probably somewhere in the middle imho in that 1) you can see guys that obviously don't belong and are lottery long shots to make, 2) it's easy to read way more into it and think guys are much further along/better than they actually are due to relative competition, and 3) you can tell guys that at least have a shot at an nhl career....

For me, it's all just more data points to look at the overall picture (kind of like advanced stats).
- stljam

I am not saying that after watching these guys the other day, I know who will make it and who won't. Just my feelings on them comparing them against each other.

Fabbri was obviously the best forward out there. It wasn't even close.

Husso, you could see his skill/size and how fluid he was. He has the skills to get a shot at the NHL level.

Parayko, he I believe will get a long look this camp and will push for a spot soon. He has the size needed, he can skate. Everything that Blues fans have been looking for in a defenseman.

Blueman, Those were the best at their positions in camp. Will they translate? I think Fabbri is a sure thing, he will be a good NHLer. Of course they have to all develop and do it against better competition, but they have a legit shot in the near future.

probably somewhere in the middle imho in that 1) you can see guys that obviously don't belong and are lottery long shots to make, 2) it's easy to read way more into it and think guys are much further along/better than they actually are due to relative competition, and 3) you can tell guys that at least have a shot at an nhl career....

For me, it's all just more data points to look at the overall picture (kind of like advanced stats).
- stljam

Paryko sounds and looks like a beast

Another year in Chicago and bring him up to take Gunnars spot

The key with Paryko for me is he can skate

I am not saying that after watching these guys the other day, I know who will make it and who won't. Just my feelings on them comparing them against each other.

Fabbri was obviously the best forward out there. It wasn't even close.

Husso, you could see his skill/size and how fluid he was. He has the skills to get a shot at the NHL level.

Parayko, he I believe will get a long look this camp and will push for a spot soon. He has the size needed, he can skate. Everything that Blues fans have been looking for in a defenseman.

Blueman, Those were the best at their positions in camp. Will they translate? I think Fabbri is a sure thing, he will be a good NHLer. Of course they have to all develop and do it against better competition, but they have a legit shot in the near future.
- carcus

Saw army talk to a reporter last night and he specifically mentioned Fabbri and Parayko. You can tell both impressed him so far. He also mentioned Barbeshev but frankly it seemed like a throw in comment, almost after the fact, like he felt like he had to so as not to slight the kid. Just my opinion of what I heard and saw of course.

traverse city tournament info -

http://redwings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=758651

I am not saying that after watching these guys the other day, I know who will make it and who won't. Just my feelings on them comparing them against each other.

Fabbri was obviously the best forward out there. It wasn't even close.

Husso, you could see his skill/size and how fluid he was. He has the skills to get a shot at the NHL level.

Parayko, he I believe will get a long look this camp and will push for a spot soon. He has the size needed, he can skate. Everything that Blues fans have been looking for in a defenseman.

Blueman, Those were the best at their positions in camp. Will they translate? I think Fabbri is a sure thing, he will be a good NHLer. Of course they have to all develop and do it against better competition, but they have a legit shot in the near future.
- carcus

sure. i do not doubt those observations.

i should be more thorough in such a comment. jammer was more along the lines of what i think.

Irwin only got $800k.....are you kidding me? ugh.

About to fall off the front page again

The blues have enough leadership that is not in a leadership role on the team

Backes and Steen are Captains

But Pie Schwartz and Tarasenko lead by example

Schwartz had a rough playoffs but Tank and Pie were proably the two best blues in the series vs Minny

Schwartz is probably next in line for the C if Backes is traded or if he moves on in FA
- sycsam

I say add Shatty to the Ieadership. He pIays hard game in and game out. Heard the interview with strickIand and tarasenko Iast night from right after the asg. Makes me Iike Tarasenko that much more.

Irwin only got $800k.....are you kidding me? ugh.
- stljam

and yet Army resigns ButIer………

and yet Army resigns ButIer………
- BluesDroogie

Maybe Irwin only likes playing on the coasts..ugh...

Would much rather have had Irwin than Butler. Iwrin and Oleksy would have been super cheap insurance policies.

Maybe Irwin only likes playing on the coasts..ugh...

Would much rather have had Irwin than Butler. Iwrin and Oleksy would have been super cheap insurance policies.
- stljam

yep

Sharp and johns for garbutt and Daley?

What that makes zero sense

Sharp and johns for garbutt and Daley?

What that makes zero sense
- sycsam

no this is a strange one. here take a highly regarded defensive prospect as well as a top notch veteran forward with Cup experience to a team within the division for an aging decent dman and an expensive role player with some salary retention on that smaller salary??? Hawks save hardly any cap space.

Just made Dallas a whole lot better. JJ must be correct in assuming more trades by the Hawks will soon follow.

Someone made asome good points that with expansion the cap will not move up much for some years. Seems to me you have to invest carefully especially with aging players on term or you go to cap hell.

Time for another blog.....

no this is a strange one. here take a highly regarded defensive prospect as well as a top notch veteran forward with Cup experience to a team within the division for an aging decent dman and an expensive role player with some salary retention on that smaller salary??? Hawks save hardly any cap space.

Just made Dallas a whole lot better. JJ must be correct in assuming more trades by the Hawks will soon follow.

Someone made asome good points that with expansion the cap will not move up much for some years. Seems to me you have to invest carefully especially with aging players on term or you go to cap hell.
- BluemanGuruu

This deal makes no sense at all. Way worse that rearranging the deck chairs. More like trading new deck chairs for broken deck chairs and then rearranging them.

Dont know if this is allowed or not but I found a site that has EVERY single game from last season for every team available to watch in HD. Just a cool find I found while trying to get my hockey fix

http://xrxs.net/nhl/

Dont know if this is allowed or not but I found a site that has EVERY single game from last season for every team available to watch in HD. Just a cool find I found while trying to get my hockey fix

http://xrxs.net/nhl/
- Goblues86

Sorry guys. Been out of town camping this week. No service or internet. New blog in the morning.

Sorry guys. Been out of town camping this week. No service or internet. New blog in the morning.
- Corey Harvey

First sign of following in the footsteps of the prior blogger. Next we'll hear about your cat being sick....all in jest.

So dealing oshie for similar aav and not dealing Berglund have left the Blues unable to improve the team due to having virtually no cap room.

No ability to sign guys like Eric Fehr, Justin Williams (even if he would have wanted to sign here), etc.

We still don't have a solid depth d-man option either.

I'm not feeling good about this off season at all but what can you do.

So dealing oshie for similar aav and not dealing Berglund have left the Blues unable to improve the team due to having virtually no cap room.

No ability to sign guys like Eric Fehr, Justin Williams (even if he would have wanted to sign here), etc.

We still don't have a solid depth d-man option either.

I'm not feeling good about this off season at all but what can you do.
- stljam

I'd really be curious to know what their season-ticket sales are going to look like this year as compared to last. They haven't done anything worthy of a person on the fence about purchasing or renewing to make a convincing case to buy.

A roster spent to the cap, no playoff revenue to speak of and a stagnating season ticket base doesn't look like a good long-term viable business model for Mr. Stillman.

At some point these boys are going to have to actually win something.......

I'd really be curious to know what their season-ticket sales are going to look like this year as compared to last. They haven't done anything worthy of a person on the fence about purchasing or renewing to make a convincing case to buy.

A roster spent to the cap, no playoff revenue to speak of and a stagnating season ticket base doesn't look like a good long-term viable business model for Mr. Stillman.

At some point these boys are going to have to actually win something.......
- bcallaway

Most season ticket holders actually renew in Feb/ March to lock in lower playoff tickets and reduced season tickets the following year. Think upper bowl was either no change or a $1 per seat for this year vs last.

I'd really be curious to know what their season-ticket sales are going to look like this year as compared to last. They haven't done anything worthy of a person on the fence about purchasing or renewing to make a convincing case to buy.

A roster spent to the cap, no playoff revenue to speak of and a stagnating season ticket base doesn't look like a good long-term viable business model for Mr. Stillman.

At some point these boys are going to have to actually win something.......
- bcallaway

Gerk is right in relation to the season ticket holder base. What this will hurt is season ticket holders that count on resale and individual game tickets as the other fans will wait to see how the team performs first...

It may have stalled new season ticket holders but that number is a very small percentage most years. It would be a different story after a Stanley cup, huge signing (think Stamkos), etc.

So dealing oshie for similar aav and not dealing Berglund have left the Blues unable to improve the team due to having virtually no cap room.

No ability to sign guys like Eric Fehr, Justin Williams (even if he would have wanted to sign here), etc.

We still don't have a solid depth d-man option either.

I'm not feeling good about this off season at all but what can you do.
- stljam

i think the d depth is just fine. benoit on a two way, butler who was good dspite the criticism, and a bunch of young kids chomping at the bit.

i agree about forward though. would have liked to see berglund moved for a pick or something then look at some fa options or in house.

Most season ticket holders actually renew in Feb/ March to lock in lower playoff tickets and reduced season tickets the following year. Think upper bowl was either no change or a $1 per seat for this year vs last.
- Gerk

Yep.

Single game tickets will probably suffer, but they always do at the beginning of the year.

As long as they are playing well, I don't think you will see much of a difference as past seasons. Weak attendance the first couple of months, pretty much selling out after Christmas.

Most season ticket holders actually renew in Feb/ March to lock in lower playoff tickets and reduced season tickets the following year. Think upper bowl was either no change or a $1 per seat for this year vs last.
- Gerk

Good point.