What has happened to St. Louis Hockey over the last decade? Thats what thousands of Blues fans would love to know. The rich history of this team is about to unfold and come undone at the seams. St Louis has become the Hartford Whalers and Quebec Nordiques of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Inconsistent play and uninspired coaching not to mention a lack of team chemistry and/or personality have had the Bluenotes stuck in the mud for the last 10 years. Many fans who grew up watching the likes of Bernie Federko, Brian Sutter, Curtis Joseph, Brett Hull, Adam Oats, Brenden Shanahan, Craig Janney, Phil Housley, Al McInnis, Jeff Brown, Pierre Turgeon, etc.... Are now left in the muck with mediocre and "over the hill" talent. We used to have household names wearing the note which made other teams who played against us bring respect with them onto the ice. Tough guy personalities like Tony Hrkac, Kelly Chase, Basil McRae, and Garth Butcher demanded other teams respect and laid the law down to those teams that did not give it. The St. Louis Blues, especially in the early 1990s did not have power house rosters but what they did have was playmakers and scorers. Guys who could finish a play and who were able to play a full 60 minutes. Blues fans are hungry and salivating for a team that they can get behind. A team that can perform on a consistent basis.
The Blues upper management team seems to try to stop the leaks in the dam with bubble gum by acquiring over the hill or flash in the pan players to sell tickets. For example beat up and aging Paul Kariya was supposed to give our boys the speedy, gritty, playmaking scorer we needed in the 2007-2008 season, well we all know how that went. Jason Arnott who has had a pretty impressive career was added to this years Blues roster but at age 37 how much does he have left in the tank. In 2010-2011 he only scored 13 goals tallied 11 assists for a whopping 24 points in 62 games. Once again big name but mediocre talent at this point in his career. Jamie Langenbrunner signed by the Blues this year had great talent but is 36 years old and has only racked up 32 points in his last two years after a total of 70 games. Lets talk "flash in the pan" Blues signings. These players include Roman Turek, Manny Legace, Brad Boyes, Hannu Toivonen, Erik Johnson, Steven Wagner, Cam Janssen (which by the way we traded Bryce Salvador for), Ty Conklin, Mike Sillinger, and the list goes on. The Blues have not had a 100 point scorer since the 1993-1994 season when Brenden Shanhan recorded 52 goals and 50 assists for 102 points.
The Blues upper management team seems to try to stop the leaks in the dam with bubble gum by acquiring over the hill or flash in the pan players to sell tickets. For example beat up and aging Paul Kariya was supposed to give our boys the speedy, gritty, playmaking scorer we needed in the 2007-2008 season, well we all know how that went. Jason Arnott who has had a pretty impressive career was added to this years Blues roster but at age 37 how much does he have left in the tank. In 2010-2011 he only scored 13 goals tallied 11 assists for a whopping 24 points in 62 games. Once again big name but mediocre talent at this point in his career. Jamie Langenbrunner signed by the Blues this year had great talent but is 36 years old and has only racked up 32 points in his last two years after a total of 70 games. Lets talk "flash in the pan" Blues signings. These players include Roman Turek, Manny Legace, Brad Boyes, Hannu Toivonen, Erik Johnson, Steven Wagner, Cam Janssen (which by the way we traded Bryce Salvador for), Ty Conklin, Mike Sillinger, and the list goes on. The Blues have not had a 100 point scorer since the 1993-1994 season when Brenden Shanhan recorded 52 goals and 50 assists for 102 points.
doomed to have their team sold to another city because of lackluster turn-outs at the games. The Blues' owner Checketts wants out. He doesn’t have the money and his investment firm is bailing on him. It’s for financial reason that I won’t even pretend to understand. He hopes to capitalize on his investment and make a few bucks when this is all said and done and who would blame him. This fan (right) was absolutely devastated when the Blues lost to the Canucks 0-4 in a seven game
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According to a Harris poll, the results of which were published by Sports Business Daily (reg. required), hockey is the favorite sport among 5% of U.S. fans, placing sixth. The game finished behind pro football (31%), baseball (17%), college football (12%), auto racing (7%), and men’s pro basketball (6%), all of which are sports you’d probably agree are more popular and have more diehard fans. This concerns me for St Louis Blues fans. In todays economy how long can a sport like hockey survive in this city? Will Blues fans be
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series back in the 2008-2009 season. This mans face, sums it up with one look, how many Blues fans have felt over the last 10 to 12 years. Demoralized and sick with visions of games lost in the third period has this man and most Blues fans subdued and coaxed into what seems to be another season of mediocrity as the teams propaganda parade is kept up by the coaches and the owners. Soon you will be able to walk through Scottrade Center while a looped recording is playing over the PA system brainwashing all Blues fans on how good this years team is and how we should keep paying to watch them play. This organization has trained its fans all but to sit and roll over. We all have begged for a team and coaching staff that can progress the team as they rebuild..... but to no avail thus far. The Blues have been stagnant for years now. The management is not happy, the players are not happy, and the fans are not happy. What will it take to turn things around?
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