joe galiba
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- Apr 16, 2020
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2022-2023 Blues Multi-Purpose Thread
- Thread starter simon IC
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- Feb 12, 2008
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in all seriousness, the guys you listed could well be basis for strong forward group in 3 years if you add guys like Barbie and Buchy (and Schenn and Saad who will still be under contract too).
- Feb 12, 2008
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- Feb 12, 2008
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I wasn’t counting this year when I said 3 more years. My bad. I should have been more clear.
- Feb 12, 2008
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- Feb 12, 2008
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i wasnt counting this one, so after 3 years, he’s gone. I should have been more clear
you said in 3 years. that is 25-26. saad will still be here. not following what you are trying to say.
542365
2018-19 Cup Champs!
- Mar 22, 2012
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After the Buffalo game the Blues have a really tough stretch. Every team they play in the next nine games currently has a better record than the Blues with the exception of Florida who have a similar record but glowing underlying numbers. Good chance to see what they’re made of.
ValHaller
Registered User
Following the dumb early schedule, the Blues have now played an average number of games compared to the rest of the league. 1 more than Colorado and Winnipeg.
Meh. Tampa and Dallas are both 11-8. Florida is 9-10. Carolina is 10-9. Rangers are 9-10. Pens are 9-10. The Isles, Jets and Avs aren't exactly world beaters this year either with merely 'decent' results thus far. The 10-8 Blues are probably on equal footing with a lot of those clubs. Parity has never been more evident than it is today.
Having said that, if the Devils got a good goalie they'd be unstoppable. Not looking forward to getting caved in by that squad twice this year. Fortunately those games don't happen until Jan & Feb. Scary to think that their two best prospects haven't arrived yet to help the defense (Nemec & Hughes).
Brian39
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- Apr 24, 2014
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I think it's a tough stretch when those are the worst teams you're playing.
3 of the 9 games are against teams in the top 6 by points percentage and all 3 of those happen to be division rivalry games and it is a safe bet that we will see Oettinger and Helly when we play the Stars and Jets.
I don't care what Tampa's record is. That is a damn good team. Florida has struggled this year, but the schedule does us no favors in that one. It's the tail end of a road B2B for us, our 3rd game in 4 nights, and our 4th game in 6 nights. The Panthers only play Wednesday/Saturday this week.
I don't think the Rangers/Isles are world beaters, but they are both likely playoff teams and both of them have a goalie who can steal one. Carolina and the Pens are good teams too.
It's not an impossible stretch and the expectation shouldn't be to just steal a few points. But it is a tough stretch of hockey where there aren't really any schedule wins and any of the teams can beat you if you only put in a 40-50 minute effort. We've banked points against some bad teams lately (after beating a couple good teams). That's great and we were in large need of it given the hole we dug for ourselves. Hopefully we can snag 2 more tomorrow. There are still tons of questions around this team, so these 9 games against quality competition offers a good test.
Linkens Mastery
Conductor of the TankTown Express
Blues just made history with the Longest Winning Streak following a losing streak of 8 or more games.
Reality Czech
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- Apr 17, 2017
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I just looked at the Devils' roster and I'm not that impressed. I think they'll come crashing back to Earth at some point, hopefully by the time we play them. They don't scare me one bit.
Oberyn
Prince of Dorne
- Mar 27, 2011
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I'm not a fan of Mikkola but he has played really well over the past few games. I've liked his reads in the defensive zone and he looks a bit more confident when moving the puck up the ice. Also saw him jump up in the play offensively to keep our cycle going. Hopefully he can keep this up as he's been very valuable with all the injuries we've sustained.
On another note, Tucker has looked quite comfortable from the limited viewings I've seen of him. He can move the puck well and his physicality comes as advertised. I haven't seen any real limitations with his skating but I also acknowledge that he's probably being quite sheltered with line matchups. I liked that fight out of him as well on Saturday.
On another note, Tucker has looked quite comfortable from the limited viewings I've seen of him. He can move the puck well and his physicality comes as advertised. I haven't seen any real limitations with his skating but I also acknowledge that he's probably being quite sheltered with line matchups. I liked that fight out of him as well on Saturday.
Snubbed4Vezina
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- Jul 9, 2022
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That one feels like another 50+ shots against on a B2B kind of game. Sorry Greiss.
PocketNines
Cutter's Way
Mikkola was getting 14-15 minutes a game until the last 5 games (COL, CHI, WSH, ANA, ANA) when he has averaged just under 21 minutes a game. No points but is +4 in that time.
Mikkola absolutely should not be in the Blues' top 4 when it hits the postseason but he is showing it's possible he's a good player to have who can step up minutes in an injury situation in the regular season. He does not transition the puck or get it out of the zone well enough and a team like Colorado would exploit him if he's overplayed. He is a 4-6 defenseman and is somewhat in the mold of Edmundson during the Cup year. Edmundson was mostly getting 5-6 minutes or being healthy scratched, but he held down top 4 minutes the second half of the Dallas series and for most of the Sharks series.
He has been impressive defensively over the last five games and needing to step up as Parayko insurance with him in that defensive stopper role might even hold for a few games in the playoffs, depending on opponent. Five games is only five games though. Mikkola has shown bursts of play in the past where you think he's improving, but then he reverts. I want to see a much longer stretch from 77 before believing in him. He was -1 against Colorado and +5 against Washington, Chicago and Anaheim twice who aren't exactly worldbeaters.
It's the norm that a top 4 defender won't play due to injury. Paryako came back and Krug is out. The 5-6-7 has to have guys who can be promoted in a pinch and hold the line, the way this defense is constructed without a #1. Rosen and Tucker are looking like decent bottom pairing insurance. They need two defenders who can step up and bear top 4 minutes. If Mikkola can be the more rugged defensive stopper who steps up, then if they acquire another Leddy-profile skater/transitioner, it's about the best they can do while lacking a #1. There's no Hampus Lindholm out there this year. [But even if there were, those guys have it in their heads some crazyhow they are a scarce commodity and want NMCs upon extending.]
Mikkola absolutely should not be in the Blues' top 4 when it hits the postseason but he is showing it's possible he's a good player to have who can step up minutes in an injury situation in the regular season. He does not transition the puck or get it out of the zone well enough and a team like Colorado would exploit him if he's overplayed. He is a 4-6 defenseman and is somewhat in the mold of Edmundson during the Cup year. Edmundson was mostly getting 5-6 minutes or being healthy scratched, but he held down top 4 minutes the second half of the Dallas series and for most of the Sharks series.
He has been impressive defensively over the last five games and needing to step up as Parayko insurance with him in that defensive stopper role might even hold for a few games in the playoffs, depending on opponent. Five games is only five games though. Mikkola has shown bursts of play in the past where you think he's improving, but then he reverts. I want to see a much longer stretch from 77 before believing in him. He was -1 against Colorado and +5 against Washington, Chicago and Anaheim twice who aren't exactly worldbeaters.
It's the norm that a top 4 defender won't play due to injury. Paryako came back and Krug is out. The 5-6-7 has to have guys who can be promoted in a pinch and hold the line, the way this defense is constructed without a #1. Rosen and Tucker are looking like decent bottom pairing insurance. They need two defenders who can step up and bear top 4 minutes. If Mikkola can be the more rugged defensive stopper who steps up, then if they acquire another Leddy-profile skater/transitioner, it's about the best they can do while lacking a #1. There's no Hampus Lindholm out there this year. [But even if there were, those guys have it in their heads some crazyhow they are a scarce commodity and want NMCs upon extending.]
Reality Czech
Registered User
- Apr 17, 2017
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Agreed. Tucker looks like he can fill Bortz's role quite well from next year. Mikkola has been impressive lately, although part of it is probably due to playing with better partners. His instincts seem good enough and he's always been willing to jump into the play when the situation calls for it. The problem is his poor passing and stickhandling, plus the fact that every time he shoots the puck it either goes 3 feet wide or directly into the goalie's chest. But he deserves a lot of credit for his play recently, no doubt about it.
stl76
No. 5 in your programs, No. 1 in your hearts
- Jul 2, 2015
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I mentioned this in the GDT, but it’s crazy Mikkola has only played 105 NHL games. He’s been playing well the past couple games and may have turned a corner in his development...or he could easily slide back if he keeps having to shoulder tougher top 4 minutes. Either way, I don’t think we can really say for certain what we have in Mikkola yet.
They ran circles around the Blues last year; putting up 10 goals in their two wins. They're deep and fast and have real high-end skill on their top line. And their puck possession stats and overall analytics show this is no fluke hot streak.
Year after year they're amongst the final two teams standing, but they've lost too much depth to have anything more than a punchers chance at this point. McDonagh and Palat were two losses that are being felt. I think they're going to shift from a favorite to 'a tough out' simply due to Hedman, Kucherov, Point, Stamkos & Vasilevskiy...but the rest of the conference has finally caught up with them.
Majorityof1
Registered User
If you have to look at their roster to know who they have, then I'm not sure how valid your opinion is. No offense meant. But the Devils have home grown talent and not a lot of UFA buys. They drafted 8 of their top 10 point producers. If you aren't watching them enough to know who they have, then how are you watching them enough to know if those guys are any good?
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