ST. LOUIS BLUES
Three years ago, the Blues had the best record in the NHL. Since then, they have spent bags of money, giddily announced a string of big trades and signings, and lost more games. Makes you wonder where they might be today if they simply left the 2000 team intact.
The Cash-for-Cups program has failed. Last season, cheap veterans like Scott Melanby and Dallas Drake were more reliable than Keith Tkachuk or Doug Weight, who can’t stay healthy and, even when they play, cannot justify their obscene salaries. ESPN.com recently pointed out that Tkachuk has made $19-million and scored 69 goals in the last two years. Ladislav Nagy and Michael Handzus, who were traded for him, have combined for 83 goals at a cost of $4-million.
But disappointment is relative; plenty of teams would take Weight and Tkachuk, despite the uneven results. With Pavol Demitra and recent discoveries like Peter Cajanek and Eric Boguniecki added, this team has plenty of clout, though an off-season cull leaves job openings at left wing.
Even with age catching up on Old Man MacInnis, the defense is six or seven players deep. Detroit might have signed Derian Hatcher, but the Blues get a better upgrade if Chris Pronger is back to full health. The Detroit comparison breaks down in net, where the Red Wings can rely on that Czech oddball who can’t seem to retire, while the Blues put their faith in yet another man who has done little to earn it.
Trouble: Spending most of last season with the Islanders, Chris Osgood put up some of the poorest goaltending numbers in the NHL. He joined the Blues in time to help them blow a 3-1 lead in the opening playoff round.
On the Spot: After a career-threatening wrist injury, Chris Pronger must resume life as a dominant defenseman, or face endless trade rumors and dozens of “Pronger will never be the same” stories.
The Forecast: With no reliable goaltending and countless injuries, they still looked great until the playoffs. Like a faltering understudy, the Blues seem to freeze in the spotlight. But from October to April they are as good as any team.
The Call: 5th in the Western Conference.
Who's in:
Defenseman Murray Baron (free agent from Vancouver)
Forward Mike Danton (trade from New Jersey)
Who’s Out:
Goaltender Fred Brathwaite (free agent to Columbus)
Forward Cory Stillman (trade to Tampa Bay)
Right winger Valeri Bure (waivers to Florida)
Left winger Tyson Nash (trade to Phoenix)
Left winger Martin Rucinsky (free agent to New York Ramgers)
2002-03 Regular Season Numbers:
Payroll:
$63,100,000, 3rd overall
(Hockey News, November 15/02. Bonuses not included.)
- Record: 41-24-11-6 for 99 points.
- At home: 23-11-4-3.
- On the road: 18-13-7-3.
- Finish: 8th overall, 5th in the Western Conference, 2nd in Central Division.
- Goals for: 253 (3.09 per game), 4th overall.
- Goals against: 222 (2.71 per game), 16th overall.
- Goal differential: Plus-31, 8th overall.
- Power play: 20.5 percent, 4th overall.
- Penalty kill: 81.7 percent, tied for 22nd overall.
Goaltending:
- Brent Johnson, 38-16-3-5, 2.47 GAA, .900 SV PCT, 2 SO.
- Fred Brathwaite, 30-12-9-4, 2.75 GAA, .883 SV PCT, 2 SO.
- Chris Osgood, 9-4-3-2, 3.05 GAA, SV PCT N/A, 2 SO.
- Curtis Sanford, 8-5-1-0, 1.96 GAA, .912 SV PCT, 1 SO.
- Tom Barrasso, 6-1-4-0, 3.28 GAA, .879 SV PCT, 1 SO.
Leaders:
- Scoring: Right winger Pavol Demitra, 78-36-57-93.
- Power play points: Defenseman Al MacInnis, 80-9-28-37.
- Game-winning goals: Center Eric Boguniecki, 5.
Left winger Keith Tkachuk, 5. - Ice time: Al MacInnis, 26:54 per game.
- Plus/minus: Defenseman Barret Jackman , plus-23
2002-03 Playoff Numbers:
- Round One: Lost to Vancouver 4-3.
Goaltending:
- Chris Osgood, 7-3-4, 2.45 GAA, .907 SV PCT, 1 SO.
Leaders:
- Scoring: Center Doug Weight, 7-5-8-13.
- Power play points: Doug Weight, 7-5-3-8.
- Game-winning goals: Three tied with 1.
- Ice time: Defenseman Chris Pronger, 24:36 per game.
- Plus/minus: Three tied at plus-3.
