|
|||
The Blues endless summer has already begun and right now there are more questions than answers. After losing a heartbreaking first-round series to the sub-.500 San Jose Sharks, the Blues braintrust of owner Bill Laurie, General Manger Larry Pleau, coach Joel Quenneville and President Mark Sauer met recently in Laurie's hometown of Columbia, Mo. to figure out how to avoid a disaster like this next season.
Everybody wants to know who will be back and who won't. We already know that Stephane Richer, Bob Bassen, Rudy Poeschek, and Dave Ellett are history. Those players were told by Pleau last week that they would not return to the Blues in 2000-01. Kelly Chase's status is in limbo, but it would be a surprise if he returned to the Blues for another season given his lack of playing time in 1999-2000.
The Blues certainly don't have to blow everything up and start over again. They have an outstanding nucleus of talent with only defenseman Al MacInnis up in years among their core players. They just need to tweak certain areas to become more playoff ready for next spring.
First and foremost the Blues need some more quality depth on defense for next season. Ellett, Poeschek, Ricard Persson tried their best when given a chance to play, but all three are limited in what they can do. Look for the Blues to try and acquire a defenseman, via trade, from a team that may have protection problems in the upcoming expansion draft (hello Roman Hamrlik). They will also most likely sign a veteran like Sean Hill or Lyle Odelein as a unrestricted free agent. Jeff Finley is almost assured of returning along with stalwarts Al MacInnis and Chris Pronger. Despite his shaky showing in the playoffs Marc Bergevin could very well have the option on his contract renewed given his strong play in the regular season. The Blues probably see his subpar postseason as an aberration. Todd Reirden, who lost his spot in the lineup midway through the Sharks series, could return if he survives the expansion draft. He is not likely to be protected.
Up front the Blues are much deeper. They have a lot of young players ready to take the next step and a good group of veterans. What they need is a power forward type who is willing to go to the net and pay a price to score goals. Carolina's Gary Roberts is one unrestricted free agent who fits that bill, but he is aging and the Blues may want to look elsewhere. They did have interest in trading for Roberts late this season. Edmonton's Bill Guerin could once again be on the block and he would be custom made for the Blues. But the question is what would Edmonton want in return. If the price tag were Ladislav Nagy or Marty Reasoner that would be too high. Reasoner in particular figures to be a big part of the Blues in 00-01. His gritty play and excellent offensive skills make him a terrific third line center. If the Blues can find a couple of two-way wingers to complement him then they would have the makings of three excellent forward lines. Pierre Turgeon figures to center the number one line again, most likely with Jochen Hecht and Scott Young. That leaves the Slovakian Line with a healthy Pavol Demitra, Selke Trophy finalist Michal Handzus, and talented but inconsistent Lubos Bartecko to handle the rest of the scoring.
The fourth line will be comprised of whoever survives the expansion draft. Scott Pellerin and Craig Conroy could very well have played their last game as a Blue. The Blues want to give the gifted Nagy a little more grooming at Worcester of the AHL before promoting him full time.
Roman Turek will be the number one goalie again, and has to wait until next spring to prove he can raise his game a notch in the postseason. The Blues may very well lose either Jamie McLennan or young Brent Johnson in the expansion draft. Which ever one is still here at the end of June will probably be Turek's backup unless the Blues sign a veteran backup, which is probably not likely.
The Blues are very close to realizing their dream of bringing a Stanley Cup to St. Louis. They just need to add a piece here and there to their already excellent core, and June of 2001 could feature the party we all hoped June, 2000 would.
|
||||||||||
