Laying Low....

Well folks right now in the city of Blues we have one leg on either side of the fence.  Unfortunately on either side the grass is quite brown and we are hoping our play over the next few weeks will help determine which side of the fence gets some water.  St. Louis is in the hunt for the final playoff spot in the Rockem Sockem Western Conference and currently hold the 8th place position.  The problem is they have currently played 3 or 4 more games then others chasing them as well as the others that are ahead of them.   They have already traded veteran Shane Doan to what he would call is the perfect situation.  He wanted to play in a big market and have a shot at a deep playoff run, something we could not guarantee him here.  We had talked to him a few weeks ago about his situation and he welcomed the idea of being shipped out for one last kick at the can as both him and his family see this as being his last season playing professionally.   This move is going to give a guy like Josh Bailey a chance earn a much bigger contract in the upcoming season.  

There have been some talks with teams about a few guys on the Blues roster but at this point nothing substansial has come from then, more feelers then anything else.  Right now the Blues have there expansion list set and will most likely not stray too far away from what they have right now.  The only real change that could be made is shipping out another veteran in either Statsny or Ribeiro if a fair offer comes their way.  Still on the fence right now as well with Jeff Petry, he is a guy I am sure the Blues would like to protect but do they have the room to protect him?  If this is the case and come closer to deadline day the Blues feel they have no shot at making the playoffs a guy like Big Buff or Petry could be some bait the Blues will go fishing with, but at this time they are still on that fence!

Prospect Watch:  Here in St. Louis we are very excited to watch our youngters develop, here is a look at some young fellas that have a chance at cracking the Blues roster next season, as well some who plan to make the jump into the pro ranks.

Brandon Carlo - Top pairing shut down defenceman with some offensive upside currently eating up major minutes with the Boston Bruins.  Should be in the Blues top 4 next season.

Brett Kulak - Another solid D man who has been up and down in Calgary this season.  Will be a 5-6-7 guy in St. Louis next season.

Andrew Mangiapane - Had a quick start in Stockton but has recently slowed down over the last month.  Expect him to be a 3rd line winger for Chicago next season

Nick Sorensen - Having himself a medicore to good season in Sandiego...prodbably looking at a top 9 wing position next season in Chicago

Alex Nedeljkovic - trying to find his groove in Charlotte, but having the turnstlye wide open when it come to how many goalies have passed through there it is tough to stay consistent I would suspect.  Looking at a back up roll behind Peters in Chicago next season.