Andy Murray is longing for answers regarding Blues’ putrid offense
Reviewing some Blues’ offensive stats today, it’s almost unbelievabe the team has been this bad:
- Blues have scored 50 goals this season, fewest in the NHL.
- In 13 of 21 games this season, the Blues have scored two goals are fewer.
- David Backes hasn’t scored in 16 games and Paul Kariya hasn’t scored in 14 games.
- After scoring 31 goals last year, Backes is on pace for four goals.
- Brad Boyes scored 43 goals two years ago and 33 last year. He is on pace for 17 games this season.
- The Blues have outshot their opponents in 10 of 21 games this season, but have just a .400 winning percentage when outshooting opponents.
- The Blues rank dead last in the league on the power play (12.2 percent).
- The club has 10 power-play goals on 82 opportunities this season.
- The Blues were 4-for-9 in Sweden, which means they are 6-for-73 since returning.
- They had 21 power-play goals on 93 chances at the same point in the sesaon last year.
Here’s Andy Murray after Saturday’s 4-2 loss to Boston:
Andy MurrayOn how the power play can be as bad as it is: ”We’re putting our best personnel that we consider to be our best personnel out on the power play, I think the personnel that everyone in the room here would pick to be on our power play. We expect them to get the job done. We practice it, we work on it . . .”On Blues players being unable to score: “They are and proven scorers on the power play and so on. We have a number of guys that are proven scorers and we need them to be proven scorers.”
Can you get a read on this team? “I can expect an effort every night, which is there for the most part. I’m expecting execution and finish every night. I’m expecting that our goal scorers will scorer. I expect that we’ll get solid goaltending, which we’ve had most nights. I expect good things every time I come to the game. My understanding of the team is that you expect these guys who you count on to get the job done, and I keep expecting that.”
When does it reach a boiling point? “Well, I guess, this is our team. In the National Hockey League, you’ve got what you got. I trust our guys and believe in our guys. Obviously you’re job as a coach is dependent on the guys. If I was here questioning effort, questioning determination, questioning attitude or care, then it’s a real tough situation. It’s tough losing right now, but we’ll come to the game in Dallas with the idea that our guys who are producers will produce for us, our guys that check will check and we’ll get good goaltending, our power play will elevate itself. I mean, it’s difficult for our power play to be good when your top offensive guys are not getting it done for you. Usually it’s a reflection 5 on 5. We can say last year, some guys had some minuses, but they had production, they still had production. And we need that.”
Is the effort there? “From my perspective as the coach, I see these guys every day. I see how they come to work at practice, I see how they come in with a positive from of mind. There’s some guys that are struggling with their game right now in terms of production. I don’t think it’s their effort. That’s why you firmly believe (they’ll get out of it) . . . I have to, it’s my job. . . . if you keep working hard, you’re going to find a way to get it done. It’s almost hard to imagine with some of our offensive players, the shots, the chances we’re getting, that we’re not finishing. We had a couple of opportunities in that second period where we stepped in the middle, off the wall, and didn’t get the shot away quick enough. We work every single day on quick shots, quick release, that kind of thing. It’s not up to me to tell one of those guys, who have scored 30 for 40 goals in this league how to do it. They know how to do it. They need to do it.”
JR
JR, I appreciate the info, but you should really give this a proofread before you post.
Let’s Go Blues!
all murray needs to do is look in the mirror for the answers. murray is the only reason for this “putrid offense”. he is responsible for putting the players on the ice aw well as the system they play. why is that so hard to figure out? how long will blues mngt have to put up with this poor excuse as a coach? the buzz is gone. the hard work is gone. the arena is starting to empty out again. mngt has done so much to let murray just throw it away
Well, explain this…Why was Kariya on the Checking Line if he is a goal scorer. Murray says that “They are and proven scorers on the power play and so on. We have a number of guys that are proven scorers and we need them to be proven scorers.” I would think that a guy who has more points than games played should not be put on the checking line. Is he a checker. No he is a proven goal scorer. Makes no sense some of the move Murray is making. Also who decided to give the C to Brewer because that is not working. We need a leader up front, someone who can score night in and night out, not Boyes who is streaky, or Walt. Who is the future of this team, let them step into their roles. Lets see what we are looking at in the years to come, isn’t that why we got these players. To provide offense, excitement for the fans. The fans want the cup, isn’t that the main goal of this team. By the looks of it Checketts thinks we have what it takes to win that cup. We have the right tools. Not hardly! Think again, go out and get someone who is a leader and someone who can score!!!
The only things I can think of to say are that certain players on the Blues are more worried about playing for an Olympic Team and are saving their energy, either that or we are trying to lose so we can get a better draft pick. Seriously what is wrong with the players. Something needs to give. Quit being a bunch of babies and go out and be aggressive, put the puck in the net or at least on net or close to the net. Crash the goalie and be a man. Sick of hearing excuses, somebody needs to step up. When is it going to happen after the New Year. Get some spirit step into a check, shoot and follow your shot to the net, don’t stop moving your feet. And quit feeling sorry for yourselfs.
THIS IS GETTING UGLY. Murray has now thrown everybody on the team under the bus.
Who will be next?
How will the team respond to Murray’s attempt to deflect criticism about his system and overbearing defensive structure by blaming the players? This may well mark the beginning of the end for the Mur.
However, it becoming ever apparent that JD & CO are nearly as culpable for the make up of the current roster.
When will the media and fans start to question JD?
JD has a track record of over spending for aging veterans whose most productive days are long behind them. Every veteran JD has brought in or signed has been a disappointment. Has JD lost touch with the new NHL game? C
heckett’s needs to let both JD and Murray go.
Her’s where JD and Co are responsible. As a Pres/GM you need to have everyone on the same page. You have for the past 4 years drafted skilled players and offensive defensemen. In order to maximize the talent around you, you need a coach who A) can teach young players, B) Has a system that maximizes the talent of the players on the roster, and C) Shoulders the load so young players can grow and not play in a pressure cooker. Murray does none of the above. It doesn’t mean Murray is a bad coach. It means he is deffinitely the wrong coach for this team. Look at what the Penguins did with a new coach, Phoenix this year as well as Colorado. The Blues will continue to struggle as long as the players strengths continue to clash with the coaches philosophy/system
I heard Walt got in a huge argument with Murray after the game last night. He was fed up with Murray mixing things up. They played a great first, then Murray starts sitting people and double shifting others. Making the guys double shifting almost useless. I also heard that Walt went and talked to JD and Pleau after last nights game in regard to Murray.
I’m no Murray hater, but essentially what I just read was:
“I have no idea how to fix the goal scoring problem. It’s up to the players to figure it out.”
I’m no hockey coach either, but that doesn’t seem like an approach that’s working too well.
MURRAY IS A WALKING CONTRADICTION.
He says “It’s not up to me to tell one of those guys, who have scored 30 for 40 goals in this league how to do it. They know how to do it.”
Really aye? I remember just a week or so ago Murray said something like “he was sick and tired of the all the toe-dragging”.
Murray has publicly admonished players who try to make a play, utilize their skill, and or be creative throughout his tenure as Blues coach.
Murray’s philosophy is always to keep it simple. Hmmm? I wonder why so many players regress and play it so safe.
Now Murray wants to pass the buck for the lack of production.
SHAMELESS.
i really think that murray needs to go..he is a good coach for the old guys but when it comes to young guys he just doesn’t understand them….
y do you think the kings let him go…not because he was a bad coach but because he just couldn’t get their young guys to play HIS WAY