2023-2024 Blues Multi-Purpose Thread

[Linkens Mastery]

This from JR's Athletic post this morning about Kyrou's comment yesterday.


"Then came the third question.

There’s so much out there about the relationship between you and Berube. Is there anything you would want to say about that?

“I’ve got no comment,” Kyrou replied. “He’s not my coach anymore.”

I told Kyrou that I understood and we moved on to a different topic. The chat lasted three minutes, I said “Thanks” and walked away."

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

Kyrou is a shy, quiet kid, and it shows every time he is ever interviewed, yesterday showed what a real life lack of class some people have, just appalling

That's exactly it. People want to take Kyrou's on-ice struggles and create a bigger narrative that his personality is a cancer to this team. He's underperforming and they're jealous they'll never make a small portion of the money Kyrou makes as one of the most talented people in his industry, so he must be a bad person. They have to fuel that hate because life is boring. It's disgusting and childish.

People want so desperately to feel like they're "inside." They want to feel like they understand the inner workings of things they don't know much of anything about. In the age of information on the internet they all want to be experts. "Did you see this this one advanced stat that I barely understand? I'm basically a pro scout now!" They so desperately want to be part of something bigger in their otherwise boring lives so they have to craft a narrative so they feel like they're somebody.

 

[bleedblue1223]

And in regards to Kyrou, I really don't care about the comments, and I think it's dumb to focus on them, but his play has to improve. That's all it really comes down to, start producing and the issues go away. And it is pretty annoying that because we are in St. Louis, where fans are typically relaxed and chill about things, and the reporters are almost always soft on the players and team, everyone gets all hot and bothered the minute it resembles a market that is more intense on this stuff.

I'm not saying we have to be like Toronto or Philly or that those markets are better because how they handle things, but players shouldn't expect things to always be soft and easy just because it's St. Louis.

This from JR's Athletic post this morning about Kyrou's comment yesterday.


"Then came the third question.

There’s so much out there about the relationship between you and Berube. Is there anything you would want to say about that?

“I’ve got no comment,” Kyrou replied. “He’s not my coach anymore.”

I told Kyrou that I understood and we moved on to a different topic. The chat lasted three minutes, I said “Thanks” and walked away."

If he would've phrased it as, "I've got no comment, I want to focus on moving forward with the team and building with Bannister.", I think it would've been received differently. Unintentionally, his comments gave off the vibe that him and Berube had issues.

 

[Frenzy31]

Right or Wrong, the more you make, the more people look for reasons to tear you down. It is sad, but true. Especially in sports where fans worship player, and in turn expect grace and perfection back. When that doesn't happen, some fans get nasty.

JK was nearly a PPG over the past few years. He didn't suddenly forget how to play hockey. I just don't think he is clicking as much with RT - who frankly is shooting a heck of a lot more then he did the past couple, which is why both Buchy and JK are likely not producing quite at the same level.

Another note, JK likes to have the puck on his stick - skating when he is creating scoring opportunities. RT likes to have the puck on his stick - skating when he is creating scoring opportunities. There is only 1 puck on the ice.

Further, I also find it completely fascinated that guys like Schenn are getting a pass and it feels like certain "fans" really get off going after which every whipping boy is popular. Last year, those same fans were targeting JK, while ROR was just as putrid.

Last year, JK sucks - he only plays offense and cheats. He floats and doesn't play D.
This year, JK is putting the work in defensively and playing much better 200 foot hockey. Now it is JK suck, he doesn't produce......

 

[joe galiba]

And in regards to Kyrou, I really don't care about the comments, and I think it's dumb to focus on them, but his play has to improve. That's all it really comes down to, start producing and the issues go away. And it is pretty annoying that because we are in St. Louis, where fans are typically relaxed and chill about things, and the reporters are almost always soft on the players and team, everyone gets all hot and bothered the minute it resembles a market that is more intense on this stuff.

I'm not saying we have to be like Toronto or Philly or that those markets are better because how they handle things, but players shouldn't expect things to always be soft and easy just because it's St. Louis.

I actually think he IS playing well, other than the 5% shooting percentage, if he was scoring at his career shooting % he would be sitting at 13 goals and 13 assists, he has certainly improved on his play away from the puck when the other team has possession, which is his biggest weakness

 

[Majorityof1]

Do we at this point know what the exact line of questioning was that drew out that response? Was there any video? To me, it feels like the player expected it to be an off the record decline of a comment, and he got boned by JR. I don’t know the full context, but that’s where I am at for now.

It was so easy to make some obvious leaps from that comment, but on its face there wasn’t much of real substance there.

I hate that 99% of player comments are recited pablum, like a Teddy Ruxpin doll (if you are old enough to remember that). This is why it’s like that.

We do not. Rutherford just posted his article about it. He finally gives the question (Blueston posted it). But he says it's the 3rd question he asked, and he very clearly leaves out the 2nd. Given the first was about the same topic, the 2nd probably was too. The second is important context as well, as is Kyrou's answers to the first two questions. All things we never got.

Rutherford also says body language and tone matter, yet he diesn't describe those in the article. He does say he chooses to believe Kyrou wasn't malicious, but dies not definitively say it. And that is buried it the middle. He says he has audio, but he didn't choose to share it. He didn't give up the option to decide for ourselves

He posted the controversy generating statement on Twitter to be seen by millions, but posted that little amount of context on the athletic to be seen by tens of thousands, maybe? He created a controversy to drive people to subscribe to see the full details. I unsubscribed after the tweet and cited JR as the reason. I hope others follow suit.

 

[stlbluz]

Fans need to give him some room to get it together. He's young & prone to make mistakes & he's definitely improved his overall game since last season. It's not like he wore white skates to practice or something.

 

[bleedblue1223]

I actually think he IS playing well, other than the 5% shooting percentage, if he was scoring at his career shooting % he would be sitting at 13 goals and 13 assists, he has certainly improved on his play away from the puck when the other team has possession, which is his biggest weakness

It's flawed to say that his shooting % is only down because of puck luck, so that's why I wouldn't say he is playing well. He has 0 PP goals, and he led the team last season. The PP sucking is a major reason for why we are where we are.

We'd have 10 more goals if our PP % was the same as last season, which was still a below average unit. Can't really say how many more points that would result in, but probably a few more at a minimum.

 

[Reality Czech]

On a positive note, Robert Thomas is really developing into a #1 C this season. He's shooting more and on pace for over 30 goals. And he's producing while having less of a sheltered role with ROR gone and Schenn returning to a more sheltered role. He's looking like a player you can really build around.

He's tied for 23rd among forwards in points, 31st in goals, 27th in assists, 3rd in FO wins.

Absolutely. He couldn't have had a better influence than ROR as a young, developing player. Honestly when he's along the boards he reminds me a lot of ROR, the way he almost always comes out of a scrum with the puck on his stick. Thomas makes it look easy at times, which is the mark of a star player in any sport.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Fans need to give him some room to get it together. He's young & prone to make mistakes & he's definitely improved his overall game since last season. It's not like he wore white skates to practice or something.

He's 25, he's really not that young. This is his 4th full NHL season and 6th season in total. And like it or not, the expectations for him are basically what Tarasenko's were at the same age and that's simply based on what Kyrou has produced at this level.

 

[joe galiba]

It's flawed to say that his shooting % is only down because of puck luck, so that's why I wouldn't say he is playing well. He has 0 PP goals, and he led the team last season. The PP sucking is a major reason for why we are where we are.

We'd have 10 more goals if our PP % was the same as last season, which was still a below average unit. Can't really say how many more points that would result in, but probably a few more at a minimum.

Where have they had him set up?
I have not seen him on the left side as a right hander for the shot a whole lot

have they really had anyone set up for the shot this year?

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

Where have they had him set up?
I have not seen him on the left side as a right hander for the shot a whole lot

have they really had anyone set up for the shot this year?

@Brian39 had an excellent post about this last week. Our PP this season has failed to put our best shooters in position to actually take these shots.

Did you know that last night was the first time Robert Thomas took a one timer on the PP all season? That's insane to me.

 

[stlbluz]

He's 25, he's really not that young. This is his 4th full NHL season and 6th season in total. And like it or not, the expectations for him are basically what Tarasenko's were at the same age and that's simply based on what Kyrou has produced at this level.

If I was done learning & growing at 25 I'd have some serious problems. Most people would. The guys got talent & I'm ok with the growing pains as long as he learns from them. Tank never came close to trying to improve his defensive game & once it becomes second nature to JK his offensive game will come back. The guy's going to break out & I'd rather he do it here than in chicago or detroit.

 

[Majorityof1]

He's 25, he's really not that young. This is his 4th full NHL season and 6th season in total. And like it or not, the expectations for him are basically what Tarasenko's were at the same age and that's simply based on what Kyrou has produced at this level.

I'd like a definition on what constitutes young. It's across different posters, sure. But Kyrou isn't young when it comes to making a maybe mistake in answering a question ro a reporter. But we need to keep giving McGing and Perunovich chances cause they are still just kids. Can we get a ruling from Toronto on what age us young?

 

[bleedblue1223]

If I was done learning & growing at 25 I'd have some serious problems. Most people would. The guys got talent & I'm ok with the growing pains as long as he learns from them. Tank never came close to trying to improve his defensive game & once it becomes second nature to JK his offensive game will come back. The guy's going to break out & I'd rather he do it here than in chicago or detroit.

That's some revisionist history. Tarasenko was inconsistent on his defensive game, but he was absolutely good defensively when he was engaged. In game 7 in the Finals, he had a few good defensive plays, one of which led to a goal.

 

[joe galiba]

If I was done learning & growing at 25 I'd have some serious problems. Most people would. The guys got talent & I'm ok with the growing pains as long as he learns from them. Tank never came close to trying to improve his defensive game & once it becomes second nature to JK his offensive game will come back. The guy's going to break out & I'd rather he do it here than in chicago or detroit.

My 3 kids, plus my daughter-in-law and soon to be son-in-law are all about that age
other than my youngest who is finishing up college, they are already all very successful professionally, BUT they can still be completely clueless about real life (good thing they still have to me to coach them up )

I'd like a definition on what constitutes young. It's across different posters, sure. But Kyrou isn't young when it comes to making a maybe mistake in answering a question ro a reporter. But we need to keep giving McGing and Perunovich chances cause they are still just kids. Can we get a ruling from Toronto on what age us young?

58?

 

[Drubilly]

We do not. Rutherford just posted his article about it. He finally gives the question (Blueston posted it). But he says it's the 3rd question he asked, and he very clearly leaves out the 2nd. Given the first was about the same topic, the 2nd probably was too. The second is important context as well, as is Kyrou's answers to the first two questions. All things we never got.

Rutherford also says body language and tone matter, yet he diesn't describe those in the article. He does say he chooses to believe Kyrou wasn't malicious, but dies not definitively say it. And that is buried it the middle. He says he has audio, but he didn't choose to share it. He didn't give up the option to decide for ourselves

He posted the controversy generating statement on Twitter to be seen by millions, but posted that little amount of context on the athletic to be seen by tens of thousands, maybe? He created a controversy to drive people to subscribe to see the full details. I unsubscribed after the tweet and cited JR as the reason. I hope others follow suit.

I love seeing the same people say “THIS is why I subscribe!”
Really? It’s so hard for you to decide to pay $1 a month for JR’s insightfulness?

 

[bleedblue1223]

If I was done learning & growing at 25 I'd have some serious problems. Most people would. The guys got talent & I'm ok with the growing pains as long as he learns from them. Tank never came close to trying to improve his defensive game & once it becomes second nature to JK his offensive game will come back. The guy's going to break out & I'd rather he do it here than in chicago or detroit.

I'd like a definition on what constitutes young. It's across different posters, sure. But Kyrou isn't young when it comes to making a maybe mistake in answering a question ro a reporter. But we need to keep giving McGing and Perunovich chances cause they are still just kids. Can we get a ruling from Toronto on what age us young?

If you guys can't understand what young means in a professional athlete context, then I don't know what to say. He's clearly not someone that the typical fan would consider to be young based on the amount of time he's spent in the league and his established production level.

I'm not saying he's a grizzled vet, or that he's not young in the real-world context, because old vets can be considered young in the real-world context. There are expectations when you make the money he does and have already produced 2 70+ point seasons.

 

[Ted Hoffman]

Booing a lack of effort is fair. Booing a guy because he made a tone deaf comment is immature IMO.

I don't disagree with that at all. Then again, I think the whole "booing a player when they touch the puck" thing - especially some opposing player - is dumb. They expect that, they can block that out. Want to screw with them? Go completely silent. They won't expect that, it will unnerve them because then they'll start thinking about it.

If Kyrou had said something openly malicious, that's a different story.

Agreed, I thought it was largely nothing and the outrage over it is a perfect example of present-day, I need to be pissed off about something society.

I just think Blues fans have been spoiled by the past 10-15 years of competitive teams that when we play average hockey, fans act like we totally suck. While I'm not 100% sure how it's possible, we are still in a playoff position after last night's game. Reading comments online it would seem that we're one of the worst teams in the league based on the level of anger coming from the fan base. I don't think this "tough love" approach from the fans is going to accomplish anything besides make some guys not want to play here anymore. If it appears that they players have totally given up, then by all means boo away but I don't see that from the team this year.

[This is long, I apologize in advance.]

St. Louis Blues fans are .... unique. For years we didn't care about winning so much as having players we loved, gave us warm fuzzies, girls wanted to bring home to meet their parents and spend the night. Then we wanted to win but got really fatalistic and almost hoped to lose so we didn't have to deal with winning. Then we wanted to win, and not winning reminded us of when we lost in the past and that pissed us off and the threshold for happiness went to "win or else." Then ... 2019.

I would agree, this team hasn't given up. But I would say there's times this team does stuff that you sit there and ask what the f*** were you thinking? and it reminds us of last year when guys sloughed off, did stupid shit all over the ice and the next shift the same thing happened and they looked like they were shocked it could happen again - and that pisses people off. Hearing Armstrong maintain we're not in a rebuild, it's a retool refocus sends the message that this team is still good, above-average or better, should go to the playoffs and have success there, and then expectations from fans translates accordingly. I think that's where the disconnect is; maybe this is a playoff team, but it's still not a good team. This is more an 80s Blues team that gets into the playoffs but expectations should be low, we're not going real far. And yet, that's not the message coming from management and fans are struggling to reconcile the two.

Re: fan outrage - it's really easy to be an Internet Keyboard Warrior when you can be anonymous, have lots of time available and have multiple outlets available to spew your shit. Even at the arena, there's safety in numbers, mob mentality kicks in and no one is standing up because someone's likely to be a lunatic, become Mr. Fan Tough Guy, start a fight, and 1,000 people around are going to stand around and watch (and probably record the whole thing on their phone, wow guys this is really cool, look at that guy getting the shit beat out of him, I can't wait to upload this to my [x]Twitter[/x] X account / FB account / IG account / Reddit / Discord / TikTok / MySpace / OnlyFans / ImADouchebag / whatever else ) and do nothing instead of standing up to the lunatic, shut the f*** up and get the hell out of here. As long as those people have those outlets and people around them tolerate it (or worse yet, encourage it), it's going to continue - and as more outlets spring up, it's just going to get worse.

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

I love seeing the same people say “THIS is why I subscribe!”
Really? It’s so hard for you to decide to pay $1 a month for JR’s insightfulness?

I would say the $1 pricepoint accurately reflects what the product is worth, but that actually feels too rich for me after this.

 

[Majorityof1]

If you guys can't understand what young means in a professional athlete context, then I don't know what to say. He's clearly not someone that the typical fan would consider to be young based on the amount of time he's spent in the league and his established production level.

I'm not saying he's a grizzled vet, or that he's not young in the real-world context, because old vets can be considered young in the real-world context. There are expectations when you make the money he does and have already produced 2 70+ point seasons.

I posted 2 other athletes who are called young at the same age. The goal posts on young shift in terms of age. Mostly it was a tongue in cheek comment because I've argued with people about our 25 year olds who still need NHL experience being young.

On the topic though, what does point production or miney have to do with media savvy? Kyrou is not the guy the Blues send out to talk to the press. He doesn't have a letter. He has less experience than some at his age and more than others. Even so, I pointed out a weird expression from Armstrong who has a ton of media savvy that could gave gone viral if anyone cared about that topic. Rutherford who is a lot older and more experience than Kyrou admitted some if this was on him (behind the payroll, subscribe for a year to see).

Finally, he said nothing wrong at all. So all of this is moot

 

[BadgersandBlues]

JR is a total f***ing hack. I am 100% canceling my Athletic sub once this month expires. He gives zero context (Not even telling us the f***ing question he asked!) and posted a f***ing blurb on Twitter casting Kyrou in the worst possible light. WHAT. A. f***ING. HACK. f*** YOU JR. f*** YOU.

The booing sucks. I get why it happened, and I could understand maybe a bit at the beginning - but to do it every time he touches the puck? Including after they announced his assist? Get a f***ing grip St. Louis.

It was good to see Kyrou say what he said after the game. I'm actually kinda glad he got emotional. I'm also 100% glad to see Thomas and Buch pumping his tires both during and after the game. Hopefully this will be a turning point in a young person's life and career and both he and the team improve over it.

 

[bleedblue1223]

I posted 2 other athletes who are called young at the same age. The goal posts on young shift in terms of age. Mostly it was a tongue in cheek comment because I've argued with people about our 25 year olds who still need NHL experience being young.

On the topic though, what does point production or miney have to do with media savvy? Kyrou is not the guy the Blues send out to talk to the press. He doesn't have a letter. He has less experience than some at his age and more than others. Even so, I pointed out a weird expression from Armstrong who has a ton of media savvy that could gave gone viral if anyone cared about that topic. Rutherford who is a lot older and more experience than Kyrou admitted some if this was on him (behind the payroll, subscribe for a year to see).

Finally, he said nothing wrong at all. So all of this is moot

And you just want to gloss over how I highlighted games played and production. McGing and Perunovich wouldn't be called out for age, they'd be called out for lack of NHL experience. If Perunovich was acting like an 18 year old kid, that would be an issue, he just simply doesn't have much game experience.

Are you following my posts at all? My entire point is tht the backlash he's receiving is because he isn't producing to the level that he should be. If he was producing at a ppg pace and made the same comments, he wouldn't have been booed like he was.

 

[Majorityof1]

And you just want to gloss over how I highlighted games played and production. McGing and Perunovich wouldn't be called out for age, they'd be called out for lack of NHL experience. If Perunovich was acting like an 18 year old kid, that would be an issue, he just simply doesn't have much game experience.

Are you following my posts at all? My entire point is tht the backlash he's receiving is because he isn't producing to the level that he should be. If he was producing at a ppg pace and made the same comments, he wouldn't have been booed like he was.

There are a lot of posts, so no, I do not remember everything you specifically said. But I did ask what games played and production have to do with media savvy.? The fans might not be so hard on him if he was producing. Ok, I don't care. The fact they'd excuse him for something he needs no excuse for is irrelevant.

You said he wasn't young which by definition is about age. Now you are saying production matters whether you are old or young? And I, as a sports fan, am supposed to intuitively understand at what point on the 4 Dimensional graph of age, production, NHL games plated and salary someone is no longer young enough to say no comment? Sorry, guess I am not a sports fan.

 

[Itsnotatrap]

We do not. Rutherford just posted his article about it. He finally gives the question (Blueston posted it). But he says it's the 3rd question he asked, and he very clearly leaves out the 2nd. Given the first was about the same topic, the 2nd probably was too. The second is important context as well, as is Kyrou's answers to the first two questions. All things we never got.

Rutherford also says body language and tone matter, yet he diesn't describe those in the article. He does say he chooses to believe Kyrou wasn't malicious, but dies not definitively say it. And that is buried it the middle. He says he has audio, but he didn't choose to share it. He didn't give up the option to decide for ourselves

He posted the controversy generating statement on Twitter to be seen by millions, but posted that little amount of context on the athletic to be seen by tens of thousands, maybe? He created a controversy to drive people to subscribe to see the full details. I unsubscribed after the tweet and cited JR as the reason. I hope others follow suit.

Thanks for that. I cancelled The Athletic last year, largely because I didn’t like what I was getting from him. I didn’t state that though. I should have.

The guy from the P-D seems alright. Jim Thomas was a fair reporter that lacked knowledge of the sport he was assigned, but no ill will to him.

The rest are a gong show, and JR especially has disappointed me over the years. I have no problems with tough questions, I want more of that. He seems to have mostly set up Kyrou to be fed to the lions on what was meant to be a decline to to give anything to print on the matter. He burned bridges with the execs on bad, one sided and inaccurate accounts of the Tarasenko tensions. If I am a player, based off what I know to this point, he’s burning a bridge with me here. He’s running out of people to talk to.