A Good Night

[George Zipp]

If I take heat for this take so be it. This team ain't going anywhere. They are not good, something is so wrong it's not funny and there are so many answers to the wrong. In no way, shape or form at the beginning of the year did I want this. I'm not going to rehash the non stop trolling on this board about draft slots but at this point with the break coming there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

The team can keep battling, and I hope they do and I know full well hockey players don't have the NBA or NFL front office mentality to tank. These guys will continue to bleed blue for this team and I respect the hell out of that.

As a fan, I have now decided I want them to lose. As often as possible. And now I'm scoreboard watching. The title of my thread relates to last nights games. Blues lost in regulation. And teams ahead of us all had good nights. Utah, LA, WPG and SEA won in regulation. All agst eastern conf. teams so even better. Chi and Nash lost in OT. A point is a point. This is what I want for the rest of the year.

Oh, and I know this is OT but we have a tremendous sports story going on in town. SLU hoops. Had the pleasure of going to the game last night. Team is nationally ranked. They played like (bleep) last night. Were down 16 in the first half. Horrible rebounding, horrible defense, horrible FT shooting. And they won at the buzzer. Building was rocking as they came back. Lots of fun. Hop on that bandwagon.

[hockey jedi]

I watched the Bills on TV since the Blues game was on Hulu, which I don't subscribe. Bills are really exciting. They never get rattled when they get down or the referees make a bad call.

[George Zipp]

I watched the Bills on TV since the Blues game was on Hulu, which I don't subscribe. Bills are really exciting. They never get rattled when they get down or the referees make a bad call.

I was so impressed by the atmosphere in that building, especially the last 10 minutes. Was it Allen Fieldhouse, of course not, but the place was alive and loud. They are a fun team to watch. One loss this year to Stanford by 1 point.

Your point about the refs is well taken. I hate complaining about officiating but they were way too involved last night. Too many ticky tack fouls called. Let the kids play some.

[the miracle]

I can't cheer for the Blues to lose, but I have accepted that its probably more ideal than not at this point. So I've become okay with them losing - but I can't actively wish it. Last night was a great example - I was pumped when they got that third goal.

[DawgDad]

Fans can do what they want. As for the team, losing is never good. The Blues were trying to win that game. Guys were playing hard, to win. They lost, that hurts. Frustration can build and quickly become counter-productive. Mailing in a performance frustrates coaches and teammates, erodes trust, and ultimately puts careers and jobs at risk. Throwing games and "point shaving" is illegal.

The draft system is structured to "reward" losing teams, but that is an improper characterization. The purpose is to spread talent more evenly across teams. Many of the players and coaches who lost will never experience the "reward" aspect, if they keep losing their jobs are at risk. Teams that keep losing ultimately are shunned by fans, often mocked.

No, losing is never good. It can infect players, coaches, organizations, fans, and it is destructive.

[-Blueski-]

I can't actively root for the Blues to lose, but I don't mind it for draft position. But if they are going to lose, I would like to see them battle and be sure the young studs get valuable learning experiences.

Last night was a best-case scenario with the comeback and battling all the way to the finish... with Dvorsky and Snuggerud having really good games!

Being in a close game sitting in the stands and losing is a heckuva lot more fun and exciting than losing 6-1 or 8-3. Got to avoid those games.

[John Cocktoastin]

This is the most depressing Blues season of my lifetime. Decent expectations going in. Caca coming out. Injuries, poor performance, etc. Never seen anything like it.

No issue with losing and if Army starts dealing, the losing will intensify. So be it. The only caveat is that it hurts the bottom line but judging by empty seats, that is a reality already. I just don't like seeing the franchise suffer monetarily.

But, since this year's demise is inevitable at this point, let's pick as high as possible.

[DawgDad]

This is the most depressing Blues season of my lifetime. Decent expectations going in. Caca coming out. Injuries, poor performance, etc. Never seen anything like it.

No issue with losing and if Army starts dealing, the losing will intensify. So be it. The only caveat is that it hurts the bottom line but judging by empty seats, that is a reality already. I just don't like seeing the franchise suffer monetarily.

But, since this year's demise is inevitable at this point, let's pick as high as possible.

I leave it as disappointing. Depressing, perhaps you're being too harsh on yourself.

I think if my math is correct you're too young to remember the 1970s and the 78-79 season in particular. I encourage you to look it up, and check out what happened just two seasons later. The 05-06 season should still be fresh in your memory.

At the end of the game last night the Blues were missing Thomas, Holloway, Sunny, Suter, Neighbours, and Kyrou. 5/6th of a top-6. So, the kids got bigger roles. Fabbri extended what might be his last gasp. Berggren gets a longer look. Etc. Focus on the kids, they fought hard to the end. That matters.

I was left wondering, what if Stenberg had played?

[Hazelwood72]

I can't cheer for the Blues to lose, but I have accepted that its probably more ideal than not at this point. So I've become okay with them losing - but I can't actively wish it. Last night was a great example - I was pumped when they got that third goal.

My reaction was identical. When Schenn scored the tying goal, I was happy, even though I predicted Dallas 4-2 in the PTS.

But I’m a realist. This team is one of the worst Blues teams I’ve seen and I started watching this team in spring 1968. So, at this point taking regulation losses doesn’t sting as much if we get a really great player in the draft.

[John Cocktoastin]

This is the most depressing Blues season of my lifetime. Decent expectations going in. Caca coming out. Injuries, poor performance, etc. Never seen anything like it.

No issue with losing and if Army starts dealing, the losing will intensify. So be it. The only caveat is that it hurts the bottom line but judging by empty seats, that is a reality already. I just don't like seeing the franchise suffer monetarily.

But, since this year's demise is inevitable at this point, let's pick as high as possible.

I leave it as disappointing. Depressing, perhaps you're being too harsh on yourself.

I think if my math is correct you're too young to remember the 1970s and the 78-79 season in particular. I encourage you to look it up, and check out what happened just two seasons later. The 05-06 season should still be fresh in your memory.

At the end of the game last night the Blues were missing Thomas, Holloway, Sunny, Suter, Neighbours, and Kyrou. 5/6th of a top-6. So, the kids got bigger roles. Fabbri extended what might be his last gasp. Berggren gets a longer look. Etc. Focus on the kids, they fought hard to the end. That matters.

I was left wondering, what if Stenberg had played?

Dawg - it's depressing. I think disappointing is too light. I literally cannot wait to watch Blues games and to see what is happening occur...it's depressing. Not clinical, but close to it.

I think this is lockstep with 05-06. Too young for the 70s to comment. Thank gawd they didn't move.

[callitwhatyouwant]

This is the most depressing Blues season of my lifetime. Decent expectations going in. Caca coming out. Injuries, poor performance, etc. Never seen anything like it.

No issue with losing and if Army starts dealing, the losing will intensify. So be it. The only caveat is that it hurts the bottom line but judging by empty seats, that is a reality already. I just don't like seeing the franchise suffer monetarily.

But, since this year's demise is inevitable at this point, let's pick as high as possible.

I leave it as disappointing. Depressing, perhaps you're being too harsh on yourself.

I think if my math is correct you're too young to remember the 1970s and the 78-79 season in particular. I encourage you to look it up, and check out what happened just two seasons later. The 05-06 season should still be fresh in your memory.

At the end of the game last night the Blues were missing Thomas, Holloway, Sunny, Suter, Neighbours, and Kyrou. 5/6th of a top-6. So, the kids got bigger roles. Fabbri extended what might be his last gasp. Berggren gets a longer look. Etc. Focus on the kids, they fought hard to the end. That matters.

I was left wondering, what if Stenberg had played?

if stenberg plays, doesn't fabbri not play? fabbri might have been a top 4 player on the ice yesterday. laying big hits. scores a goal. it's fine stenberg wasn't there as the long term vision is getting him most games and they are coaching/playing whats best for the individual and the team moving forward. I think this team still makes an effort next year. THey have been putting together high effort games for the last 10 games (minus 1). They are going to deal a couple guys. They have to have guys to fill in. The only one today that's ready is stenberg. The other guys that came up for the cup of coffee clearly weren't ready. If they thought dean looks like he returned to form and it wasn't too much, he's worth a shot after the TDL. I don't see how we move faulk but that would lead to lindstein.

[seattleblue]

This is the most depressing Blues season of my lifetime. Decent expectations going in. Caca coming out. Injuries, poor performance, etc. Never seen anything like it.

No issue with losing and if Army starts dealing, the losing will intensify. So be it. The only caveat is that it hurts the bottom line but judging by empty seats, that is a reality already. I just don't like seeing the franchise suffer monetarily.

But, since this year's demise is inevitable at this point, let's pick as high as possible.

I leave it as disappointing. Depressing, perhaps you're being too harsh on yourself.

I think if my math is correct you're too young to remember the 1970s and the 78-79 season in particular. I encourage you to look it up, and check out what happened just two seasons later. The 05-06 season should still be fresh in your memory.

At the end of the game last night the Blues were missing Thomas, Holloway, Sunny, Suter, Neighbours, and Kyrou. 5/6th of a top-6. So, the kids got bigger roles. Fabbri extended what might be his last gasp. Berggren gets a longer look. Etc. Focus on the kids, they fought hard to the end. That matters.

I was left wondering, what if Stenberg had played?

Dawg - it's depressing. I think disappointing is too light. I literally cannot wait to watch Blues games and to see what is happening occur...it's depressing. Not clinical, but close to it.

I think this is lockstep with 05-06. Too young for the 70s to comment. Thank gawd they didn't move.

disappointing is too light for sure. some of us are watching this Blues season amid a destroyed orientation toward all of what's going on around it

[DawgDad]

This is the most depressing Blues season of my lifetime. Decent expectations going in. Caca coming out. Injuries, poor performance, etc. Never seen anything like it.

No issue with losing and if Army starts dealing, the losing will intensify. So be it. The only caveat is that it hurts the bottom line but judging by empty seats, that is a reality already. I just don't like seeing the franchise suffer monetarily.

But, since this year's demise is inevitable at this point, let's pick as high as possible.

I leave it as disappointing. Depressing, perhaps you're being too harsh on yourself.

I think if my math is correct you're too young to remember the 1970s and the 78-79 season in particular. I encourage you to look it up, and check out what happened just two seasons later. The 05-06 season should still be fresh in your memory.

At the end of the game last night the Blues were missing Thomas, Holloway, Sunny, Suter, Neighbours, and Kyrou. 5/6th of a top-6. So, the kids got bigger roles. Fabbri extended what might be his last gasp. Berggren gets a longer look. Etc. Focus on the kids, they fought hard to the end. That matters.

I was left wondering, what if Stenberg had played?

if stenberg plays, doesn't fabbri not play? fabbri might have been a top 4 player on the ice yesterday. laying big hits. scores a goal. it's fine stenberg wasn't there as the long term vision is getting him most games and they are coaching/playing whats best for the individual and the team moving forward. I think this team still makes an effort next year. THey have been putting together high effort games for the last 10 games (minus 1). They are going to deal a couple guys. They have to have guys to fill in. The only one today that's ready is stenberg. The other guys that came up for the cup of coffee clearly weren't ready. If they thought dean looks like he returned to form and it wasn't too much, he's worth a shot after the TDL. I don't see how we move faulk but that would lead to lindstein.

You might have a point about Stenberg knocking Fabbri out of the lineup.

[DawgDad]

John, I looked at the 05-06 season to be sure I remembered correctly. The only two young future core layers were Brewer and Jackman. The current Blues are a bit ahead of that at the NHL level. The 78-79 season might be a better comparison, but I get the point that's ancient history, I feel that in my bones.

On the broadcast last night they mentioned that the Blues might not trade ANY of their core veterans before next season. I think that is possible but zero is not likely IMHO. I still believe THIS is a playoff team had the key players avoided IR.

The key is the kids. The next competitive Blues team needs them and more. History shows it can be done in 2-3 seasons, perhaps less if guys like Thomas and Kyrou can get back to form.

[John Cocktoastin]

John, I looked at the 05-06 season to be sure I remembered correctly. The only two young future core layers were Brewer and Jackman. The current Blues are a bit ahead of that at the NHL level. The 78-79 season might be a better comparison, but I get the point that's ancient history, I feel that in my bones.

On the broadcast last night they mentioned that the Blues might not trade ANY of their core veterans before next season. I think that is possible but zero is not likely IMHO. I still believe THIS is a playoff team had the key players avoided IR.

The key is the kids. The next competitive Blues team needs them and more. History shows it can be done in 2-3 seasons, perhaps less if guys like Thomas and Kyrou can get back to form.

I hear you, Dawg. Just comparing general feelings about team records, but get this team is heading to a bright future. Especially with where we are projected to pick this year. Add Carbonneau, Jiricek, Lindstein, (Pekarcik ) to Holloway, Broberg, Neighbours, Snuggerud, Stenberg and the future looks good. Just snakebit, injured, etc. right now. And by "etc." I mean whatever else is going on that we're not privy to.

That's just where I'm coming from.

[George Zipp]

I appreciate the thoughtful replies and discussion. I hate rooting for them to lose. I didn't see the game last night but I get what you all are saying. When I looked at the score we were down 3-0. It wasn't until I got home from the SLU game that I saw what happened. Getting drilled, great comeback and then a deflating goal against at 18.50ish of the 3rd. The season in a nutshell.

Sometimes I let the pragmatic side of me get the best of me. This isn't a playoff team. There are about 30 games left and we are coming up to a break. Last year after a break the team went on a tear. I just don't see that with this bunch. It's just not right. Injuries, shaky goaltending, lack of production from those we expect to produce. I really feel that the best outcome for the long term is to endure 2.5 months more of this, hopefully get a pick in the 2-6 range, hopefully turn a couple of our assets into more picks and keep stocking the pipeline.