HockeyLife

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The Blues blues do not surprise me, I picked them to be a lower end playoff team, most of what I read had the Blues first or second in the West. I just am not drinking the koolaid. The reasons are simple. Elliott and Halak are system goalies, they are average, played way over their heads last year. Second, what goes up tends to come down, they played over their head last year under Hitchcock and a certain leveling off must occur. Third, while I love Shattenkirk and Pieterangelo and think they are one of the top defensive duos in the game the rest of the blue line is average at best. Lastly, the forwards don't have that go to guy, Perron and Backes are solid but not the carry a team for a week or two at a time, last year everyone pitched in but without the one big boy to carry the team they were exposed come playoff time. Don't get me wrong, I like the team as assembled, but something is missing.

I'm a huge T.J Oshie fan, but the point production is not consistant. The whole Blues team is not very fantasy hockey friendly. All good dependable players, but they play close 2-1 and 3-2 games. If I'm the Blues I look at tryhing to get a scoring center to take the heat off Oshie. Stewart is another on of theose guys who is maddening. Has all the skill to be a star power forward and brings his A game about once a week. Backes is a great captain, really respect that guy. If I'm the Bllues, I hold on to Piets and Shattenkirk for deal life, unless they get a lottery pick for Shattenkirk....a high lottery pick.

Agreed once again (Yave) The Blues are missing that down right star player, they all can get it done but every night its a different guy to step up which is nice at times... but it would be great to have a superstar that can get it done every night. I was hoping Oshie And Perron would be point per game players when healthy, but it doesnt look like they are ever going to get there considering they've been in the leauge for years now.. As far as Alex P. And Kevin Shat they are the future to build around, the Blues need to franchise tag Alex P. this off season which is the end of his rookie contract I expect him to ask for big time money, which he is worth.

The Blues have been struggling since the first couple games of the shortened season. It's very frustrating considering us blues fans got real used to the success of last years reguar / 2nd round playoff appearance The Blues are really struggling getting goals which is hard to grasp with all the fire power this team has. Halak's early season injury seemed to really effect this team, and Elliot who had a dream season last year save % is in the 8.00's Jake Allen has stepped up in the back up role now that halak is healthy.

Other huge issues is that Veteran Andy Mcdonald is on Injured Reserve along with promising Russian Prospect Vladimir Tarasenko

The Blues have recalled 3 players Cracknell, Murray, Porter which have no where near the talent that

Mcdonald & Tarasenko Have

How Long Do You Guys Think The Struggles Will Continue?

@HockeyLife Welcome to the board!

Thank you everyone looking forward to talking more hockey with you all

I like Lindback, as an understudy in Nashville to one of the best in the game who is also a big son of a gun like he is he had a chance to learn from one of the best. When Yzerman pulled the trigger on him before the season I thought it was a great move.

But like Jimmy Howard is learning there is a hell of a difference between playing goal with Nick lidstrom logging big minutes versus Jakub Kindl, Lindback is learning there is a chasm between Weber and Suter as your last line of defense versus Samie Salo and Keith Aulie. A lot of who a goalie is is defined by the blue line in front of him, Hedman is a future stud but not there yet, Carle was a poor signing, the rest are either has beens or never weres. Stop gaps until better options come along. And lets not forget the forwards. They have some of the most explosive fun to watch offensive talent in the game, I hope they never switch to a left wing lock and tone it down because I have Stamkos as my main player on my fantasy team, lol. But reality is, with apologies to Nate Thompson and a few others, most of the forwards never heard of a back check.

I think Lindback will get it together and there is a very good chance they will duke it out for a final playoff spot.

Good post. Welcome aboard, even if you are an Avalanche fan, lol

I like everything you said and agree with all of it. Im not an avs fan ill have to change that lol, Blues & Lightning.. Yes the lightnings back checking & special teams is horrific, thompson is one on the only guy who plays hard both ways.. I really like the two new youngsters Conacher & Killorn they seem hungry to have a spot on the team and in my opinion conacher has earned his .. Hedman will be our franchise d man he just still needs to learn how to use his size to his advantage. which is a common issue with foreign players but im sure he will improve with time and be super soild! good post!

Tampa has had goal tending issues for awhile now I was very excited when i saw the TBL signed Anders Lindback, but he really seems to struggle with being consistent. one night he will play lights out, and the other let in 5 or 6 goals.. I've noticed he has troubles closing the 5 hole which probably has something to do with his 6'6 Height. So I wanna know how you all feel do you guys think Anders Lindack should be the future of the lightning?

i dont see this trade happening the only good prospects the flyers could get in exchange is

Oliver Ekman-Larsson & Mikkel Bødker which PHX will not deal.. in my opinion the only way i see this happening is for a vet d man or future draft picks. Although I do believe Brayden Schenn would be beneficial to The Coyotes Offense

As Of right now i would have to say flyers pens.. last years playoffs were amazing those two teams always put on a crazy show.. anyone else agree.