WQF (4) St. Louis Blues vs (5) Los Angeles Kings (Kings win 4-2).

[indes]

The blues seriously could have used Cammy, maybe we'll get their 14' pick yet =p

[ricardodw]

Over the next week St. L will wake up with a what the H did we do that for...


This was the year they were supposed to win.... They traded their first round pick and best d-prospect for Bouwmeester and their 2nd round pick for Leopold. No matter how you cut it and what a great series it was with LA.... they lost 4 straight and did not do as good as they did last year.

They don't pick in the 2013 draft until pick #86.... basically taking a year off from stocking the talent pool.

They have Berglund, Stewart, Pietroangelo, Shattenkirk as RFA's .... all of these in the ROR class of Restricted Free agents.

Using David Perron as their bench mark.... He signed a 4year 3.8M/year deal as a RFA last year.... it would be hard to see any of these guys signing for less than 4 M year. Adding 16M for these 4 that leaves the Blues 8M in cap space to sign 5 players.... IF they spend to the cap.


Their best prospects Tarasenko and Shwartz were playing for them. Ty Rattie their next best prospect had basically the same year playing in the WHL as a 20 year old... not a sign he is close to NHL ready.

Cracknell is a UFA.... looking for his 1st one-way contract.... Likely to get a great deal based on his last 20 games with the Blues.


AND they are going to be paying Bouwmeester 6.6M next year.


The future looked a lot brighter this time last year.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

it's going to be an interesting off season here in the midwest. I wonder how management will view this season. Last year they made it to the second round, but lost to the Kings in 4 straight. This year they battle the Kings a lot harder, but lose in the first round.



The real Chris Stewart showed up for the playoffs; that is to say the useless Chris Stewart reared his ugly head. Leading scorer in the regular season who did nothing in the playoffs. I hope the Blues find a sucker who will be fooled by his size and his stats

.

Is the bolded part a shot at Feaster? Not blaming you if it is, because i could see Feaster wanting Stewart.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Over the next week St. L will wake up with a what the H did we do that for...


This was the year they were supposed to win.... They traded their first round pick and best d-prospect for Bouwmeester and their 2nd round pick for Leopold. No matter how you cut it and what a great series it was with LA.... they lost 4 straight and did not do as good as they did last year.

They don't pick in the 2013 draft until pick #86.... basically taking a year off from stocking the talent pool.

They have Berglund, Stewart, Pietroangelo, Shattenkirk as RFA's .... all of these in the ROR class of Restricted Free agents.

Using David Perron as their bench mark.... He signed a 4year 3.8M/year deal as a RFA last year.... it would be hard to see any of these guys signing for less than 4 M year. Adding 16M for these 4 that leaves the Blues 8M in cap space to sign 5 players.... IF they spend to the cap.


Their best prospects Tarasenko and Shwartz were playing for them. Ty Rattie their next best prospect had basically the same year playing in the WHL as a 20 year old... not a sign he is close to NHL ready.

Cracknell is a UFA.... looking for his 1st one-way contract.... Likely to get a great deal based on his last 20 games with the Blues.


AND they are going to be paying Bouwmeester 6.6M next year.


The future looked a lot brighter this time last year.

Best D-prospect? I like Cundari also but lets not kid ourselves. I believe Cundari said he was happy to be traded because he did not think he had much of a chance of making the Blues. Not sure how a " best D- prospect" would have no chance?

The Blues will be fine. They have a young team and have many years left to try and win the cup.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Nope, the only joke is on the Blues with how we fleeced them getting rid of that bum and actually got a great return.

Regehr could be on my team any day of the week. I wouldn't want Bouwmeester for free. That losing stench is so foul it effects the whole team. Flames played much better without him.

I think people can stop discussing Bouwmeester with puckluck2, because there doesn't seem to be anything rational about his/her opinion. Wouldn't want Bouwmeester for free Come on.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

They don't pick in the 2013 draft until pick #86.... basically taking a year off from stocking the talent pool.

They have a plethora of trading chips should they really want to get a pick.... in any of the first few rounds.

They will be fine.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

WTF?!?!?

If his team doesn't win, he sucks???

Alex Pietrangelo's team didn't win either... did he not bring enough??

David Backes??

You're reaching here, man... Bouwmeester had a good series and I was pleased to see it... everything about this series was great.

Sorry, but the reason the Blues lost is because their top players simply weren't any difference makers. Bouwmeester at $6.8 million per year is being paid to be a difference maker, and he simply played 'good.' Not great enough to make a difference, just 'good.'

Playoff series are won when players go above and beyond and play 'great'...and nobody on the Blues did that. Except maybe their 4th line.

Backes was totally useless. If it weren't for the fact that he sucked all year long I would say he is injured, but for someone that is always seemed to thrive on the rough and tough hockey, he did bloody nothing.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Mike F

I think people can stop discussing Bouwmeester with puckluck2, because there doesn't seem to be anything rational about his/her opinion. Wouldn't want Bouwmeester for free Come on.

Flames basically got Bouwmeester for free last time .... gave up UFA Leopold....


and immediately went from a playoff team to a non-playoff team.

St.L might have enough other parts to stay in the playoffs but the Flames roster...that Bouwmeester got added to for nothing:

Iginla, Langkow, Jokinen, Conroy, Bourque, Phanuef, Regehr, Sarich, Glencross, Nystrom, 20 goal season for Moss and Kipper,.... a team that had made the playoffs 5 straight years, They had Prust just about ready for the NHL, Pardy was a very promising rookie 60 games and Backlund was one of the top 3-4 guys in the CHL playoffs


That roster was every bit as good as the St.L roster that Bouwmeester has joined.

[Coach]

Kind of sad that a team had to lose this serious. I was kind of pulling for both these teams. Great series.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Flames basically got Bouwmeester for free last time .... gave up UFA Leopold....


and immediately went from a playoff team to a non-playoff team.

St.L might have enough other parts to stay in the playoffs but the Flames roster...that Bouwmeester got added to for nothing:

Iginla, Langkow, Jokinen, Conroy, Bourque, Phanuef, Regehr, Sarich, Glencross, Nystrom, 20 goal season for Moss and Kipper,.... a team that had made the playoffs 5 straight years, They had Prust just about ready for the NHL, Pardy was a very promising rookie 60 games and Backlund was one of the top 3-4 guys in the CHL playoffs


That roster was every bit as good as the St.L roster that Bouwmeester has joined.

Ya, you're another one who has an over-the-top hatred.

Seriously, what's the message of your post? That adding Bouwmeester sent the Flames into a spiral by his mere presence? The Flames started the next season with Nigel Dawes in their top 6 and you think that, but for Bouwmeester's presence, they were destined for greatness?

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Best D-prospect? I like Cundari also but lets not kid ourselves. I believe Cundari said he was happy to be traded because he did not think he had much of a chance of making the Blues. Not sure how a " best D- prospect" would have no chance?

The Blues will be fine. They have a young team and have many years left to try and win the cup.

Who is the Blues best d prospect?

Russell is their #6 guy on the NHL line up... Cole is slotted in as #7 in the NHL.

Cudari was clearly their best AHL d-man.


Please provide a link to the quote in that he didn't have much of a chance..


Might be closer to not given much of a chance.


There isn't a single AHL player that when traded doesn't say that he is grateful that his new team wants him and will give him a better chance.

[jlh2640]

Bouwmeester made a positive difference in St. Louis and anyone who thinks other wise are foolish and just continue to hate on the guy. They lost this series because their top forwards were not nearly good enough. End of story.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Mike F

Ya, you're another one who has an over-the-top hatred.

Seriously, what's the message of your post? That adding Bouwmeester sent the Flames into a spiral by his mere presence? The Flames started the next season with Nigel Dawes in their top 6 and you think that, but for Bouwmeester's presence, they were destined for greatness?

Before bo 5 years in the playoffs... after Bo no playoffs....

Is that a hard concept to grasp??

Did anyone who watched hockey ever think that the Flames were done as a contender after they lost to Chi in 6 games???? with 5-6 of their core players injured.


Flames fans were mad because of the early exits.... there was absolutely no thought that the Flames were not going to be a playoff team... likely with home-ice in round one in 09-10.

They got Bo for nothing but the cap space...

[PlayfulGenius]

A few of you are so full of drama... The Blues lost because they played the best team in the NHL, with a G playing at the very top of his game. Why is the a need to place blame? The Blues played well, it was a great series.

And the idea that the Blues are looking like they're in tough now for the future??? What a crock...they have a young, improving roster... Next season will likely see Tarasenko and Shwartz (or at least one of them) develop into a legit 1st line player and they'll be even stronger... The Blues will be a top team in the West next season.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

A few of you are so full of drama... The Blues lost because they played the best team in the NHL, with a G playing at the very top of his game. Why is the a need to place blame? The Blues played well, it was a great series.

And the idea that the Blues are looking like they're in tough now for the future??? What a crock...they have a young, improving roster... Next season will likely see Tarasenko and Shwartz (or at least one of them) develop into a legit 1st line player and they'll be even stronger... The Blues will be a top team in the West next season.

Exactly. Us Flames fans would kill to have the Blues roster going forward for the next few years.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

Bouwmeester made a positive difference in St. Louis and anyone who thinks other wise are foolish and just continue to hate on the guy. They lost this series because their top forwards were not nearly good enough. End of story.

Positive Difference...!!! Just like he had with the Flames?

Did he exceed expectations?

He is St.L highest paid player by a large margin. He was getting paid the same as Jackman, Polak and Shattenkirk combined.

He is getting paid almost the same as Doughty....... Was he even 1/10 as positive a difference as Doughty...


He is supposed to be noticeable on the ice.


Did he rank in the top-10 St.L playoff performers:

Steen, Pietrangelo, Polak, Jackman, Backes, Reaves, Sobotka, Berglund, Shwartz and Oshie?

He played with Pietrangelo covering for him,,, in the brief time that Pietrangelo was away from Bouwmeester Pietrangelo was a +2.

Is there any NHL calibre D-man that would look bad playing with Pietrangelo as a partner?

The only thing I can say positive about Bo is that he did not totally disappear like he did in the last 20 games of 2011-12.... or 2008-09 where him playing above his norm/expectations rather than below his norm would have gotten Calgary and Florida into the playoffs.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Did he rank in the top-10 St.L playoff performers:

Top 10?

He was top 5....without a second thought about it. He was extremely solid all series.

You have some serious and over the top blind hatred going on.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

Bouwmeester made a positive difference in St. Louis and anyone who thinks other wise are foolish and just continue to hate on the guy. They lost this series because their top forwards were not nearly good enough. End of story.

I'm not blaming the loss of the series on Bouwmeester, I haven't seen anyone put the loss on his shoulders but Bouwmeester was Bouwmeester... he has the total inability to raise his game up at any point.

We'll see if he can actually make the playoffs when he's with the Blues full time next year.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Positive Difference...!!! Just like he had with the Flames?

Did he exceed expectations?

He is St.L highest paid player by a large margin. He was getting paid the same as Jackman, Polak and Shattenkirk combined.

He is getting paid almost the same as Doughty....... Was he even 1/10 as positive a difference as Doughty...


He is supposed to be noticeable on the ice.


Did he rank in the top-10 St.L playoff performers:

Steen, Pietrangelo, Polak, Jackman, Backes, Reaves, Sobotka, Berglund, Shwartz and Oshie?

He played with Pietrangelo covering for him,,, in the brief time that Pietrangelo was away from Bouwmeester Pietrangelo was a +2.

Is there any NHL calibre D-man that would look bad playing with Pietrangelo as a partner?

The only thing I can say positive about Bo is that he did not totally disappear like he did in the last 20 games of 2011-12.... or 2008-09 where him playing above his norm/expectations rather than below his norm would have gotten Calgary and Florida into the playoffs.

You don't have a clue what your are talking about. Either you did not watch the games or have full hate on for JBO.

He was probably top 3 of the Blues performers for the series.

As for your other post on who is a better d prospect over Cundari? off the top of my head i could name 2: Hakanpa and Schmaltz. I have no doubt if i looked it up i could find at least another 2 prospects that are better. Cundari was not a top d prospect for the blues and i am not sure he was even in the top 5-6.

Funny how posters give Cundari high praise, yet thought Bartkowski from the proposed Boston deal was a useless throw in. They are about the same.

[Canada 02]

The Blues were on the cusp of missing the playoffs before the got Leo and Bouw. Based on everything being said locally, management and coaches loved both of them, and they both were terrific. Prior to the trade the Blues had 3 AHL D-men slotted into their 5, 6, 7 spots