The involvement of Blues chairman Dave Checketts as an investor in Matthew Hulsizer's bid to buy the hockey team won't change despite a report by Bloomberg on Monday that Checketts soon might be employed by Legends Management LLC.
According to Bloomberg, Checketts is in advanced talks to become the CEO of Legends, a concessions, merchandising and management-services company owned by the New York Yankees, Dallas Cowboys and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. Legends provides concessions to Yankee Stadium and Cowboys Stadium.
A private-equity fund established by Checketts is expected to acquire a 16 percent stake in Legends, a stake previously owned by CIC Partners. Meanwhile, Checketts' fund, which includes local investors, according to a source, will continue with its plan to buy a 30 percent stake in the Blues if a sale to Hulsizer is completed.
The NHL has issued a Dec. 31 deadline for a deal to be consummated between the Blues and Hulsizer. Sources have indicated that the two sides have an agreement in place and are awaiting bank approval on financing. An announcement might come within the next two weeks.
Blues minority owner Tom Stillman isn't expected to have a significant interest in the club if Hulsizer's deal is completed. Stillman, however, remains head of a local group of investors ready to buy the team if there are complications in the sale to Hulsizer.
TIME OFF
The Blues have played 29 games, which is the third most in the NHL this season. They have played 16 games in 34 days since Ken Hitchcock took over Nov. 6.
So with four days before the Blues play the New York Rangers on Thursday at Scottrade Center, Hitchcock gave the players off Sunday, and they will be off again today.
"We needed a break, just mentally," Hitchcock said. "When you're playing every second day, it feels like you're in a playoff series. So for us, rest and work, the combination has been good. ... The mental break has been good for the players. We'll see how we respond on Thursday."
Blues forward Chris Stewart said that he doesn't remember being on a team that had two days off in a three-day span.
"It's nice to get a little break in the schedule," Stewart said. "It's been pretty hectic the last month or so ... a lot of stuff going on, and we've been playing a lot of games. It shows a lot of respect ... a veteran coach, we're winning hockey games here, get a couple of practices in before Thursday and we'll be ready."
SOBOTKA INJURED
Blues forward Vladimir Sobotka was hit near the left ankle with a shot in practice Monday and left the St. Louis Mills practice facility wearing a boot and walking on crutches. Sobotka was scheduled for further testing to evaluate the injury, and an update is expected today.
Sobotka has been one of the Blues' best all-around players this season with two goals, 10 points and a plus-9 rating.
D'AGOSTINI SITS OUT
Blues forward Matt D'Agostini didn't practice Monday, following the NHL's protocol for a player who might have suffered a concussion. D'Agostini was involved in a collision near center ice in the second period of the Blues' 1-0 win over San Jose on Saturday. He was tested for a concussion that night and didn't return to the game.
"He's going to skate hard (today) and then join us for practice on Wednesday … that's the plan right now," Hitchcock said. "When you pull him out, you've got to follow protocol, so we're following protocol."
