[News] Blues sign Hitchcock to one year contract

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Tarasenko is pretty darn dynamic. You gotta admit.

Yeah he is... I still can't get excited about the Blues. Maybe it's just me.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

The team hasn't had a great goaltender since the days of Curtis Joseph. They've never had a guy that could just shut the door when needed. This year, yet again, the two goaltenders of Elliott and Allen went from Sv% of .917 and .913 to an abysmal playoff performance of .904 in Allen's case, and Elliott who crapped the bed in crunch time yet again with his oh so pretty .857 Sv%. Hitchcock may want to look at a new goalie coach because I think Jim Corsi is only good at analyzing how to play defense, rather than actually good at coaching goalies.

Shattenkirk was their only really good player in the playoffs, while Tarasenko put up points, he was pretty poor defensively. Also, the leadership seems to be lacking something as Backes has never struck me as a guy that could put the team on his back and lead the charge the way someone like Getzlaf or Toews can. It's the same problem Joe Thornton had.

There are elements missing from the Blues that will keep them from becoming a great team. If they ever had the cahones to make a bold trade or structure the team in a different way, they would likely have won a cup or two by now. Hell, they haven't even made the Stanley Cup Final since 1970. The organization itself just never seems to have the drive to win it all.

[Flashpoint]

Bouwmeester

There's yer problem.

[Bourque's Twin]

I've heard rumours that Hitch isn't loved in that dressing room. I doubt the players are happy about this.

[Huntingwhale]

Tarasenko might be dynamic, but how long can he keep it up if he's stuck in that stifling defensive system? They need a new coach, and badly. Still flabbergasted that management is willing to throw away yet another season by having Hitchcock as the coach.

In fact, I'm willing to bet the Blues underachieve all next season and Hitch is fired by the deadline. Guys like Tarasenko, Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk could really get things going with a more offensive-oriented coach.

[JohnnySkittles]

Tarasenko is the real deal. Almost a point per game playing Hitchcock hockey? Impressive. Him and Shattenkirk have been the few that have shown up for St.Louis over the past 2 years.

[GioforPM]

I don't know that a one year extension is the show of support that makes the players quake. If I'm a guy who doesn't like Hitchcock I figure it means he's pretty easily fireable a in the first quarter of the season.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Tarasenko might be dynamic, but how long can he keep it up if he's stuck in that stifling defensive system? They need a new coach, and badly. Still flabbergasted that management is willing to throw away yet another season by having Hitchcock as the coach.

In fact, I'm willing to bet the Blues underachieve all next season and Hitch is fired by the deadline. Guys like Tarasenko, Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk could really get things going with a more offensive-oriented coach.

The Blues scored more goals than all but 4 teams this past season, they are a long way from needing a "more offensive oriented coach".

Their mediocrity in the playoffs is due much more to the division they reside in and teams they have had to face in the post-season as well as very unsteady goaltending, more than anything to do with a "stifling defensive system".

Now it's true he is a hard ass and eventually the players start to tune that stuff out, but the results of the last several years (and in particular this year) indicate that point has not yet been reached in St. Louis. Though every coach has a shelf life and he may be close to his.

Also, I can see where it's just as likely that Hitchcock only wanted a one year deal as much as management. He is getting up there in age and is looking at retirement straight in the yap.

[FAN]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

The team hasn't had a great goaltender since the days of Curtis Joseph. They've never had a guy that could just shut the door when needed. This year, yet again, the two goaltenders of Elliott and Allen went from Sv% of .917 and .913 to an abysmal playoff performance of .904 in Allen's case, and Elliott who crapped the bed in crunch time yet again with his oh so pretty .857 Sv%. Hitchcock may want to look at a new goalie coach because I think Jim Corsi is only good at analyzing how to play defense, rather than actually good at coaching goalies.

Curtis Joseph had the reputation of choking in the playoffs. I am not saying he didn't steal games in the playoffs, but he almost never stole a series.

The Blues changed their goalie coach last year.

[dino7c]

Blues just don't seem to have what it takes when it counts...really considering the team that beat them was swept by the Hawks, who are now hanging on for dear life against the Ducks. The team was nowhere near as close to a cup as many of us thought

[FireGilbert]

I also thought there would be a coaching change but considering the other options I can see why the Blues are giving Hitch one more try.

I agree with goaltending being their biggest problem though. It is kind of funny they tried to go all in with Miller last season and it failed miserably so this year they decided to go with what they had and it also failed miserably.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by FAN

Curtis Joseph had the reputation of choking in the playoffs. I am not saying he didn't steal games in the playoffs, but he almost never stole a series.

The Blues changed their goalie coach last year.

Joseph was really good in the playoffs for the Oilers a couple of years and had a few good runs with the Leafs. At the end of the day he could only do so much as those teams weren't exactly elite.

[iamca]

If you check out the Blues board, consensus is not happy, but also not all Hitch's fault. Fuming over Oshie, not keen on Bouw, and not happy about the Halak trade or the Miller acquisition last season (who can blame them).

Halak had a much better season for the Isles than the combined works of Elliot and Allen (not mentioning the Marty experiment).

The Hiller and Ramo situation for next season might be eerily similar, if Ramo is not resigned and he kicks butt for another team. Really tough situation for Treliving for sure.

[Dajazz]

Not so sure its the coach. The team lacks gamebreakers and or hasn't had that "perfect storm" run that teams need to win the cup. Tarasenko looks intriguing and sure is talented. Blueline is awesome, goaltending is allright.

But to win you need a 'tender to stand on his head (Quick), 2-3 stars to play to full potential (Kane/Toews, Kopitar/Gaborik) and great D i.e. Keith, Doughty, Seabrook etc.

St Louis has a potential star in Tarasenko, above average talent and good depth on D and average goaltending. A lot of stuff missing.

[Daradon]

Deal makes sense. Not sure who they'd hire now that the big names are gone, not like they had the money anyway. And I think the fault lies more with the players than with Hitch. Which in turn reflects on the GM.

Not that I'm a Hitch fan, far from it, but there's more to it than just coaching. That said, even good coaches get shut out by the players after a time, maybe that's happening here.

Unless they have an assistant in the system they are bullish on, might as well give Hitch one more year.

[Vulcan]

IMO the Blues throw everything they have into the regular season and have nothing left for the playoffs. Teams that are legitimate contenders often treat the regular season as just a tuneup and can shift into a higher gear when the playoffs happen. The Kings have been an extreme example of this. Chicago this season could be another example, they kind of sleep walked through the season. The danger with this attitude is when a team just can't turn it on when needed and gets caught but it's probably better than letting it all hang out during the regular season only to see they have nothing left.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

IMO the Blues throw everything they have into the regular season and have nothing left for the playoffs. Teams that are legitimate contenders often treat the regular season as just a tuneup and can shift into a higher gear when the playoffs happen. The Kings have been an extreme example of this. Chicago this season could be another example, they kind of sleep walked through the season. The danger with this attitude is when a team just can't turn it on when needed and gets caught but it's probably better than letting it all hang out during the regular season only to see they have nothing left.

Anaheim would also be an example of this. They looked very beatable throughout the year and didn't scare me nearly as much as they do in the playoffs. They've been so much better in the post season than the regular season, and their regular season was also pretty good.

[rain_e]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

I've heard rumours that Hitch isn't loved in that dressing room. I doubt the players are happy about this.

I've heard Backes is the problem in the dressing room.

[cannon7]

Wonder if the Blues have interest in Ramo. Although I'm sure they'd like to steal Dubnyk from the Wild if they can.

[cannon7]

Originally Posted by iamca

If you check out the Blues board, consensus is not happy, but also not all Hitch's fault. Fuming over Oshie, not keen on Bouw, and not happy about the Halak trade or the Miller acquisition last season (who can blame them).

Halak had a much better season for the Isles than the combined works of Elliot and Allen (not mentioning the Marty experiment).

The Hiller and Ramo situation for next season might be eerily similar, if Ramo is not resigned and he kicks butt for another team. Really tough situation for Treliving for sure.

What's the issue with Oshie?