass along some evidence, because I have yet to see any.
I understand his job is to give his team energy and create a spark out there. That’s perfectly fine. The problem I have is that the majority of his hits are illegal. The league is trying to get away from players like Tootoo who leave their feet to make hits; the constant hits from behind, late hits, and cheap hits all together.
Tootoo broke the code in hockey when he hit Blues Defenseman Christian Backman after play had been whistled down on a touch up icing call. You just don’t do that; it’s dirty, cheap and disrespectful. On a play like this it is obvious Tootoo is out to hurt people. The entire building knew an icing was going to be called. There was no race for the puck. The hit came well after the whistle was blown. Would Tootoo have run Barret Jackman if it was him as opposed to Backman?
I highly doubt it? It’s obvious he’s a spot picker. Who else did he go after in the game? Petr Cajanek and Jay Mckee. When Jamal Mayers finally grabbed him, Tootoo wanted no part of it.
It is pretty hard to say Tootoo is a player you love having on your team but you hate to play against him. That’s the case with a guy like Darcy Tucker who is effective in his role. At least Can Janssen can back it up with his fists.
Tootoo has no respect from the opposition and there are several players on his own team who don’t like his game whatsoever. For those Nashville insiders out there, you should ask some players off the record what their real opinion of Jordin Tootoo’s game is.
You might be surprised by some of their responses.
It won’t be long before the opposition begins going after Nashville’s top players. If I were Paul Kariya, Steve Sullivan, or Kimmo Timonen I would certainly keep my head up.
Tootoo’s play takes away from a Nashville team that is extremely skilled in all areas. They are one of the more entertaining teams to watch in the NHL.
Where’s the honor with Tootoo? The problem I have with this guy is that he turns when an opposing player tries to deal with him. If he could back it up with either an ability to play the game or if he could handle himself in a fight it would be easier to defend his actions.
The fact is he can’t do either.
Do you really think the game was played honest if guys Lee Stempniak and Jay McClement are dropping the gloves?
After Tuesday night the battle between Nashville and St. Louis became an official rivalry. Don’t be surprised if the Blues elect to call up tough guy D.J. King and insert Matt walker when the two clubs meet again on January 6th. Blues Captain Dallas drake wasn’t in the lineup Tuesday either. I guarantee you Drake will be the first to grab this kid if Tootoo tries to pull the same antics.
Blues Clues!
Blues Assistant General Manger Jarmo Kekalainen’s contract will expire after this season. Blues President John Davidson will not let Kekalainen get away. They consider him a huge asset and are thrilled with the fact that six players from the 2006 draft class are currently participating in the World Junior Championships. The Blues are also impressed with how Keklainen has handled his scouting staff. Sources say talks between the Blues and Kekalainen about an extension have begun. When you consider where the Blues are in terms of trying to rebuild the organization you can easily make the argument that Kekalainen is the most important person in the organization right now. The Blues understand he is among the best in the business at evaluating talent. Very smart move by the organization to lock him up.
Defenseman Christian Backman had his injured knee scoped on Friday. He could miss up to a month of action. The injury is not considered serious.
Jay Mckee is really enjoys being paired with Jackman. Mckee feels their personalities click and are perfect for one another. Mckee compares the chemistry the two are developing to when he palyed with D-man Rhett Warrener. The two got along very well on and off the ice. When one guy makes a mistake, they laugh it off; they never rip on each other.
When Mckee first got to St. Louis he was telling people throughout the league that he thought the Blues would be the sleeper team of the NHL. Mckee told me the way the club has played the last two weeks is how he thought they were capable of playing the entire season. Mckee and Jackman are a combined plus-4 in the last six games.
Billy Guerin is reaping the benefits of once again dedicating himself to the gym in the summer. He took only two weeks off after Dallas was eliminated from the playoffs last spring.
His workouts were more consistent. Blues Strength and Conditioning Coach Nelson Ayotte works with dozens of NHL players throughout the NHL. Ayotte tells me Guerin is one of the top five strongest people he trains. He says Martin Lapointe is the strongest.
Guerin remains an explosive skater even at 36 years of age. His shot is still one of the deadliest in the league. Not many players can score from the perimeter today. NHL goaltenders are too good. If they can see the shot they’ll make the save. Guerin gives a lot of the credit to being reunited with nifty playmaker Doug Weight. Guerin says it’s the pass that beats the goaltender, not the shot.
Guerin has given the Blues a quality scoring threat along with Keith Tkachuk on the power play. He wasn’t a power play player until he played in Edmonton earlier in his career. He credits playing with Brett Hull in international play for teaching him how to read plays and get open with the man advantage. Guerin has been a perfect fit inside the dressing room as well. He is well liked by his teammates, and remains one of the classier players in the game. Not to mention he still has the ability to play at a high level.
More to come,
Andy Strickland
[email protected] 
St Louis Blues Blogger •1380 ESPN • 
Join the Discussion:
»