Introducing the Blues Fan Poll – Weaver Out? Door is Open.

As time passes here at Hockey Independent I would like to add a few weekly themed segments/blogs on the happening of the St. Louis Blues. I would like to introduce the Blues Q & A. Where three time as a week on various social networking platforms I ask Blues fans questions on the pressing issues of the week. The questions are posted on my personal twitter (@musigma45), a Blues fan blog site twitter account (@BlueNoteZone), the Hockey Independent Blues Facebook Fan Page, and the BluenoteZone.com Facebook Fan Page.

Last week’s three questions were:
1. Should the Blues be interested in signing Mike Modano?
2. Should the Blues be interested in trading for Simone Gagne?
3. Out of Pietrangelo, Cole, Strachan, and Nikitin who will take the two available roster spots on defense?

The vote?

1. Modano
No – 64%
Yes – 14%
Maybe – 22%

2. Gagne
Yes – 90%
No – 10%

3. Defensemen
Pietrangelo- 100%
Cole – 40%
Strachan – 40%
Nikitin – 20%

I was a little surprised by the response I received on Modano. The vast majority of the answers were referring to his age and being past his prime and the Blues needing to avoid players like that. I can understand that the experience last season with Daryl Sydor and Keith Tkachuk to a lesser degree left a bad taste with the fans. That said, Modano still has gas in the tank with Cup winning experience to boot. Those players aren’t growing on trees and at the right price Modano would be an excellent addition. There just isn’t enough room barring a trade or two.

I was less surprised regarding Gagne. The fan base has been clamoring for a “proven” scoring forward to be added. I understand the frustrations with Brad Boyes (I was on that bandwagon last season), but he needs time to prove himself. The Blues could still move him. I just don’t see that as an option with his economical salary per his typical production. Gagne or someone like him (Spezza, Riberio, etc) cannot be added unless the Blues move salary back or in a different trade. When healthy Gagne is an excellent option, but the Blues can’t afford to roll the dice.

For my take on the defensemen situation, read on below.

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Mike Weaver appears to be on his way out of St. Louis. Per a tweet from Blues beat writer Jeremy Rutherford Thursday, the Blues are not likely to match an offer Weaver received. Weaver is actively working the open market, but is bringing offers he receives to the Blues. It’s obvious that Weaver has found a stable niche in the league while in St. Louis and would like to stay. Just like Ryan Johnson before him, the niche of defensive specialist has a fixed value in the team’s personnel plans. The issue doesn’t appear to be money. Weaver wants a longer term than the Blues are willing to give.

Statistically Weaver was one of the top penalty killing Defensemen in the NHL. He has a very good grasp on the mental aspects of playing defense and can hold his own physically for his size. Remember the big hit he put on Chicago’s Patrik Sharp?  Sean Avery? Darcy Tucker? He “Oshie’d” all three of those guys. Whichever team brings in Mike should know they are getting reliable, stand up guy with lots of hockey sense. St. Louis will miss him, but if McClement could replace “RJ” someone can replace “Dreamweaver”.

The expectation now is that the final two spots on defense will be decided at training camp. Former first round picks Alex Pietrangelo and Ian Cole will compete against Tyson Strachan and Nikita Nikitin. A four way free for all with two winners.

All eyes will gravitate towards the two highly touted draft picks. Taken 4th (2008) and 18th (2007) overall respectively, Pietrangelo and Cole carry the burden of heightened expectations. They also carry a high level of excitement and anticipation. These are two of the players that the drafting brain trust selected. The front office has told all of Blues nation to be patient and put their faith in to their develop. Now their time is here. The door the NHL was left open by Jonas Junland as he bolted back to Sweden a few months ago. Those two will get every chance to make their mark.

They will make their mark in different ways.

Pietrangelo has the skill set to be an offensive force on the blue line. His impact will come from joining the rush, making outlet passes and on the power play. There has been some concern that his defensive game is not up to par. Alex certainly has the sense, but he needs his body to mature. According to Blues Strength and Conditioning Coach Nelson Ayotte, he is ready for NHL action. Ayotte added further, ‘He’ll be ready to go this fall. Physically, he will,” and he still wants to increase Pietrangelo’s muscle mass by 12 pounds before the season starts. With size to match his brain, Pietrangelo should be ready to go.

Ian Cole is on the opposite end of the spectrum. A tough and physically strong defenseman. His game is of the stay at home variety, but he is mobile and capable of making a good first pass. A left handed, American version of Roman Polak. Ian has the size and strength to compete for his position already. He has three seasons at Notre Dame. Giving him the same level of experience TJ Oshie had before he cracked the roster. It’s all a matter of execution at this point.

Don’t think for a second that Pietrangelo and Cole are a lock to be on the roster October 9th. Blues President of Hockey Operations, John Davidson, has said multiple times that the days of “rushing” a players development are over. With who they have on their roster they can take their time and “do it right”. Tyson Strachan will be right there waiting if the others are not ready.

Strachan has worked hard to make it to the NHL level. Progressing from 4 years of NCAA, to the ECHL and then the AHL. His consistent play earned him 38 NHL games over the last two seasons. Tyson’s game is simple and far from flashy. He has the size to take people off the puck and ride them to the boards. He has adequate hockey sense to play his position at the NHL level. Honestly, he is a future Mike Weaver, with more size and a little mean streak. That little extra grit and willingness to get dirty would be a great addition to the everyday line up.

The wild card in this competition is Nikita Nikitin. I would guess that 75% of the Blues fans reading this (and 99% of everyone else) is saying, “who?” Even Hockey’s Future doesn’t have him listed on the Blues prospect depth chart.   A little quick Google searching and you can find him on Hockey’s Future. Nikitin is a good sized “kid”. At age 24 he is listed at 6’4″, 198 lbs. He has spent the entirety of his career in Russia to date. The last two seasons in the KHL he has 96 games played. Scoring 8 goals and posting 29 points. You can pick up some additional info from RussianProspects.com. The bottom line is that Nikitin has the size to be a physical stay at home defenseman who can make a decent first pass. To have a chance he needs to show that he can handle the speed and size of the North American game.

A betting man will put his money on Pietrangelo and Strachan. Pietrangelo has the clout and highest skill level of the four. Strachan has the most experience and is a very cost effective option. The potential is there for the Blues to add a veteran on the blue line. Another Daryl Sydor type deal. Given the theme of the off season, “using who we already have”, it’s less likely this summer.

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