Wow it wasn't even Lemtyugov that I was thinking of. Whoops.
But there are several other players that I could have said that would have worked. My point was just that I hope Andronov gives it a real go.
But anyway, having Tarasenko, Andronov, Wannstrom, and Jaskin all cross the pond in one summer is pretty darn successful. Really looking forward to seeing how this all plays out.
Wow it wasn't even Lemtyugov that I was thinking of. Whoops.
But there are several other players that I could have said that would have worked. My point was just that I hope Andronov gives it a real go.
But anyway, having Tarasenko, Andronov, Wannstrom, and Jaskin all cross the pond in one summer is pretty darn successful. Really looking forward to seeing how this all plays out.
I believe you were thinking of the great Timofei Shishkanov who we got for Mike Sillinger.
To be fair, he did score 1 great highlight reel goal in the NHL.
Wow it wasn't even Lemtyugov that I was thinking of. Whoops.
But there are several other players that I could have said that would have worked. My point was just that I hope Andronov gives it a real go.
But anyway, having Tarasenko, Andronov, Wannstrom, and Jaskin all cross the pond in one summer is pretty darn successful. Really looking forward to seeing how this all plays out.
Does anyone think that this success is no coincidence , but is, rather, a concerted effort initiated in management from a directive by new ownership to be more forceful in The Organisation's policies to attract European Blues prospects to come over to play in North America?
Or is it just that playing for The St. Louis Blues is now more attractive because they are just beginning to enter what looks to be a relatively long window of opportunity to win The Stanley Cup?
Does anyone think that this success is no coincidence , but is, rather, a concerted effort initiated in management from a directive by new ownership to be more forceful in The Organisation's policies to attract European Blues prospects to come over to play in North America?
Or is it just that playing for The St. Louis Blues is now more attractive because they are just beginning to enter what looks to be a relatively long window of opportunity to win The Stanley Cup?
I'm gonna go with the latter. We have been an up and coming team now for awhile, but unless they followed the Blues I'm not sure some of our young European prospects knew how good we could be. Now that we have shown how successful we can be and our potential in the future, we became a very attractive destination, and they want to do what it takes to be apart of that.
Does anyone think that this success is no coincidence , but is, rather, a concerted effort initiated in management from a directive by new ownership to be more forceful in The Organisation's policies to attract European Blues prospects to come over to play in North America?
Or is it just that playing for The St. Louis Blues is now more attractive because they are just beginning to enter what looks to be a relatively long window of opportunity to win The Stanley Cup?
I'm thinking a little of the former, and a lot of the latter...
I think it has a lot to do with being in a position to be successful. If you knew coming over meant playing on a bad team for the next five years, I don't see the motivation to want to come over. The Blues proved last year that they can become a contender. They will put a good team on the ice, and everyone wants to be a part of a good team. The Wings have an incredible history of getting their European prospects to come over and pay their dues in the AHL before being promoted to the big club. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that they've iced a competitive team for over two decades. These prospects likely have never seen a bad Detroit Red Wings team in their lifetime. That's a lot more promising and persuasive than someone like the Blue Jackets or the Panthers that have had a tough time being competitive in their histories.
Does anyone think that this success is no coincidence , but is, rather, a concerted effort initiated in management from a directive by new ownership to be more forceful in The Organisation's policies to attract European Blues prospects to come over to play in North America?
Or is it just that playing for The St. Louis Blues is now more attractive because they are just beginning to enter what looks to be a relatively long window of opportunity to win The Stanley Cup?
It is a deliberate shift and I think it's almost entirely Doug Armstrong's personal approach and nothing to do with new ownership or St.Louis being a more attractive destination.
If I were a European prospect dreaming of playing in the NHL, I'd probably be MORE likely to come over if I thought the team wasn't that strong (and that I had a higher chance of playing in the NHL). I would be looking to make a name for myself and expecting to move on to a contender when I became a free agent in the future.
I think the reason we're seeing more players come across has entirely to do with Doug Armstrong and the relationships he's nurtured with these guys. He's made a strong effort to have a presence overseas, and has done some long arduous travel to keep in touch with these players. The guy fully earned and deserved the GM of the Year award, and we're lucky to have him.
If I were a European prospect dreaming of playing in the NHL, I'd probably be MORE likely to come over if I thought the team wasn't that strong (and that I had a higher chance of playing in the NHL). I would be looking to make a name for myself and expecting to move on to a contender when I became a free agent in the future.
I think the reason we're seeing more players come across has entirely to do with Doug Armstrong and the relationships he's nurtured with these guys. He's made a strong effort to have a presence overseas, and has done some long arduous travel to keep in touch with these players. The guy fully earned and deserved the GM of the Year award, and we're lucky to have him.
I don't think anyone wants to play for a perennial loser either though. I think most players that aren't stars would rather play a small part in success than be the "star" on a bad team.
I don't think anyone wants to play for a perennial loser either though. I think most players that aren't stars would rather play a small part in success than be the "star" on a bad team.
No players want to play for a perennial loser, and even players who don't like playing away from their home countries, will want to play in Canada or USA if they have a reasonable chance to be on a Stanley Cup championship team. Everyone wants to play with and against The World's best athletes in their respective sports, especially if they can win The World championship.
It is a deliberate shift and I think it's almost entirely Doug Armstrong's personal approach and nothing to do with new ownership or St.Louis being a more attractive destination.
I agree. Its on Doug Armstrong. Started with N64 two years ago, working on it ever since.
Regardless, it is a good thing for the organization. Peoria seems to me to be one of the places the rebuild has been slow to hit. Many of the best prospects over the past five years have spent little to no time in Peoria, mostly due to a lack of talent on the NHL squad. When injuries have struck, and the Blues needed a top six player, there hasn't been one to call on. We are only two seasons removed from trying to sign Kyle Wellwood (and there was another guy, can't remember who though) from the KHL due to a lack of accessible depth.
Last edited by bluemandan: 07-22-2012 at 12:52 AM.
I agree. Its on Doug Armstrong. Started with N64 two years ago, working on it ever since.
Regardless, it is a good thing for the organization. Peoria seems to me to be one of the places the rebuild has been slow to hit. Many of the best prospects over the past five years have spent little to no time in Peoria, mostly due to a lack of talent on the NHL squad. When injuries have struck, and the Blues needed a top six player, there hasn't been one to call on. We are only two seasons removed from trying to sign Kyle Wellwood (and there was another guy, can't remember who though) from the KHL due to a lack of accessible depth.
I don't see it happening either and Jori Lehtera, for that matter.
Actually, according to Jori Lehterä - he was offered a contract this offseason. He declined...
Lehterä has been really good in KHL and in the Finnish league before that. He has played on one of the worst teams in the Finnish league:
SM-liiga/Tappara games:197 g:47 a:123 p:170
KHL:
2010–2011 Lokomotiv Jaroslavl KHL 53 16 21 37
2011–2012 HK Sibir Novosibirsk KHL 25 10 16 26
I`m pretty sure he would make the team. He is a very skilled player.
Actually, according to Jori Lehterä - he was offered a contract this offseason. He declined...
According to the interview he gave to Sibir's site (quoted on Finnish sites), he had an offer from St. Louis but he wanted one more injury free season plus there is the fear of a lock out. So he most definitely still has intentions of playing in the NHL.
Haha yes! Timofei is the one! Thanks, that was bothering me.
To be fair, Shishkanov played almost 3 full seasons in the AHL, 2+ while with Nashville before he was traded and then 12 games with Peoria; not to mention another full season in juniors that preceded his AHL tenure. To say that he didn't put in the work would be disingenuous. Also, that was a damn bad Blues team led by Mike Kitchen if memory serves. Not much went right that season.
To be fair, Shishkanov played almost 3 full seasons in the AHL, 2+ while with Nashville before he was traded and then 12 games with Peoria; not to mention another full season in juniors that preceded his AHL tenure. To say that he didn't put in the work would be disingenuous. Also, that was a damn bad Blues team led by Mike Kitchen if memory serves. Not much went right that season.
I actually liked Shishkanov. I remember being pretty impressed with his physical game. I'm sure he would have been in the Blues plans if he hadn't demanded the contract he did.
I actually liked Shishkanov. I remember being pretty impressed with his physical game. I'm sure he would have been in the Blues plans if he hadn't demanded the contract he did.
I was sick that Shiskanov and The Blues couldn't agree on a figure. He had pretty good offensive skills. He was playing adequate defence, and was doing some hitting and not shying away from contact. The Blues ended up wasting a chance to get some decent futures by trading the relatively high-scoring (2-way veteran) Sillinger, after a good season for him, for NOTHING! Shiskanov had the skills to play in The NHL. Apparently, he just didn't want it badly enough to eat a relatively poor-paying contract (compared to his desires) to prove himself in The NHL. What a shame!
I think Huberdeau is playing NHL next season honestly. Strome has an outside shot too. Regardless, he'll be on a line, and a team, with some great young players.
I don't anticipate a match, but it never hurts to ask.
Just my opinion, not any official speculation or rumor, that Rangers might move Girardi/Staal for upgrade --- assume for discussion purposes it is an F, likely a W. We would need a D, preferably righty, to replenish.
What REASONABLE overpayment can be made for KS? That is what I'm trying to figure out. I expect you probably will need all your D, but I still want to be sure.
Blues had a very fine team with a great season, congrats!
Please advise in order of priority what you consider St. Louis' needs to be and indicate degree of severity as to need; MAYBE we can address same.
Obviously, stuff beginning w/Kreider/McDonagh is DOA.
MDZ looks like reasonable Coke for Pepsi, but it is coke for pepsi.
Is there a match? Can we get close on a player, add a couple picks/prospects?
