06.29.2009 2:05 pm
St. Louis Blues buy out Jay McKee’s final year
NEWS COMING IN FROM JEREMY RUTHERFORD:
The Blues today bought out the final year of defenseman Jay McKee’s contract. McKee was due to make $4 million for the 2009-10 season, completing a four-year, $16 million contract he signed in 2006.
“I was at the gym and missed some calls,” McKee said. “I saw my agent and (Blues general manager) Larry Pleau called, so I assumed something was up. It’s not something I expected, especially after my most productive season in St. Louis. But I understand they had a decision to make and I was one of them . . .
“The bottom line is, I didn’t fit in their depth chart and my salary was probably a hindrance to their payroll,” McKee added. “They have their reasons and I accept that.”
The Blues will responsible for two-thirds of the $4 million, payable over a two-year period.
McKee, 31, becomes an unrestricted free agent and will be free to sign with any team when the free-agent period in the NHL opens Wednesday.
McKee, who is best known for his shot-blocking ability, played in 158 games over three seasons for the Blues from 2006-09, recording three goals and 14 assists. He had a combined plus-minus rating of plus-4 during that time.
“We’re just moving forward,” Blues President John Davidson said. “You can’t keep everybody. Sometimes you have to make room for others. We felt that this frees us up to do other things. As you evolve, a lot of people make a little money, and you’ve got budgets. We’re looking into the market-place and still trying to improve our team. It’s no more than that.
“But Jay was a good pro for us. It was very unfortunate his first two years with the injuries. This past season was the best he played for us.”
Sources have told that the Post-Dispatch that the Blues are in the process of re-signing defenseman Mike Weaver.
JR
Weaver is inexperienced? Since when?
If you wanted to talk about the inexperience of Johnson or Pietrangelo, sure. But Weaver? He’s a veteran of this league and a quality back end d-man.
Hopefully Jackman will be the next to go.
I have to say I would have rather seen the Blues buy out Brewer. At least they know Mckee is not currently injured. Also Mckee can block shots, just another thing that Brewer couldnt do. Maybe we can trade Brewer for a couple of first rounders to Philly, after all they way overpaind for Pronger so lets see if we can get them to do it for Brewer.
McKee’s a Bum.
For his size he doesn’t really hit and constantly gets out leveraged by smaller forwards in the corner.
-He is a minus skater, possibly the worst in the league.
- He’s a minus passer, and rarely shows good vision on the ice.
- He has a minus shot, both with respect to power and accuracy.
- Besides blocking shots I don’t know what this guy does.
I give JD & company credit for cutting their losses. Basically, McKee is a relic of the old NHL. A one dimensional player who without all the clutching a grabbing finds himself lost on the ice, b/c he can’t skate. He just doesn’t have enough skill to move the puck up the ice, or to get up ice for that matter. He doesn’t play with edge or show much intensity. If you want to get consistent scoring out of your third or fourth lines you can’t force them to play with a one dimensional player, such a McKee…
Mike Z, you beat me to it. I too hope Jackman goes next. What a bum! John D, use this McKee money to get some stick handling and scoring from our D-line this summer PLEASE! Let’s not have another year of watching Jackman and his gator arms with the puck.
It’s funny how everyone thought McKee was a great signing 3 years ago! How the times have changed.
This is a money thing. Plain and simple.
As Mike Z said I hope Jackman is the next to go. But we couldn’t be so lucky now could we!