I know a lot of you are scratching your heads about the trade of Bryce Salvador to New Jersey for feisty forward - and St. Louisan - Cam Janssen. I’m going to hold off judgement until this afternoon when we talk to JD and find out the details of the Blues’ efforts to re-sign Salvador and what was available on the trade market.
In the meantime, Salvador is going to a playoff contender and the Blues are getting a player who really wants to be here. I’ve been told that Janssen was stoked when he heard the news that he was coming home to St. Louis. He is regarded as the first St. Louisan to make it to the NHL (not counting Pat LaFontaine, who left when he was 5).
Here’s what Blues players had to say this morning about the trade:
Eric Brewer
On the trade:
“It’s a real tough loss . . . huge loss. We’ve played together for two years and got along on and off the ice. Just a real great guy, great teammate, great family guy. We lost a good family today.”
On being reminded that the NHL is a business:
“It’s part of it. Most of us have been traded at some point. You have to deal with it and just kind of know that that’s the existence we’re in. Just kind of carry on and we’ve got games to win.”
On Cam Janssen:
“I don’t really know much about him to be honest with you. I know he’s a real physical up-and-down winger.”
On missing Salvador:
“He’s been here for a long time. He’s done a lot of good things for the team. He’s done a lot of good things off the ice here as well. I really enjoyed the three years that we played together and the two years as partners.”
Keith Tkachuk
On losing Salvador:
“It’s one of those things that you knew they were going to make a move with someone. Unfortunately, it was the classiest person I’ve ever played with . . . Bryce Salvador. He’s a guy that you never had to worry about. He’s going to put it on the line every time he steps on the ice. I think Jersey is getting a solid player and a solid person. I played with him for a long time now and you won’t find a nicer person than Bryce Salvador. I think he’ll fit well with the NJ organization. They’re going to be very pleased with the guy they’re getting.”
On Cam Janssen:
“I don’t know much about him, but I know he’s the type of guy that leaves it on the ice every single time he steps on it. He’ll stick up for his teammates. He’s built a good reputation in the National Hockey League. He’ll do whatever it takes to stay in the lineup.”
On moving forward:
“We traded Bryce, but we know what we have to do. We have to go out and try to win a hockey game tonight and get back into it.”
Jamal Mayers
On hearing about the trade of his close friend, Salvador:
“I think you’re just shocked originally. Disappointed that they couldn’t get something done, but I certainly understand the business. I’m happy for him. He’s going to a great team. He’s going to get opportunities. It’s all positive for him.”
On what the two talked about:
“I told him I’ll be text-messaging and keeping in touch. Just asked him if April needed anything to let me know. He’ll be on a plane this afternoon. That’s how it works.”
On being happy that Salvador is going to a playoff team:
“Yeah, I mean, glad he’s going to the East so I don’t have to play against him. I’m happy for him.”
D.J. King
On Cam Janssen:
“He’s a local boy, so when I come down here early in August, I see him at the rink. I played against him in the Memorial Cup a few years ago. That’s about it. I talked to him a few times. Obviously I know what style of player he is. He’s the same style player as me. Just gets in the forecheck and bangs around. He’s a tough guy too.”
On fighting Janssen in the past:
“I think I’ve fought him four times in my career so far. He’s always up for a good battle, that’s for sure.”
On how he fared against Janssen:
“Pretty well I guess. They’re all good battles. I’m not going to say I beat him up, but they were good fights. He’s one tough customer.”
On King and Janssen possibly being in the lineup together:
“We’ll have to wait and see what happens. I’m not sure if he’s healthy right now. We both can’t change our games. I’m sure it’s going to be the same thing out there. Just go around and bang and bang. We’re both the same style player, so I’m sure (like with) Chase and Twist . . . it’s going to be the same thing.”
On his thoughts about having two enforcers:
“I think it’s going to probably bring a lot more out of both of us because we’re both going to be competing for a spot in the lineup every night. We’ve both got the same role pretty much and they’re probably only going to put one of us in there. It’s going to create competition between both of us and we’re going to work that much harder. It’s not that I was comfortable already, but just knowing that fact – there’s two of us here – we’ve got to work that much harder.”
JR