Steen Retires

[EastonBlues22]

4th all time in Blues games played
5th all time in Blues points.

Hell of a career. From everything I've heard about him a true leader and loved by everyone. I am so glad he got to raise a cup here and I hope he finds retirement fun. I'm positive Army is gonna find a job for him when he wants one as well

And, I believe, third all time in Blues playoff games played.

Losing him and Pietrangelo (second all time) in the same offseason is a pretty major locker room change. Going to be interesting to see what personalities fill the void and how the personality of the team adjusts.

 

[EastonBlues22]

At one point or another, it feels like Steen pretty much did it all for the Blues. I'm going to miss watching play, and I hope he sticks around in the organization.

 

[Oberyn]

One of my favorite Blues since we acquired him, hell of a player and warrior. Gonna miss seeing #20 out there.

 

[JoshFromMO]

And, I believe, third all time in Blues playoff games played.

Losing him and Pietrangelo (second all time) in the same offseason is a pretty major locker room change. Going to be interesting to see what personalities fill the void and how the personality of the team adjusts.

It's actually pretty wild how durable he was. It's a shame it eventually caught up to him. But I agree, the locker room is gonna go through some big shifts and I'm sure (hoping) that Parayko and Perron or even someone like Schenn can step up and fill the void a bit. I assume O'Reilly has already came in and became an active leader in the room

 

[Stlblues87]

Tip of my cap to #20. Was easily one of my favorite Blues. Thanks for the memories!

 

[Brian39]

How does that make sense. If he’s on LTIR for the year, his cap hit exists, but it frees the Blues to exceed the cap by his salary, right? I think JR is saying this in a confusing way. Functionally is there much difference in cap ramifications if he formally retired vs if he LTIRed?

There is a pretty big difference between the contract being off the books and being on LTIR.

The most important consequence of using LTIR to exceed the cap is that you can't bank cap space like you can if you are simply under the cap.

Additionally, LTIR is not simply "you can always exceed the cap by the amount the player makes." It is a complex formula, but here is a bare bones example. Let's say a team's cap number is $80M with 23 guys on the roster. A player making $5M suffers a career ending injury and is placed on LTIR. The team is not given $5M of LTIR relief that allows them to exceed the cap by $5M. You have to get all the way up to the cap ceiling before LTIR relief gets calculated. So that $1.5M gap between the team's cap number and the cap ceiling gets taken out of the LTIR relief number and the team will be allowed to exceed the cap by $3.5M. This is important because it incentivizes teams getting as close as possible to the cap ceiling before placing a guy on LTIR in order to get maximum relief.

At the end of the day, Steen going on LTIR is very helpful to the Blues and eliminates any cap issues we were facing. But it does not give us the same flexibility and cap space that we would have if he had forfeited his remaining salary. And that is 100% okay. Steen played 12 seasons here, wore a letter, and accepted a reduced role for the good of the team to make the best 4th line in hockey on our Cup run. he doesn't owe this franchise anything beyond what he has given and the LTIR benefit we get is incredibly helpful.

As a note of caution: Don't be surprised if he isn't placed on LTIR to start the season. Unless we make another move or two that demands opening up that cap space on day 1, it is probably more beneficial to start the year with Tarasenko on LTIR and Steen on regular IR. Don't panic if he doesn't go to LTIR right away and assume Army doesn't know what he is doing. Depending on our salary outlook at the end of camp, we might see a more favorable LTIR calculation by waiting to LTIR Steen until Tarasenko is either ready to return or gets shut down for the year and we look for a mid-season acquisition.

 

[Brian39]

From what I understand, the player can only be placed on LTIR after the season starts. So technically his cap still counts for now?

This isn't fully correct. You can utilize LTIR in the offseason, but the relief calculation isn't as favorable as the season-opening LTIR and there isn't much point to using the offseason LTIR since you can already exceed the cap by 10% in the offseason.

 

[Ranksu]

One of the best reverce hitter on NHL and loved his attitude to the game.

This was Steen big affect on this series. Turning point of series.

Loved that line. Barbashev - Sundqvist- Steen

This goal so perfect example of how Blues played and that pressure hitting game was so succesful.

 

[CCBC]

JR's lack of effectively communicating a relatively non-complex cap situation makes me question his hockey knowledge, or at the very least his communicative skills ... weird. Misleading, to say the least. Friedman had to jump in to clarify JR's remarks.

Still remember the day getting back from class in '08 and seeing Stempniak dealt for Steen and Carlo. Steen retiring is, for me, a bit of a sobering goodbye to that era of hockey.

 

[Blueline2757]

Steen was my second favorite Blue after Pietrangelo. Steen had quite the career, glad he won the cup. I'll miss him and I hope stays in the organization in a advisory or ambassador role.

 

[Brian39]

I'm making an additional post to talk about Steen the player instead of financial ramifications of this.

Steen is one of my favorite Blues players from the last couple decades. He has been a goal scorer, a two-way forward and a grinder at various stages of his career here. He played significant time on all for lines throughout his time as a Blue. And he was damn good on the ice in each of those roles. He got 3 votes for the Hart trophy in 2014 and he got Selke votes 7 times during his career with the Blues. He wore a letter, and players on this team (and former players) consistently bend over backwards to talk about his leadership. At 35 years old last season he had more PK time per game than any Blues forward.

He was a hell of a skilled, smart player in the first half of his career here. As the skills faded with age, he embraced his reduced role and focused on the non-offensive aspects of the game. Instead of pouting, he found a role on our 4th line in the playoffs and excelled there. That line became Berube's go-to momentum line and the starting lineup through the Final. Not many NHL players can say that they were standing on the ice for the national anthem in game 7 of a Cup Final. Steen can. Off ice, he embraced the city and was almost always wearing a Cards hat out in public.

I'll never forget that shorthanded OT winner against the Kings. That moment was incredible and the excitement blurs the memory that he also scored our lone regulation goal that night.

Today is a sad day. This turns a hell of a page for the franchise. The first 4 Blues to touch Lord Stanley are no longer on the team. That order was Petro-Bo-Steen-Thorburn. We all understand that Thorburn got it 4th because the guys loved him and not for his on-ice contribution, but those first 3 made up a substantial part of the veteran leadership group.

Thanks for everything Steener.

Edit: JR just tweeted that Steen and his wife just had a baby boy last night!

 

[Bobby Orrtuzzo]

God speed Alex, what a hell of a ride it was

 

[Brian39]

JR's lack of effectively communicating a relatively non-complex cap situation makes me question his hockey knowledge, or at the very least his communicative skills ... weird. Misleading, to say the least. Friedman had to jump in to clarify JR's remarks.

Still remember the day getting back from class in '08 and seeing Stempniak dealt for Steen and Carlo. Steen retiring is, for me, a bit of a sobering goodbye to that era of hockey.

He's not a good reporter. He is a very good story teller and he is a very good interviewer. But his reporting of facts is almost never good.

 

[Ranksu]

You could say this is end of one era, era of Backes, Steen , Pietro and Oshie.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

I'm making an additional post to talk about Steen the player instead of financial ramifications of this.

Steen is one of my favorite Blues players from the last couple decades. He has been a goal scorer, a two-way forward and a grinder at various stages of his career here. He played significant time on all for lines throughout his time as a Blue. And he was damn good on the ice in each of those roles. He got 3 votes for the Hart trophy in 2014 and he got Selke votes 7 times during his career with the Blues. He wore a letter, and players on this team (and former players) consistently bend over backwards to talk about his leadership. At 35 years old last season he had more PK time per game than any Blues forward.

He was a hell of a skilled, smart player in the first half of his career here. As the skills faded with age, he embraced his reduced role and focused on the non-offensive aspects of the game. Instead of pouting, he found a role on our 4th line in the playoffs and excelled there. That line became Berube's go-to momentum line and the starting lineup through the Final. Not many NHL players can say that they were standing on the ice for the national anthem in game 7 of a Cup Final. Steen can. Off ice, he embraced the city and was almost always wearing a Cards hat out in public.

I'll never forget that shorthanded OT winner against the Kings. That moment was incredible and the excitement blurs the memory that he also scored our lone regulation goal that night.

Today is a sad day. This turns a hell of a page for the franchise. The first 4 Blues to touch Lord Stanley are no longer on the team. That order was Petro-Bo-Steen-Thorburn. We all understand that Thorburn got it 4th because the guys loved him and not for his on-ice contribution, but those first 3 made up a substantial part of the veteran leadership group.

Thanks for everything Steener.

Edit: JR just tweeted that Steen and his wife just had a baby boy last night!

In addition to the OT shortie, Steen’s forecheck on Burns in the first shift after the hand pass, leading to a Barbashev goal, was one of the biggest moments of the playoffs. Burns looking like Scooby Doo and then on all fours as the puck goes into the net was one of the most satisfying moments in Blues playoff history.

 

[Blanick]

Such a shame his career ended due to injuries. Never like to see that decision being taken away from the player. I know Steen has become a bit of a punching bag around here the last few years but I really appreciate all he has done for the Blues over the years. Thank you Steener, you will be missed.

 

[Bluesnatic27]

In one year, the Blues lost Bouwmeester, Pietrangelo, and now Steen. 2020 man...

Anyway, Steen was brilliant as a Blue and I'm glad he at least got to achieve the ultimate goal before this happened. I hope to see him remain with the Blues in some capacity because of how long he's been around.

 

[Robb_K]

Steen was one of my favourite players, and I was overjoyed to see that he was able to win The Cup as a still-productive member of The Blues. I hope he takes a good job with The Blues if he wants to stay in St. Louis for awhile. Good luck Alex!

 

[Frenzy31]

Steen was the quintessential Blues player. Never going to be a PPG guy, but consistent scoring season to season. You knew what you were getting from him game to game. He was never really off his game. Physical, good in the dzone and can play any line.

ALSO, a true team first guy. Something we all fans love. Just a class act on and off the ice. Going to miss him and the team is going to miss his leadership.

I hope he is able to enjoy a long retirement and has no long lasting issues.

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

This is such a bummer honestly, and it hit me harder than I thought it would.

I remember the days of always telling my hockey friends that Steen was one of the most underrated players in the league, and then he went and had a career year that next season.

From the days of the SOB line, to the finish with him, Sunny, and Barbie, I’m forever grateful that we got to watch him play here since 2008.

I also don’t know if I can go to another game in Anaheim.

My last two visits(same game technically) were Bo, Steener, and Petro’s last regular season games in the Blue Note. There’s some bad juju in that building.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I'm making an additional post to talk about Steen the player instead of financial ramifications of this.

Steen is one of my favorite Blues players from the last couple decades. He has been a goal scorer, a two-way forward and a grinder at various stages of his career here. He played significant time on all for lines throughout his time as a Blue. And he was damn good on the ice in each of those roles. He got 3 votes for the Hart trophy in 2014 and he got Selke votes 7 times during his career with the Blues. He wore a letter, and players on this team (and former players) consistently bend over backwards to talk about his leadership. At 35 years old last season he had more PK time per game than any Blues forward.

He was a hell of a skilled, smart player in the first half of his career here. As the skills faded with age, he embraced his reduced role and focused on the non-offensive aspects of the game. Instead of pouting, he found a role on our 4th line in the playoffs and excelled there. That line became Berube's go-to momentum line and the starting lineup through the Final. Not many NHL players can say that they were standing on the ice for the national anthem in game 7 of a Cup Final. Steen can. Off ice, he embraced the city and was almost always wearing a Cards hat out in public.

I'll never forget that shorthanded OT winner against the Kings. That moment was incredible and the excitement blurs the memory that he also scored our lone regulation goal that night.

Today is a sad day. This turns a hell of a page for the franchise. The first 4 Blues to touch Lord Stanley are no longer on the team. That order was Petro-Bo-Steen-Thorburn. We all understand that Thorburn got it 4th because the guys loved him and not for his on-ice contribution, but those first 3 made up a substantial part of the veteran leadership group.

Thanks for everything Steener.

Edit: JR just tweeted that Steen and his wife just had a baby boy last night!

I don’t think it can be overstated how key he was to club’s identity over past decade or so. He was soul of the team. And this is why they were never going to buy him out. Too much respect.

 

[Stealth JD]

Congrats on a fabulous career, Steener. Your leadership and 2-way play will be missed.

Now, go throw a 3yr x $5M/yr offer-sheet at Cirelli, Army. (1st and 3rd rd. picks as compensation)

 

[The Note]

This is nowhere near his most remarkable or memorable goal but it's one that always sticks out to me. I was sitting pretty much right behind the goal he scored on there with my buddy and the place went wild. This was firmly in the time when the Blackhawks bandwagon meant that 35-40% of the place was people wearing Kane or Toews jerseys, so it was sweet to see them go home unhappy. I believe this was also the year Steen got out to that crazy hot streak and scored 30+ goals.

 

[DoubleK81]

To be completely honest, I think this is the perfect time for Steen to retire, healthy or not. While I was never a HUGE Steen fan, he has been an incredible teammate and valuable asset to the team, from his offensive output until his last couple years to his excellent defensive game for his time as a Blue. His willingness to take a 4th line role on the cup winning team cannot be overlooked. I'm happy to see him retire as a Blue, one of only a handful of post 04-lockout players I can say as much for.

 

[DoubleK81]

My last two visits(same game technically) were Bo, Steener, and Petro’s last regular season games in the Blue Note. There’s some bad juju in that building.

On the opposite end of your sentiment here, I had just moved to Vegas, and was debating on going to that game because tickets were dirt cheap and decided against it because Cali had a bunch of restrictions in place already. This game, and game 6 against the Sharks ( that i had also decided not to go to, hoping I would be able to score some tickets at a decent price for the finals) are the games I have the biggest regret not going to since I had the chance.