When Burke came in, the first acquisition he made was to get Brad May from Anaheim as a grizzled veteran roll player/leader who could be a stabilizing influence on a young team. I wonder why this role hasn't been filled over the past couple of years? While this season has largely been pissed down the drain, you can't help but wonder if things would have worked out differently if we had some more calm voices of reason among the troops back when the slide was just in its infancy. Those Arnott/Langenbrunner type players have really helped out St. Louis. While there are bigger fish to fry for next year, a couple of these players sprinkled on the third and fourth lines might make the difference between being lost in the wilderness and successfully competing for a playoff spot.
When Burke came in, the first acquisition he made was to get Brad May from Anaheim as a grizzled veteran roll player/leader who could be a stabilizing influence on a young team. I wonder why this role hasn't been filled over the past couple of years? While this season has largely been pissed down the drain, you can't help but wonder if things would have worked out differently if we had some more calm voices of reason among the troops back when the slide was just in its infancy. Those Arnott/Langenbrunner type players have really helped out St. Louis. While there are bigger fish to fry for next year, a couple of these players sprinkled on the third and fourth lines might make the difference between being lost in the wilderness and successfully competing for a playoff spot.
Arnott and Langs weren't the major factor, it was Hitchock defensive (forecheck/trap system). Bring up the factor before Payne's firing, the St.Louis so called rebuild was looking like a fail. The accumulation of picks and youth that sopposed to make them a contender made them nothing more than borderline playoff contenders. The Blues are playing his trap/high forecheck system perfectly and have decent enough scorers and size and grit to be successful with it.
When Burke came in, the first acquisition he made was to get Brad May from Anaheim as a grizzled veteran roll player/leader who could be a stabilizing influence on a young team. I wonder why this role hasn't been filled over the past couple of years? While this season has largely been pissed down the drain, you can't help but wonder if things would have worked out differently if we had some more calm voices of reason among the troops back when the slide was just in its infancy. Those Arnott/Langenbrunner type players have really helped out St. Louis. While there are bigger fish to fry for next year, a couple of these players sprinkled on the third and fourth lines might make the difference between being lost in the wilderness and successfully competing for a playoff spot.
Toronto is cultivating a leadership nucleus with it's youth.
You can't complain about a lack of grizzled vets on the 2nd youngest team in the NHL, since it's rather obvious.
It's like swimming in the ocean and complaining about all the water...
He was rumoured to want Steve Ott at the deadline.
That said, I think Burke will make some major trades in the off season.
I think Burke will make some major moves at the draft
later...
I'd be surprised if Burke doesn't pull some block buster again in Jan
later...
Weak market, the deadline we'll get a big piece
later...
this off-season will be huge.
Brad May sucked and hence wasn't re-signed but if you want to believe he had any effect go ahead. Komisarek, Armstrong, Brown and formerly Orr were supposed to provide this veteran "leadership".
When Burke came in, the first acquisition he made was to get Brad May from Anaheim as a grizzled veteran roll player/leader who could be a stabilizing influence on a young team. I wonder why this role hasn't been filled over the past couple of years? While this season has largely been pissed down the drain, you can't help but wonder if things would have worked out differently if we had some more calm voices of reason among the troops back when the slide was just in its infancy. Those Arnott/Langenbrunner type players have really helped out St. Louis. While there are bigger fish to fry for next year, a couple of these players sprinkled on the third and fourth lines might make the difference between being lost in the wilderness and successfully competing for a playoff spot.
Instead of giving up assets to get a player for a year ot two I'd rather keep the assets and let this group learn together, only way to get better.
To be honest I think that the rest of this year is for Carlyle to determine who he can work with and who is the trade material to be used to get the types of players on his shopping list. Expect some changes on draft day and summer.
I think Burke will make some major moves at the draft
later...
I'd be surprised if Burke doesn't pull some block buster again in Jan
later...
Weak market, the deadline we'll get a big piece
later...
this off-season will be huge.
Lmao, that is very true and quite annoying to be frank.
However, with Carlyle being hired which fits to more of Burke's team of being big and strong on the puck and Burke saying he will be busy in the off season, I can agree a trade will be made.
