Quote:
Originally Posted by flamesfever
St. Louis didn't live up to his potential on the Flames because Sutter used him as a 4th line checker. He even stated later that he was grateful for his experience with the Flames, as it greatly improved his defensive ability.
As a STH in those years, I watched him closely and believed him to be an outstanding potential, and was extremely disappointed when he was not signed. In fact, towards the end of the season, I phoned Bremner and told him whatever he did he should not get rid of Martin St. Louis. He sent me a clock, and I call it my Martin St. Louis clock.
I recall during the summer, after losing him, telling my brother-in-law, who spends the winters in the Tampa Bay area, to keep and eye out for Martin St. Louis, and he said, "Martin who?" Needless to say, the rest is history.
I don't think St. Louis really started to shine, until someone took a chance on him, and started playing him on the top line.
|
Be careful of going against the accepted opinion on Calgary Puck. I was called a liar for stating a similar remembered opinion about St. Louis and had my posts deleted along with a few others.
The thing is he was a bit of a favorite of Al Coates, not that Coates did a great job, but he pursued signing him to an NHL contract from an independent team in the International league. If Coates hadn't have been fired St. Louis may still be with us.