cprice12

Before they went through their rebuilding period, The Blues were elite or at the very least, very good, for a long time, challenged for the division often, were always in the playoffs, won the President's trophy, went to the conference finals, blah, blah...they just could't get over the hump in the playoffs. Some of you think the Blues came into the league in 2005. Blues fans have just been waiting for this. Blues fans are excited about their team's return to respectability...and they should be. They are playing some great hockey, and they have the best goaltending they have ever had...maybe the best goaltending duo in the last 40 years (haven't looked it up though). They are playing a great system and have a balanced attack. And they are doing it without one of their best two-way players in Alex Steen. They could win the West and/or the division. Their 7 game road trip they have coming up will play a big part in where they finish. Their last road trip was 6 games and they went 5-1 on it. The 4 vs 5 matchup is going to be a war with Nashville...so whoever finishes 4th is in for a dogfight. Winning the division is a big deal. Looking forward to the home stretch. No, they're not. They are two points better.

Well...to be fair, this team was supposed to break out a year or two ago, and didn't really do so until Hitchcock was brought in this year. How quickly Hitchcock turned it around is a bit surprising, so you could say it just shows how ready this team was to move to the next level. So...how I like to look at it is...they underachieved the last couple years and are finally coming around. They rely heavily on defense and goaltending. Seemed to work quite well for New Jersey for years. But does it matter? Winning is winning. And I fail to see what the '01-'02 team, or the years since, has to do with this year's team. St. Losers eh? Uh...ok. If you say so.

You went from Yzerman and Lidstrom then directly to McCarty and Draper?? Really?

Bishop is a free agent next year and will be moved before the deadline...I've been saying that for months. I don't think he'll want to resign here with the Blues currently owning the best goaltending in the NHL. There's just no room for him here, especially after Elliott recently signed an extension. And after Halak and Elliott's time expire here...Jake Allen will hopefully be the guy...they have high hopes for him...as they should. Bishop will draw interest as anyone who has been paying attention understands that he is NHL ready right now. If I remember correctly, his number's were slightly better than Elliott's in training camp (many were shocked he wasn't Halak's backup when camp broke). And he recently won honors as the AHL All Star game MVP...and is having a very good season in Peoria. Bishop alone won't get "the guy" that the Blues need though. He'd have to be part of a package deal...and moving key guys from this roster may not be the smart move, unless you are getting a heck of a player in return. With the sale of the team in transition, they won't be taking on any large contracts at the deadline...unless an outstanding deal falls in their laps. However...with Perron getting hot, Berglund starting to turn it on a bit now, the return of MacDonald last game (who looked great) and Steen's return right around the corner, they may not need to acquire a 30-goal sniper. They are very, very deep offensively...they just don't have that marquee guy...and they may not need him if they stay healthy the rest of the way. We'll see what Bishop brings in. I'll be shocked if he isn't moved. If he isn't moved, we'll lose him for nothing. He'll at least bring in a pick or a depth guy. I would say he could help acquire a salary dump type of player, but again, the Blues aren't going to be taking on any large salaries until the sale of the team is complete. And after that, who knows.

Aside from Fischer and Kostitsyn, has anyone else on the Preds had a deep playoff run? Has anyone on their roster ever won a cup? Trotz hasn't ever won anything. With the addition of Arnott, Langenbrunner and Hitchcock (stanley cups) and with Halak having gone deeper into the playoffs than Rinne. I'd say the Blues have more playoff experience (and better) playoff experience than Nashville. Not that that guarantees anything however. Biased view...I know...but still.

Maybe. The jury is out on how the bulk of the Blues roster will fair in the playoffs. They did bring in Arnott and Langenbrunner, who both have loads of playoff experience and a couple cups (main reason why they were brought here). Halak has been to the conference finals. MacDonald has won a cup. Jackman is a vet who has been in his share of playoff games...along with a handful of other guys. But a chunk of the driving force of this team...Backes, Oshie, Perron, Petro, Shattenkirk, etc... have little if any playoff experience. Oh, and Hitchcock has won a cup. San Jose and Vancouver's coaches have not. Advantage? Possibly. No playoff predictions from me...other than it shouldn't surprise anyone of the Blues win at least a couple rounds. The playoffs are crazy...anything can happen, and it usually does.

Scratch those figures. I was working from standings that didn't have Detroit's win over Philly factored in...I thought they were updated when I did that. Anyway...

When have the Blues ever played above their heads when it counted? They have traditionally underachieved in the playoffs.

San Jose? Eh...I don't see that at all. Not saying they can't...but I think if they have a deep run it will be a little surprising, and if they win the cup I'll be very surprised. And it goes without saying I'll say St. Louis should be included in the conversation. Technically, they do have the best pts. earned per game in the West...and are on pace for 111.8 pts., which is also best in the West (just a tick ahead of Detroit's 111.3 pace). St. Louis does have a few more road games than most teams down the stretch though. The only thing they have working against them is their scoring isn't what it needs to be...but they just got MacDonald back...should be getting Steen back soon...so some help is on the way. Most of these teams will probably make some sort of move at the deadline to improve...so that plays a factor. The Blues, however, probably won't do anything big at the deadline...aside from probably moving top goalie prospect, Ben Bishop.

Since the Blues have never won a cup, you could pick any truckload of players who played here and moved on elsewhere and eventually won a cup somewhere else. Hull is just the biggest name. And your comment, "he knew the Blues would never win one" simply isn't accurate at all. Hull has said many times about how he felt the Blues should have won a cup or two during his time here, they had the talent to win one and had some great teams...but the puck just didn't fall their way in the playoffs. I wasn't overly upset that Hull won one in Detroit...probably because he had already won one in Dallas. I was simply more annoyed that Detroit had won. I'm a Blues fan first. Players come and go.

1) Not really. That just adds insult to injury that it was possible the Blues may have drafted him if the scouting mishap hadn't happened. 2) Why do you care? Why does anyone care? Some of you guys act shocked and appalled that anyone could hate a Red Wings player. You guys are in for a wake up call...a LOT of fans...I mean a LOT, hate Wings players. It kind of comes with the territory of being good. People get sick of the Wings being there every year. It's just the way it is. This should not be news.

I didn't say he was coming to STL as a UFA. Again, it would help if you quit adding other things on to what I say. In case you forgot, Hasek had a say in where he could be traded to...and that is where the conversation between him and Blues management came in over who they were acquiring/trading in the offseason. A trade to STL was a possibility and was rumored to be close to happening, until he wanted to know what moves were in the works here. What you say COULD be true. It could also NOT be true. You have no idea how genuine the comments are. I am just going by what they actually said. You, on the other hand, are going by the opposite of what they said based on something Chelios did. Seems like you are reaching. And what leads me to believe some/most/all of the comments are rather accurate, was my conversation with Chris Kerber. He is around the players every day. He talks to them pretty much every day. I'm sure he has a better feel for what teams the players hate than you do. Attitudes can change...especially if a team expresses a desire to acquire you that you previously hated...and it helps if they are offering you more money as well. But don't kid yourself. There are players that hate the Wings right now...as I am sure there are players who hate the Blues as well. It's just part of competitive sports at the highest level.

I'm a Blues fan. I was born with an inner hatred for the Hawks. The players have nothing to do with it as far as the Hawks go. I'll hate that team no matter who is on it. But douchebag Kane makes it easy to hate them right now. Oh, and add Franzen to my hated list...why not? After the smartass comments he made to the press after the last time they played the Blues? Yeah...add him to the list. Datsyuk, I don't like him because he's good and he's burned us more times than I care to think about. It's as simple as that. Plus there was the whole scouting incident mishap with the Blues scout when he was still in Russia. That's just a punch in the face to Blues fans. Howard, I don't like him because he wrongly attacked Perron earlier this year, and took a swing at half a dozen Blues players in another game. Plus, he's a chippy guy. He'll throw punches and get in guy's faces with little provocation. Which I am sure you guys love, but when he does it to a Blues player, yeah, it's easy to dislike him. Especially when he makes comments after the game trying to justify attacking a guy, when the guy was shoved into him in the first place. Just a stupid thing to say. Hasek and Draper...do I really need to explain? Should be obvious. Hasek...Besides the fact that he flopped and dove worse than any goalie...ever, he was very close to coming to St. Louis before going to Detroit. He was going to come here, or so it was said, but he wanted to know who the Blues were going to keep and who they were going to trade before the season started. He made a big stink about it and of course the Blues aren't going to share that info with anyone, especially a player who is still a free agent. So he refused to sign here and went to Detroit instead. At least that is the story. And then, he goes on to be a thorn in our sides in numerous matchups with Detroit. Just a bitter situation all around. Draper. He was annoying...an instigator. He liked to stir things up and then would skate away or hide behind McCarty...he rarely fought or backed up his actions. I didn't like him at all. It's one of those things where if he's on your team, you love him...but if he's on the other team, you hate him.

Hey, you asked the question. It was answered. You can spin it any way you want, or say whatever...but it is what it is. Not my fault you asked for names, thinking you weren't going to get them, but then did. I guess your strategy backfired there. Oops. And thanks for the name calling. Classy. I say what I want in my forum, because it's my forum..and a Blues forum. Obviously I'm going to be more respectful of Red Wings topics here because this is not my house, and is full of Wings fans. Take it as a compliment. I respect the work that Matt does here. I'm not here to cause too much trouble...just engage in a good discussion/debate with rival fans. Why would I care what Chelios does? He's on my most hated player list. Because he renigged on a bold statement he made, just makes him that much more of a ****** if you ask me. Chicago fans SHOULD boo him. Again, you asked the question. I answered it honestly. It seems to be your problem now that you don't like the answer. Not much else I can say about it. Except for Hossa, right? He had to go elsewhere to win a cup. I never said they were all dirty cheapshotting players. Maybe take the time to read what I said next time. And I wasn't aware my personal hatred of players had to pass through your legitimacy filter first. Sorry, but I can hate a player for whatever reason I want. And again, it has nothing to do with how they are as a person (usually). I'm sure most of them are great guys, great teammates. This is all on-ice stuff I'm referring to that rubbed me the wrong way...so strictly a sports fan's take. It's my opinion. Get over it.

Sure, I'd like 4 cups in the last 15 years...but I'm not going to be jealous of another team that has done that. Jealousy is not a redeeming quality. Someone can desire to attain something without being jealous of what someone else has already attained.

Nah, we won't be losing to the 8th seed.

It all depends on how bad it is broke. If he is saying that, I'm guessing it's a hairline fracture...not serious. Good...I hope he only misses 2 games and plays 70+ games this year and wears down in the playoffs.

I totally understand why an opposing fan would hate Backes. He's very physical...he fights...he scores...and he backs down from nobody. And throw in the occasional cheap shot in a scrum, and there you go. But from a Blues fan's perspective... he's a great captain and a fan favorite. Best cap'n had in quite a while. Give it up dude. You lost this one.

Easiest question ever. McCarty Draper Maltby Holmstrom Lapointe Hasek Chelios Kocur Probert Konstantinov Datsyuk Bertuzzi Howard I'm sure they are all nice guys off the ice or whatever...but strictly speaking on the ice, I couldn't stand those guys. Some because of some on ice incident(s)...others because they are dirty/cheap...and others just because they are Wings. I don't hate Yzerman. You'd think I would because of that 2OT goal in game 7 back in the day...but I hate Gretzky for coughing the puck up to #19 right before the goal.

I don't have any quotes on hand. Not something I collect and save. Sorry. But my comment stems from years of hearing occasional comments made by players & former players. TV & radio interviews, or even talking to them in person. I've spent a few games in the press box talking with a few former players (Chase, Twist, MacInnis), radio broadcasters, etc. I talk with Chris Kerber (Blues PBP radio voice) every now and then as I was doing some web work for him, and we've talked about the team's underlying hatred for certain teams, including the Red Wings. One of the games that I was in the press box, was against the Hawks...and the topic of rivalries came up...and Detroit was mentioned as a team a lot of the players couldn't stand. A buddy of mine that I did the St. Louis Blues Radio podcast with has press credentials and interviews players all of the time. I can get more info for you on this topic if you want to obsess over it. I've already said I'm not jealous of the Red Wings for anything. The fact you keep saying it doesn't somehow make it true. I'm being honest. No jealousy...just a sports rivalry hatred that stems from too many incidents on the ice to mention. And I'm not sure what you think I don't know. Why would I come on here and lie? I just tell it like it is. So there you go.

Two games and reevaluated doesn't mean he'll only miss two games. It means after he misses two games, they'll look and see how it's doing and see how much more time he'll miss. You'd think with any kind of break, he'd be out at least a couple weeks. Bones don't heal in a few days. Probably a blessing in disguise for you guys though. Bobcock was going to run him into the ground. He was on pace to play more games than he had ever played before. No telling how his body would react to that at the end of the season. But he's young...might not have effected him that much, but you never know...and then if a deep playoff run is the goal...that's a LOT of games.

Well, I know for a fact a bunch of current and former Blues players can't stand the Red Wings. I assume it's the same in many other cities. But that's nothing compared to the various fanbases that hate the Red Wings. The hatred has nothing (or at least very little) to do with the number of cups the Wings have won...at least as far as I am concerned. For me, it is a combination of certain players I don't like, incidents that have happened in the past (reg. season and playoffs), and past inabilities to get past Detroit in the playoffs, finishing behind them in the standings, etc. I hate the Canucks...can't stand 'em...do they have any cups? Nope. I can't stand the Sharks either... no cups. I actually enjoy the Penguins...and they have a handful of cups. No hatred there from me. I don't dislike the Canadiens...kind of impartial to them really, and they seemingly have 14,000 cups. The number of cups a team has, has little to do with whether I hate them or not. It's really all about particular players, specific incidents, etc.

No, that's not accurate at all. Helm was not going after the puck. He made no attempt to play the puck. Apparently, I watched a different game than some of you.

That's just rah rah talk...sometning you hear players say to the media. Call it whatever you want...excuses, reasons, etc. The facts are that sometimes bad calls are made and sometimes those bad calls cost teams games. Period.

I didn't say it resulted in the loss, but had that been called, the Wings don't get a PP and may not have went up 3-1. The game would have remained 2-1 with a 4 on 4 coming. Wings may still have won the game, but that bad non-call allowed for a PPG that kind of put the game out of reach.