Edit: Contract Details
@jprutherford
Redden's deal with Blues is reportedly $800, 000 pro-rated. #stlblues
@andystrickland
As reported Wade Redden to #stlblues 1 yr $800 cap hit
Last edited by h22prelude93: 01-18-2013 at 12:35 PM.
He was very helpful developing the younger players in Hartford for us. McDonagh specifically mentioned Redden's tutelage on a couple of occasions.
I think he was too slow for the NHL in any capacity three years ago. I can't imagine he's any more mobile now. That said, he seems like a good dude and I wish him well. Hope it works out for you all.
The biggest reverberation of this signing for me is that it doesn't say much for how Ian Cole is currently viewed by Hitchcock and Armstrong.
I don't know that it says anything about Cole. There's three scenarios:
A) Cole in top 6, Redden 7th
B) Redden in top 6, Cole 7th
C) Redden in top 6, Woywitka 7th, Cole to Peoria
If it's A, they just want to have stronger defensive depth, and it doesn't say anything about Cole. Otherwise, yeah, it means that Cole hasn't impressed.
I haven't seen Redden play a game in 3 years so I have no idea if this will be a good move or not. I've heard the entire spectrum of what to expect - he's either a scrub who is nowhere near good enough for the NHL anymore to him still being a quality top-4 d-man but just didn't fit into the Rangers plans and cost too much.
Sounds like the Blues really wanted to add some insurance to the left side and I would think that they hoping that eventually, Redden will be the player they can pair with Petro. This pretty much assures that White won't be signed and it looks like Woywitka will likely be heading to Peoria fairly soon as well. Assuming Redden performs well enough (it might take him a week or two to get back up to speed), then I suppose this also likely puts Cole in the 7th spot...but he'll still get his time in as you know Hitch is going to rotate guys in and out of the lineup with such a condensed schedule, not to mention the likely injuries also due to the condensed schedule.
I'm calling it now - Blues beat the Rangers in the Cup Finals with help of Redden as he goes all Superman to get revenge on the Rags.
Maybe my crystal ball IS werking? I pitched one yr deal at 750K. Seeing as Redden can still put more than enuff peanut butter on the table thanks to his "still hefty" buyout from the NYR.
I don't know that it says anything about Cole. There's three scenarios:
A) Cole in top 6, Redden 7th
B) Redden in top 6, Cole 7th
C) Redden in top 6, Woywitka 7th, Cole to Peoria
If it's A, they just want to have stronger defensive depth, and it doesn't say anything about Cole. Otherwise, yeah, it means that Cole hasn't impressed.
This summer was supposed to be another "huge" off-season for Cole (Dan O'Neil wrote a nice article on the topic after the season re: Cole's development and a possible partner for Petro) and heading into training camp he should've had a leg up on the competition by competing in the AHL (which Hitch said was the biggest advantage during the lockout).
And yet here we are with the Blues signing a 35+ defenseman and Cole likely heading back to the AHL where, if the Blues still believe in him long-term, it would be much better for him to get top 4 minutes with Peoria than your option B.
Hitch the other day said Cole cannot play against top players which means he's not ready for a top 4 role. They gave him another chance...the staff deems he's not ready. That, more than anything else, is what necessitated the Redden signing.
The problem with Cole is that he says all the right things but seems to be having a difficult time taking that next step in his development. When he's in the A, the report are that he's steady but not a guy who's a stud like a Brendan Smith (same draft class).
I like Cole, I do, I'm just wondering if the powers that be in the organization are losing faith in his long-term, top-4 potential.
I guess I'm okay with Redden although I have no idea what his skill level is these days. How many depth defensemen do we need? We still haven't solved our issue (partner for Pietrangelo). But we now have several guys who could be considered a #6 or 7. Cole, Redden, Woywitka, White (guess he's probably gone now though). Yay? I just don't know how it will play out. Nothing to be too excited over. But if Cole struggles it could be bad news for him.
This summer was supposed to be another "huge" off-season for Cole (Dan O'Neil wrote a nice article on the topic after the season re: Cole's development and a possible partner for Petro) and heading into training camp he should've had a leg up on the competition by competing in the AHL (which Hitch said was the biggest advantage during the lockout).
And yet here we are with the Blues signing a 35+ defenseman and Cole likely heading back to the AHL where, if the Blues still believe in him long-term, it would be much better for him to get top 4 minutes with Peoria than your option B.
Hitch the other day said Cole cannot play against top players which means he's not ready for a top 4 role. They gave him another chance...the staff deems he's not ready. That, more than anything else, is what necessitated the Redden signing.
The problem with Cole is that he says all the right things but seems to be having a difficult time taking that next step in his development. When he's in the A, the report are that he's steady but not a guy who's a stud like a Brendan Smith (same draft class).
I like Cole, I do, I'm just wondering if the powers that be in the organization are losing faith in his long-term, top-4 potential.
He'll be 24 in a month.
Cole needs to be traded. I've been saying it for 2 years but he is a bottom pairing defenseman or does not crack the NHL. Would like to see Dags, Cole, and a pick to go for a true partner for petro.
Cole has the abilities to play at a high level of hockey, but his hockey IQ is what makes him a bad player. Trade him now before his stock drops anymore.
This summer was supposed to be another "huge" off-season for Cole (Dan O'Neil wrote a nice article on the topic after the season re: Cole's development and a possible partner for Petro) and heading into training camp he should've had a leg up on the competition by competing in the AHL (which Hitch said was the biggest advantage during the lockout).
And yet here we are with the Blues signing a 35+ defenseman and Cole likely heading back to the AHL where, if the Blues still believe in him long-term, it would be much better for him to get top 4 minutes with Peoria than your option B.
Hitch the other day said Cole cannot play against top players which means he's not ready for a top 4 role. They gave him another chance...the staff deems he's not ready. That, more than anything else, is what necessitated the Redden signing.
The problem with Cole is that he says all the right things but seems to be having a difficult time taking that next step in his development. When he's in the A, the report are that he's steady but not a guy who's a stud like a Brendan Smith (same draft class).
I like Cole, I do, I'm just wondering if the powers that be in the organization are losing faith in his long-term, top-4 potential.
He'll be 24 in a month.
Do you have a link to these comments from Hitchcock about Cole?
Cole needs to be traded. I've been saying it for 2 years but he is a bottom pairing defenseman or does not crack the NHL. Would like to see Dags, Cole, and a pick to go for a true partner for petro.
Cole has the abilities to play at a high level of hockey, but his hockey IQ is what makes him a bad player. Trade him now before his stock drops anymore.
It would not be surprising at all to see that trade really soon
