Some Insider Information to Share

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DoneLurking
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Some Insider Information to Share

Post by DoneLurking »

I had dinner with a friend of mine last night who is a scout for the Utah Mammoth. He had just gotten back from watching Penn State play Wisconsin.

I asked him how McKenna looked to him. He told me he didn't know. I said, what do you mean you don't know. He told me that since Utah is expecting to make the playoffs he only watched Penn State's third liners.

I told him that that's kind of weird. He told me that the order came from Bill Armstrong not to waste time watching McKenna in that game, and that he should work on his notes from the other players when McKenna is on the ice.

It turns out that according to my friend, this is something Bill learned when he was in St. Louis.
Pierre McGuire
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Re: Some Insider Information to Share

Post by Pierre McGuire »

DoneLurking wrote: 28 Jan 2026 07:52 am I had dinner with a friend of mine last night who is a scout for the Utah Mammoth. He had just gotten back from watching Penn State play Wisconsin.

I asked him how McKenna looked to him. He told me he didn't know. I said, what do you mean you don't know. He told me that since Utah is expecting to make the playoffs he only watched Penn State's third liners.

I told him that that's kind of weird. He told me that the order came from Bill Armstrong not to waste time watching McKenna in that game, and that he should work on his notes from the other players when McKenna is on the ice.

It turns out that according to my friend, this is something Bill learned when he was in St. Louis.
McKenna has been scouted heavily since he was 15. NHL teams know all they need to know. Also looks like he’s played very well for Penn State since returning from the WJC’s. Those teams that have legit options of picking first know right now if they are leaning McKenna or Stenberg
LGB73
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Re: Some Insider Information to Share

Post by LGB73 »

Makes sense. Put another way, they're not going to waste time going overseas to see Stenberg either because they won't get the chance to draft him. Its simply focusing time and resources smartly.
bluetunehead
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Re: Some Insider Information to Share

Post by bluetunehead »

That’s pretty common I’d imagine. A guy like McKenna has been covered endlessly. Best to focus closely on the guys you’ll realistically target when you get a chance to be there in person.
Old_Goat
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Re: Some Insider Information to Share

Post by Old_Goat »

DoneLurking wrote: 28 Jan 2026 07:52 am I had dinner with a friend of mine last night who is a scout for the Utah Mammoth. He had just gotten back from watching Penn State play Wisconsin.

I asked him how McKenna looked to him. He told me he didn't know. I said, what do you mean you don't know. He told me that since Utah is expecting to make the playoffs he only watched Penn State's third liners.

I told him that that's kind of weird. He told me that the order came from Bill Armstrong not to waste time watching McKenna in that game, and that he should work on his notes from the other players when McKenna is on the ice.

It turns out that according to my friend, this is something Bill learned when he was in St. Louis.
You again??
Always the anonymous rumors...desperate to be important. And of course the "aka." Save us the time, what's the Scout's name? I mean certainly Utah knows which of their scouts were at those games, and they would care the most about knowing whom among their paid employees may be shooting their mouth off about their interest and draft strategy to some unimportant loser.
dr0zombie
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Re: Some Insider Information to Share

Post by dr0zombie »

DoneLurking wrote: 28 Jan 2026 07:52 am I had dinner with a friend of mine last night who is a scout for the Utah Mammoth. He had just gotten back from watching Penn State play Wisconsin.

I asked him how McKenna looked to him. He told me he didn't know. I said, what do you mean you don't know. He told me that since Utah is expecting to make the playoffs he only watched Penn State's third liners.

I told him that that's kind of weird. He told me that the order came from Bill Armstrong not to waste time watching McKenna in that game, and that he should work on his notes from the other players when McKenna is on the ice.

It turns out that according to my friend, this is something Bill learned when he was in St. Louis.
That makes perfect sense. If you pick late or in the second round you want details and shift by shift depth on those players. Don't get lost puck watching. :D
DoneLurking
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Re: Some Insider Information to Share

Post by DoneLurking »

This was a joke.
sdaltons
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Re: Some Insider Information to Share

Post by sdaltons »

Yikes.
a smell of green grass
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Re: Some Insider Information to Share

Post by a smell of green grass »

DoneLurking wrote: 28 Jan 2026 09:27 am This was a joke.
I immediately saw right through your joke. I'm glad that you brought up the topic.

No one has been "scouted enough" at this point. The last 4 months of a prospect's development reveals more than the previous 16 years--especially when they are playing against equally talented players. The stakes of a TOP5 picks are extremely high. Bypassing an "Ovechkin" will haunt an NHL city for 20 years.

If the Blues have not pitched tents on the ice to watch the TOP10 players for the rest of the season, they are failing in their duty to the city.

Let's present the other side of the story fully.

The world according to ASOGG:
- The Blues roster needs elite players, especially at 1C and RHD QB. They have not had that for years.
- The ONLY WAY to get young elite 1C and RHD is via the NHL draft.
- Army is BELOW AVERAGE at bringing in talent via the NHL draft, and he needs to pick HIGH to have any chance at bringing in elite talent.
- Army is UNPROVEN regarding the NHL draft. Drafting HIGH is the only time and way that the work of the scouting dept can be truly evaluated, and Army has not drafted HIGH in 20 years.
- Army and the Blues actively sabotage their chances of getting HIGH picks across many years. The best pick that we have had in 20 years is #10 in 2023. No franchise is as adept as the Blues at winning meaningless regular season games in March.
- Re-whatever 1.0 accomplished very little towards a CUP roster. The best under-23 players in the NHL are NOT on the Blues roster. That's the whole purpose of a re-whatever!!! Why did other teams NOT IN RE-WHATEVER MODE bring in better talent than the Blues?
- Re-whatever 2.0 may accomplish even less unless the approach changes.
DoneLurking
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Re: Some Insider Information to Share

Post by DoneLurking »

a smell of green grass wrote: 28 Jan 2026 09:38 am
DoneLurking wrote: 28 Jan 2026 09:27 am This was a joke.
I immediately saw right through your joke. I'm glad that you brought up the topic.

No one has been "scouted enough" at this point. The last 4 months of a prospect's development reveals more than the previous 16 years--especially when they are playing against equally talented players. The stakes of a TOP5 picks are extremely high. Bypassing an "Ovechkin" will haunt an NHL city for 20 years.

If the Blues have not pitched tents on the ice to watch the TOP10 players for the rest of the season, they are failing in their duty to the city.

Let's present the other side of the story fully.

The world according to ASOGG:
- The Blues roster needs elite players, especially at 1C and RHD QB. They have not had that for years.
- The ONLY WAY to get young elite 1C and RHD is via the NHL draft.
- Army is BELOW AVERAGE at bringing in talent via the NHL draft, and he needs to pick HIGH to have any chance at bringing in elite talent.
- Army is UNPROVEN regarding the NHL draft. Drafting HIGH is the only time and way that the work of the scouting dept can be truly evaluated, and Army has not drafted HIGH in 20 years.
- Army and the Blues actively sabotage their chances of getting HIGH picks across many years. The best pick that we have had in 20 years is #10 in 2023. No franchise is as adept as the Blues at winning meaningless regular season games in March.
- Re-whatever 1.0 accomplished very little towards a CUP roster. The best under-23 players in the NHL are NOT on the Blues roster. That's the whole purpose of a re-whatever!!! Why did other teams NOT IN RE-WHATEVER MODE bring in better talent than the Blues?
- Re-whatever 2.0 may accomplish even less unless the approach changes.
I'm in that kind of headspace today, so here goes.

Can you show us any proof of knowing who any other team is scouting right now?

Can you show us any proof that the Blues are either purposely not scouting elite players, or are prioritizing players who fall under your arbitrary ranking of them?
callitwhatyouwant
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Re: Some Insider Information to Share

Post by callitwhatyouwant »

I have some insider information. Toasted Ravioli was a gift from Prometheus. Gooey Butter Cake was rumored to be invented to satisfy the fur trappers that established St. Louis as a City. Budweiser decided to call STL home because of Limestone and the rivers!
TheJackBurton
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Re: Some Insider Information to Share

Post by TheJackBurton »

a smell of green grass wrote: 28 Jan 2026 09:38 am
DoneLurking wrote: 28 Jan 2026 09:27 am This was a joke.
I immediately saw right through your joke. I'm glad that you brought up the topic.

No one has been "scouted enough" at this point. The last 4 months of a prospect's development reveals more than the previous 16 years--especially when they are playing against equally talented players. The stakes of a TOP5 picks are extremely high. Bypassing an "Ovechkin" will haunt an NHL city for 20 years.

If the Blues have not pitched tents on the ice to watch the TOP10 players for the rest of the season, they are failing in their duty to the city.

Let's present the other side of the story fully.

The world according to ASOGG:
- The Blues roster needs elite players, especially at 1C and RHD QB. They have not had that for years.

Thomas may not be what is considered "elite" but stop acting like he is some schlub, he was easily a top 10 center in the league last year.

- The ONLY WAY to get young elite 1C and RHD is via the NHL draft.

This is false and has been shown and proven to you time and time and time again.

- Army is BELOW AVERAGE at bringing in talent via the NHL draft, and he needs to pick HIGH to have any chance at bringing in elite talent.

This is also false and is being proven this very year


- Army is UNPROVEN regarding the NHL draft. Drafting HIGH is the only time and way that the work of the scouting dept can be truly evaluated, and Army has not drafted HIGH in 20 years.

This is demonstrably false and has been shown again this year

- Army and the Blues actively sabotage their chances of getting HIGH picks across many years. The best pick that we have had in 20 years is #10 in 2023. No franchise is as adept as the Blues at winning meaningless regular season games in March.

Believe it or not a GM's job is not to tank a team just because some kook who has no vested interest in the team wants a high draft pick year after year after year for some eventual shot possibly at a Connor McDavid.

- Re-whatever 1.0 accomplished very little towards a CUP roster. The best under-23 players in the NHL are NOT on the Blues roster. That's the whole purpose of a re-whatever!!! Why did other teams NOT IN RE-WHATEVER MODE bring in better talent than the Blues?

Injuries and a bad start to the season have derailed this season, which doesn't remotely mean the rebuild is over or we need a complete overhaul. It's just a bad season. They happen.

- Re-whatever 2.0 may accomplish even less unless the approach changes.
That is simply your opinion and I'll trust the guy who built a Stanley Cup Champion over yours.
a smell of green grass
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Re: Some Insider Information to Share

Post by a smell of green grass »

TheJackBurton wrote: 28 Jan 2026 09:59 am
a smell of green grass wrote: 28 Jan 2026 09:38 am
DoneLurking wrote: 28 Jan 2026 09:27 am This was a joke.
I immediately saw right through your joke. I'm glad that you brought up the topic.

No one has been "scouted enough" at this point. The last 4 months of a prospect's development reveals more than the previous 16 years--especially when they are playing against equally talented players. The stakes of a TOP5 picks are extremely high. Bypassing an "Ovechkin" will haunt an NHL city for 20 years.

If the Blues have not pitched tents on the ice to watch the TOP10 players for the rest of the season, they are failing in their duty to the city.

Let's present the other side of the story fully.

The world according to ASOGG:
- The Blues roster needs elite players, especially at 1C and RHD QB. They have not had that for years.

Thomas may not be what is considered "elite" but stop acting like he is some schlub, he was easily a top 10 center in the league last year.

- The ONLY WAY to get young elite 1C and RHD is via the NHL draft.

This is false and has been shown and proven to you time and time and time again.

- Army is BELOW AVERAGE at bringing in talent via the NHL draft, and he needs to pick HIGH to have any chance at bringing in elite talent.

This is also false and is being proven this very year


- Army is UNPROVEN regarding the NHL draft. Drafting HIGH is the only time and way that the work of the scouting dept can be truly evaluated, and Army has not drafted HIGH in 20 years.

This is demonstrably false and has been shown again this year

- Army and the Blues actively sabotage their chances of getting HIGH picks across many years. The best pick that we have had in 20 years is #10 in 2023. No franchise is as adept as the Blues at winning meaningless regular season games in March.

Believe it or not a GM's job is not to tank a team just because some kook who has no vested interest in the team wants a high draft pick year after year after year for some eventual shot possibly at a Connor McDavid.

- Re-whatever 1.0 accomplished very little towards a CUP roster. The best under-23 players in the NHL are NOT on the Blues roster. That's the whole purpose of a re-whatever!!! Why did other teams NOT IN RE-WHATEVER MODE bring in better talent than the Blues?

Injuries and a bad start to the season have derailed this season, which doesn't remotely mean the rebuild is over or we need a complete overhaul. It's just a bad season. They happen.

- Re-whatever 2.0 may accomplish even less unless the approach changes.
That is simply your opinion and I'll trust the guy who built a Stanley Cup Champion over yours.
Yes, this is my opinion. We shall see if I am correct YET AGAIN.

I was right that the Blues team of Jan 2025 would return in Oct 2025.

I was right that the late win streak MEANT NOTHING regarding future trajectory. Army echoed my prediction 4 months later when he said that the team will have to find "new ways" to win this season.

I was right that the late win streak was accomplished because other team's backed off. Florida lost 7 of their last 10. Monty echoed my prediction when he said early this season that the team hit team's in the mouth to kill their will to win in March.

I was right that the team lacks the elite talent needed. Army echoed this when he said that our best players are being outplayed by the other team's best players.

Common sense applies on the ice, just like everywhere else, and I'm a very reliable messenger of common sense.
Midnight Ryder
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Re: Some Insider Information to Share

Post by Midnight Ryder »

DoneLurking wrote: 28 Jan 2026 07:52 am I had dinner with a friend of mine last night who is a scout for the Utah Mammoth. He had just gotten back from watching Penn State play Wisconsin.

I asked him how McKenna looked to him. He told me he didn't know. I said, what do you mean you don't know. He told me that since Utah is expecting to make the playoffs he only watched Penn State's third liners.

I told him that that's kind of weird. He told me that the order came from Bill Armstrong not to waste time watching McKenna in that game, and that he should work on his notes from the other players when McKenna is on the ice.

It turns out that according to my friend, this is something Bill learned when he was in St. Louis.
Hi Beth O'Malley

Good morning again

You have so many usernames

Holloway for futures
fish
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Re: Some Insider Information to Share

Post by fish »

Smelly has really missed his calling in life, I can’t believe that none of the NHL clubs have not made him a GM yet? What’s wrong with the owners in the league? I guess Army is influencing all of the other teams just to feed his ego.
callitwhatyouwant
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Re: Some Insider Information to Share

Post by callitwhatyouwant »

fish wrote: 28 Jan 2026 11:09 am Smelly has really missed his calling in life, I can’t believe that none of the NHL clubs have not made him a GM yet? What’s wrong with the owners in the league? I guess Army is influencing all of the other teams just to feed his ego.
smelly troll goo has missed IT's calling in the universe multiple ways. IT's clearly some broken form of a bot, maybe beta phase because it can't compute new learning. IT also can't follow thru with it's own directives. IT said last year the Blues wouldn't make the playoffs or win a game in the playoffs or IT would go away. Whelp IT's January 28th 2026 and IT still can't figure anything out.
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