Blues have high expectations this year

[Krystal 41]

So Friday night, I was at my CHL opening night and overheard a guy in the next row behind me talking about the Blues and their new season ticket plans.

http://blues.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=64064

Apparently, the Blues are SO convinced they're making the playoffs this year, they're offering a limited season ticket promotion where you pay half of the season ticket balance up front... and the other half when the Blues clinch a playoff spot this year.

I gotta think they have a real shot, but man... can you imagine the deficit if they DON'T make the playoffs? It's a really interesting concept though. I wonder if any other teams have tried something like this?

[cjm502 165]

Im not sure about this year, but it is a fact that the Blues are one of the young and improving teams in the NHL. They are turning in to a threat.

[Booster313 138]

I am sure either way you have to pay for your games you went to.

[CenterIce 83]

I am sure either way you have to pay for your games you went to.

No, they are basically going to give you the seats for half price if they don't make the playoffs. The rub is that there are limited tickets available for the plan.

Only 100 seats are eligible for this special promotion in each of the following sections: Plaza End, Blue Chip, Mezzanine End Low and Mezzanine End.[/Quote]

[achildr1 255]

I'm gonna say the Blues are at least two pretty decent veterans away from really competing in any serious manner. One forward and one d-man.

[achildr1 255]

A healthy Kariya would have fiiled the forward spot. But they let him walk and he's out anyway.

They need a veteran puckmoving defenceman too.

Besides that though, they really impress me. Oshie is a beast. Berglund, Backes, Boyes, Steen, Perron, Johnson, Halak, and Petrianglo make up one heck of a hockey club.

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

They made the playoffs 2 years ago with what I think was a weaker team and played pretty good against Vancouver even though I think they got swept but only lost games by a goal or two. With them aquiring Halak it could make them a serious contender, look where Halak single handingly took Montreal last year, past Caps and Pens, two of the most offensive teams in the NHL. I would rather see St Louis in it than Nashville who go absolutely nowhere every year.

[hooon 1,089]

They made the playoffs 2 years ago with what I think was a weaker team and played pretty good against Vancouver even though I think they got swept but only lost games by a goal or two. With them aquiring Halak it could make them a serious contender, look where Halak single handingly took Montreal last year, past Caps and Pens, two of the most offensive teams in the NHL. I would rather see St Louis in it than Nashville who go absolutely nowhere every year.

The key to their playoffs a few years ago was the fact that they went on an insane run in the second half of the season.

Halak is key, and can obviously be a difference maker. Ultimately, I just think the west will be too tight again, and I can think of at least 8 teams who are more talented.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

From a public relations standpoint, this is a stroke of genius. From a business standpoint, I'm not so sure. A team's revenue foundation is based on season tickets sold (except in Phoenix). They get their money, they invest it and make more money off of it. Of course, they are only dealing with a total of 400 seasons tickets so the risk might be so bad. Maybe there's seats with heating conduits obstructing the view.

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

Getting Halak makes them better and they should have higher expectations. Their problem is that they are playing in a very tough division. I could see 4 teams from the Central making the playoffs again. I can't see Columbus making it in.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Getting to the postseason won't happen if the Blues give away games like they did tonight.

[zombi 43]

Sorry for the necrobump, but dammmmn.

Say goodbye to all that dough!