Blues Fans and Experts, Please Weigh In

[Samuwry7]

I have cursory knowledge of the budding prospects in the Blues organization; to me, the Blues are a team on the move, both in the league and in collecting. Having a seemingly more solid goaltender in Chris Mason will help everyone's numbers, I think.

Can some of you Blues fans explain in depth to me the playing style of each of these players and how fast/ what you expect their development to be.

Erik Johnson-- Offensive defenseman, right? But he wasn't producing superbly right out the gate... is this the guy to take over on the powerplay, and in big situations, or will he need some maturing?

TJ Oshie-- Small, quick, highly touted hobby-wise. Another St. Louis? How many years away is a 70 pt season from him?

David Backes-- This is the guy that interests me the most. He seems to be EVERYWHERE out there. He seems to be usuable in every situation, has decent hands and some speed. Do you think he will show further growth or settle in as a 60 pt type scorer?

Berglund-- This guy is going to be a star. Anybody got Maxim Afiniiganov-like doubts about him?

Pietrangelo-- Is this guy still really far from being an impact player?

I know the basics, so I appreciate if the responses could at least somewhat elaborate.

[stlfan78]

I have cursory knowledge of the budding prospects in the Blues organization; to me, the Blues are a team on the move, both in the league and in collecting. Having a seemingly more solid goaltender in Chris Mason will help everyone's numbers, I think.

Can some of you Blues fans explain in depth to me the playing style of each of these players and how fast/ what you expect their development to be.

Erik Johnson-- Offensive defenseman, right? But he wasn't producing superbly right out the gate... is this the guy to take over on the powerplay, and in big situations, or will he need some maturing?

Next year, hoping his knee is fully healed, he will be a top 4 d man on the team. Will probably see alot of PP unit #1 time as well.

TJ Oshie-- Small, quick, highly touted hobby-wise. Another St. Louis? How many years away is a 70 pt season from him?

I see Oshie producing in the 60-70 point range in the next season or two as his offense catches up with his sheer energy. Especially if the are able to keep him and Perron and Berglund together. GREAT CHEMISTRY!!

David Backes-- This is the guy that interests me the most. He seems to be EVERYWHERE out there. He seems to be usuable in every situation, has decent hands and some speed. Do you think he will show further growth or settle in as a 60 pt type scorer?

For Backes, I see his as a bit of a question mark. Has all the making of a good power forward, but will have to see with the playoffs how he continues.

Berglund-- This guy is going to be a star. Anybody got Maxim Afiniiganov-like doubts about him?

Berglund plays at both ends of the ice, and if I am not mistaken lead the blues in plus/minus at +22 or so. Potential 80-100 point guy I think.


Pietrangelo-- Is this guy still really far from being an impact player?

I believe he will be on the starting roster next year. He did make a good impression from what I hear in the first 8 games of the season he played in. I don't think he had fully recovered from mono that he had during the off season though.

I know the basics, so I appreciate if the responses could at least somewhat elaborate.

Points stated.

[Portis]

Having watched Pietrangelo for the last two seasons in the "O" I can say with confidence that as of this moment he is not ready for the NHL.

Don't get me wrong, he had an amazing season last year, but this year since returning from the World Junior's he has not been the same player. I'm not sure if he's just tired or what, but he didn't put the numbers up offensively and his defensive game still has a bunch of holes.

Since coming back from the WJC's he said he was focusing on working on his defensive game (which is good) but he still has a long way to go. One minute he will make an amazing play and show flashes of brilliance but then the next he'll make a really bad play on the defensive side.

There is no doubt Alex is a very gifted hockey player and he will definitely make an impact in the NHL when he reaches there, i just don't think he's ready at the moment. Hopefully being called up to the AHL for the rest of the season will help, but i think more so the rest in the offseason will. We'll see what sort of impact he makes at the Blues camp next season and who knows ?

Also Alex needs to keep his temper in check, there is no doubt he's extremely passionate about the game and I love the kid to death for it, he just sometimes snaps and gets a little too angry out there. Case in point his stick throwing incident at the end of game 5 of the Bellville/Niagara playoff game last week.

[stlfan78]

Wow. Stick throwing incident. Didnt hear about that down here.

[OsgoodnMason]

dude chris mason is better than bishop and bishop doesnt even have a future as number 1 unless he gets way quicker and not as aggresive when he challenges the shooters

[Nashrules]

dude chris mason is better than bishop and bishop doesnt even have a future as number 1 unless he gets way quicker and not as aggresive when he challenges the shooters

Hes young, hes at the point where they get stronger post to post and experience is where they learn about challenging shooters.

Plus the guy is just an absolute beast.

[13paveldatsyuk13]

oshie looks decent, he should be fine to invest in for blues collectors
Berglund will be the teams monster, swedes are dependable point producers and most have longevity to boot.

[cnshockey]

dude chris mason is better than bishop and bishop doesnt even have a future as number 1 unless he gets way quicker and not as aggresive when he challenges the shooters

question. have you played goalie before?

IMO bishop will have a future number one job in STL. Hes a big kid, is young, and has loads of potential. You think any young goalie is perfect? everyone has something to work on

[SkidSTL]

I have cursory knowledge of the budding prospects in the Blues organization; to me, the Blues are a team on the move, both in the league and in collecting. Having a seemingly more solid goaltender in Chris Mason will help everyone's numbers, I think.

- now that the Blues have returned to being a competetive team, and the ownership has regained the trust of the fans, expect an uptick in collecting from STL. I've already noticed a huge difference here in competition for cards in the last 3 months.

Can some of you Blues fans explain in depth to me the playing style of each of these players and how fast/ what you expect their development to be.

Erik Johnson-- Offensive defenseman, right? But he wasn't producing superbly right out the gate... is this the guy to take over on the powerplay, and in big situations, or will he need some maturing?

- Johnson was coming on during the second half of his rookie season. A bigger role was expected from him this year, unfortunately his season ended before it began. He was expected to QB the PP, but his defensive game had turned on as well. Top 4 for sure - assuming no set-backs from his knee injury.

TJ Oshie-- Small, quick, highly touted hobby-wise. Another St. Louis? How many years away is a 70 pt season from him?

- Oshie could run for mayor of STL right now lol! VERY exciting to watch! Power play, penalty kill, 5 on 5, 4 on 4 - he plays in most situations. He reminds me of a young Jeremy Roenick; deceptively small, skates well, good hands, great eyes on the ice - sees how the play is developing and makes things happen. Let's face it he loves to hit and is hard to knock off the puck - just ask Nash lol! OK, enough of my man-crush! He's a year or two away from consistent 70's.

David Backes-- This is the guy that interests me the most. He seems to be EVERYWHERE out there. He seems to be usuable in every situation, has decent hands and some speed. Do you think he will show further growth or settle in as a 60 pt type scorer?

- Backes is Captain material. He leads by example. He is usable in every situation. He seems to be a late-developing power forward (lol he's about to turn 25). Rumor has it that he's been playing injured for the last few months. I don't think we've seen his best yet, but if he "settles" into the player he has become this year, I'll be happy! (BTW - I'm player collecting Backes so hit me up with your Backes!)

Berglund-- This guy is going to be a star. Anybody got Maxim Afiniiganov-like doubts about him?

- Bergie is going to be awesome! That line (Oshie-Bergie-Perron) is awesome! He's finally getting a little swagger. The chemistry he has with Oshie is amazing - always seems to find him. Top 2 center - possibly #1 in the near future.

Pietrangelo-- Is this guy still really far from being an impact player?

- He is probably a little way off from making a big impact, but the Blues can afford not to rush his progress. He showed some flashes in his short time here, but he didn't looky ready - a boy with men cliche type of thing. He'll make it some day, sooner than later - I hope!

I know the basics, so I appreciate if the responses could at least somewhat elaborate.

Hope the comments were helpfull!
Thanks!
Sean D.

[doniceage]

Andrew,
I think you have a great grasp of it in your initial write up. NICE!!

Don