Future Of Blues Looks Brighter and Brighter
The Blues are taking a look at still another piece of their exciting future.
The franchise managed to import Finnish prospect Jori Lehtera to Peoria, even though Lehtera was working under a three-year contract with Tappara Tampere. Officially, Lehtera signed a 25-game AHL tryout contract to join the Rivermen.
The Blues made him the 65th overall pick in the 2008 draft. He is a rangy (6-foot-2, 195-pound) playmaker who dished 38 assists to go with nine games in 58 games in Finland this season.
Lehtera, who turned 21 earlier this season, has high-end offensive skills. But he needed to improve and strength and defensive work before playing pro hockey on this side of the Atlantic.
He has one more left on his Finnish deal and seems likely to return there next season – unless the Blues can work a deal. Either way, this early taste of North American hockey can only help him.
ROLLIE THE GOALIE
Oilers goaltender Dwayne Roloson turns 40 later this season. His contract is up after this season, but he doesn’t appear to be running on empty.
Tuesday night he made his 25th consecutive start for the Oilers. Twenty-five in a row!
Like Chris Mason, he won’t get a break until he gets hurt, totally blows up in goal or his team falls from contention.
For a guy who once languished for a whole season in Worcester – serving as an unneeded No. 3 netminder for the Blues – he has been quite a hero this season. It’ll be interesting to see if he wants to play another season or two..
AROUND THE RINKS: Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller has resumed skating and he hopes to return for a few regular season games. He is recovering from a high ankle sprain and Old Friend Patrick Lalime is trying to hold the fort in his absence. Lalime started nine consecutive games until giving way to Mikael Tellqvist Tuesday night . . . Flames coach Mike Keenan likes his No. 1 goaltender to start every single game. That may explain why Miikka Kirprusoff has allowed 19 goals in his past four games . . . New Oilers winger Ales Kotalik didn’t score a goal during his first five games since coming over from Buffalo . . . Edmonton winger Dustin Penner continues to underwhelm his bosses, triggering speculation that he could get a buyout after this season. He ranks as one of the all-time great free-agent busts..
Jeff, that is AWESOME news about Lehtera coming over here. I hope he impresses the Blues to warrant a contract here for good. I want to see an infusion of more European skill on this team. If these guys pan out, I really think the Blues will be so good, that this will be the best Era of Blues hockey yet. It’s very exciting. I hope JD gives these kids a chance, in a couple more years the picture will get a lot more clearer and in the meantime the Blues are currently a playoff contender. You can’t beat what the Blues got right now, things are looking very good, I hope JD restrains himself from doing something foolish.