Mails shouldn’t be in the NHL right now

[dhsux]

I strive to be as honest and fair as I am able.

I, honestly, don't know Defensive strategies enough to have a POV.
If they switched the system, why do you suppose they did so?

If it is , indeed, a big reason why we are lost for offensive opportunities and/or hanging our, otherwise stellar goalies out to dry...why the devil don't they address it once again?

I appreciate all input other than bitter and high-stress troll bait.

Like this thread and it's supposed "declaration"?

He shouldn't be here...but he is....and progressing....and showing as he does he belongs here.

Just add him on to a list of some 20 Blues players this clown has used for his fodder over the years.

All these great insights from the great one. What happened to Snuggs being "afraid"? I haven't heard that one in a while.

[theograce]

Last 7 games

0 points
-6
1 Shot on goal

[blackinkbiz]

I strive to be as honest and fair as I am able.

I, honestly, don't know Defensive strategies enough to have a POV.
If they switched the system, why do you suppose they did so?

If it is , indeed, a big reason why we are lost for offensive opportunities and/or hanging our, otherwise stellar goalies out to dry...why the devil don't they address it once again?

I appreciate all input other than bitter and high-stress troll bait.

Last season, upon his arrival, Monty instituted a "clog-the-middle" type of defensive zone coverage. If you recall, the Blues began blocking a lot more shots around that time. It wasn't great at first, but once 4-Nations hit and the team + coaching staff had a couple weeks to work on it, they had it going gangbusters after that until the end.

Unless my memory fails me, when this season began, they kept the same successful system. But, both goalies were playing terribly and injuries began to pile up, and, apparently, at some point they swtiched their coverage to a man2man. I asked the same question? WTH would you mess with that? About a week ago, forum user Blues89723 or whatever his number is, said he heard Monty state the bad goalie play + injuries was the reason.

I've barely watched the last 3 games (the worst losing streak of the season imo) so I'm assuming they're still on the man2man but considering how lifeless, disinterested, and basically pathetic the team now looks, whatever they're doing, it's been lost on the players.

TBH, it's reached the point I no longer emotionally care. This is literally the worst team I've ever seen followed by many of the worst individual performances I've ever seen.

If the team bus crashed and they all missed the rest of the season due to injuries and/or coma, I'd probably be more interested in seeing the system's depth than I would be in watching these losers.

[Zizzle1297]

I strive to be as honest and fair as I am able.

I, honestly, don't know Defensive strategies enough to have a POV.
If they switched the system, why do you suppose they did so?

If it is , indeed, a big reason why we are lost for offensive opportunities and/or hanging our, otherwise stellar goalies out to dry...why the devil don't they address it once again?

I appreciate all input other than bitter and high-stress troll bait.

Last season, upon his arrival, Monty instituted a "clog-the-middle" type of defensive zone coverage. If you recall, the Blues began blocking a lot more shots around that time. It wasn't great at first, but once 4-Nations hit and the team + coaching staff had a couple weeks to work on it, they had it going gangbusters after that until the end.

Unless my memory fails me, when this season began, they kept the same successful system. But, both goalies were playing terribly and injuries began to pile up, and, apparently, at some point they swtiched their coverage to a man2man. I asked the same question? WTH would you mess with that? About a week ago, forum user Blues89723 or whatever his number is, said he heard Monty state the bad goalie play + injuries was the reason.

I've barely watched the last 3 games (the worst losing streak of the season imo) so I'm assuming they're still on the man2man but considering how lifeless, disinterested, and basically pathetic the team now looks, whatever they're doing, it's been lost on the players.

TBH, it's reached the point I no longer emotionally care. This is literally the worst team I've ever seen followed by many of the worst individual performances I've ever seen.

If the team bus crashed and they all missed the rest of the season due to injuries and/or coma, I'd probably be more interested in seeing the system's depth than I would be in watching these losers.

[Zizzle1297]

I strive to be as honest and fair as I am able.

I, honestly, don't know Defensive strategies enough to have a POV.
If they switched the system, why do you suppose they did so?

If it is , indeed, a big reason why we are lost for offensive opportunities and/or hanging our, otherwise stellar goalies out to dry...why the devil don't they address it once again?

I appreciate all input other than bitter and high-stress troll bait.

Last season, upon his arrival, Monty instituted a "clog-the-middle" type of defensive zone coverage. If you recall, the Blues began blocking a lot more shots around that time. It wasn't great at first, but once 4-Nations hit and the team + coaching staff had a couple weeks to work on it, they had it going gangbusters after that until the end.

Unless my memory fails me, when this season began, they kept the same successful system. But, both goalies were playing terribly and injuries began to pile up, and, apparently, at some point they swtiched their coverage to a man2man. I asked the same question? WTH would you mess with that? About a week ago, forum user Blues89723 or whatever his number is, said he heard Monty state the bad goalie play + injuries was the reason.

I've barely watched the last 3 games (the worst losing streak of the season imo) so I'm assuming they're still on the man2man but considering how lifeless, disinterested, and basically pathetic the team now looks, whatever they're doing, it's been lost on the players.

TBH, it's reached the point I no longer emotionally care. This is literally the worst team I've ever seen followed by many of the worst individual performances I've ever seen.

If the team bus crashed and they all missed the rest of the season due to injuries and/or coma, I'd probably be more interested in seeing the system's depth than I would be in watching these losers.

wow thats cruel to say.

Yes theyve been horrible to watch but thats not cool to more or less that you hope the team bus crashes

[Ziggy3]

The Blues personnel that told us that Mailloux was ready when we traded for him should not be in the NHL.

Mailloux was not nearly an unknown to the hockey world. Even most Montreal fans could tell that he wasnt ready. Now most Blues fans say the same thing.

Congrats Blues fans. You know more than Army.

That’s why I don’t believe the story we were told on why they made the move. Our scouts don’t miss this bad. Something happened with Bolduc and they wanted him gone at all costs.

I mean, it sounds like conspiracy nonsense, but I can't dismiss it.

How do you trade a rising young forward with size who essentially scored 20 last year for...THIS? And then you anoint him a starter before training camp begins, with the bright idea of pairing him with Tucker out of the gate...just putting the guy in pretty much the worst situation for him. Their scouting really thought he would flourish in those circumstances?

It's got to be the most baffling offseason move Army has ever made. The entire hockey world was scratching their heads over it. And even if something had gone completely sour with Bolduc somehow, how in the world is Mailloux the best return you can find? Not even a pick thrown our way too?

[Bacchk29]

Last 7 games

0 points
-6
1 Shot on goal

Some are still in denial. Monty isn’t perfect but he gets players like this to work miracles with lol

[Harry S Deals]

The Blues personnel that told us that Mailloux was ready when we traded for him should not be in the NHL.

Mailloux was not nearly an unknown to the hockey world. Even most Montreal fans could tell that he wasnt ready. Now most Blues fans say the same thing.

Congrats Blues fans. You know more than Army.

That’s why I don’t believe the story we were told on why they made the move. Our scouts don’t miss this bad. Something happened with Bolduc and they wanted him gone at all costs.

I mean, it sounds like conspiracy nonsense, but I can't dismiss it.

How do you trade a rising young forward with size who essentially scored 20 last year for...THIS? And then you anoint him a starter before training camp begins, with the bright idea of pairing him with Tucker out of the gate...just putting the guy in pretty much the worst situation for him. Their scouting really thought he would flourish in those circumstances?

It's got to be the most baffling offseason move Army has ever made. The entire hockey world was scratching their heads over it. And even if something had gone completely sour with Bolduc somehow, how in the world is Mailloux the best return you can find? Not even a pick thrown our way too?

Well because as has been rehashed over and over and over again

Blues will be extending Holloway, Dvorsky, Stenberg, Snuggerug and Neighbours again the Blues did not want to extend Bolduc who they feel is a 3rd liner which they have
Blues have an organizational weakness at RHD which is a commodity in the NHL
Fairly simple

[Ziggy3]

The Blues personnel that told us that Mailloux was ready when we traded for him should not be in the NHL.

Mailloux was not nearly an unknown to the hockey world. Even most Montreal fans could tell that he wasnt ready. Now most Blues fans say the same thing.

Congrats Blues fans. You know more than Army.

That’s why I don’t believe the story we were told on why they made the move. Our scouts don’t miss this bad. Something happened with Bolduc and they wanted him gone at all costs.

I mean, it sounds like conspiracy nonsense, but I can't dismiss it.

How do you trade a rising young forward with size who essentially scored 20 last year for...THIS? And then you anoint him a starter before training camp begins, with the bright idea of pairing him with Tucker out of the gate...just putting the guy in pretty much the worst situation for him. Their scouting really thought he would flourish in those circumstances?

It's got to be the most baffling offseason move Army has ever made. The entire hockey world was scratching their heads over it. And even if something had gone completely sour with Bolduc somehow, how in the world is Mailloux the best return you can find? Not even a pick thrown our way too?

Well because as has been rehashed over and over and over again

Blues will be extending Holloway, Dvorsky, Stenberg, Snuggerug and Neighbours again the Blues did not want to extend Bolduc who they feel is a 3rd liner which they have
Blues have an organizational weakness at RHD which is a commodity in the NHL
Fairly simple

No I get that, and that's not even my point. I said at the time that I understood the idea, and they were trading from obvious strength (wingers) to address a weakness, and I knew nothing about Mailloux's game. I reserved judgment until I saw him play. But can you look now and say that's anywhere close to an even trade?

To me, the jury is way out on whether Mailloux will ever become the equivalent of what Bolduc already is...2nd pair D vs. middle 6 fwd. He might, I really hope he does...but was that risk worth it? Bolduc is RFA after THIS season, yeah? Why did he have to move already? Why was the trade straight-up? A 20-ish goal scorer of the same age for a guy arguably not even ready for the NHL full-time?

There's just something very peculiar about the whole deal.

[Bubble4427]

The Blues personnel that told us that Mailloux was ready when we traded for him should not be in the NHL.

Mailloux was not nearly an unknown to the hockey world. Even most Montreal fans could tell that he wasnt ready. Now most Blues fans say the same thing.

Congrats Blues fans. You know more than Army.

That’s why I don’t believe the story we were told on why they made the move. Our scouts don’t miss this bad. Something happened with Bolduc and they wanted him gone at all costs.

I mean, it sounds like conspiracy nonsense, but I can't dismiss it.

How do you trade a rising young forward with size who essentially scored 20 last year for...THIS? And then you anoint him a starter before training camp begins, with the bright idea of pairing him with Tucker out of the gate...just putting the guy in pretty much the worst situation for him. Their scouting really thought he would flourish in those circumstances?

It's got to be the most baffling offseason move Army has ever made. The entire hockey world was scratching their heads over it. And even if something had gone completely sour with Bolduc somehow, how in the world is Mailloux the best return you can find? Not even a pick thrown our way too?

Well because as has been rehashed over and over and over again

Blues will be extending Holloway, Dvorsky, Stenberg, Snuggerug and Neighbours again the Blues did not want to extend Bolduc who they feel is a 3rd liner which they have
Blues have an organizational weakness at RHD which is a commodity in the NHL
Fairly simple

No I get that, and that's not even my point. I said at the time that I understood the idea, and they were trading from obvious strength (wingers) to address a weakness, and I knew nothing about Mailloux's game. I reserved judgment until I saw him play. But can you look now and say that's anywhere close to an even trade?

To me, the jury is way out on whether Mailloux will ever become the equivalent of what Bolduc already is...2nd pair D vs. middle 6 fwd. He might, I really hope he does...but was that risk worth it? Bolduc is RFA after THIS season, yeah? Why did he have to move already? Why was the trade straight-up? A 20-ish goal scorer of the same age for a guy arguably not even ready for the NHL full-time?

There's just something very peculiar about the whole deal.

You put entirely too much value on Bolduc.
Did you think Bolduc could actually fetch a top 4 NHL ready defenseman?
The Blues were not going to pay Bolduc....He was a third line wing at best.
Personally, I'd rather have Suter. Do you know that Bolduc has spent a lot of time on both the 3rd and 4th lines this season.
I think trading for a raw 22 year old RD is all you can expect when trading a Bolduc.

Unless you know what else was available (or what wasn't available)...you really can't trash the move.

[Harry S Deals]

The Blues personnel that told us that Mailloux was ready when we traded for him should not be in the NHL.

Mailloux was not nearly an unknown to the hockey world. Even most Montreal fans could tell that he wasnt ready. Now most Blues fans say the same thing.

Congrats Blues fans. You know more than Army.

That’s why I don’t believe the story we were told on why they made the move. Our scouts don’t miss this bad. Something happened with Bolduc and they wanted him gone at all costs.

I mean, it sounds like conspiracy nonsense, but I can't dismiss it.

How do you trade a rising young forward with size who essentially scored 20 last year for...THIS? And then you anoint him a starter before training camp begins, with the bright idea of pairing him with Tucker out of the gate...just putting the guy in pretty much the worst situation for him. Their scouting really thought he would flourish in those circumstances?

It's got to be the most baffling offseason move Army has ever made. The entire hockey world was scratching their heads over it. And even if something had gone completely sour with Bolduc somehow, how in the world is Mailloux the best return you can find? Not even a pick thrown our way too?

Well because as has been rehashed over and over and over again

Blues will be extending Holloway, Dvorsky, Stenberg, Snuggerug and Neighbours again the Blues did not want to extend Bolduc who they feel is a 3rd liner which they have
Blues have an organizational weakness at RHD which is a commodity in the NHL
Fairly simple

No I get that, and that's not even my point. I said at the time that I understood the idea, and they were trading from obvious strength (wingers) to address a weakness, and I knew nothing about Mailloux's game. I reserved judgment until I saw him play. But can you look now and say that's anywhere close to an even trade?

To me, the jury is way out on whether Mailloux will ever become the equivalent of what Bolduc already is...2nd pair D vs. middle 6 fwd. He might, I really hope he does...but was that risk worth it? Bolduc is RFA after THIS season, yeah? Why did he have to move already? Why was the trade straight-up? A 20-ish goal scorer of the same age for a guy arguably not even ready for the NHL full-time?

There's just something very peculiar about the whole deal.

Even if Mailloux is a solid 3rd pair RHD in STL for 10 yrs the trade was worth it. If it becomes something like:

Broberg Jiricek
Lindstein Parayko
Tucker* Mailloux *or whoever

Then yea it was a good deal for both teams. Mailloux needs games played in the NHL hes a wild stallion that needs training. I wish the Blues would take the collar off and let him go wild for me thats when hes at his best. Half of Mailloux's issue is the Blues dont have a rock steady, veteran LHD for him to play alongside

[Harry S Deals]

I actually think Colin Ralph is going to take Tuckers job at some point soon ish

Broberg Jiricek
Lindstein Parayko
Ralph Mailloux

Tucker

[Ziggy3]

The Blues personnel that told us that Mailloux was ready when we traded for him should not be in the NHL.

Mailloux was not nearly an unknown to the hockey world. Even most Montreal fans could tell that he wasnt ready. Now most Blues fans say the same thing.

Congrats Blues fans. You know more than Army.

That’s why I don’t believe the story we were told on why they made the move. Our scouts don’t miss this bad. Something happened with Bolduc and they wanted him gone at all costs.

I mean, it sounds like conspiracy nonsense, but I can't dismiss it.

How do you trade a rising young forward with size who essentially scored 20 last year for...THIS? And then you anoint him a starter before training camp begins, with the bright idea of pairing him with Tucker out of the gate...just putting the guy in pretty much the worst situation for him. Their scouting really thought he would flourish in those circumstances?

It's got to be the most baffling offseason move Army has ever made. The entire hockey world was scratching their heads over it. And even if something had gone completely sour with Bolduc somehow, how in the world is Mailloux the best return you can find? Not even a pick thrown our way too?

Well because as has been rehashed over and over and over again

Blues will be extending Holloway, Dvorsky, Stenberg, Snuggerug and Neighbours again the Blues did not want to extend Bolduc who they feel is a 3rd liner which they have
Blues have an organizational weakness at RHD which is a commodity in the NHL
Fairly simple

No I get that, and that's not even my point. I said at the time that I understood the idea, and they were trading from obvious strength (wingers) to address a weakness, and I knew nothing about Mailloux's game. I reserved judgment until I saw him play. But can you look now and say that's anywhere close to an even trade?

To me, the jury is way out on whether Mailloux will ever become the equivalent of what Bolduc already is...2nd pair D vs. middle 6 fwd. He might, I really hope he does...but was that risk worth it? Bolduc is RFA after THIS season, yeah? Why did he have to move already? Why was the trade straight-up? A 20-ish goal scorer of the same age for a guy arguably not even ready for the NHL full-time?

There's just something very peculiar about the whole deal.

You put entirely too much value on Bolduc.
Did you think Bolduc could actually fetch a top 4 NHL ready defenseman?

Not necessarily, but I kind of thought they'd get a guy ready to play in the NHL, period. That said, is it really that far-fetched to get a ready-to-go 2nd pairing guy for a 22 year old 20-goal scorer? Not saying that deal was anywhere to be had, but there's lot's of room between that and what we got in Mailloux...

The Blues were not going to pay Bolduc....He was a third line wing at best.
Personally, I'd rather have Suter. Do you know that Bolduc has spent a lot of time on both the 3rd and 4th lines this season.

How many times has Bolduc been sent back down to the AHL this season?

3rd line wing at best...I'm no Bolduc superfan, but I don't know how you can declare that, especially looking at the state of the team now. He's one off of our team leaders in goals...playing on the 3rd and 4th line with MTL...

I think trading for a raw 22 year old RD is all you can expect when trading a Bolduc.

Unless you know what else was available (or what wasn't available)...you really can't trash the move.

Now I think you're undervaluing the ability to score 20 in the NHL...especially from a young guy. And if there wasn't much available, why pull the trigger then? Was Bolduc not under contract through this year still? 22-year old 20-goal scorer with a year still on his contract and we get a "raw" 22-year old RD with baggage, no NHL track record and highly debatable potential? I just don't see how that adds up...

[Bluesfan1978]

The Blues personnel that told us that Mailloux was ready when we traded for him should not be in the NHL.

Mailloux was not nearly an unknown to the hockey world. Even most Montreal fans could tell that he wasnt ready. Now most Blues fans say the same thing.

Congrats Blues fans. You know more than Army.

That’s why I don’t believe the story we were told on why they made the move. Our scouts don’t miss this bad. Something happened with Bolduc and they wanted him gone at all costs.

I mean, it sounds like conspiracy nonsense, but I can't dismiss it.

How do you trade a rising young forward with size who essentially scored 20 last year for...THIS? And then you anoint him a starter before training camp begins, with the bright idea of pairing him with Tucker out of the gate...just putting the guy in pretty much the worst situation for him. Their scouting really thought he would flourish in those circumstances?

It's got to be the most baffling offseason move Army has ever made. The entire hockey world was scratching their heads over it. And even if something had gone completely sour with Bolduc somehow, how in the world is Mailloux the best return you can find? Not even a pick thrown our way too?

Well because as has been rehashed over and over and over again

Blues will be extending Holloway, Dvorsky, Stenberg, Snuggerug and Neighbours again the Blues did not want to extend Bolduc who they feel is a 3rd liner which they have
Blues have an organizational weakness at RHD which is a commodity in the NHL
Fairly simple

No I get that, and that's not even my point. I said at the time that I understood the idea, and they were trading from obvious strength (wingers) to address a weakness, and I knew nothing about Mailloux's game. I reserved judgment until I saw him play. But can you look now and say that's anywhere close to an even trade?

To me, the jury is way out on whether Mailloux will ever become the equivalent of what Bolduc already is...2nd pair D vs. middle 6 fwd. He might, I really hope he does...but was that risk worth it? Bolduc is RFA after THIS season, yeah? Why did he have to move already? Why was the trade straight-up? A 20-ish goal scorer of the same age for a guy arguably not even ready for the NHL full-time?

There's just something very peculiar about the whole deal.

You put entirely too much value on Bolduc.
Did you think Bolduc could actually fetch a top 4 NHL ready defenseman?

Not necessarily, but I kind of thought they'd get a guy ready to play in the NHL, period. That said, is it really that far-fetched to get a ready-to-go 2nd pairing guy for a 22 year old 20-goal scorer? Not saying that deal was anywhere to be had, but there's lot's of room between that and what we got in Mailloux...

The Blues were not going to pay Bolduc....He was a third line wing at best.
Personally, I'd rather have Suter. Do you know that Bolduc has spent a lot of time on both the 3rd and 4th lines this season.

How many times has Bolduc been sent back down to the AHL this season?

3rd line wing at best...I'm no Bolduc superfan, but I don't know how you can declare that, especially looking at the state of the team now. He's one off of our team leaders in goals...playing on the 3rd and 4th line with MTL...

I think trading for a raw 22 year old RD is all you can expect when trading a Bolduc.

Unless you know what else was available (or what wasn't available)...you really can't trash the move.

Now I think you're undervaluing the ability to score 20 in the NHL...especially from a young guy. And if there wasn't much available, why pull the trigger then? Was Bolduc not under contract through this year still? 22-year old 20-goal scorer with a year still on his contract and we get a "raw" 22-year old RD with baggage, no NHL track record and highly debatable potential? I just don't see how that adds up...

To compare Bolduc not being sent down this year you would need to compare how Mailloux performs next year based on experience. I’ve seen improvement how he plays less than 40 games into his Blues career and hopefully over the next 150 NHL games he continues to improve. Mikkola and Dunn took a few years to reach their potential.

[callitwhatyouwant]

Anyone saying Mailloux shouldn't be in the NHL is being biased and has an agenda. Mailloux 100 percent should be a 6th defensemen in the NHL. The problem with the Blues is, they have a top 4 defense and then 2 6/7 guys in the lineup. So essentially you have 1 guy out there 66 percent of the time who is a bottom level defender on a team. The Blues and Army especially dropped the ball by not resigning Suter. If the plan was to go full LM all year, they should have given him a proven safety blanket that Tucker got last year with Suter. That way you could have continued your good defensive play with 2 really strong units and 1 serviceable one. Instead of you have holes in 2 of your units and people having to cover for guys that are learning.

Tucker's future in the NHL is 6/7. LM has more upside so we will see where that goes. But LM isn't an AHL player. He was an all star 2 years in a row. There's very little he can learn from being down there. He is a NHL player who needs to see NHL ice to get better. That's a fact.

[MiamiLaw]

Anyone saying Mailloux shouldn't be in the NHL is being biased and has an agenda. Mailloux 100 percent should be a 6th defensemen in the NHL. The problem with the Blues is, they have a top 4 defense and then 2 6/7 guys in the lineup. So essentially you have 1 guy out there 66 percent of the time who is a bottom level defender on a team. The Blues and Army especially dropped the ball by not resigning Suter. If the plan was to go full LM all year, they should have given him a proven safety blanket that Tucker got last year with Suter. That way you could have continued your good defensive play with 2 really strong units and 1 serviceable one. Instead of you have holes in 2 of your units and people having to cover for guys that are learning.

Tucker's future in the NHL is 6/7. LM has more upside so we will see where that goes. But LM isn't an AHL player. He was an all star 2 years in a row. There's very little he can learn from being down there. He is a NHL player who needs to see NHL ice to get better. That's a fact.

Why does someone saying Mailloux shouldn't be in the NHL mean they have a bias or an agenda? The numbers are really bad - both the standard stats and the advanced metrics. There are tons of players that have been great AHL players that are unable to play in the NHL.

I don't think it's fair to just discount people who don't like what they see in him / don't like the trade as "biased". The objective stats support those with what you call an agenda.

Mailloux may end up being OK, but saying he has been any kind of positive contributor this year means you have to look past almost every stat and metric and rely solely on the subjective eye test and circumstantial evidence.