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St. Louis had no need to do a massive analysis of last year's Western Conference finals. The Blues' 4-1 series defeat could be traced to one vital flaw -- poor goaltending. While Roman Turek had stonewalled the Sharks and Stars, the gates opened against Colorado as the Avalanche lit the lamp 14 times in four games. Following the season, St. Louis swapped Turek for Calgary's Fred Brathwaite, who allowed only 2.32 goals per game last year. Paired with youngster Brent Johnson, the Blues' netminding tandem ranks high on promise but low on experience. With Detroit acquiring Dominik Hasek and Colorado holding onto Patrick Roy, the Blues could struggle in the West this season.
Here are your thoughts on what the Blues need for next season:
Without a goalie, Blues will be back in the pack
The Blues are one of the better teams in the NHL, but
unless they get a proven goaltender, they are still a
step behind Detroit, Colorado, Dallas and N.J. I think
they need to go after either Chris Osgood or Jeff
Hackett. Hackett seems to make more sense -- he has
carried his team, while many say the team carried Osgood. To get Hackett, the Blues are
going to have to give up a scoring forward,
which the Habs need -- someone like Cory Stillman or
Pavel Demitra. With Hackett in net and the other
players the Blues have in place, they will have to be
considered legitimate contenders on the same level as the Avs, Stars, Wings and Devils.
Chris
Burlington, Vt.
Give youngsters time to improve
Is anyone forgetting what Patrick Roy did as a rookie? You have to start somewhere to become a good, if not a great NHL goalie. Stay with the youngsters and let them prove themselves in goal. Doug Weight is a great pickup, and Sebastien Bordeleau is ready for a full-time second line or third line spot. Let the guys skate together and see what kind of chemistry they have before throwing in the towel and trading away the farm for instant second- or third-round exits.
Jeffery
Hampton, Va.
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Osgood is itching to get out of Detroit, and I'm certain he'd LOVE to destroy his former team in the playoffs. ” |
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— Darin, Clinton Township, Mich. |
Two missing pieces remain
The Blues have lost ground on the Western Conference's elite. The Avs, who were already a step ahead of the Blues thanks to Patrick Roy, remained basically in tact. The Stars and Wings got better. The Blues have been treading water in the offseason. While the addition of Doug Weight was great, they lost Pierre Turgeon and much depth. They need a solid No. 2 center. They also still do not have a top-caliber goalie. If you say you have two starting goalies, you really have none. Despite GM Larry Pleau saying the Blues are done spending, they need to make two more moves to be able to compete for the Cup. St. Louis must get the disgruntled Jason Allison from the Bruins and find a goalie somewhere. It is times like these when we really miss Cujo.
Trevor
St. Louis
Allison could bring playoff prowess
The Blues are virtually unchanged from last year in terms of question marks and talent level. A full season of Keith Tkachuk, Scott Mellanby and Dallas Drake will do us all some good, I think. But if Tkachuk fades again in the playoffs as he always does, and/or Brent Johnson/Fred Brathwaite can't handle the pressure, the Blues will slide. The Blues desperately need a second line center. A deal for Jason Allison would be excellent. I hope we steer clear of Eric Lindros. I believe his career is over the same way it started -- with turmoil. I fear it'll be another banner year in the regular season for the Blues before fizzling out with a hard-fought effort in the playoffs. Again.
Ryan
St. Louis
Osgood is perfect fit
I think a smart move for the Blues would be to acquire Chris Osgood. He's a good goalie with flashes of brilliance and has a Cup under his belt (not to mention a goal). Not only that, he wants out of Detroit after the recent signing of Dominik Hasek. Since the Wings have recently been going after veterans in their push the Cup next year, the Blues could trade someone like Al MacInnis, a great player with few years left in the league for the gifted Osgood. Both teams would benefit from this deal.
Pat
Cary, N.C.
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If you say you have two starting goalies, you really have none. ... It is times like these when we really miss Cujo. ” |
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— Trevor, St. Louis |
Goalie talk is all hype
While playing behind a sub-par team in Calgary the past couple of seasons, Fred Brathwaite had one of his best years. A smaller, quicker and smarter goalie than our departed Roman Turek now comes to a team that wants to win, can win, and will win with the strongest defense in the NHL. All this is good for Brathwaite, but it's still Brent Johnson's spot to lose. Goalie problem? I think not.
Jason
San Antonio, Texas
Strong offseason improves Cup chances
I think Larry Pleau has done all he can for the team. Both Brent Johnson and Fred Brathwaite are more than capable of being starting goaltenders in the NHL. The Blues have unbelievable depth on their wings, which will sooner or later pour into their deflated center core. The defense will once again be strong. While acquiring a gritty center in Doug Weight and exercising certain demons (*cough* Pierre Turgeon), this offseason has definitely been a plus for the Blues.
Scott
O'Fallon, Ill.
Glass Jaw could be the answer
I think one of the more overlooked players who will be key for the Blues in 2001-02 is Tyson Nash. He is one of the premier agitators in the league, and up until his injury, he was having a career offensive season as well. If he can come back and play like he did last year, it will take a lot of the burden off some of the younger players in the organization. Still, the biggest problem will be how the Blues can fill the void at center. A healthy Eric Lindros would be a wonderful fit if the Blues could come to terms with the Flyers without breaking their bank or losing too many prospects. Don't forget Lindros almost came to St. Louis at the trade deadline last year! I, for one, don't think the goalie situation is as critical as most do. Both goalies are young and have shown that they can play in the NHL. We'll have to wait until next spring for the real test, though.
Jim
Pekin, Ill.
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A smaller, quicker and smarter goalie than our departed Roman Turek now comes to a team that wants to win, can win, and will win with the strongest defense in the NHL. ” |
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— Jason, San Antonio, Texas |
A gift from the enemy
You guys in St. Louis are on a worse roller coaster ride than us Hockeytowners in 1995 and 1996. Take Chris Osgood from us in a trade. With your defense and the recent additions of Keith Tkachuk and Doug Weight, it would be enough to put you over the top. Osgood is itching to get out of Detroit, and I'm certain he'd LOVE to destroy his former team in the playoffs. We'd be happy to take Brent Johnson as a goalie. He'd fit in well with Wings organization.
Darin
Clinton Township, Mich.
Blues could be a sleeper team
The St. Louis Blues have been ridiculed for their offseason moves, however, I think they will have an excellent upcoming season. Brent Johnson will surprise a lot of folks and take the reins as the No. 1 starter. Second, Keith Tkachuk and Cory Stillman, both acquired at the trade deadline, weren't given enough time to gel with the team. Since both were re-signed for only one-year deals, they have a lot to prove. I look forward to a possible All-American line with Tkachuk, Scott Young, and Doug Weight.
Jeff
Anchorage, Alaska
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