our goaltending situation is completely effed, all-star Brian Elliott getting snubbed out of a playoff starting spot two years in a row. Blues goaltending look completely pathetic in playoffs, aside from our inability to score. Unfortunately, yet again, changes need to be made...but where do the Blues even begin? Cannot believe Elliott hasn't demanded a trade after all this.
- rjwc5f

I honestly didn't have a problem with Jake Allen. The starting job was all Brian Elliot's job to lose. And he lost it.

Allen played well early on. He gave up a couple of really horrible, back-breaking goals at the end of that series. No question. They were life-suckers.

Did you happen to see Corey Crawford in round 1?

The team in front of Allen quit long before he had his troubles.

Elliot is a career backup that for some reason Doug Armstrong loves. Trading Bishop because the Blues had Elliot was the worst move hes made since hes been here. Hes incredibly streaky and he folds under pressure of being a #1. Hes had a long career in which he has proven this over and over.
- Cephalopods

exactly!!!

Elliot is a career backup that for some reason Doug Armstrong loves. Trading Bishop because the Blues had Elliot was the worst move hes made since hes been here. Hes incredibly streaky and he folds under pressure of being a #1. Hes had a long career in which he has proven this over and over.
- Cephalopods

I've never understood how people come to this reasoning. Elliott has only gotten the chance to play three postseason series with the Blues. The first, against the Sharks, he was great. The second round of that same postseason, the Blues came up against a Kings' team they obviously weren't prepared for. The defense was a wreck and no one could score, that's not exactly Elliott's fault. The third series was also against the Kings three seasons ago, where Elliott basically matched Quick. Though the Blues lost the series 4-2, every game was a one-goal game.

Elliott may be streaky in the regular season, but so far, he's shown up in each of his postseason series appearances; the team in front of him has yet to commit. Elliott may not be elite, but neither is Crawford; it's the team in front of Crawford that is elite. Until I see Allen or Elliott completely blow a series themselves, which hasn't happened yet, I'm in the camp that goaltending isn't much of an issue.

I've never understood how people come to this reasoning. Elliott has only gotten the chance to play three postseason series with the Blues. The first, against the Sharks, he was great. The second round of that same postseason, the Blues came up against a Kings' team they obviously weren't prepared for. The defense was a wreck and no one could score, that's not exactly Elliott's fault. The third series was also against the Kings three seasons ago, where Elliott basically matched Quick. Though the Blues lost the series 4-2, every game was a one-goal game.

Elliott may be streaky in the regular season, but so far, he's shown up in each of his postseason series appearances; the team in front of him has yet to commit. Elliott may not be elite, but neither is Crawford; it's the team in front of Crawford that is elite. Until I see Allen or Elliott completely blow a series themselves, which hasn't happened yet, I'm in the camp that goaltending isn't much of an issue.
- RobShouts

A fair assessment

I've never understood how people come to this reasoning Elliott has only gotten the chance to play three postseason series with the Blues. The first, against the Sharks, he was great. The second round of that same postseason, the Blues came up against a Kings' team they obviously weren't prepared for. The defense was a wreck and no one could score, that's not exactly Elliott's fault. The third series was also against the Kings three seasons ago, where Elliott basically matched Quick. Though the Blues lost the series 4-2, every game was a one-goal game.

Elliott may be streaky in the regular season, but so far, he's shown up in each of his postseason series appearances; the team in front of him has yet to commit. Elliott may not be elite, but neither is Crawford; it's the team in front of Crawford that is elite. Until I see Allen or Elliott completely blow a series themselves, which hasn't happened yet, I'm in the camp that goaltending isn't much of an issue.
- RobShouts

I'll offer my explanation.

Elliot's been tremendous in a two goalie system. His numbers speak for themselves. He's among the all-time franchise greats if you only look at his numbers.

When he's been called upon to take the reigns, either by injury or the coach has felt like he's finally earned the job, and been given the job as the clear cut #1 guy - his game goes to pieces.

If you watch the Blues regularly, it's clear as can be.

He's a very good 1b goalie. As long as he's satisfied with that, I'm fine with him sticking around. I don't agree with anyone that feels like he should be given a shot to be a #1 guy.

He's been here now long enough that he is what is he is.

I'll offer my explanation.

Elliot's been tremendous in a two goalie system. His numbers speak for themselves. He's among the all-time franchise greats if you only look at his numbers.

When he's been called upon to take the reigns, either by injury or the coach has felt like he's finally earned the job, and been given the job as the clear cut #1 guy - his game goes to pieces.

If you watch the Blues regularly, it's clear as can be.

He's a very good 1b goalie. As long as he's satisfied with that, I'm fine with him sticking around. I don't agree with anyone that feels like he should be given a shot to be a #1 guy.

He's been here now long enough that he is what is he is.
- bcallaway

Not to mention he's shown other clubs the same thing. He's 30 years old. He's a known quantity. I can think of only a handful of goalies that have become solid starters after being a backup for the first 8-10 years of their career.

Braithwaite - Not exactly solid
Roloson - A couple of good seasons

To quote a hilarious rant, "(He is) who we thought (he was)."

I'll offer my explanation.

Elliot's been tremendous in a two goalie system. His numbers speak for themselves. He's among the all-time franchise greats if you only look at his numbers.

When he's been called upon to take the reigns, either by injury or the coach has felt like he's finally earned the job, and been given the job as the clear cut #1 guy - his game goes to pieces.

If you watch the Blues regularly, it's clear as can be.

He's a very good 1b goalie. As long as he's satisfied with that, I'm fine with him sticking around. I don't agree with anyone that feels like he should be given a shot to be a #1 guy.

He's been here now long enough that he is what is he is.
- bcallaway

Exactly this.

I dont think goaltending is an issue either. I think Allen did fine for his first playoff action. I would expect him to be better next year. Now if Hitch decides to name Elliot the starter again, then they need to either trade him or buy him out in order to prevent that insanity. I am all for addition by subtraction in certain cases

Elliott is a very good backup and fill in starter. That's what he is, and there is no shame in that.

And that is exactly how he is paid as well. He knows it, the Blues know it. Pretty much everyone but some fans know it because they see he has the Blues shutout record (awesome feat) and a good record/stats behind a great regular season team.

This is Allen's job now, hopefully he is up to the task.

Elliott is a very good backup and fill in starter. That's what he is, and there is no shame in that.

And that is exactly how he is paid as well. He knows it, the Blues know it. Pretty much everyone but some fans know it because they see he has the Blues shutout record (awesome feat) and a good record/stats behind a great regular season team.

This is Allen's job now, hopefully he is up to the task.
- carcus

If Allen plays like he should, Elliott will be traded this season. He's only still on this team as insurance in my mind. Here, I'll do it for Hitchcock since he's afraid of Allen's psyche, "Allen is our #1 goalie."

Come December when some teams will be in need of average goaltending, a veteran backup and prospect/pick will be coming back for Elliott. That extra cap room at the deadline will be quite useful and it will end the back-and-forth, 1A/1B thing that goaltenders are simply not used to.

If Allen plays like he should, Elliott will be traded this season. He's only still on this team as insurance in my mind. Here, I'll do it for Hitchcock since he's afraid of Allen's psyche, "Allen is our #1 goalie."

Come December when some teams will be in need of average goaltending, a veteran backup and prospect/pick will be coming back for Elliott. That extra cap room at the deadline will be quite useful and it will end the back-and-forth, 1A/1B thing that goaltenders are simply not used to.
- bluenoter

Until Binnington starts to try and supplant Allen as the number 1.

Until Binnington starts to try and supplant Allen as the number 1.

- stljam

and likely will Binnington is a gamer at least in the Playoffs

and likely will Binnington is a gamer at least in the Playoffs
- sycsam

Did Allen win a WJC? Or was that the year that Housley led the US to victory? I know Allen's numbers in the playoffs in Juniors and the AHL weren't great.

Did Allen win a WJC? Or was that the year that Housley led the US to victory? I know Allen's numbers in the playoffs in Juniors and the AHL weren't great.
- bluenoter

Pretty sure US won that year but I could be wrong of course

Pretty sure US won that year but I could be wrong of course
- sycsam

Us won 6-5 in the gold medal game, shelling Allen and getting him pulled early in the third in favor of Martin Jones. He gave up 5 goals on 28 shots. He was not good in that game at all.

Jam

Could you see a top line of 17-26-23?

I think Jaskin is better on the left but I could be wrong
- sycsam

Until the season gets closer I'm not even going to start tinkering with lines anymore.

Berglund, Tank, Schwartz, Steen and Jaskin are all lefties. Brouwer and Backes are Righties. At least 1 of the four are going to be playing off wing.

Until the season gets closer I'm not even going to start tinkering with lines anymore.

Berglund, Tank, Schwartz, Steen and Jaskin are all lefties. Brouwer and Backes are Righties. At least 1 of the four are going to be playing off wing.
- stljam

At least Armstrong is filling the roster with players that aren't afraid of physical play. Let's just hope they find their identity early in the season.

Until the season gets closer I'm not even going to start tinkering with lines anymore.

Berglund, Tank, Schwartz, Steen and Jaskin are all lefties. Brouwer and Backes are Righties. At least 1 of the four are going to be playing off wing.
- stljam

Tarasenko is a lefty, but he is a right wing.

So if Backes plays wing this year, we will have Tarasenko, Backes, Brouwer, & Reaves as our 4 RWers.

Tarasenko is a lefty, but he is a right wing.

So if Backes plays wing this year, we will have Tarasenko, Backes, Brouwer, & Reaves as our 4 RWers.
- carcus

Didn't Steen also play off-wing? Also, Didn't Backes play off wing as a righty early on? I can't remember, it's been so long since he played wing...

Just found a hockey card from 2006 online. Backes was a RW.

Didn't Steen also play off-wing? Also, Didn't Backes play off wing as a righty early on? I can't remember, it's been so long since he played wing...

Just found a hockey card from 2006 online. Backes was a RW.
- eggsegan

Backes is a righty so his nature wouid be right wing, not to sure what you are saying here

Backes is a righty so his nature wouid be right wing, not to sure what you are saying here
- BluesDroogie

I was trying to remember if, like Brendan Shanahan, Backes played left wing instead of right. Shanny was a righty, but his wicked one-timers from the left circle were how he scored a ton of goals for the Blues.

It's not uncommon for players to play off-wing. It gives them an advantage on the goalie for shots on passes from the opposite side.

I've never understood how people come to this reasoning. Elliott has only gotten the chance to play three postseason series with the Blues. The first, against the Sharks, he was great. The second round of that same postseason, the Blues came up against a Kings' team they obviously weren't prepared for. The defense was a wreck and no one could score, that's not exactly Elliott's fault. The third series was also against the Kings three seasons ago, where Elliott basically matched Quick. Though the Blues lost the series 4-2, every game was a one-goal game.

Elliott may be streaky in the regular season, but so far, he's shown up in each of his postseason series appearances; the team in front of him has yet to commit. Elliott may not be elite, but neither is Crawford; it's the team in front of Crawford that is elite. Until I see Allen or Elliott completely blow a series themselves, which hasn't happened yet, I'm in the camp that goaltending isn't much of an issue.
- RobShouts

Simple. He failed when given the reigns in Ottawa, Colorado and St. Louis. The one year in St. Louis he was sent to the minors. He has never been capable of shouldering much of the load without getting hurt either mentally or physically.

That said he has not been bad as a back up plus.

I was trying to remember if, like Brendan Shanahan, Backes played left wing instead of right. Shanny was a righty, but his wicked one-timers from the left circle were how he scored a ton of goals for the Blues.

It's not uncommon for players to play off-wing. It gives them an advantage on the goalie for shots on passes from the opposite side.
- eggsegan

Backes played on the right side here before being moved to center.

Look Backes has proven to be a very good centerman. The best is if his minutes are managed more as he increases in age. Drop him down the line up and if his steps start come up slow try the wing.

- carcus

Nothing to see here...

Backes played on the right side here before being moved to center.

Look Backes has proven to be a very good centerman. The best is if his minutes are managed more as he increases in age. Drop him down the line up and if his steps start come up slow try the wing.
- BluemanGuruu

Have you gone crazy?

Blackhawk fan now and your location is in TrustinJarmo? I bet that doesn't smell too great.