Blues Q&A Week 2: The Results

The Cards are rolling after the All-Star break, it’s over 90 degrees and over 90% humidity. Yes, it’s July in St. Louis. That doesn’t mean there aren’t hockey happenings to discuss.

Before I get to the Q&A, there is a little hockey news outside of the NHL I’d like to mention. This week both Lindenwood University and McKendree University (my alma mater) announced that they are leaving the NAIA to go to NCAA Division II. Short term this doesn’t really affect either schools hockey programs. McKendree will stay a club sport and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Long term for Lindenwood is a different story. I’m not an insider and will not pretend to be one. That said, I’ve heard from some folks who are involved with St. Louis area youth hockey that Lindenwood wants to go Division I with their hockey program. All I can say “yes, please”. The Frozen Four drew good sized crowds when it came to St. Louis. There is a market for college hockey at the highest level here.

Back to the Blues.

This week I looked at the Blues only big name addition this summer as well as the well known names on the roster.

Question 1
Which is more likely to happen in the 2010-2011 NHL season? Halak leading the Blues back to the playoffs or Eller leading the league in rookie scoring?

Halak – 78%
Eller – 22%

Question 2
Who should center the Blues top 2 lines? Patrik Berglund, David Backes, TJ Oshie, or Andy McDonald? Voters were asked to pick two.

Backes – 22%
Oshie – 34%
McDonald – 33%
Berglund – 11%

Question 3
Will David Backes, Brad Boyes & Patrik Berglund rebound from sub-par seasons & cover the 32 goals lost with the departure of Paul Kariya, Keith Tkachuk & Mike Weaver?

Yes – 60%
No – 40%

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Halak v Eller

I took a little guff on Twitter for asking this question. I understand why some think it is an unfair question. I’m just not of that mindset. Both will have an impact on their teams this season. Halak’s most obvious would be anchoring the Blues back end. Eller’s most obvious would be adding a youthful burst of scoring depth on a top heavy team. If both are successful (which I think they will be) then their end result would be Halak leading the Blues to the playoffs and Eller leading rookies in scoring.

Scoring Line Centers

I differ here from the bulk of the voters. I strongly support David Backes at the center position. I admit, his face-off skills are weak and need to improve. Taking that into account, the Blues don’t have a stronger option to replace him. In terms of size and physical strength, no skill player on the roster can dethrone him. In the ultra competitive (and physical) Western Conference teams have to be big down the middle. TJ Oshie is a great option as well, but his chemistry with Backes was one of few bright spots last season. Andy McDonald did have success with the Ducks at the center position. The Blues don’t have Teemu Selanne on his wing along with experienced Hall of Fame puck movers though. McDonald used his great speed to push back defenders on the wing. His numbers differ very little between the two positions while in St. Louis. He needs to remain on the wing. His face-ff ability is duly noted…as is his stature. Patrik Berglund? He needs to find a higher level of effort and dedication on the ice. He needs to take charge and assume the second scoring line centerman role.

Covering 32 Goals

The Blues are really only losing 3 skaters out of their everyday line up. Mike Weaver, Keith Tkachuk, and Paul Kariya. Those three combined for 32 goals last season. The Blues have not brought in a “top 6 scorer” to replace Kariya. This leaves the recovery efforts to three who struggled to score in 2009-2010. The “Killer Bs” had little killer instinct in front of the net. Backes, Berglund and Boyes combined for a net loss of 41 (85 vs 44) goals. Just to keep the numbers simple, let’s assume they return to 08-09 season form and they combine for 85 goals. All other numbers remaining constant the Blues would add 9 goals. Could those 9 goals turn in to the 6 points they were missing to make the playoffs?

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I will have Week 3′s Question up Monday morning. Here is where you can find it.

My personal Twitter – @MuSigma45
The BlueNoteZone Twitter account – @BlueNoteZone
The Hockey Independent – Blues Facebook Fan Page
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