HIGHWAY PATROL
ALERT
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HIGHWAY PATROL
ALERTWhen crossing the Poplar Street, Blanchette,Daniel Boone, Mc Kinley, or Eads Bridges, be on the look out for suspects preparing to jump into the river or staggering around in a drunken stupor. Most are wearing hockey jerseys, blue, gold and white in color, generally with the numbers 16, 19, or 99 on their backs. They are not dangerous but should be considered confused and highly depressed. Handle with care and approach with caution.
It is an annual ritual of spring--baseball is in the air, the flowers are blooming, and the Blues are eliminated in the early playoff rounds.
Sunday at the Kiel Center, the Detroit Red Wings allowed the Blues to start their summer vacation by eliminating the 'Note in Game 6 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Marathon.
So once again, the Blues and their faithful look toward next year with the thought of rebuilding. What will it be this time: a blockbuster trade or the signing of a free agent and the issuance of compensation, or somewhere in between??
This year though, a fundamental question must be asked: just where do you begin?? Obviously there are some tough decisions that have to be made before the team reconvenes in Chesterfield around Labor Day.
First of all, who will own the team and the building in the fall?? It has been rumored that the team and building are up for sale. Hockey fans are hoping and praying that a Mike Shanahan-led syndicate will put their nickels and dimes together to purchase the package. Before a solid foundation or plan can be put in place, the Kiel Center Partners should announce immediately its intentions of retaining or selling the franchise.
Secondly, now that Mark Sauer is the team's CEO and Joel Quenneville is set behind the bench, the Blues must find a hockey man to handle the hockey side of the business. In layman's terms, a new General Manager. As a media person, I love Ronald Caron. He is great for quotes. His personality and expertise makes a discussion with the Professor a time honored treat. His stories and tantrums are legendary. He is truly a cult hero to fans and media alike.
But, let's face it, this team will not be in a position to win a Stanley Cup in the next few years. By that time, the Professor will be enjoying his well-earned retirement pension. The search should start today to find that hockey man to run the day to day hockey operations. This will be Sauer's most important decision. The G M, in conjunction with the President, must set the policy and direction for the organization to follow. The Rams pulled a coup in landing Dick Vermeil and the Cardinals in Tony La Russa. The Blues must find that Hockey Executive to reassure its fans.
Thirdly, after the team ownership and the hiring of the G M is done, the Blues must establish a Mission Statement, and stick to it. A fundamental question must be asked: do the Blues want to be Fan Friendly First and Foremost, or is winning the ultimate goal??
If the answer is the former, let's reacquire Brendan Shanahan, Curtis Joseph, Kelly Chase, Ian Laperriere, Barney the Dinosaur and Big Bird, then hold hands and sing "We are the World" in the Cranberry colored seats of the Kiel Center.
If the answer is the latter, be prepared to face the heat from the fans and the media. This time, though, don't cave in. Many times in the past, this franchise has reacted to callers to radio talk shows and media types who have the provide answers to their problems. An Executive for a National Hockey League should have more hockey expertise then a fan in Florissant or a Radio/TV Talking Head.
For the 18th consecutive season, the Blues have made the playoffs. For 17 out of 18 of these years, the team exited in the first two playoff rounds. If the Blues wish to begin their rebuilding efforts, fans better brace themselves for some growing pains.
Yes, it could be possible that this coveted consecutive playoff streak may take a back seat to improving the organization. By the way, when was the last time this organization drafted and developed a young player through its system?? It wasn't that long ago when Quebec (now Colorado), Edmonton, Ottawa, and Anaheim were the doormats of the NHL. But, that was then--and this is now.
With that in mind, Blues fans should be prepared for tough decisions this summer regarding fan favorites Al MacInnis, Grant Fuhr, Pierre Turgeon and Brett Hull. Again, stick to the plan and ignore the backlash.
Finally, please remember, Mike Keenan is no longer employed by the Blues and should not be used as an excuse to this franchise's problems. He left the scene in December, 1996 and the current management team has been in place since then. Although a Keenan-coached Blues team may have conquered Detroit this spring, the decision has been made to look ahead. Hopefully Blues players and fans will stop living in the past.
With that in mind enjoy your summer hockey fans, but do not give up hope. You are still the most loyal group of our town's supporters. Season by Season, Coach by Coach, Owner by Owner, you have year in and year out stood behind the Blues. You should be commended but also cautioned: may reality and stability will replace your blind loyalty during the summer months. Oh yeah, one more thing, stay away from bridges.
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