BluesTalk poll

[TampaBlues78]

Oh, I forgot to stick to the OP poll request in my last post. Sorry for participating in a derail. I think it's a bit more than 50/50 chance that we make the playoffs. We'll slip in and I do believe getting beyond the background drama of the Olympics will help.

Thank you and much obliged for your words… I created this to basically start a debate and see where posters thought our realistic chances were… I know this team can catch fire they’ve proven this in the past.. time will tell on if we can get it together or not

[TampaBlues78]

Old Goat writes this:
We do not well enough or often enough establish and maintain an O-zone, we cannot follow through on an odd-man rush, we cannot keep momentum as we allow the opponent to change and get in position to disrupt our ensuing rush through the neutral zone.

This is not the Abs we played last night vs the Preds,
But here are a couple of stats that stuck out after the game;
Shot attempts; Preds , 72 blues 38. Ozone possession time: 9:22 Preds. 4:12 Blues
And old goat talks about having an on slot in the first period and although the shots turned out even 8-8 last night Hofer was busier, and I believe we caught up and shots at the end
Of the 0rd. And then in the second period, we got out shot 10 to 5.. so is this strategy or just lack of player skill

I noticed a glaringly big difference in passing between the two teams we have a lot of missed passes more than I have seen from (bleep) near every other team in the league and it’s not even close, that and turnovers this team gets just a little pressure and we turtle… not all the time but most of the time… a lot of inopportuned turnovers and miscues has cost the goals and W’s

[TampaBlues78]

playoffs IMO

Right on

[dhsux]

Not many posters answering the question.......do they make the play offs?

While disappointed in them since preseason I'll continue to say yes.

What makes you think we will? Do you think hofer supplants binny? Do you think Binny has lot it? To me he seems snakebitten, is it the olympics? Where do you think our offense comes from? What about the troubles with turnovers in our own zone? Do you think these problems will resolve themselves in 2026?

Big picture, yes, I do think that most all of the players are under performing putting them where they are in the standings......and I do not believe they will continue that slide, almost to a man kind of slide, for the remainder of the season.

Your point on all the reasons for their current play and inconsistencies are dead on with what we've mostly seen I do not dispute that but I do not buy that this is who they really are as players, for the most part, and also as a team. Basically, how long can they play this poorly?...it's not who they are.

They are 8-7 in their last 15 games with uncharacteristic poor play from key players and a slew of major vacancies due to injuries. You almost have to take that as decent. I'd put Faulk and Jake and maybe Broberg along with the 4th line regulars as the only guys actually playing to their abilities with Joel on the verge of that with consistency.

That's it .....and I just don't believe that's how it's going to go in the second half even with the learning youth playing big roles. RT, JK, CP, DH, CF and I'll even throw in a Buchnevich.........they ALL need to get into their roles on this team and produce to their abilities.

[IsDurbanodoingtime]

As noted, lots of mediicre teams congregating below playoff positions meaning many will be lingering in the position between lottery pick and playoffs. Given that none of the usual trade suspects are ufas this summer, it is certainly not a given that Armey is going to deal. If he doesn't think he is getting value, he is not trading for trading sakes especially with Steen taking over. No deals and we finish 5 points out of a playoff spot.

[skeezix]

Based upon the vitriolic posts made on various PD boards, the only reasonable deduction to make is there needs to be a public execution somewhere in Missouri, like the scene in "Hang 'Em High". The gallows will have Gates, Drinkwitz, Armstrong, Oli, Mo, and BDWIII.

Any other nominees?

[Bluesbacker]

Sadly, will just miss the playoffs.

[rezero]

Playoffs! We are bring home another cup!

[zuck698]

Obviously we need our top players to play like top players. Many, if not most, have under performed to that level this year. Some of these include 55, 10, 18, 17, 89, 50, and 25. I don't hold out much hope if most of these don't start playing to their expected levels in the second half. Binner has been up and down in previous seasons, but I don't remember him playing this poorly for so long. Yes, the defense has left him hanging out to dry in many games, but he just looks completely off this year. In previous years, he would usually rebound with a great performance after a bad one. I really don't remember this happening with him this year. Trade talk? Who knows? But we really need him to steal some games for us in the second half. Hofer has played much better the last month or so, but I don't think he can backstop us to the playoffs alone, without a good amount of support coming from 50. How will Hollywood come back from his injury? The impact of him coming back and playing like he did the second half of the season last year, would be a huge plus in the push for the playoffs. I hope 6, 21,23,28,29, and 54 continue to develop over the season and getting playoff experience would certainly pay dividends towards their future progression. We need a trade to help support out bottom 2 D. If Kessel and Tucker are what we are going with for the remainder of the year, then I certainly don't see how we complete the final push. Sorry my rant didn't answer the O.P., as there are just to many variables for me to make a guess. I think there is enough talent to compete for the last wild card, especially with the West being so watered down this year. It really is crazy to have played this poorly and still be in the playoff discussion. It certainly doesn't feel like we should even be in this discussion, but yet here we are....

[rangergiff]

I don't think many on here appreciate that the Blues can't afford to miss out on playoff revenue. I believe this ownership group is great and I am thankful that they are willing to keep this team competitive. That said, they can't afford to many losing seasons. They simply don't have the deep pockets or revenue streams to keep losing money for long. Add to that the salary cap increases that are coming and I believe that the Blues are one of the teams saying they can't afford to spend to the cap anymore. Like many teams, playoff revenue means the difference between breaking even and losing money as a franchise. This puts Army in a tough spot. He answers to a boss the same way most here do and his boss is telling him to do everything he can to make the playoffs. This team's core is flawed though and in need of change. So here goes my predictions.

The Blues will keep doing the same thing they have been till after the olympic break. They will find themselves in roughly the same spot in the standings as they are now.

Monty is not fired.

Schenn and Faulk get traded.

One of these core will be gone. In descending order of probability are, Kyrou, Bennie, Thomas or Paryako. This could be in the off season though.

The Blues miss the playoffs and get between the 8th and 15th pick.

This forum will continue to melt down over the terrible returns Army got and the direction of this franchise.

What I hope for is that the Blues move on from Schenn, Faulk and Kyrou. netting some solid picks and young players. Management keeps Monty and ushers in a new core. The Blues get a top 4 pick in the draft.

Finally peace and no trolls for the forum. Even with the trolls I love this forum. It provides me many hours of entertainment

Good post Ranger......just want to comment on the revenue point you brought up. It's true I am sure they want positive cash flow and receipts each year and the play off revenue is critical for that but keep in mind what is continually happening with the franchise asset value each and every year as well. A mere 5% increase in franchise value each year would represent around 70+M dollar net increase for the owners coffers.

Thanks for the kind comment and I agree that the return on investment is where the real money is made on sports franchises. Mr. Sillman and the ownership group would make a hefty profit if they sold the team. What I was getting at though is that I get the feeling that Mr. Stillman is not in it to cash out. What I have seen from him is the desire to keep the team here and competitive while at the same time not lose a bunch of money. From listening to him during interviews and one short conversation I had with him a few years ago is that he seems to be a fan first. This is the kind of owner I want. Invested in heart as well as dollars. This makes for some hard decisions. Winning is important for the bottom line.

[strutter]

Based upon the vitriolic posts made on various PD boards, the only reasonable deduction to make is there needs to be a public execution somewhere in Missouri, like the scene in "Hang 'Em High". The gallows will have Gates, Drinkwitz, Armstrong, Oli, Mo, and BDWIII.

Any other nominees?

Stan K

[Old_Goat]

Old Goat writes this:
We do not well enough or often enough establish and maintain an O-zone, we cannot follow through on an odd-man rush, we cannot keep momentum as we allow the opponent to change and get in position to disrupt our ensuing rush through the neutral zone.

This is not the Abs we played last night vs the Preds,
But here are a couple of stats that stuck out after the game;
Shot attempts; Preds , 72 blues 38. Ozone possession time: 9:22 Preds. 4:12 Blues
And old goat talks about having an on slot in the first period and although the shots turned out even 8-8 last night Hofer was busier, and I believe we caught up and shots at the end
Of the 0rd. And then in the second period, we got out shot 10 to 5.. so is this strategy or just lack of player skill

I noticed a glaringly big difference in passing between the two teams we have a lot of missed passes more than I have seen from (drat) near every other team in the league and it’s not even close, that and turnovers this team gets just a little pressure and we turtle… not all the time but most of the time… a lot of inopportuned turnovers and miscues has cost the goals and W’s

So we were looking for something to watch on TV last night, and as my wife scrolled through what is on "Prime," I spotted the documentary on THE RUSSIAN FIVE -- the story of Detroit's move to get those players in the 1990s. (Note, the Debra Barone Character in the EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND TV show is based upon not only my wife's appearance, but she also rules the roost around here.) So, I convinced my wife that this is not just about hockey and she could use a history lesson.
That's the background, but here's the point and I suspect any serious hockey fan knows it. That group of Red Wings' whole success was about pinpoint passing and puck control and puck protection. Furthermore, they played together all of the time. They instinctively knew what and how they will all react and position.
Not long ago on one of these strings, I suggested scrimmaging in practice for 15 minute sessions, with Montgomery viewing up high. No coaching, no coaches...These guys have practically all likely been coached since they were 4 years old. Just let them play together, observe their instincts, determine who fits best with whom...then let them refine their timing, instincts, awareness.
When I played hockey in college our offseason conditioning workouts included a lot of 5-on-5 full court basketball. The D-men played guards. The forwards played forward. We couldn't violate the rules for organized on-ice practices. The purpose was to condition. We played as the same 5 man units as on ice. We were athletic, but we sucked, we would have fouled-out fast in a real game, we weren't expert b-ball players, but what we did better than anyone was excel at blind passing to find each other perfectly. We'd be moving around to get open and chattering each others' nicknames all the time, and BAM the ball was right there perfectly. When we got on the ice, same thing...complete synergy, based upon total familiarity of how and where the other will be.
I'm not suggesting the Blues risk any more high ankle sprains on the B-Ball court.

[retirednot]

The big plus is each is accountable.

[Ziggy3]

My money is on no playoffs. Just haven't seen any indicator that this team has a run in them; every win is a nailbiter, many losses are lopsided from the opening drop, injury bug is running rampant...

That said, the Olympics provide an interesting wrinkle. Could the Blues come out of the break more rested and healed than other teams and pull a post-4-Nations move? Possible...

[dhsux]

I don't think many on here appreciate that the Blues can't afford to miss out on playoff revenue. I believe this ownership group is great and I am thankful that they are willing to keep this team competitive. That said, they can't afford to many losing seasons. They simply don't have the deep pockets or revenue streams to keep losing money for long. Add to that the salary cap increases that are coming and I believe that the Blues are one of the teams saying they can't afford to spend to the cap anymore. Like many teams, playoff revenue means the difference between breaking even and losing money as a franchise. This puts Army in a tough spot. He answers to a boss the same way most here do and his boss is telling him to do everything he can to make the playoffs. This team's core is flawed though and in need of change. So here goes my predictions.

The Blues will keep doing the same thing they have been till after the olympic break. They will find themselves in roughly the same spot in the standings as they are now.

Monty is not fired.

Schenn and Faulk get traded.

One of these core will be gone. In descending order of probability are, Kyrou, Bennie, Thomas or Paryako. This could be in the off season though.

The Blues miss the playoffs and get between the 8th and 15th pick.

This forum will continue to melt down over the terrible returns Army got and the direction of this franchise.

What I hope for is that the Blues move on from Schenn, Faulk and Kyrou. netting some solid picks and young players. Management keeps Monty and ushers in a new core. The Blues get a top 4 pick in the draft.

Finally peace and no trolls for the forum. Even with the trolls I love this forum. It provides me many hours of entertainment

Good post Ranger......just want to comment on the revenue point you brought up. It's true I am sure they want positive cash flow and receipts each year and the play off revenue is critical for that but keep in mind what is continually happening with the franchise asset value each and every year as well. A mere 5% increase in franchise value each year would represent around 70+M dollar net increase for the owners coffers.

Thanks for the kind comment and I agree that the return on investment is where the real money is made on sports franchises. Mr. Sillman and the ownership group would make a hefty profit if they sold the team. What I was getting at though is that I get the feeling that Mr. Stillman is not in it to cash out. What I have seen from him is the desire to keep the team here and competitive while at the same time not lose a bunch of money. From listening to him during interviews and one short conversation I had with him a few years ago is that he seems to be a fan first. This is the kind of owner I want. Invested in heart as well as dollars. This makes for some hard decisions. Winning is important for the bottom line.

Totally agree! It's great ownership....and willing to spend to the cap no small matter either.

[blues2112]

I fear it will be neither…

I heard the telecast say if the season would end tonight they said it would be top 5… but yea the blues always are competitive usually til the end of the season

Like last year?

Truly, you two are knowledgeable posters, but increasingly negative to the point of being bitter.

You aren't a knowledgeable poster and increasingly you seem like a day drinking (bleep) who weighs in with a character attack. You did this to me the other day. You're a loser.

Thanks for the ignorant and arrogant critique.

My comment was about your statement, not you. Have no idea who you are, nor do you of me.

So, add "ironic" to your critique of me.

P.S.: Seattle, I apologize if I offended you.

P.S.S.: This place is unhealthy. If I contribute to that, I'm sorry. Always a Blues fan. Thinking it's time to move on from here.