The Blues have exercised their contract option and extended Andy Murray through the 2010-2011 season. You can read more on the Blues website which includes quotes from JD.
A really good move by the Blues – it gets the contract situation out of the way so it doesn’t distract through the season. Murray definitely deserves this – and I’m sure a raise will be talked about when the Blues make the post season again.
Tonight is also the first preseason game for the Blues – against the Minnesota Wild. Familiar faces and newbies will be in the Blues lineup, as released earlier today by Jeremy Rutherford. Tonight’s lines are:
Paul Kariya-Patrik Berglund-Brad Boyes
Andy McDonald-David Backes-David Perron
Chris Porter-Derek Armstrong-Aaron Palushaj
Ryan Reaves-Yan Stastny-Cam Janssen
Erik Johnson-Steve Wagner
Darryl Sydor-Alex Pietrangelo
Brendan Bell-Mike Weaver
Chris Mason
Ben Bishop
Our top two lines seem set – and it’s going to be very interesting to see how Palushaj responds. He’s definitely impressed at Training Camp. Kariya is back – and paired again with Boyes – whilst Berglund takes center. We know Boyes and Kariya click together, so let’s hope Berglund can fit in with those two. The really exciting line is McDonald, Backes and Perron. McDonald and Perron are both extremely fast and have exquisite stickhandling – and Backes… well, what more can you say about David Backes? He can score, check, penalty kill, you name it, he can do it.
I’m guessing Sydor is there in order for Management to see him in a game situation – and paired with Pietrangelo: the old head and the youngster. It’s great to see EJ back – and Wagner given another chance, whilst Brendan Bell has his chance to show us what he’s made of and is paired with that old stalwart, Mike Weaver.
This season is going to be fun…
Let’s Go Blues!
Blue Skies 