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Viewers to the recent AHL All-Star Game on ESPN2 saw a glimpse
of the Blues future in the person of Marty Reasoner. It's was
a prime opportunity for Reasoner to show Blues fans, and all hockey
fans, the offensive ability that has made him the AHL's second
leading scorer so far this season.
He did not disappoint.
Reasoner was the lone bright spot for the Planet USA All-Stars (which also featured Blues prospect Ladislav Nagy, who won the league's faster skater competition), recording a goal and an assist in an 8-3 loss. He flashed his playmaking and stickhandling skills on several occasions, and was easily the most dominant offensive player on the ice. Not a shift went by, it seemed, where he didn't create a scoring chance. But while it was an impressive display by Reasoner, it's a long way from the offensive minded, no check, defense-to-the-wind format of an all-star game, to the NHL.
Reasoner had an impressive college career at Boston College, where he compiled 162 points in 111 games in a career spanning three seasons. He decided to skip his senior year at B.C. to turn pro with the Blues after being selected by them in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft in 1996 (14th overall). At first the decision seemed like a good one. Reasoner made a big impression on everybody at his first NHL training camp in 1998 and made the Blues opening night roster.
After a decent start to the 1998-99 season with the Blues, Reasoner started to wear down toward the end of October. He was less and less noticeable offensively each night, and finally the Blues decided to send him down to their AHL affiliate in Worcester, Mass. With the exception of one recall in mid-December of last season, Reasoner has not gotten back to the big club since that demotion over a year ago. After being sent down, he started to question his decision to skip his senior year of college. But now with another year under his belt, Reasoner looks at all the experience he has gained at Worcester as a good thing, and doesn't regret the decision anymore.
During his time on the farm he has compiled 86 points in 83 games (combined over the past two seasons) with the Ice Cats, the equivalent of one full season. He has drawn rave reviews from the Worcester coaching staff for his play of late.
So what is keeping Reasoner from jumping up to the Blues and earning a full time NHL job?
He is not helped by the fact the Blues have one of the three best teams in the NHL, and have been relatively healthy this season. Reasoner also needs to learn to play well on a more consistent basis, something he has done lately. When he finally gets promoted to the NHL he will have some shortcomings to overcome.
Like former Blue Tony Hrkac, Reasoner is hampered by the fact that he is not big and strong, and not very fast. That will make it tough for him in today's NHL. Most offensive players in the NHL are either big, strong guys (Eric Lindros, John LeClair), or small fast guys (Pavel Bure, Scott Gomez). Not many guys can be neither and make it at this level. The only exceptions are guys like Doug Gilmour, who are so tenacious that they just keep taking the punishment and getting up until they get the job done. Reasoner does not possess that kind of grit, so he will have to find another way to be productive. At worst he could be a fourth line power play specialist, but look for him to be a cut above that. If he can play sound defense in his own end, and put his keen sense of anticipation to use on the forecheck, then he can be a legitimate second line center in the NHL.
Reasoner's play in Worcester hasn't gone unnoticed by the Blues brass. With rookie forward Jochen Hecht set to miss 2-4 weeks with a high ankle sprain, the Blues recalled Reasoner to take his place in the lineup. How long he stays is up to how he plays. Regardless of what happens during this recall, Reasoner is a fresh and exciting young player for Blues fans to keep an eye on. He is part of the future of the St. Louis Blues.
The future could be now.
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