We need a faster counter attack. We are just a mess in transition, and it reflects in the amount of dump and chasing we do.
That said, teams are dumb if they don't forecheck hard against us. Composure under the top pairing is a bit shaky. I would really like to see them go after another reliable puck mover later in the season. I like Coliaccovo well enough but he (my opinion) is a waste on the top pairing. I know Pietrangelo can pinch, but with his composure, I'd like to see someone more offensive with him. Except for not being particularly physical, I see no holes when he plays on the d side of the puck.
Some may think I' crazy, but we are feeling the effects of not having Andy McDonald. We need a playmaker BADLY. There is little creativity throughout the line up.
Wouldn't hurt having Perron back either.
I don't think your crazy. I don't know much about hockey systems and the like, but it seems like the Blues are pretty reliant on their left wingers for creating plays and distributing the puck, and without McDonald or Perron, the Blues are suffering. That said, the left wing depth is likely third or lower on the "fix it" list of personnel, behind Big Bad Left D, and Top Line Center.
We need a faster counter attack. We are just a mess in transition, and it reflects in the amount of dump and chasing we do.
That said, teams are dumb if they don't forecheck hard against us. Composure under the top pairing is a bit shaky. I would really like to see them go after another reliable puck mover later in the season. I like Coliaccovo well enough but he (my opinion) is a waste on the top pairing. I know Pietrangelo can pinch, but with his composure, I'd like to see someone more offensive with him. Except for not being particularly physical, I see no holes when he plays on the d side of the puck.
Some may think I' crazy, but we are feeling the effects of not having Andy McDonald. We need a playmaker BADLY. There is little creativity throughout the line up.
Wouldn't hurt having Perron back either.
I agree and disagree with the thought that teams shouldn't forecheck us hard. If you are going to get the puck to the left side or against Poalk then sure. But if the puck goes to Petro or Shatty you can get burnt real quick sending two men in deep. If teams are playing against being burnt on a stretch pass by those two then we are put in a position where there are simply too many bodies between the red line and the opponent's blue line to enter the zone cleanly at any sort of reliable rate.
Maybe it is something only I really key in on but it seems like when we are forced into playing dump and chase one of our wingers are always near a standstill at the opposing Blue lines. If we could find a way to get the puck from the D to the Wing that dumps the puck quicker then maybe it will give the winger that is going to retrieve the puck a better chance to do it. It's a tough nut to crack either way.
It looks like we go D to D and sometimes back to the first D in the faceoff dots in our own zone much more than I see from other teams. For those of you who get to watch a wider array of teams across the league more regularly than I do, is that fair assessment? Or is it just me being focused on our team more than others?
I agree and disagree with the thought that teams shouldn't forecheck us hard. If you are going to get the puck to the left side or against Poalk then sure. But if the puck goes to Petro or Shatty you can get burnt real quick sending two men in deep. If teams are playing against being burnt on a stretch pass by those two then we are put in a position where there are simply too many bodies between the red line and the opponent's blue line to enter the zone cleanly at any sort of reliable rate.
Maybe it is something only I really key in on but it seems like when we are forced into playing dump and chase one of our wingers are always near a standstill at the opposing Blue lines. If we could find a way to get the puck from the D to the Wing that dumps the puck quicker then maybe it will give the winger that is going to retrieve the puck a better chance to do it. It's a tough nut to crack either way.
It looks like we go D to D and sometimes back to the first D in the faceoff dots in our own zone much more than I see from other teams. For those of you who get to watch a wider array of teams across the league more regularly than I do, is that fair assessment? Or is it just me being focused on our team more than others?
You are correct but that stretch pass is meaningless if the recipient can't break into the zone. For all his talents, Pietrangelo can't control the transition game because we don't break out of the zone quick enough. Guys are rarely open enough to make anything of his swift passes.
I think you hit the nail on the head. The times that I scream the most during dump and chases are the times I see a winger chip it into the zone far too early-before he has even a step to gain on the defenseman, and possession changes hands without much of a fight. I don't know if its a question of the wingers coming back deeper into the zone or what....I'll have to key in on this.
Beating a dead horse alert: We need a playmaker.....we have a bunch of guys that can (theoretically) finish, just need someone to see the plays and distribute.
Heard something interesting yesterday. Since 2006 only 6 teams have made the playoffs if they were out by 4 or more points by thanksgiving.
I havnt looked it up myself but some announcers said it
Yeah I think it's more of a logistical thing, if the Preds lose their best player, and one of the best d-men in the NHL they sure as hell are going to try and get him out of the division and if possible conference. However if he hits UFA status I dread the possibility that Detroit tries to steal him as a Lidstrom replacement.
Heard something interesting yesterday. Since 2006 only 6 teams have made the playoffs if they were out by 4 or more points by thanksgiving.
I havnt looked it up myself but some announcers said it
I just heard a Blues talk show guy call Steen the Blues best all around player and Sobotka a close second. Thoughts ?
Taking defensemen out, so Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk don't count:
Backes
Steen
Oshie
Berglund (he's going to start scoring soon)
Sobotka
I love Sobotka as a player, but he is more of a 3rd liner that has some offensive ability, but Backes, Steen, and Oshie are as good defensively and miles ahead offensively. Some goes for Berglund once he starts putting points on the board. Sobotka is the definition of a fan favorite though.
Taking defensemen out, so Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk don't count:
Backes
Steen
Oshie
Berglund (he's going to start scoring soon)
Sobotka
I love Sobotka as a player, but he is more of a 3rd liner that has some offensive ability, but Backes, Steen, and Oshie are as good defensively and miles ahead offensively. Some goes for Berglund once he starts putting points on the board. Sobotka is the definition of a fan favorite though.
agreed! Backes just showed yesterday that he plays hugh at both ends
as good as Steen is (and as much as I like him), Backes is better IMO
Sooner or later Stewart will start scoring. Berglund has had scoring chances and hasn't been able to finish. Dags is in a scoring drought. As good as this team has played under Hitchcock they can play better. They have too much talent to only score 2-3 goals a game. Two more road games and then the house will be rockin against the Hawks and really rockin if Perron plays.
Instead of starting a new thread, I figured I might as well just post this here. If you think I should start a new thread, just say so.
With many of our players free agents at the end of the year, what do we try to do this season/trade deadline/offseason? How much does everyone get signed for this offseason?
Who do we target? How do we fill our holes?
RFAs (11-12 Salaries)
Stewart ($3.25M)
Oshie ($2.35M)
Perron ($2.5M)
Reaves ($.525M)
You forgot D'Agostini and Crombeen, and chances are much better that Bishop moves into the backup spot before Allen graduates from the AHL.
But otherwise, you're right. The Blues will be hunting for a defenseman and a third line center. Unfortunately, the veteran third line centers available for the Blues via trade or signing are basically nonexistent. I like Sobotka and McRae, but I'd like to see them spring for a 2nd line centerman for that role and see the other guys compete.
The goaltending thing is open inasmuch as it could be Bishop, or even Allen, or a free agent, but I think it's likely they retain Elliott.
