Rinse Wash Repeat. 2025

[blues2112]

I rinse AFTER I wash.

Nice catch!

[Chilly]

The answer is obviously just to win the cup every year! No more issues.
Easy peasy.

[Cahokanut]

[quote=Cahokanut post_ishould.


"Blues are heading in the right direction. Very exciting team. Never seem a team hit like we hit. Even deadlier than the cup team. They have the right idea and lots of great ingredients. Stay the course"

What direction is that?
We are not gonna know the thoughts and finances of another organization to poach their players again. So not the offer way.
We gonna luck into find another 40yr to slow a different Tucker from development? We do it every year.
We gonna hit the other team till they give?
We can try. But why. We lose a majority of those. Same happened in the playoffs.

Or is Binnington gonna once again make the saves that keeps these guys in the game, long enough to efficiently screened the goaltender?
That was the plan...I think.

Did the plan change from October to March?
I don't know. But we had assets to improve at 2c, yet made the choice not too. We did improve defense. Loved the Fowler trade. A Fan since he was a prospect.
It for sure made a impact. We were ranked 27 in offense. Through February.

I did notice. We decided the turtle was a good defensive strategy starting as early as late-second. I'm sure there's no book called, the turtle. But when you shorten, and change the line up with more defensive players. You create the lines that run the turtle system.

Last year has been no different then any other year. And it sounds like. More of the same next year.

Then save yourself a whole lot of frustration and grief and stop following the team. Maybe then you won’t be such a miserable person. Just trying to help.

Blues are definitely on the right track. DA has set us up nicely compared to where we were 12 months ago.
[/quote]


Interesting response.


People are gonna see things different. As of now. We are still allowed to give a opinion.
I haven't beat the topic into the ground or bought every thread back to last summers thoughts.

But if not for a once in a generation 12 games(and Minny falling apart), towards the end of the season. Everyone would still be on this train.

So it worries me that everyone seems to have forgotten how this team played for most of the first six months of the season.

Granted February and the stabilization of the defense that came with Fowler brought a coming together, that resulted in winning some games. But barely making the playoffs, with half the team and most of the defense over thirty. Can be the wrong direction. But I'm happy that we have a direction this next year.

Which is my point. We haven't climbed the hill. We took a right and bought into the confusion being sold. And that was, is, has been and will be next year. That a big game goalie, hope, hard work, and playing when most teams destiny's are known. Can get you into the playoffs, two out of every three years. Then anything can happen.
And while hitting a opponent with more talent may Not get you the biggest win. It does sell the Bomac BBQ snake oil. And that turns reality losers, into mental winners.

Just figured it needed to be said.

[MikoTython]

The op seems to think the first half of this season was this team's true level, and the last half was basically fluky. That's a judgement call which doesn't actually make a lick of sense.

Besides which, what would be the proposed 'solution' - start losing ???

To me, anyone who wasn't blown away by the progress this team made in the last year is missing the script. Huge missing pieces were added (esp. Bro, Holly & Cam, Snuggs, the 4th line emergence), the team is now imo knocking on first quadrant status in the league. i.e. no longer on the bubble - i.e. NOT rinse wash repeat.

The only thing lacking now is a 2C and insurance at RD. Meanwhile, the young guys - Neighbors, Bolduc, Snuggs, Tucker getting burned in - Holloway & Kirou is a big part of the secret sauce. This talk of trading Kirou is nutty.

It ain't broke, the missing finishing pieces have narrowed considerably. The Blues can now compete/contend WHILE the younger prospects mature, fight their way onto a first-rate winning roster.

[TheJackBurton]

[quote=Cahokanut post_ishould.


"Blues are heading in the right direction. Very exciting team. Never seem a team hit like we hit. Even deadlier than the cup team. They have the right idea and lots of great ingredients. Stay the course"

What direction is that?
We are not gonna know the thoughts and finances of another organization to poach their players again. So not the offer way.
We gonna luck into find another 40yr to slow a different Tucker from development? We do it every year.
We gonna hit the other team till they give?
We can try. But why. We lose a majority of those. Same happened in the playoffs.

Or is Binnington gonna once again make the saves that keeps these guys in the game, long enough to efficiently screened the goaltender?
That was the plan...I think.

Did the plan change from October to March?
I don't know. But we had assets to improve at 2c, yet made the choice not too. We did improve defense. Loved the Fowler trade. A Fan since he was a prospect.
It for sure made a impact. We were ranked 27 in offense. Through February.

I did notice. We decided the turtle was a good defensive strategy starting as early as late-second. I'm sure there's no book called, the turtle. But when you shorten, and change the line up with more defensive players. You create the lines that run the turtle system.

Last year has been no different then any other year. And it sounds like. More of the same next year.

Then save yourself a whole lot of frustration and grief and stop following the team. Maybe then you won’t be such a miserable person. Just trying to help.

Blues are definitely on the right track. DA has set us up nicely compared to where we were 12 months ago.

Interesting response.


People are gonna see things different. As of now. We are still allowed to give a opinion.
I haven't beat the topic into the ground or bought every thread back to last summers thoughts.

But if not for a once in a generation 12 games(and Minny falling apart), towards the end of the season. Everyone would still be on this train.

So it worries me that everyone seems to have forgotten how this team played for most of the first six months of the season.

Granted February and the stabilization of the defense that came with Fowler brought a coming together, that resulted in winning some games. But barely making the playoffs, with half the team and most of the defense over thirty. Can be the wrong direction. But I'm happy that we have a direction this next year.

Which is my point. We haven't climbed the hill. We took a right and bought into the confusion being sold. And that was, is, has been and will be next year. That a big game goalie, hope, hard work, and playing when most teams destiny's are known. Can get you into the playoffs, two out of every three years. Then anything can happen.
And while hitting a opponent with more talent may Not get you the biggest win. It does sell the Bomac BBQ snake oil. And that turns reality losers, into mental winners.

Just figured it needed to be said.
[/quote]

You can't compare the team that played the first 30 games of the season to the team that played the last 52.

With Bannister he was obviously coaching to not lose instead of coaching to win, and that was made obvious by Buch's interview after they got Monty. Bannister was preaching defense to the detriment of the offense. Yeah, you can win 2-1 or 3-2 a decent amount, but it's not sustainable. As soon as Monty arrived and they traded for Fowler it was a completely different team. It took the break to bring it all together, but as soon as it did, we saw the results. It was a completely different team that was playing with speed, scoring in bunches, had long moments of possession in the ozone, and were stifling other teams defensively. Unfortunately Holloway getting injured with 2 weeks left in the season was too difficult an injury to overcome as no one really fit on that line as well as he did.

If we just hold a lead for 1.3 seconds longer you aren't even starting this thread. They will be better next season and likely will finish top 4 in the division, if the right moves are made this off season. We can't come back with essentially the same team and expect improvement.

[TAFKAP]

I really don't think you can judge this team on anything until Monty has a training camp. You saw how much changed once he had, what? 2 weeks? The 2C is a glaring hole that can't be patched by committee. Something there has to change.

[Harry S Deals]

Kyrou, Thomas, Hofer, Neighbours, Bolduc, Snuggerud, Dvorsky is the near term direction of the team that Stillman/Army/Steen have settled on and there will be a few surprises Im sure, Kaskimaki, Peterson etc. We are entering a new golden age of Blues hockey and Im super stoked to see it

[Bubble4427]

[quote=Cahokanut post_ishould.


"Blues are heading in the right direction. Very exciting team. Never seem a team hit like we hit. Even deadlier than the cup team. They have the right idea and lots of great ingredients. Stay the course"

What direction is that?
We are not gonna know the thoughts and finances of another organization to poach their players again. So not the offer way.
We gonna luck into find another 40yr to slow a different Tucker from development? We do it every year.
We gonna hit the other team till they give?
We can try. But why. We lose a majority of those. Same happened in the playoffs.

Or is Binnington gonna once again make the saves that keeps these guys in the game, long enough to efficiently screened the goaltender?
That was the plan...I think.

Did the plan change from October to March?
I don't know. But we had assets to improve at 2c, yet made the choice not too. We did improve defense. Loved the Fowler trade. A Fan since he was a prospect.
It for sure made a impact. We were ranked 27 in offense. Through February.

I did notice. We decided the turtle was a good defensive strategy starting as early as late-second. I'm sure there's no book called, the turtle. But when you shorten, and change the line up with more defensive players. You create the lines that run the turtle system.

Last year has been no different then any other year. And it sounds like. More of the same next year.

Then save yourself a whole lot of frustration and grief and stop following the team. Maybe then you won’t be such a miserable person. Just trying to help.

Blues are definitely on the right track. DA has set us up nicely compared to where we were 12 months ago.

Interesting response. (I just stated the obvious)


People are gonna see things different. As of now. We are still allowed to give a opinion.
I haven't beat the topic into the ground or bought every thread back to last summers thoughts.

But if not for a once in a generation 12 games (once in a generation? A Very similar streak happened in 2019 of 11 games)(and Minny falling apart), towards the end of the season. Everyone would still be on this train. (More people than not were NEVER on your train)

So it worries me that everyone seems to have forgotten how this team played for most of the first six months of the season. (Did the team vastly improve after the additions of Monty and Fowler? Maybe if they started with the team at the beginning of the season the 1st 3 months would have never happened)

Granted February and the stabilization of the defense that came with Fowler brought a coming together, that resulted in winning some games. But barely making the playoffs, with half the team and most of the defense over thirty (the Blues average age is 29.3 years, which is considered the league average. EVERY team has older players...they are called veterans for a reason). Can be the wrong direction. But I'm happy that we have a direction this next year.

Which is my point. We haven't climbed the hill. We took a right and bought into the confusion being sold. And that was, is, has been and will be next year. That a big game goalie, hope, hard work, and playing when most teams destiny's are known. Can get you into the playoffs, two out of every three years. Then anything can happen. (That is what every team in the NHL and their fan base does.)
And while hitting a opponent with more talent may Not get you the biggest win. It does sell the Bomac BBQ snake oil (Bomac was a fool and was blinded by his hatred for Army). And that turns reality losers, into mental winners.

Just figured it needed to be said.

Is the team better than it was 12 months ago?
Does the team look more optimistic to you regarding the youth?
Is our coach situation better?
Did Army sell anyone "snake oil" over the past year? If you answer yes, then your head is stuck in the ground and you are a DA hater.
Army said before the season that he envisioned the team challenging for a wild card spot. the team started out poorly and he made a trade and brought in a new coach because they were not living up to what he expected from them. the moves were made and he team improved.
Army could not fix EVERYTHING in 12 months...he ran out of time and cap space. I trust he will work to finish what he started.

What is there to not be optimistic about?
[/quote]

[SRV1990]

It was a little weird to see how happy Armstrong seemed after a season where a coach was fired and they made the playoffs in the last game of the season on a veteran heavy team. I guess his expectations were much lower...

He wasn't happy and you know it.

[Cahokanut]

It's what we do




In 2025 the Blues once again went the hope and anything can happen approach. Holding on to that 56yr tradition. That did once produce a great story with a theme song, in 19.

We continue to think someone other then Binnington, made this a playoff team.

We continue bringing in vets to hold on the window and blaming youth when they can't hold it up.

We Again, continue thinking players who grab, chase hits, and crowd the net. Will out work talent, when it counts. And it Just doesn't. Never has. 19 wasn't it.

This year we continued turning Thomas into Schenns replacement at 2c. Once Cheddar decides he isn't a 2c.

We continue to throw talent into a dog house. Asking them to learn the grind, that pulls them from spots they know, while demanding them to continue a offensive game, they are no longer in position for.

We continue to play the, "in group," over those that earned more time or better line mates.
Example. Neighbours, Suter, Sunny, Schenn, Leddy.

We continue to saddle our talent with those that are in this group. Neighbours with Thomas
Kyrou, Holloway with Schenn
Anyone that played with Sunny.

We continue to not do the work in the first half of the season. Not a winning mentality. But a I don't want to move in March mentality. All With a compete for the cup, salary and a compete for the lottery, line up.

We continue to think our prospects are the answer. While not understanding that every team has three plus under 21 prospects. All can line up or have more talent then ours.

We continue to waste the prime of the goalie that can win the cup. For the payday that comes from two games

We continue to claim a winner mentality. While being losers for 3/4 of the season.

Finally as fans We continue buying this Blues Organization Snake Oil. From on site ownership on down.
This year, like most, was about keeping the bowling team together and looking good. Rather then winning the trophy.

From how happy Army sounds at this teams great season success. Same time, Same place, Same thoughts, next year.

Sure enough.
It's what we do.

[Nublues69]

It was a little weird to see how happy Armstrong seemed after a season where a coach was fired and they made the playoffs in the last game of the season on a veteran heavy team. I guess his expectations were much lower...

so chicago doesnt make it again.... sounds great. CHI sucks a duck

[Cahokanut]

It was a little weird to see how happy Armstrong seemed after a season where a coach was fired and they made the playoffs in the last game of the season on a veteran heavy team. I guess his expectations were much lower...

so chicago doesnt make it again.... sounds great. CHI sucks a duck

Yep the Black Hawks suck duck.
But they did build the best team in the league that won some championships. And looks to be on that similar path.
Army brought in his friends, and other groups of veteran contractors and wamo 10-15 yrs later, built a group of (upset) bubble vets that no one expected to win four.
No one expected it. No one expected them to do it again. And they didn't. They went back to the grind.

Which is what this thread is about.

Army has done almost the very same thing, outside of two drafts during the "it's a new league" period. And two offer sheets during the "hiring of a Edmonton brass", period.
Both were lead by another. Both are over. And we are back to third line vets, [shirt]ty return on trades, Same good in the corners prospects, same crowd the net, hope for garbage goal offense, Same dog house for players of skill. Same prompting up of his guys. Same Ole Sell.

[Nublues69]

It was a little weird to see how happy Armstrong seemed after a season where a coach was fired and they made the playoffs in the last game of the season on a veteran heavy team. I guess his expectations were much lower...

so chicago doesnt make it again.... sounds great. CHI sucks a duck

Yep the Black Hawks suck duck.
But they did build the best team in the league that won some championships. And looks to be on that similar path.
Army brought in his friends, and other groups of veteran contractors and wamo 10-15 yrs later, built a group of (upset) off bubble vets that no one expected to win four.
No one expected it. No one expected them to do it again. And they didn't. They went back to the grind.

Which is what this thread is about.

Army has done almost the very same thing, outside of two drafts during the "it's a new league" period. And two offer sheets during the "hiring of a Edmonton brass", period.
Both were lead by another. Both are over. And we are back to third line vets, [shirt]ty return on trades, Same good in the corners prospects, same crowd the net, hope for garbage goal offense, Same dog house for players of skill. Same prompting up of his guys. Same Ole Sell.

LOL army won a cup and now has built a team that will have an open window for years to come,.

[Cahokanut]

It was a little weird to see how happy Armstrong seemed after a season where a coach was fired and they made the playoffs in the last game of the season on a veteran heavy team. I guess his expectations were much lower...

so chicago doesnt make it again.... sounds great. CHI sucks a duck

Yep the Black Hawks suck duck.
But they did build the best team in the league that won some championships. And looks to be on that similar path.
Army brought in his friends, and other groups of veteran contractors and wamo 10-15 yrs later, built a group of (upset) off bubble vets that no one expected to win four.
No one expected it. No one expected them to do it again. And they didn't. They went back to the grind.

Which is what this thread is about.

Army has done almost the very same thing, outside of two drafts during the "it's a new league" period. And two offer sheets during the "hiring of a Edmonton brass", period.
Both were lead by another. Both are over. And we are back to third line vets, [shirt]ty return on trades, Same good in the corners prospects, same crowd the net, hope for garbage goal offense, Same dog house for players of skill. Same prompting up of his guys. Same Ole Sell.

LOL army won a cup and now has built a team that will have an open window for years to come,.

LOL. Now we are contenders.
Bring in vet...check
Again pass on 2c because Schenn again thinks he is one. Check
Again trade off talent, he can't understand. Check

Iam guessing we will once again "spread out the scoring" with Sunny, Schenn, Faulk pp unit.

Army supporters forgetting that they were once again wrong about last year's team, claiming some magic window and some winner mentality, that helps Army keeps us hoping for the tippy top of the bubble.

[DawgDad]

He's been flooding this forum with his Army agenda/narrative driven negativity all morning. It's akin to an exhibitionist with his raincoat open.

We heard you. We've seen this narrative before, many times. "Rinse Wash Repeat". Tacos, anyone?

[TheJackBurton]

It was a little weird to see how happy Armstrong seemed after a season where a coach was fired and they made the playoffs in the last game of the season on a veteran heavy team. I guess his expectations were much lower...

so chicago doesnt make it again.... sounds great. CHI sucks a duck

Yep the Black Hawks suck duck.
But they did build the best team in the league that won some championships. And looks to be on that similar path.
Army brought in his friends, and other groups of veteran contractors and wamo 10-15 yrs later, built a group of (upset) off bubble vets that no one expected to win four.
No one expected it. No one expected them to do it again. And they didn't. They went back to the grind.

Which is what this thread is about.

Army has done almost the very same thing, outside of two drafts during the "it's a new league" period. And two offer sheets during the "hiring of a Edmonton brass", period.
Both were lead by another. Both are over. And we are back to third line vets, [shirt]ty return on trades, Same good in the corners prospects, same crowd the net, hope for garbage goal offense, Same dog house for players of skill. Same prompting up of his guys. Same Ole Sell.

LOL army won a cup and now has built a team that will have an open window for years to come,.

LOL. Now we are contenders. (We aren't there yet, but in another season or two we absolutely will be)
Bring in vet...check (we also brought in a 29 year old center and a 22 year old RHD man)
Again pass on 2c because Schenn again thinks he is one. Check (What 2nd line centers were available? Because no team got one)
Again trade off talent, he can't understand. Check (we traded talent from an area where we have a glut of talent and replaced it with talent in an area where we, and almost every NHL team in the league, has very little)

Iam guessing we will once again "spread out the scoring" with Sunny, Schenn, Faulk pp unit. (Sunny sits in front of the net and there's no surprise that when he regularly did that the PP improved. Schenn had 50 points last season, why wouldn't he be on the PP? Faulk you have a point, but it's either him or Parayko and they want Paraykos minutes doing the heavy lifting)

Army supporters forgetting that they were once again wrong about last year's team, claiming some magic window and some winner mentality, that helps Army keeps us hoping for the tippy top of the bubble. (How was anyone wrong? The vast majority, including Army himself, stated that if we made the playoffs it would be as a wildcard team, and guess what, they made it as a wildcard team. It's the Army haters, such as yourself that were wrong and were hoping for a top 5 draft pick)