Servings of Crow

[Red7]

I thought Walker was JAG who would only be effective on a part time basis, not the true 4th liner that he is.

I thought Suter was a waste of a signing

I like Walker, but he IS a JAG. Guys like him are a dime a dozen and can pretty much be found on any roster. I liked the Suter signing as he came cheap, but I envisioned him more as a 6-7 depth guy. Injuries and ineffective play thrust him into a much bigger role and, fortunately, he’s responded in a big way. I hope the Blues can find some rest for him before the playoffs start.

[somni]

Nice thread. Some of my predictions or thoughts at the beginning of the season.

- Bannister would lead the team to be a bubble playoff team.

- Texier would come close to 15 goals.

- Holloway would have 15 goals and float from line to line.

- Suter was just riding out his career and have no impact and would be traded at the deadline.

- I DID think Neighbours would hit 20 goals.

- I thought both Joseph brothers would be constants on the team, especially PO Joseph. And that Walker would only play a handful of games.

I have a more optimistic view, but I thought this was truly a transition year. And it still is, but I never thought they'd be this team we see right now. Once Montgomery had some time to work with the team you could start seeing the transition. They have a system and they are all bought in.

[Aesa]

I thought Walker was JAG who would only be effective on a part time basis, not the true 4th liner that he is.

I thought Suter was a waste of a signing

I like Walker, but he IS a JAG. Guys like him are a dime a dozen and can pretty much be found on any roster. I liked the Suter signing as he came cheap, but I envisioned him more as a 6-7 depth guy. Injuries and ineffective play thrust him into a much bigger role and, fortunately, he’s responded in a big way. I hope the Blues can find some rest for him before the playoffs start.

Just for the sake of sating my curiosity, here is a dime, list a dozen.

[DawgDad]

I can honestly say, and although you can no longer see the posts, Monty was always the coach Army wanted he was just waiting for him to become available. He gave Bannister the 2 year for some security and for being a good soldier but even he had to know that it was essentially at most a one year tryout.

I will say I wasn't expecting Kyrou to lead the team in +/- so that has been a great suprise

After his start and subsequent demotion I certainly didn't see Zach Bolduc doing what he is doing

I wouldn't characterize Bolduc's stint in the A as a demotion in the literal sense, it was more an opportunity to keep playing through the break and let DD see what a near-peer NHL winger in mid-season form looks like. Whatever, it worked out just fine.

[Harry York 37]

I am, ever, an optomist,but not a cock-eyed one.

I did hate Kyrou as badly as anyone, back when he deserved it. He dabbled at defense and threw a hissy fit that got the most beloved coach in Blues history fired, and therefore suffered the humiliation and the embarrassment of being booed on his home ice for the villain he was. The new coach demoted him to a second line with a converted wing as his center. He almost had nowhere to go but up. It was slow and fitful, but I watched it happen unwillingly, as no one wants to be fooled again. Near the end of last season came a time when I realized that he had his act together. He WANTED to play the right way. He still had a long way to go to make this a "habit," as Monty loves to say, but you could see the process had begun. These days, he skates like a grown man who wants to win games more than he wants to make Instagram posts.

I believed in Bannister. I was one who believed that with the offer sheet boys, we were a bubble team with him as coach. He was a fine choice for the fragile state of the team after the ignominious and acrimonious firing of "The goddanged Chief. He kept them from total collapse, and I appreciate that. Once Monty became available....his job here was done.

I, like many others, was dazzled by what Texier showed for a three-game spell on the bottom six. He was flying and driving play on every shift like you read about. His story is an interesting and cloudy one. I would like to see him play well in this emergency duty situation. Otherwise, they waive him, I guess.

[DawgDad]

I thought Walker was JAG who would only be effective on a part time basis, not the true 4th liner that he is.

I thought Suter was a waste of a signing

I like Walker, but he IS a JAG. Guys like him are a dime a dozen and can pretty much be found on any roster. I liked the Suter signing as he came cheap, but I envisioned him more as a 6-7 depth guy. Injuries and ineffective play thrust him into a much bigger role and, fortunately, he’s responded in a big way. I hope the Blues can find some rest for him before the playoffs start.

Just for the sake of sating my curiosity, here is a dime, list a dozen.

Yeah. I alluded to this earlier. The Pitlick's and Leivo's are a dime a dozen. Toro, Faksa, and Walker are a step up, as are Joseph and Sunny.

[STL fan in MN]

A month ago, the Blues had yet to win 3 games in a row all season. Then they went into Washington, the East’s leading team, started their backup that hadn’t been playing well of late and beat the Caps on the road to finally win 3 in a row. That was a very improbable win they pulled off and they’ve been on fire ever since.

I’ll admit I definitely didn’t see the last month happening. They’ve really turned it around since the Four Nations. Hopefully they can keep it up.

[Mr Nice Guy]

A tread that goes through things OP was wrong about, then the claims everyone else was wrong. All because we won six in a row and are now fighting for a playoff spot.

We have I believe 2 regulation losses in our last 15 games, this isn't, just a 6 game winning streak, they've been very good for basically a month now. I get what you're saying, to quote Pulp Fiction "lets not go sucking each others dicks just yet" but to pretend this is just a 6 game streak is ignoring most of the past month.

[blackinkbiz]

With the Blues playing some of their most entertaining hockey since the Cup run, I thought those of us who came into the year all doom and gloom might enjoy our crow communal style. So, admit one thing you were pessimistic about that the Blues proved you wrong on. Misery loves company, and I've sure been wrong enough to be miserable

Here are some of mine:

When they extended Bannister, I thought there was every chance we'd see a better coach become available and Army would miss out. WRONG.

I thought Schenn would be lucky to push 15 goals and 30 pts. WRONG.

I thought Kyrou would top out as a minus player full of empty calorie goals. WRONG.

Heading into 4 nations, I thought Binner would wet the bed. WRONG.

When Broberg got hurt after his hot start, I thought he'd cone back resembling the tweener who struggled to find ice time in Edmonton. WRONG.

...And when Army said this was a playoff caliber team, I laughed and penciled them in for another top 10 pick. WRONG.

Anyone else? I KNOW I wasn't the only one all gloomy at the start.

I'm probably the only one who predicted that if everything went right, this team had the talent to take 3rd in the division.

However, this is all WAY PREMATURE. They haven't win d*ck yet and I refuse to believe they will until if and when they clnch a playoff spot.

So hold the crow because if there's an epic collapse, all this thread will do is attract the carrion buzzards like flies to a corpse.

[Army's Mom]

I can honestly say, and although you can no longer see the posts, Monty was always the coach Army wanted he was just waiting for him to become available. He gave Bannister the 2 year for some security and for being a good soldier but even he had to know that it was essentially at most a one year tryout.

I will say I wasn't expecting Kyrou to lead the team in +/- so that has been a great suprise

After his start and subsequent demotion I certainly didn't see Zach Bolduc doing what he is doing

I do remember you saying Army wanted Monty and not to read too much into the 2 year contract. No crow for you on that! But definitely on Bolduc.

My favorite crow might have been served up by Walker. He is just playing with such an attitude right now - you can see how much he's getting under opponents' skin.

[amp]

A lot of mine have already been listed here by others. But one that I need to point out is the Fowler trade. I figured it was a marginally helpful addition but saw it more as Leddy 2.0. Boy was I wrong. He's been rejuvenated here and I underestimated how much it would help Parayko too to have a steady partner finally.

[Aesa]

I thought Walker was JAG who would only be effective on a part time basis, not the true 4th liner that he is.

I thought Suter was a waste of a signing

I like Walker, but he IS a JAG. Guys like him are a dime a dozen and can pretty much be found on any roster. I liked the Suter signing as he came cheap, but I envisioned him more as a 6-7 depth guy. Injuries and ineffective play thrust him into a much bigger role and, fortunately, he’s responded in a big way. I hope the Blues can find some rest for him before the playoffs start.

Just for the sake of sating my curiosity, here is a dime, list a dozen.

Yeah. I alluded to this earlier. The Pitlick's and Leivo's are a dime a dozen. Toro, Faksa, and Walker are a step up, as are Joseph and Sunny.

Agree. I'm not saying he is a powerhouse by any stretch of the imagination but Walker IS special and has all the intangibles that put him way above most 4th liners.

[Army's Mom]

With the Blues playing some of their most entertaining hockey since the Cup run, I thought those of us who came into the year all doom and gloom might enjoy our crow communal style. So, admit one thing you were pessimistic about that the Blues proved you wrong on. Misery loves company, and I've sure been wrong enough to be miserable

Here are some of mine:

When they extended Bannister, I thought there was every chance we'd see a better coach become available and Army would miss out. WRONG.

I thought Schenn would be lucky to push 15 goals and 30 pts. WRONG.

I thought Kyrou would top out as a minus player full of empty calorie goals. WRONG.

Heading into 4 nations, I thought Binner would wet the bed. WRONG.

When Broberg got hurt after his hot start, I thought he'd cone back resembling the tweener who struggled to find ice time in Edmonton. WRONG.

...And when Army said this was a playoff caliber team, I laughed and penciled them in for another top 10 pick. WRONG.

Anyone else? I KNOW I wasn't the only one all gloomy at the start.

I'm probably the only one who predicted that if everything went right, this team had the talent to take 3rd in the division.

However, this is all WAY PREMATURE. They haven't win d*ck yet and I refuse to believe they will until if and when they clnch a playoff spot.

So hold the crow because if there's an epic collapse, all this thread will do is attract the carrion buzzards like flies to a corpse.

I get the skepticism. But even if they fail to make the playoffs, this has still been an improvement - which almost as important to me (given that it's a retool):

1. Improved coach. The Blues haven't been able to reach this level of play for this long since the Cup run. They are consistently out-chancing opponents over the last six weeks. That bodes well for next year, when they should make good on your "top 3 in the division" prediction.

2. Improved experience/development. Kyrou, Holloway, Neighbours, Bolduc, Broberg, Parayko, and Tucker have all leveled up this year. Schenn looks revitalized.

3. Improved style of play. They're so much more fun to watch now, and it's not just because they're winning. They're playing faster, making more plays in transition and forechecking aggressively when they don't.

I'm enjoying the ride. Even if it doesn't end the way I want it to, I can be grateful they're can't miss viewing for me again.

[MikoTython]

I was, like more than a few, ready to throw in on a few players like Binny & Schenn near the d/l, thought something was lacking. Turns out, it must have been that 4N break and Monty burning in his 2-way system, the stablization that DA granted the team to work it out. DA told the team to show him what to do, they did, he stood pat. We've gotten the results. Pretty much every roster move this year (Holly/Bro, Suter, Fowler, Texier, Joseph) has been solid or better, our top 6 got it together, the bottom 6 are an emergent force - what a play-off squad looks like - a team that can roll line after line in your face, any of which can hole. Not to mention, our shots against went down, and tending jumped up - we have, after years of waiting, a decent PP.

This same group of guys (minus 55) that played 500 hockey all year now are playing 750 hockey or better. Its a team game.

[TheJackBurton]

I can honestly say, and although you can no longer see the posts, Monty was always the coach Army wanted he was just waiting for him to become available. He gave Bannister the 2 year for some security and for being a good soldier but even he had to know that it was essentially at most a one year tryout.

I will say I wasn't expecting Kyrou to lead the team in +/- so that has been a great suprise

After his start and subsequent demotion I certainly didn't see Zach Bolduc doing what he is doing

I do remember you saying Army wanted Monty and not to read too much into the 2 year contract. No crow for you on that! But definitely on Bolduc.

My favorite crow might have been served up by Walker. He is just playing with such an attitude right now - you can see how much he's getting under opponents' skin.

He definitely has little man syndrome but can back it up.

[blackinkbiz]

With the Blues playing some of their most entertaining hockey since the Cup run, I thought those of us who came into the year all doom and gloom might enjoy our crow communal style. So, admit one thing you were pessimistic about that the Blues proved you wrong on. Misery loves company, and I've sure been wrong enough to be miserable

Here are some of mine:

When they extended Bannister, I thought there was every chance we'd see a better coach become available and Army would miss out. WRONG.

I thought Schenn would be lucky to push 15 goals and 30 pts. WRONG.

I thought Kyrou would top out as a minus player full of empty calorie goals. WRONG.

Heading into 4 nations, I thought Binner would wet the bed. WRONG.

When Broberg got hurt after his hot start, I thought he'd cone back resembling the tweener who struggled to find ice time in Edmonton. WRONG.

...And when Army said this was a playoff caliber team, I laughed and penciled them in for another top 10 pick. WRONG.

Anyone else? I KNOW I wasn't the only one all gloomy at the start.

I'm probably the only one who predicted that if everything went right, this team had the talent to take 3rd in the division.

However, this is all WAY PREMATURE. They haven't win d*ck yet and I refuse to believe they will until if and when they clnch a playoff spot.

So hold the crow because if there's an epic collapse, all this thread will do is attract the carrion buzzards like flies to a corpse.

I get the skepticism. But even if they fail to make the playoffs, this has still been an improvement - which almost as important to me (given that it's a retool):

1. Improved coach. The Blues haven't been able to reach this level of play for this long since the Cup run. They are consistently out-chancing opponents over the last six weeks. That bodes well for next year, when they should make good on your "top 3 in the division" prediction.

2. Improved experience/development. Kyrou, Holloway, Neighbours, Bolduc, Broberg, Parayko, and Tucker have all leveled up this year. Schenn looks revitalized.

3. Improved style of play. They're so much more fun to watch now, and it's not just because they're winning. They're playing faster, making more plays in transition and forechecking aggressively when they don't.

I'm enjoying the ride. Even if it doesn't end the way I want it to, I can be grateful they're can't miss viewing for me again.

Oh I'm more than enjoying it! But I'm also superstitious to my core. This is exactly what I'd hoped to see at some point this season just hope they can keep it going.