So on twitter, I suggested the Blues new hashtag should be either
1)#FallTogetherNowSTL
or
2)#FailtogetherNowSTL

How about a HB Vote on it here in the comments?

Or how about #Allentowaivers?

#builttocompetein20182019

#carcuslosthisseat

So if the Blues complete the playoff fail, they do so to the benefit of St. Louis arch enemy Kroenke.

Agreed
- carcus

When are you going to admit you got an Allen sweater?

you guys gotta admit those blue pads were sweet.

So if the Blues complete the playoff fail, they do so to the benefit of St. Louis arch enemy Kroenke.
- Jason Millen

Demonizing Kroenke makes no sense. He's a real estate developer that made a series of wise business decisions.

Demonizing Kroenke makes no sense. He's a real estate developer that made a series of wise business decisions.
- bcallaway

The Kroenke sucks chants are why I gave him the St. Louis enemy title. I could personally care less about Stan though I personally don't like him but that opinion was formed before the Rams left.

The Kroenke sucks chants are why I gave him the St. Louis enemy title. I could personally care less about Stan though I personally don't like him but that opinion was formed before the Rams left.
- Jason Millen

Who wouldn't jump at the chance to move your franchise from downtown deadsville to Southern California, practically doubling its value by the time all's said and done?

I wouldn't have to think about that for more than five minutes.

Ram fans in St. Louis are clueless. If they want to blame someone, blame the late-not-so-great Tom Eagleton who put an open-ended clause in the lease agreement for the dome that allowed Kroenke to do what he did.

Who wouldn't jump at the chance to move your franchise from downtown deadsville to Southern California, practically doubling its value by the time all's said and done?

I wouldn't have to think about that for more than five minutes.

Ram fans in St. Louis are clueless. If they want to blame someone, blame the late-not-so-great Tom Eagleton who put an open-ended clause in the lease agreement for the dome that allowed Kroenke to do what he did.
- bcallaway

On the Rams front, my problem with Kroenke is like my problem with Pujols was, though Pujols was a lot worse about it. Don't say or act like it isn't about the money or the business decision when it is. BTW it's perfectly fine if it is about the money/business decision, just don't claim it isn't when it is.

you guys gotta admit those blue pads were sweet.
- kicksave856

lol

#carcuslosthisseat
- bcallaway

When are you going to admit you got an Allen sweater?
- Jason Millen

No sweater.

I do have a Winter Classic shirtsey with Allen on the back that I got at the summer sale after last season. It's probably my fault for his play.....

For those newer to the site, here is the piece on Allen I did in May 2014 - http://my.hockeybuzz.com/...er_id=17431&post_id=16131

and a refresh in July 2016
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=78429

I'm the 1st to admit I can be tough on goalies, comes with the territory of being tough on yourself as a goalie and just the sheer reliance and pressure of the position but the red flags were all there.

The contract Allen was given, a year before hitting rfa, was a gamble, a bet on him ascending significantly in play and consistency. It was a bet that he would ascend and you would have him locked up at a cap hit that was a million or more under market value. It's a gamble I wouldn't have taken based on the red flags I saw and one that seems to be coming up craps.
- Jason Millen

It wasn't really that big of a bet. He has a pretty small cap hit for a starter. 19th in the league this year.

It wasn't really that big of a bet. He has a pretty small cap hit for a starter. 19th in the league this year.
- carcus

Term commitment is as important as AAV imho

Term commitment is as important as AAV imho
- Jason Millen

4 years? We haven't had anyone else in the pipeline ready. When we signed him, Elliott just left via trade. So we didn't have anyone else at all.

It looks like Husso is ready now. But we didn't have anyone ready before that.

So do people still think I have been too hard on Allen over the years?
- Jason Millen

You definitely saw some things in his game that were off. At the time I, and I think most fans were reasonably optimistic that he was going to progressively get better and iron out some of his issues. What we've seen has been the complete reverse. Everything that was off about his game in 14 is now noticably worse. Even the once strong aspects of his game like his ability to play the puck, are non existent or at times even a liability.

I don't know if they'll be able to buy him out or what but he's got to go. We'd be better off piecing together a couple of rag tag veterans.

No sweater.

I do have a Winter Classic shirtsey with Allen on the back that I got at the summer sale after last season. It's probably my fault for his play.....
- carcus

There we have it. I knew there was a rational explanation for his demise out there.

4 years? We haven't had anyone else in the pipeline ready. When we signed him, Elliott just left via trade. So we didn't have anyone else at all.

It looks like Husso is ready now. But we didn't have anyone ready before that.
- carcus

according to corsica hockey, 29 goalies have 1,800 minutes this year. All is 23rd in GSAA and 22nd in dSV%.

Last year he was 21 of 29 and 21 of 29.

10 of 23 and 14 of 23 two years ago.

Sharks beat the Avs tonight. Regardless of the outcome tomorrow, a Blues win on Friday delivers them into the playoffs.

Blues playoff picture -
If Blues ROW Friday, they are in with any win, OT loss, or SO loss Saturday.
If the Blues SO win Friday, they need any win or a SO Loss Saturday.
If the Blues lose in any form Friday, they need to win Saturday to get in.

Thank you for a Schenn who can be a first line center on one of the statistically best lines in hockey.
- BluemanGuruu

If Schenn is our #1 C the next few years, we definitely aren't advancing far in the playoffs. A great #2, and along with Schwartz, a potentially dominating duo for a 2nd line. But if you don't have someone capable of creating chances for #91, immediately, at best you can hope to get a playoff series win with this brutal playoff setup before an equally scary good 2nd round opponent likely knocks you out in Round 2. Armstrong's eternal dilemma, and it remains the biggest problem heading into next season.

I'm amazed so many people have already judged the Schenn/Lehtera swap a win for the Blues. We won't know how this one works out for almost a decade. That Morgan Frost kid has some sick junior #s and they are getting a nice pick this year too, who likely won't sniff the NHL for 3+ seasons.

And anyone thinking Thomas & Kyrou are next year's answers to talent gaps lower in the lineup is wildly optimistic, IMO. Both could use AHL seasoning and Thomas isn't even eligible to play there next season as a 19 year old. Not down on their talents long-term, but it's rare 20 and 19 year olds just assume a prominent place on an important line on a team with serious playoff hopes. They are not McDavid/Eichel talents.

With avs loss last night I'd start hutton tonight since a win tomorrow is essentially what matters.
See how he does and if he craps the bed you go back with Allen on Saturday and take your chances. If hutton plays well play him tomorrow.

Sad that it's come to these types of decisions.

He's a good complementary player who can succeed with the right linemates. I just think you overpaid for him a bit, but all in all, it was a good deal for both teams. Honestly, from what I've seen of the Blues, it seems some poor defensive play and shoddy goaltending are whats hurting you these days.
- BiggE

He was that until this season when he actually has played center.

Mostly poor goaltending.