Blues Trade Rumors

Brewer's absence is costly
0 Comment
January 7
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Before he left the lineup on Dec. 13 with a herniated disk in his back, Blues defenseman Eric Brewer had played in 187 of the team's last 192 games. As radio-show callers and Internet posters blasted Brewer's performance over the past 2½ years, the truth is that no one really knew how much he meant to the Blues because he was always around. But now after surgery to correct Brewer's disk problem, the Blues are finding out exactly what life is like without their captain. Their record with Brewer was 12-13-3 this season, and the team's mark is 3-8 without the player who was averaging a team-high 25 minutes, 7 seconds of ice time before his exit. The effort of the Blues' makeshift defensive ..."
Andy McDonald set to return to St. Louis Blues' team practice
0 Comment
January 6
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Andy McDonald's return to practice today with the Blues will determine how soon the center is back in the lineup. McDonald, who's been out since Nov. 16 with a fractured ankle, has skated on his own for more than a week, but how his ankle responds to a team practice will show whether he's progressed enough to even consider tagging along on this week's road trip. "I'm getting close, and hopefully I'll be back on the ice with the team pretty soon," McDonald said. "There's still a fair amount of pain there, but it's gotten a lot stronger and I'm able to do a lot of things I wasn't able to do before. … I'm looking forward to tomorrow and seeing how it responds." So are the Blues, who may have ..."
Alex Steen finding his place with St. Louis Blues
0 Comment
January 5
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Before Saturday's 5-2 victory over Columbus, Alex Steen was perhaps best known by Blues fans for his highlight-reel assist on one of B.J. Crombeen's three goals on Dec. 8. Most of what Steen does as a third-line, checking-line winger goes unnoticed, but he showed again with two assists Saturday that he possesses uncanny vision. He scored a 5-on-3 power-play goal late in Saturday's game, but his pinpoint passes with the game still on the line defined his performance against the Blue Jackets. Steen set up the Blues' first goal with a backhanded pass to Brad Boyes, who moved the puck quickly to Brad Winchester for a power-play goal. In the third period, Steen sent a cross-ice feed to T.J. ..."
Brewer remains out of lineup
0 Comment
December 17
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Defenseman Eric Brewer's upper-body injury isn't as minor or as fleeting as the Blues hoped, and the team's top defenseman missed a second game on Tuesday. Brewer sat out Saturday's game at San Jose and hasn't skated since Thursday. Coach Andy Murray still is optimistic Brewer could play Thursday in Washington or at home Saturday against Minnesota; the Blues have not placed Brewer on injured reserve, keeping their options open. "It just kind of came up," said Brewer, who is averaging more than 25 minutes a game, three minutes more than anyone else on the team. "I didn't feel well enough to play. We'll just see how it is. It's a day-to-day thing right now." On this day, he seemed to be ..."
Wings might open 2009-10 season in Sweden
0 Comment
December 15
Detroit News
 
"The Red Wings would welcome the opportunity to open the 2009-10 NHL regular season in Sweden. The Wings are Blues are in discussions with the NHL to make it happen, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. There are seven Swedes on the Red Wings' roster, including captain Nicklas Lidstrom and fellow defenseman Niklas Kronwall. "That would be an unbelievable experience, not only for myself, but for everyone here," Kronwall said Monday. Wings general manager Ken Holland wasn't available for comment Monday, but has been reluctant in the past to allow his team to play games in Europe. This season, the Rangers and Lightning played two games in Prague and the Penguins and Senators played two in ..."
Blues talk with NHL about opening next season in Europe
0 Comment
December 14
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Blues are in the early stages of negotiations with the NHL to open the 2009-10 season in Sweden. Looking to gain global exposure, the NHL has opened each of the past two seasons overseas. In 2007, Anaheim and Los Angeles kicked off the league's regular-season schedule in London, England. This season, four NHL teams played their regular-season openers in Prague, Czech Republic, and Stockholm, Sweden. The Blues likely would play the Detroit Red Wings in Sweden, but both sides at this point say nothing is firm. "We've had some initial discussions with the league," Blues President John Davidson said. "We like the idea of it and we like the idea of bonding. We will have a young team, so it ..."
Possible job for Laviolette?
0 Comment
December 7
Toronto Sun
 (scroll down)
"Recently fired Carolina coach Peter Laviolette may not be out of work long. The whisper among executives is Laviolette could land with the Blues before the end of the season if St. Louis cans coach Andy Murray ."
Patrik Berglund moves back to St. Louis Blues' No. 2 line
0 Comment
December 6
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Well, that didn't last long. Patrik Berglund played 1½ games on the Blues' No. 1 line with Keith Tkachuk and Brad Boyes. But on Friday against Calgary, Tkachuk was centering the top line and Berglund was back on the No. 2 line. It wasn't because Berglund didn't play well, however. The Blues wanted the bigger-body Tkachuk at center against the physical Flames. Meanwhile, T.J. Oshie returned in the lineup after missing 13 games with a high-ankle sprain, and coach Andy Murray was able to reunite the "Lunchbox line" of Berglund, 20, centering Oshie, 21, and David Perron, 20. "We've got some chemistry going … I think we complement each other well," Oshie said. "We all three like to cycle and ..."
St. Louis Blues' Manny Legace and Chris Mason battle for time in net
0 Comment
December 2
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Blues coach Andy Murray was steadfast Monday that Manny Legace remains the club's starting goaltender. But after Chris Mason won his third consecutive game Sunday, Murray didn't rule out the possibility of continuing to play his backup. Mason has played three of the Blues' past five games, but each of those starts involved games on back-to-back nights. If Mason were to play Wednesday in Minnesota, after the Blues had two days off, it would signal the team has more confidence in its backup. "Manny is by merit the No. 1 goalie with the Blues," Murray said. "To me, that hasn't changed at this point. But we will review it as we always do. We haven't decided for sure. Whatever decision we make ..."
St. Louis Blues get help from four players from AHL
0 Comment
November 25
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Blues' recent call-ups from the American Hockey League and their waiver-wire addition have contributed significantly to the team's recent surge. And while their names might not be familiar to fans, their production shouldn't come as a surprise. Steve Regier, Cam Paddock, Brad Winchester and B.J. Crombeen were each selected in the top five rounds of the NHL draft and have combined for 649 games in the AHL. Because of key injuries to the Blues' roster, they have been put in pressure situations and have passed the test. The Blues knocked off Minnesota 2-1 on Saturday night and have earned seven of eight points in their past four games. The club will play in Nashville on Tuesday and ..."
Agent: Shanahan to decide this week
0 Comment
November 11
Camden Courier-Post
 
"Free-agent forward Brendan Shanahan will be signing with an NHL team before the end of this week, possibly as soon as Wednesday, his agent told the Courier-Post on Monday "Is Philadelphia a serious contender?" Rick Curran said Monday from his home in Devon, Pa. "Absolutely. There are people Brendan needs to talk to before he has all the information to make a decision." Curran said he and Shanahan have gotten back to all of the NHL teams that have "continually expressed interest" in signing the 39-year-old left wing. Curran would not identify the number of teams Shanahan is considering, but the Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks are ..."
Shanahan goes back on market
0 Comment
October 31
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Blues have contacted the representative for free-agent forward Brendan Shanahan, but no offer had been made to the former fan favorite as of Thursday night. A few months ago, the Blues were one of several teams told by Shanahan's agent, Rick Curran, that the 39-year-old winger intended to return to the New York Rangers. But Shanahan grew tired of waiting for a contract offer from the Rangers, who are less than $1 million under the NHL salary cap, and decided to look at other offers. "I've told Rick that I can no longer wait and that it's time to move on," Shanahan told The New York Post. "Until now, Rick has been under instructions to tell inquiring teams that my focus was on ..."
Atlanta burning for Schneider?
0 Comment
September 25
Ottawa Sun
 
"Ducks defenceman Mathieu Schneider could finally be on the move. League sources say several teams are trying to coax cash-strapped Anaheim GM Brian Burke into making a trade. While Los Angeles and Vancouver have been said to been potential landing spots for the 16-year NHL veteran, league sources say New Jersey, Atlanta and St. Louis are in the thick of things, too. Of the three new players in the Schneider sweepstakes, only Atlanta has the cap room to add him without making other roster moves. "(GM) Don Waddell needs to do something in Atlanta," a league executive said yesterday. "The Thrashers aren't a very good team and a guy like Schneider (could) help that defence." Already over the ..."
Schneider a remote possibility for Sens
0 Comment
September 17
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Yesterday morning, Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray acknowledged frustration at not being able to acquire a star, skilled defenceman to run the power play. The words were barely out of his mouth when the Anaheim Ducks placed veteran Mathieu Schneider on waivers in an attempt to unload his hefty $5.625-million U.S. salary. Schneider, 39, has 212 goals and 490 assists in 1,197 career games, and would be an obvious answer to the apparent vacancy on the Senators' blue-line. The issue, of course, is money, but if Murray was interested in picking up Schneider, he didn't have to look far yesterday to find team owner Eugene Melnyk to talk about adding the salary. Melnyk was in Ottawa ..."
Rangers' Shanahan Looks At Other Teams
0 Comment
August 31
New York Post
 
"Brendan Shanahan, his wife and their three young children are moving back to their midtown Manhattan apartment this week from their summer home in Cape Cod. School, after all, begins on Thursday. But as much as Shanahan - not just unsigned, but as yet even offered a contract by GM Glen Sather with training camp scheduled to open on Sept. 16 - wants to return for a third season with the Rangers, the free agent winger is prepared to investigate other opportunities. Even if that means moving across the country. "That would obviously be a family conversation," Shanahan, whose twins, Maggie and Jack, are almost six and whose daughter, Catherine, is almost four, told The Post. "But it's not like ..."
NHL Free-agent shopping list
0 Comment
June 29
Montreal Gazette
 
"The opening bell will sound on Canada Day Tuesday, marking the start of the NHL's free-agent season. Here's a look at some of the players who will be most coveted by NHL general managers."
Sens have nothing to lose by hanging on to Emery ... for now
0 Comment
June 17
Ottawa Sun
 (scroll down)
"While sources say Ottawa GM Bryan Murray has exhausted every avenue to try to trade Emery, the indications are the Blues have held discussions with nearly every team in the NHL to see if they can find a goaltender for next season."
Who wants Emery?
1 Comment
June 16
Ottawa Sun
 
"The Senators can officially get rid of Ray Emery. The buyout period started yesterday and runs until June 30. It's expected the Senators will soon serve notice to the troubled goalie that his days with the club are finished. Before GM Bryan Murray sends Emery packing with a $2.25-million (all terms US) buyout, Murray will exhaust all trade options. Sources say there are a couple of teams interested in Emery, including the Blues. A source said a deal could be worked out if Murray is willing to add a prospect or a pick in this weekend's draft at Scotiabank Place."
Armstrong heads to St. Louis
May 29
Globe and Mail
 
"And the list just keeps on shrinking. Former Dallas Stars general manager Doug Armstrong was scheduled to meet with the Toronto Maple Leafs this week to discuss a management position with Canada's most terminally perplexed NHL franchise. But Armstrong cancelled his session with the Leafs to sign with the St. Louis Blues. Sources told several media outlets yesterday that Armstrong, who was fired by the Stars this season, had agreed to join the Blues and would work closely with general manager Larry Pleau. Calls to Blues president John Davidson and Pleau were not returned last night, but a source said Armstrong's hiring would be announced today."
St. Louis radio stations report Blues offer Armstrong GM deal
May 28
Toronto Star
 
"According to sources, the Blues are definitely battling the Leafs to land Armstrong. Radio stations in St. Louis reported throughout yesterday that the Blues have a deal on the table for Armstrong to become the club's GM-in-waiting. Armstrong – or whomever the Blues hire – would take over full GM duties when incumbent Larry Pleau retires or leaves the club for personal reasons. Pleau's wife is battling cancer. Armstrong may not even be interviewed in Toronto for the full-time GM job, a post that is continually tied to Anaheim's Brian Burke despite the fact Burke has a year remaining on his contract. Armstrong, though, is high on the Leafs' plans for the management team."
Where Now? Former Canucks GM Nonis interviews in Toronto but could end up in St. Louis or Atlanta
May 15
Vancouver Province
 
"A month ago, Dave Nonis had no NHL team to call his own. Now he may have several options. While much has been made of the Toronto Maple Leafs making room for the fired Vancouver Canucks general manager in their hockey operations department -- the Burnaby native was interviewed the last three days, but wasn't offered the GM position -- he may land that job in St. Louis. Or, Nonis could wind up in Atlanta as GM if Don Waddell steps down from that post and becomes team president."
Blues also talking to Nonis about a front-office job
May 15
Toronto Sun
 
"If Dave Nonis isn't to be part of a newly structured Maple Leafs management team -- and a bridge to hiring Brian Burke -- he shouldn't be out of work for long. St. Louis Blues president John Davidson mentioned Nonis by name yesterday as a potential part of a revamped Blues' front office with general manager Larry Pleau. Pleau's wife Wendy is battling cancer and Pleau has been taking time off to be with her. Pleau might step aside to spend more time with her."
No Nonis deal, talks to continue
May 15
Toronto Star
 
"After two days of meetings with the Maple Leafs' general manager search team, Dave Nonis has a much better idea of what the team's GM post entails. And it appears there now is a question of whether he even wants the job or if he will explore other options, of which there are several. Nonis left town yesterday and is expected back for further talks with the interview team headed by MLSE president Richard Peddie and Toronto sports lawyer Gord Kirke. Little else is known under the cone of silence imposed by the Leafs, but sources feel Nonis will explore all his options – and possibly even wait a year before deciding – because Toronto's offer is a complicated one."
Blues talk with ex-Canucks GM for possible new post
May 15
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Blues are interested in creating a new management position, team president John Davidson acknowledged Wednesday, saying he has spoken with former Vancouver general manager Dave Nonis about a job. Davidson said the person hired would report to Blues general manager Larry Pleau, whose contract expires in June but is likely to be extended. "We're always looking to improve," Davidson said. "We've talked about it, Larry and myself, about maybe adding another person to the management team to just be a part of our group. There's nothing imminent, and there's no rush on this particular need." Davidson said there were "a few" candidates besides Nonis, who was let go by the Canucks last ..."
Nonis meets with Peddie as Leafs' GM search rolls on
May 14
Toronto Sun
 
"Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. president Richard Peddie met with Dave Nonis yesterday, and there's a theory making the rounds that Toronto would like to hire the former GM of the Vancouver Canucks to be by the side of interim GM Cliff Fletcher through the important summer months that include the entry draft and the free agency period. But sources in Vancouver have indicated Nonis has no interest in becoming an associate or assistant GM -- he wants the same title and role he had in Vancouver. If the Leafs want him to be something else, they might not get anywhere with Nonis. He reportedly also has interest from the Atlanta Thrashers and St. Louis Blues."
What a difference a year makes in Leafs' world
May 13
Toronto Star
 columnist Damien Cox
"Funny thing is, a year ago the Maple Leafs would have been thrilled to have a shot at landing Dave Nonis. The Vancouver Canucks, after all, had soared to a franchise-record 105 points under Nonis's leadership, largely because the youthful Canucks GM had managed to swindle the Florida Panthers out of goaltender Roberto Luongo. But that was then and this is now, and so Nonis, who's in town today or tomorrow to interview with Leaf president Richard Peddie and search committee chief Gord Kirke, is now be