Video roundup

With the Blues now in Sweden, both the Blues Official Site and the St Louis Post-Dispatch have a variety of videos online now:

• Welcome to Sweden – keep watching for a brief Oshie interview
• Jeremy Rutherford’s Morning Skate part one – Blues players TJ Oshie, Alex Pietrangelo, Patrik Berglund, David Perron together with strength coach, Nelson Ayotte and broadcaster Chris Kerber play what we in the UK call “Keepy Uppy” with a soccer ball.
• Jeremy Rutherford’s Morning Skate part two – This time we get to see the guys in their first practice.
• Darryl Sydor Interview – from the Blues Official Site
• First Practice in Sweden – from the Blues Official Site
• Bert Godin Sharpens Skates – from the Blues Official Site
• Goalies carted to the rink – from the Blues Official Site
• Derek Armstrong entertains on the plane – from the Blues Official Site

Cam Janssen – The Joys of Bam Bam Cam

He’s known for his fighting and hitting; for his accumulation of penalty minutes and defending his team mates.  However, with the news from the Blues Training Camp of Janssen being in the lead in the shootout drills, is #55 about to add a new string or two to his bow?

Janssen has always shown a passion for the game but playing for his hometown team appears to have not only lit a fire in him but also, under the tutelage of Andy Murray, he’s learning the right time to fight, the right time to hit and to cut down on the number of unnecessary penalties.  He also wants to do more.  He wants to bring more to his game than simply fighting and hitting.  Over the summer he’s worked on his stick and puck handling – not to mention the shooting practices with Erik Johnson.

News…

There are a few bits of news following last night’s 4-1 win over the Wild:

• Jonas Junland has been assigned to Peoria – this leaves the Blues roster standing at 27 players.
• Yan Stastny has cleared waivers and has been assigned to Peoria.
• Darryl Sydor has signed a one year contract with the Blues for $1million.

The signing of Sydor leaves Strachan and Pietrangelo battling for that one remaining place.  It would make sense for the Blues to give Pietrangelo that 9 game trial again – I hope he makes the grade, it would make little sense for him to be sent down to Juniors again.  I think he’s already proved that he’s better than that.  The trouble is that Strachan has also played well – but at this point the Blues have gone for experience by signing Sydor.  It makes sense in that the Blues defense IS relatively young and inexperienced – with no Brewer for the foreseeable future, they need someone to steady the ship and provide the necessary leadership back there.

Darryl Sydor – welcome to the Blues.

Tonight’s roster etc…

Thanks to Jeremy Rutherford, the lineup for tonight’s game at Minnesota is:

Forwards

Perron
Tkachuk
Winchester
McClement
Steen
Crombeen
Oshie
Kariya
Berglund
Boyes
McDonald
Backes
Not playing: Armstrong, King, Janssen

Defensemen

Johnson
Jackman
Polak
Pietrangelo
Colaiacovo
Strachan
Not playing: Weaver, Sydor, Junland

Goalies

Mason
Conklin
Not playing: Bishop
* Mason and Conklin are splitting the game.

Looks like it’s getting serious and, according to David Perron on Twitter (DP_57), he’ll be on a line with McDonald and Backes.

Other quick hits from today:

• Yan Stastny and Barry Tallackson have been placed on waivers and, assuming they clear, will report to Peoria.  That leaves the Blues with 28 players.
• Ex-Blue Wayne Gretzky has resigned as Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations of the Phoenix Coyotes.  You can read The Great One’s full statement on Gretzky.com

Keep your eyes peeled this weekend for a profile/article about Blues agitator and current shootout specialist, Cam Janssen.

Bell clears waivers and other news

Brendan Bell has cleared waivers and will start the season in Peoria – which is a bit of a relief. Personally, I’m very glad nobody picked him up.

Some other news from today:

• Jeremy Rutherford is reporting that Cam Janssen is the current leader in the Blues shootout drill.  Andy Murray told the players at the beginning of the week that the winner of the shootout drills would be “guaranteed” a spot in the shootout when the season begins.  I bet you’re sweating a bit now, Mr Murray!  Janssen has spent the summer working on his stickhandling and puck skills – he’s also been practising shootouts with Erik Johnson.
• Rumour is that Sydor has done enough to warrant a possible contract offer.  It remains to be seen whether this is true but the 2 available defense places are now being fought over between Sydor, Pietrangelo, Strachan and Junland.
• David Perron is now on Twitter – you can follow him at DP_57
• The Blues are allowed to take three goalies to Sweden.  Those three will be Chris Mason, Ty Conklin and Ben Bishop.  Bishop has had an excellent training camp and has really improved since last year.
• The Annual St Louis Blues 14 Fund Golf Classic was held on Tuesday at Meadowbrook Country Club in Ballwin.  A write up and photo gallery from the event can be found on Blues Website – Features

Roster trimmed

Following last nights 2-1 OT loss to the Avalanche, the Blues have confirmed that defensemen Brendan Bell and Steve Wagner have been assigned to Peoria. Bell will need to pass through waivers. This leaves Darryl Sydor, Alex Pietrangelo, Tyson Strachan and Jonas Junland in a fight for the remaining two roster spots.

The following forwards were also assigned to Peoria: Julian Talbot, Chris Porter, Nick Drazenovic, Ryan Reaves, Aaron Palushaj and Cam Paddock along with goaltender Hannu Toivonen. Philip McRae has been returned to his junior team. The Blues now have 30 players left in Camp.

I thought Bell had done enough to secure himself a spot but he did admit to being a bit “banged up and a little more tired”. Strachan, on the other hand, has been solid and I still feel that, despite his experience, Darryl Sydor is simply too slow now. We have experience in Jackman and Colaiacovo – I don’t feel that we need Sydor. I’d much prefer these remaining two defense spots to go to younger players – and as Brendan Bell is currently out of the picture, I’d have to go with Alex Pietrangelo and Tyson Strachan. Pietrangelo is going to learn nothing by being sent back to Juniors. We need to keep him with the Blues – obviously he wouldn’t dress for every game but he’d learn more being with the Blues than being with his Junior team.

Source: Jeremy Rutherford

Blues lineup tonight v Colorado

Thanks to Jeremy Rutherford for the Blues lineup for their game at Colorado tonight:

Forwards

Drazenovic
Armstrong
Porter
Stastny
Janssen
Berglund
Talbot
Tallackson
Oshie
McRae
Perron
Reaves

Defensemen

Sydor
Colaiacovo
Johnson
Wagner
Junland
Strachan
Bell

Goalies

Conklin
Toivonen

As far as the forwards go, it’s good to see Drazenovic and Reaves get another chance – both have been excellent in their previous games. And this will also be the first chance we’ll get to see Phil McRae – certainly a prospect who causes a buzz.

Although I have doubts about Sydor, I’m glad to see Bell, Strachan, Junland and Wagner in the lineup – they’re battling him for a place. And goalies of Conklin and Toivonen – I’m very glad Toivy has recovered enough from his leg infection to get in the lineup. I really wish him the best of luck.

The Blues have sent another four players to Peoria: Danny Richmond, Lars Eller, Brett Sonne and Bryce Lampman.

Tonight’s game can be heard on the radio on Mile High Sports

Stars 4 – Blues 2

The Blues goals were a shorthander from David Backes and a third period goal from Keith Tkachuk. No Kariya, McDonald, Boyes, Oshie or Berglund in the game. So a few points from last night:

• Aaron Palushaj went heavily into the boards in the second period and subsequently left Scottrade Center in a walking boot – possible ankle injury.
• Cam Janssen had a good game – breaking Warren Peters’ orbital bone during a fight in the first period.  Andy Murray sent Janssen out as the extra attacker when Mason was pulled late in the game.
• David Backes scored his first preseason goal.
• There are video interviews with Cam Janssen and David Backes on the Blues Website.

Tonight marks the third game in a row for the Blues with an away game against Colorado.

Lineup etc

Following a 6-2 win over the Avalanche last night – with goals from Drazenovic, Kariya, Steen, Oshie, Crombeen and Armstrong – the Blues will line up tonight against the Dallas Stars at Scottrade Center.

The Blues lineup tonight – as confirmed by Jeremy Rutherford is:

Forwards

Porter-Backes-Perron
Winchester-Tkachuk-Palushaj
Steen-McClement-Crombeen
Janssen-Stastny-Reaves

Defensemen

Bell-Pietrangelo
Sydor-Polak
Wagner-Weaver

Goalies

Mason
Bishop

The Bell and Pietrangelo pairing is going to be one to watch closely. Game is at 7pm and should be available to listen on KMOX

For a recap and pics from last nights game then head on over to the Blues website. You’ll also be able to find another of Chris Kerber’s “Camp Chats” there – this time with Andy Murray. Definitely worth a listen.

Congratulations to Nicholas Drazenovic for his first Blues goal during last night’s 6-2 win over the Avalanche.

Sources: Official Blues Website, Jeremy Rutherford and Chris Kerber

Quick hits..

A few quick hits for today:

• Congratulations to Alex Steen and his wife on the birth of their son, Kaspian.
• DJ King suffered a dislocated thumb which required minor surgery – he’s hoping to be back for the preseason game on 24 September.
• The Blues have sent 10 players to Peoria:  Justin Fletcher; Chris Morehouse; Adrian Veideman;  Adam Cracknell; Anthony Peluso; Mitch Love; TJ Fast; Sebastian Dahm; Ryan Turek and Alex Hellstrom.
• The Blues have returned 4 players to their Junior teams: James Livingston; Mark Cundari; Tyler Shattock and Brett Ponich.
• Wendy Pleau presented Team Wamsley with the “Wendy Pleau Determination Cup” following their victory in the tournament.  A great video of this is available on the Blues website
• Chris Kerber has been uploading various “chats” from Training Camp.  You can listen to audio interviews with JD,  Paul Kariya, Carlo Colaiacovo, Larry Pleau and David Backes at Kerber’s Camp Chats

Thanks to Jeremy Rutherford, the lineup for tonight’s game against the Avalanche is:

Forwards:
Oshie
McClement
Tkachuk
Steen
Kariya
Berglund
Boyes
Winchester
Tallackson
Drazenovic
Talbot
Crombeen

Defensemen:
Johnson
Junland
Jackman
Polak
Colaiacovo
Strachan

Goalies:
Conklin
Allen

It’ll be good to see both Conklin and Allen in action tonight.

Sources: Jeremy Rutherford, Andy Strickland and Chris Kerber