Blues prospect Lars Eller expected to make NHL debut Thursday
Lars Eller said just a few minutes ago that he still doesn’t believe it’s true that he’s been called up by the Blues and he’ll make his NHL debut tomorrow.
“I don’t know how they usually tell people,” Eller said. “(Erik Johnson) just text me and said ‘Congratulations.’ But I haven’t talked to anyone from Blues’ management. I’m actually waiting for that call to make it official.”
It’s not coming. Just pack your bags and get on the road to St. Louis.
Eller had a clue what was happening Wednesday. With Blues center Andy McDonald yet to return to practice after crashing into the boards Saturday, the NHL roster was down to 11 forwards. Eller was told by Peoria coach Davis Payne Wednesday that he was under consideration for his first call up.
“I guess he wouldn’t have said that if something wasn’t going (to happen),” Eller said. “It’s awesome. I haven’t realized it yet and probably won’t until the game (Thursday) is over and I’ve gone through it. But it’s a pretty good feeling right now. I’m a little tense and I’ll probably be a little nervous, but I’ll enjoy it as much as I can. I hope I can be able to play the same way that I’ve been playing down here (in Peoria).”
Eller, the No. 13 overall draft pick in 2007, has three goals and eight assists in 11 games with the Rivermen this season. He has been playing on the team’s top line line with Yan Stastny and Nick Drazenovic.
“I feel like I’ve been playing good,” Eller said. “I’ve been playing on a good line and we really benefit from each other. That’s been a big part of it for me. I try to take as much responsibility down here as I can, and I feel like I’m learning something every day and getting better. It’s really a good choice I made coming to (North America).
“I think the transition went much smoother than I thought it would be. I’ve been surprised at how much fun I’ve had. I feel like I’m’ having fun every game. You hear a lot of bad stories about the (American Hockey League) living in Sweden. But I’m having fun every time out there.”
Eller’s call-up is on an emergency basis, meaning the only way he can play is if Andy McDonald can’t play. McDonald did not practice Wednesday with the team, nor did he skate on his own.
The question will be how the Blues use Eller. He is a top-six forward who projects as a skill player in the NHL. Will the Blues play him on a skill line Thursday against Calgary?
“I hope so,” Eller said. “I’m not in a position to demand anything, but I would hope so.”
Peoria coach Davis Payne on Eller:
“He’s been playing very well. Right from day one, he’s shown a high level of skill and a high level of ability to make plays with puck. He’s an explosive skater, he thinks the game and he’s creative.
“He also has a lot of intangibles. He plays physical, grinds it out in the corners and gets in the way of people. A lot of skill players, it’s easy to recognize their ability, but his intangibles are a bright spot.”
Blues President John Davidson on Eller:
“When you see a young man come over from Europe, you’re not sure how long it will take him to adapt to the smaller ice surface. He could have come to us and asked to play in Sweden another year, but he wanted to get it going here. We knew Peoria would be a stepping stone, but we hoped that he would come with the mindset that he’s coming over and not leaving. Sometimes it takes time and you have to pay the price, but he was willing to do that. There’s others that aren’t willing to do that. We appreciate his attitude.”
JR
Great Job with the updates JR
Play Eller with McClement and Perron.
I like Crombeen but he cannot finish. The last two shutouts it was Crombeen that has had the best scoring chances due to his linemantes but he cannot bury it.
If eller’s being called up on an emergency basis that means no one is sitting out no matter how bad crombeen’s been finishing.
No Sorry
I did not mean Crombeen should sit out.
Just moved for a game off of that line.
I hope he gets play!!! He will turn out to the best of the young Blues forwards drafted in the “bad years”. He should be better than everyone, even Oshie. He actually has more of an upside w/ his offensive skill and size. “”" LETS GO BLUES!!!
I’m excited to see what Eller can do. I don’t expect too much from him on his first game in the NHL, but he should be pretty excited himself. Hopefully that transpires into high energy play on the ice. The Blues are best when they are playing with high energy and good forechecking. I’ll be at the game and I hope the boards are rattling with the bodies of crippl;ing Flames players. LETS GO BLUES!!!!
Oshie Returns Tonight | Eller’s NHL Debut
http://bluenotezone.com/2009/11/05/oshie-returns-tonight-ellers-nhl-debut/
Eller will be on a line with Berglund and Oshie.