Blues hitting all the right notes
This is has been a terrific week for the Blues. Dave Checkett’s group landed a local partner, Tom Stillman, to help it solidify its standing in St. Louis.
The franchise’s new deal with KMOX could aid its marketing program — although we must say that KTRS did great things for the Blues during their association.
The players made a strong impression with season-ticket holders during a meet-and-greet Wednesday night. Then they played their backsides off Thursday night during a hugely entertaining 5-2 victory over the Oilers.
So there was progress on all fronts. Although the Blues were officially eliminated from the playoffs, there was still much to be gained with a strong finish on and off the ice.
When the marketing side works hard to get fans in the seats, the team has to make the sale. The Blues played full-tilt against the Oilers, outshooting Edmonton 41-18. This was a crowd-pleasing performance, coming on the heels of a real bummer against Columbus.
Of course, there is still much work to do. The Blues must win more games next season and generate more revenue. The hockey side and the business side feel the same urgency.
What we’re seeing this season is a start, but it is only a start.
AROUND THE RINKS: Blues call-ups have left the Rivermen short-handed, which helps explain why they have lost 10 of their last 13 games . . . Minnesota State defenseman Ryan Wagner signed an free-agent deal and joined the Rivermen, giving the organization more depth . . . Predators winger Steve Sullivan has missed 16 games with a back injury, making his viability for the playoffs a question mark . . . The Islanders aren’t sure when goaltender Rick DiPietro will play again. He is battling post-concussion syndrome.
I was glad to see the Blues move to KTRS years ago, and now I am glad to see them move back to KMOX for the same reason. They don’t have to share the station with the Cardinals. Nothing bugged me more than Blues playoff games being bumped for meaningless April baseball games. Now the Blues get top billing on a station, atleast until the Cardinals decide to step on the Blues again.
The Blues may have lost in OT to the Ducks Sat nite, but they sure did win the hearts of ALOT of fans, both in attendence and watching on TV or Center Ice like I was. The team came out the last two games and played their hearts out and didn’t qut. THAT is how you “work hard to bring them back” JD. Hopefully they end the season on the road on a hight note as well and more importantly, get the dang PP to click. I have to say we are probably only 3 FA offence pickups from being a contender next year. If the Blues can get Ryan Smyth AND get either Tkachuk or Billy G back, watch out west. BTW, i think keep ‘Cash as the backup and let Sanford move on. I love his hard work and Sanfords story of coming from nowhere, but he IS injury plagued. Maybe somewhere else he can thrive
Very classy move by the players in remaining on the ice after Saturday’s game to wave a “thank you” to the fans. The team has given me and many of my fellow fans great hope for the future. After a rocky start JD, Checketts, and the organization really have been hitting the right notes lately. We, the long-suffering Blues fans, hope that we will be contenders in 2 or 3 years, as our outstanding group of prospects mature. Big free-agent signings to win “right now” have been tried before and seldom if ever work. Keep growing the franchise from within.