Blues acquire Pelletier from Blue Jackets

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The Blues have acquired left wing, Pascal Pelletier from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Brendan Bell and Tomas Kana. Bell was signed by the Blues on a two way contract in the off season whilst Tomas Kana was a second round draft pick of the Blues in 2006. Pelletier will report to Peoria. I’m surprised to see Bell go – but the Blues DO have a lot of defensive cover available.

So, this minor league trade appears to favour Columbus – who have defensive woes at the moment. What good does it do the Blues? Well, it could very well be a depth signing – Pelletier has posted good AHL numbers: 140 points in his last 144 AHL games – or could it be the precursor to a major trade? I guess we’re going to have to wait and see. In the meantime, The Hockey News has a player bio on Pelletier, which says:

ASSETS: Has plenty of two-way ability and a lot of grit. Owns an impressive scoring resume at the minor-league level. Is a skilled playmaker.
FLAWS: Is a little undersized for the NHL game, and isn’t the greatest skater. Must prove his AHL success can carry over to the highest level.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Reserve winger.

Interesting.

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 beat Wild 3-1

First preseason game. First victory. First Kariya goal of the season. The Blues goals were:

Paul Kariya – assists: Brad Boyes and Brendan Bell
Chris Porter – assists: Derek Armstrong and Aaron Palushaj
Derek Armstrong – assists: Brendan Bell and Mike Weaver

As a matter of interest, Derek Armstrong also got a Gordie Howe hattrick with a goal, an assist and a fight. There was certainly no holding back in this game. Cam Janssen managed 29 PIM’s and you know things are getting interesting when even David Perron had a fight and 7 PIMs. A few points from the game:

• David Backes left the ice with an injury to his leg and had to be helped down the tunnel. He was, however, back on the ice later in the game.
• Chris Mason and Ben Bishop split the goaltending duties.  Mason made 10 saves and Bishop made 23.
• Darryl Sydor wore #44.  Chris Pronger’s old number.
• The three stars of the game were Armstrong, Mason and Bishop.

The coaches have a very difficult task now – they have to decide who stays and who goes. Armstrong had a great game but is there room for him on the Blues at the moment? Most forward positions seem pretty well locked. The defense however has two positions up for grabs. Sydor seemed a bit slow – his name wasn’t mentioned much.  Brendan Bell picked up two assists and played very strong. Would it really be any use to send Pietrangelo back to juniors? Junland and Wagner have both improved. It’s a tough one – and one you can’t really make on one preseason game. Training Camp gave the coaches one look at them. This game was another.

If it were up to me, I’d pick Bell and Pietrangelo…

Blues extend Murray and “game on”!

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!

Blues sign Brendan Bell…

As per TSN.CA , the Blues have signed UFA defenseman, Brendan Bell.

Bell was drafted by Toronto in 2001 and played 53 games for the Ottawa Senators last season, with 6 goals and 15 assists. Bell has been signed by the Blues for a 1 year, two way deal.

For Brendan Bell’s profile and stats then check out SPORTSNET. Welcome to the Blues, Mr Bell.