Soldiering On Without Chris Pronger
The Blues did nothing to change their dynamic before the NHL trade deadline. That is disappointing for those fans pining for Chris Pronger’s return, but the Note was better off taking a pass at this point in the team’s development.
To land Pronger, John Davidson and Co. would have had to build a monstrous package. Why do that now?
The regime has been accumulating assets for years. The organization is just starting to build a critical mass of young talent. An overflow is developing on defense, where Roman Polak made great strides this season and Carlo Colaiacovo blossomed after arriving from Toronto in a midseason trade.
So when the summer roles around the Blues are tempted to chase Pronger again, here is what team executives must remember:
Erik johnson will become a solid offensive and defensive cornerstone for this team. He will run the power play and he will eventually play against the top lines.
Alex Pietrangelo has all-star potential, too. He didn’t look out of place this season before heading back to junior hockey. If he hits the weights this summer and comes back ready to stand up to NHL forechecking, he will provide sudden impact.
Polak’s grown was a revelation. His puck-moving skills are strong and he hits more in one game than Pronger hit in a month. The kid is a horse.
Colaiacovo will do just fine on the third defensive pairing and the second power-play unit. He brought skill and gained confidence.
Barret Jackman has finally adapted to the new NHL. He is a borderline Top Four defenseman, but his toughness helps round out the group.
If Eric Brewer returns from his back operation — and if he can play without pain — he, too, will be a candidate for the top four.
Ian Cole may play at Notre Dame for one more year, but he is a blue-chip prospect. He is good with the puckand willing to mix it up in his end of the ice.
Beyond this group, the Blues could move in Jay McKee (if he’s still here), Tyson Strachan, Jeff Woywitka, Steve Wagner, Jonas Junland . . . you get the idea.
If Davidson is eager to package younger players and future commodities for more immediate help, he ought to closely examine all of his options up front first.
This team took an unfair number of injuries on the blue line this season. As a result, coach Andy Murray had to rotate one fill-in after another into the mix. All considering, the unit did pretty good.
The final quarter of this season will allow him to future develop his blue line talent. By June, perhaps it will be even more obivous that this team already has the makings of a dominant defensive unit.
Couldn’t have said it better myself!! We’re building up quite the stockpile of talent, and when the time comes I don’t think another d-man is what we need, we need some more scoring punch up front. If you want to put together a package of guys to give away, give Atlanta a call and see what it’ll take to pry Koulvachuk (sp) away, not an almost over the hill defenseman.
thanks jeff,,remembering the keenan years all to well,you hit the nail on the head!
I take serious issue with your prior comment that Pronger is in the “twilight” of his career. I think that’s an irresponsible statement. How many cup winning teams of recent years picked up or used defensemen who were in their “twilight” — Borque, Stevens, Blake, etc. Defensemen are naturally in their prime in their early to mid 30’s. If you don’t think Pronger was worth an exchange of the required assets, that’s one thing; but the suggestion that Pronger is not an elite defenseman in his prime shows, to me, a lack of hockey knowledge.
The problem is, we’re not a cup winning/contending team, nor will be be for a year or two yet. Of all the guys you mention, would you rather have them on your team when they’re 25 or 35? I’m not saying they’re washed up at that age, but their best hockey is behind them and they’re certainly not worth trading the farm just to get them.
Gordo,
A little proofreading please.
Adam, why do you have to be a donkey? Over 35 in any sport except maybe golf or Nascar is the twilight of ones career. I personally respect Gordo’s lack of hockey knowledge over a rude tool bag like yours. So get your own blog online that no one will read and post your own info. I for one appreciate the article and ask Gordo to ignore your comment for it does not reflect everyone’s opinion.
Jonny, your a tool for calling some other poster a tool. Disagree with him all you want, but leave the toddler temper tantrum at home.
I agree that Pronger is not in the “twilight” of his career, but Gordo is right that we were better off not making that trade. We have plenty of defensemen…in fact we are literally crawling with d-men in the organization. We don’t need Pronger because we aren’t going to win the Cup this year anyway…stick with the long term plan. Develop those kids and, if and when it is right, get a scorer.
The Blues have stuck to the plan very nicely, and the payoff is coming soon my fellow Note followers…
Hey Jeff, thanks for all the great articles during the trade deadline………..I have to point out though, you’re a little too kind referring to Jackman as a borderline Top 4 defenseman. He’s a number 5 all the way. I’m still trying to recuperate from JD’s blunders last year when he passed up a 3rd round pick for Salvadore, and traded him for Janssen, and then proceeded to sign Jackman to a hugh contract. 2 moves the Blues didn’t need. Jackman is very replaceable and should of been dealt and picking up Janssen was a cheesey move just because he’s a St. Louis kid. Derek King brings more to this hockey club than Janssen does and fortunately for the Blues King was hurt this year and it made Andy Murray’s job easier in getting Janssen his playing time……….but still, I cringe when I think about those moves last year………and now JD is thinking about trading Assets??????? Give me a break, Kekalainen’s picks in Ottawa helped build a powerhouse team over there for a number of years. Can’t we give Kek’s picks a chance first and see what we got?………..anyway, thanks for all the articles - have a nice day!
Adam,
You said:
If you don’t think Pronger was worth an exchange of the required assets, that’s one thing; but the suggestion that Pronger is not an elite defenseman in his prime shows, to me, a lack of hockey knowledge.
Be careful what you write…Let’s compare…
Pronger’s 34 and will turn 35 in October. He hasn’t played 80 games in a season since 2005 when he was with Edmonton. His shot percentage is the lowest its been since he was a Blue in 2003-04. He’s a -1 in +/- and had been a plus since his first season in Anaheim when he played 66 games and was +27.
Bourque, at the same age, scored 91 points in 72 games (7 more than Pronger has played this season) and was +26. At age 40, Bourque played in 80 games and scored 59 points and was +25.
I would say hockey guy is accurate in his assessment. The Blues do not need another guy on the decline at high dollars..not at this stage. If he stays healthy, Pronger is still a solid top 4 defenseman on the majority of NHL teams but his days as a #1 are long gone.
Barrett Jackman has a LONG ways to go to be a top 4 defenseman. He was better his first year here that he is now. He’s forgotten that defenseman can AND SHOULD put the puck on the net. He’s forgotten how to stand up at the blue line, and he’s forgotten that passes up the middle must be elevated ABOVE the head or you will be picked off and embarrassed.