St. Louis Blues Season Review

[simmer2]

I can only write on the successes of the 2nd half of the year, but I stepped in to fill CMPunks shoes as GM and I wanted to accomplish a few things:

• Win the Western Conference - Accomplished
• Make it to the CPHL Finals - Failed

Plain and simple, I wanted to make a big push for it because there were a lot of aging guys and felt this was the Blues big chance to win. We lost against the Sharks which sucked because we were up 2-0...Rinne collapsed in the final game after a good playoff series.

What Next?

I will be staying on as GM of the Blues, but my time online is a lot less than what it was with the Canadiens. A lot of my trades will be via PM now, so please have patience with that. I'll check it frequently, but that's how I'll be working moving forwards.

Off-Season Plans

I will be making some cap room and getting a bit younger because I do have a lot of older guys, but I won't be changing the make-up of the team that much. I like my defense so I'm reluctant to move those guys as much, but the following players are on the list of available...I doubt I'll trade all the guys, but some will move:

Forwards (1 or 2 guys):

Ryan Smyth (70) - TRADED
Saku Koivu (70)
Michael Cammalleri (71) - TRADED
Olli Jokinen - Moved in pending deal with FLA

I would prefer to just move one guy from the list of Smyth, Koivu or Cammalleri but will remain flexibile.

Defense (1 or 2 Guys):

Dan Boyle (74)
Kimmo Timmonen (72) - TRADED
Bryan McCabe (72) - TRADED
Beauchemin (71)

I would prefer to move just one defenseman but will remain flexible...my d-squad is one of the better ones in the league and they are tougher to find.

Goalies

Pekka Rinne

Very unlikely I move Pekka as he is nominated for Vezina and is an RFA so his contract will be OK...but I will consider it.

Draft Picks

1st Round, 6th Overall pick

I am open to trading up, down or completely moving this pick depending on the offer, so please shoot some offers my way.

Prospects

Any and all are available

Goals

I will make the Blues a contender year-after-year. Spike left some great assets and I will do everything I can to bring a cup to St.Louis.

I want to thank the Commishes for giving me a chance to come back to the CPHL, even if it is in a lesser role. I look forward to lots of trade talks, so let's chat!

[simmer2]

The Blues have been relatively active in the last couple weeks getting the house in order and it has taken time but we have managed to accomplish the following:

Out

Olli Jokinen
Michael Cammalleri
Ryan Smyth
Bryan McCabe
Kimmo Timmonen

Henrik Bjorklund

$34.25mm in salary

In

Erik Gudbranson
Greg Nemisz
Carter Ashton

1st (NJD) 2012
1st (STL) 2012
1st (TBD) 2012

49th Overall pick 2011
51st Overall pick 2011

The biggest thing was shedding that massive amount of salary in a lot of older Grid players. Some of the deals we know we didn't get the best value we could but had to make them. For example, McCabe went to Tampa bay for Greg Nemisz and a 2nd this year....Tampa gets solid value for a 72 OVR guy.

We are open to taking on some cap now depending on the player, so if you are in need of cap space send me a PM or catch me on MSN, as I have been on more than I thought I would.

[simmer2]

Another move:

To Canes'

Daniel Carcillo

To Blues

69th Pick
100th Pick
122nd Pick

I really enjoy drafting, probably my favourite part of the CPHL so might as well get some more picks!

[simmer2]

Another deal:

To Blue Jackets

6th pick
51st pick
69th pick

To Blues

5th pick

Steep price, but this guarantees I get one of the 5 guys I want.

Thanks Dave for the deal!