Tracking the Improbable...

[TC]

look, i completely understand the frustration - for the first time in quite awhile, we have new ownership that knows what they are doing. we also have the luxury of having sucked for the first (almost) half of the season, thereby leading most casual fans to believe this will be another tanked season. this enables new ownership to trade overpaid, underperforming guys without experiencing the Pronger-esque backlash; people expected this team to have a fire sale. the "we are in a rebuilding phase" has been hammered into everyone's head from the beginning of the season. now is the time, on the cusp of many players' looming free agency, to finally get some return for guys that have not performed up to expectations over the year(s) in hopes that next year we will be a younger, hungry competing team.

i get all that.

however, lucky for us, the game is played on the ice, not on paper. the beginning of the season dug the hole we're climbing out of, sure, but other than that it's history and nothing more. this is a completely different team under the direction of murray, for whatever reason. after this many games, the "newness" should have worn off and we should have begun failing again, like chicago. but, we haven't. this is not just "new p*ssy" hockey - we're past that. this is a team demonstrating that they are 100% behind their new coach and have completely bought into his system. they believe in themselves and have demonstrated that every time they step onto the ice, they think they can win. this is the type of team i hoped we would see this season, and it's finally here. if this team plays their way into the playoffs, they DAMN well deserve to be there. we have seen several 8-seeds take home hardware over the years, and we, as avid hockey fans, should know that anything is possible on the ice. key injuries, lucky bounces - so many factors play into winning. after the last several years of mediocrity or less hockey, how can any Blues fan not want this to happen?

but as i said, i do understand the concern of getting nothing in return for some of these guys, and i also understand that we will probably not be able to afford everyone if for some crazy reason we actually wanted the exact same team next season. so yeah, i'd like to see some traded - rucinsky, the playoff-flop KT, maybe one or two others, like a D (one of our depth strengths). but for a franchise that has been losing money like there was a hole in their wallet the last several years, every single playoff game is vital, if it can happen.

all of these factors taken into consideration, and after watching/listening to checkettes and JD talk in the media over the course of this year, i have complete faith that our current management/ownership also is taking these things into consideration and knows what they are doing. they have demonstrated nothing less this year - keeping kitchen on and giving him another chance was the honorable thing to do. when it failed, they did something about it. every other choice has been spot-on, it's just too bad McKee can't stay healthy.

i see both points of view, but i also realize that i don't run this team. because both positions make sense in their own way, i will sit back and trust our management to do the right thing at the right time for this team, and i will enjoy every very spirited game, which is something i haven't seen for years around here. if i were to predict what might happen, i'd say this roster won't be the same after the trade deadline - the market is just too much of a seller's market to pass this up, especially given our number of soon-to-be UFAs. but i also don't think that both options (being sellers or going for the playoffs) have to necessarily be mutually exclusive.

this is going to be an exciting finish to a very promising year.

[Tezmyster]

look, i completely understand the frustration - for the first time in quite awhile, we have new ownership that knows what they are doing. we also have the luxury of having sucked for the first (almost) half of the season, thereby leading most casual fans to believe this will be another tanked season. this enables new ownership to trade overpaid, underperforming guys without experiencing the Pronger-esque backlash; people expected this team to have a fire sale. the "we are in a rebuilding phase" has been hammered into everyone's head from the beginning of the season. now is the time, on the cusp of many players' looming free agency, to finally get some return for guys that have not performed up to expectations over the year(s) in hopes that next year we will be a younger, hungry competing team.

i get all that.

however, lucky for us, the game is played on the ice, not on paper. the beginning of the season dug the hole we're climbing out of, sure, but other than that it's history and nothing more. this is a completely different team under the direction of murray, for whatever reason. after this many games, the "newness" should have worn off and we should have begun failing again, like chicago. but, we haven't. this is not just "new p*ssy" hockey - we're past that. this is a team demonstrating that they are 100% behind their new coach and have completely bought into his system. they believe in themselves and have demonstrated that every time they step onto the ice, they think they can win. this is the type of team i hoped we would see this season, and it's finally here. if this team plays their way into the playoffs, they DAMN well deserve to be there. we have seen several 8-seeds take home hardware over the years, and we, as avid hockey fans, should know that anything is possible on the ice. key injuries, lucky bounces - so many factors play into winning. after the last several years of mediocrity or less hockey, how can any Blues fan not want this to happen?

but as i said, i do understand the concern of getting nothing in return for some of these guys, and i also understand that we will probably not be able to afford everyone if for some crazy reason we actually wanted the exact same team next season. so yeah, i'd like to see some traded - rucinsky, the playoff-flop KT, maybe one or two others, like a D (one of our depth strengths). but for a franchise that has been losing money like there was a hole in their wallet the last several years, every single playoff game is vital, if it can happen.

all of these factors taken into consideration, and after watching/listening to checkettes and JD talk in the media over the course of this year, i have complete faith that our current management/ownership also is taking these things into consideration and knows what they are doing. they have demonstrated nothing less this year - keeping kitchen on and giving him another chance was the honorable thing to do. when it failed, they did something about it. every other choice has been spot-on, it's just too bad McKee can't stay healthy.

i see both points of view, but i also realize that i don't run this team. because both positions make sense in their own way, i will sit back and trust our management to do the right thing at the right time for this team, and i will enjoy every very spirited game, which is something i haven't seen for years around here. if i were to predict what might happen, i'd say this roster won't be the same after the trade deadline - the market is just too much of a seller's market to pass this up, especially given our number of soon-to-be UFAs. but i also don't think that both options (being sellers or going for the playoffs) have to necessarily be mutually exclusive.

this is going to be an exciting finish to a very promising year.

[Hollywood]

I see you're fighting the good fight over here BBZ, but the delusion runs rampant on this board too. Sad, you'd think they'd know better.

Building for the future by trading the UFA's and spare parts > two home playoff games.

Welcome to LGB ... now that the formalities are out the way, what you just said is hinting on you being a tool. I don't think there would be too many people here who would argue that offloading some UFA's come the trade deadline would be a bad thing. But I think you would find people here arguing that not making the playoffs would be a good thing, the best thing right now for this team would be to win some games make the 8 and go from there. Win or lose in the playoffs is not really relevant as the fact that the team gets there will put more bums on seats which is one of the things this franchise needs right now. Player building for the future is one thing, but it's no good if no one turns up while you're doing that player building.

I'm gonna sit back and enjoy this.

[cprice12]

A two game losing streak was all it took.

Called that.

It wasn't just losing a couple games.
One of those games was to a team we needed to catch.
Huge difference between being 6 pts. out with a game in hand and 10 pts. out with a game in hand.
You can lose to teams like Nashville...but losing to Minnesota hurt.

Last night's loss made it significantly harder to make the playoffs, mainly because of the short time we have to do it.

[Celtic]

I see you're fighting the good fight over here BBZ, but the delusion runs rampant on this board too. Sad, you'd think they'd know better.

Building for the future by trading the UFA's and spare parts > two home playoff games.

Welcome to LGB ... now that the formalities are out the way, what you just said is hinting on you being a tool. I don't think there would be too many people here who would argue that offloading some UFA's come the trade deadline would be a bad thing. But I think you would find people here arguing that not making the playoffs would be a good thing, the best thing right now for this team would be to win some games make the 8 and go from there. Win or lose in the playoffs is not really relevant as the fact that the team gets there will put more bums on seats which is one of the things this franchise needs right now. Player building for the future is one thing, but it's no good if no one turns up while you're doing that player building.

Nice. Being called a tool from a f*cking convict. I stayed away from this forum because stupid a$$ kool aide drinkers such as you. The first response I get upholds every bad thing said about this place. Some things never change. I can guess what you're position is on the organ. (Mouth first, but I digress)

I'll trust JD and Dave to do the right thing and build for the future and I'll leave d*uchebags like yourself to wail from the $8 seats while wearing your custom made Obsut sweater.

Look up the story of the old bull. You may learn something. Until then, please be quiet while the grown ups are talking.

[Celtic]

I see you're fighting the good fight over here BBZ, but the delusion runs rampant on this board too. Sad, you'd think they'd know better.

Building for the future by trading the UFA's and spare parts > two home playoff games.

Welcome to LGB ... now that the formalities are out the way, what you just said is hinting on you being a tool. I don't think there would be too many people here who would argue that offloading some UFA's come the trade deadline would be a bad thing. But I think you would find people here arguing that not making the playoffs would be a good thing, the best thing right now for this team would be to win some games make the 8 and go from there. Win or lose in the playoffs is not really relevant as the fact that the team gets there will put more bums on seats which is one of the things this franchise needs right now. Player building for the future is one thing, but it's no good if no one turns up while you're doing that player building.

I'm gonna sit back and enjoy this.

Can you believe that? :D

[Hollywood]

I see you're fighting the good fight over here BBZ, but the delusion runs rampant on this board too. Sad, you'd think they'd know better.

Building for the future by trading the UFA's and spare parts > two home playoff games.

Welcome to LGB ... now that the formalities are out the way, what you just said is hinting on you being a tool. I don't think there would be too many people here who would argue that offloading some UFA's come the trade deadline would be a bad thing. But I think you would find people here arguing that not making the playoffs would be a good thing, the best thing right now for this team would be to win some games make the 8 and go from there. Win or lose in the playoffs is not really relevant as the fact that the team gets there will put more bums on seats which is one of the things this franchise needs right now. Player building for the future is one thing, but it's no good if no one turns up while you're doing that player building.

I'm gonna sit back and enjoy this.

Can you believe that? :D

You certainly did not disappoint!

[cprice12]

I see you're fighting the good fight over here BBZ, but the delusion runs rampant on this board too. Sad, you'd think they'd know better.

Building for the future by trading the UFA's and spare parts > two home playoff games.

Welcome to LGB ... now that the formalities are out the way, what you just said is hinting on you being a tool. I don't think there would be too many people here who would argue that offloading some UFA's come the trade deadline would be a bad thing. But I think you would find people here arguing that not making the playoffs would be a good thing, the best thing right now for this team would be to win some games make the 8 and go from there. Win or lose in the playoffs is not really relevant as the fact that the team gets there will put more bums on seats which is one of the things this franchise needs right now. Player building for the future is one thing, but it's no good if no one turns up while you're doing that player building.

All I am going to say it this...
Halfway through the 3rd period of the Wednesday Wonder...I went to Kohl's with my wife because I thought the game was over.

I learned a pretty good lesson that day.

[Tezmyster]

I see you're fighting the good fight over here BBZ, but the delusion runs rampant on this board too. Sad, you'd think they'd know better.

Building for the future by trading the UFA's and spare parts > two home playoff games.

Welcome to LGB ... now that the formalities are out the way, what you just said is hinting on you being a tool. I don't think there would be too many people here who would argue that offloading some UFA's come the trade deadline would be a bad thing. But I think you would find people here arguing that not making the playoffs would be a good thing, the best thing right now for this team would be to win some games make the 8 and go from there. Win or lose in the playoffs is not really relevant as the fact that the team gets there will put more bums on seats which is one of the things this franchise needs right now. Player building for the future is one thing, but it's no good if no one turns up while you're doing that player building.

Nice. Being called a tool from a f*cking convict. I stayed away from this forum because stupid a$$ kool aide drinkers such as you. The first response I get upholds every bad thing said about this place. Some things never change. I can guess what you're position is on the organ. (Mouth first, but I digress)

I'll trust JD and Dave to do the right thing and build for the future and I'll leave d*uchebags like yourself to wail from the $8 seats while wearing your custom made Obsut sweater.

Look up the story of the old bull. You may learn something. Until then, please be quiet while the grown ups are talking.

Oh lordy, calling me a convict, how original ... not.

You do know you're just changed your tune and agreed with me right? First off you said trading UFA's would be the way to go and anyone who thought otherwise was delusional, now you're saying you'll leave it to JD and DC to do the right thing whether they trade them or not. Make up your mind, do you want the UFA's to be trade or not? It's pretty hard to start to debate something with someone who has a foot on both sides of the fence.

[Hollywood]

Oh lordy, calling me a convict, how original ... not.

The irony of that statement is killing me.

[cprice12]

I see you're fighting the good fight over here BBZ, but the delusion runs rampant on this board too. Sad, you'd think they'd know better.

Building for the future by trading the UFA's and spare parts > two home playoff games.

Welcome to LGB ... now that the formalities are out the way, what you just said is hinting on you being a tool. I don't think there would be too many people here who would argue that offloading some UFA's come the trade deadline would be a bad thing. But I think you would find people here arguing that not making the playoffs would be a good thing, the best thing right now for this team would be to win some games make the 8 and go from there. Win or lose in the playoffs is not really relevant as the fact that the team gets there will put more bums on seats which is one of the things this franchise needs right now. Player building for the future is one thing, but it's no good if no one turns up while you're doing that player building.

Nice. Being called a tool from a f*cking convict. I stayed away from this forum because stupid a$$ kool aide drinkers such as you. The first response I get upholds every bad thing said about this place. Some things never change. I can guess what you're position is on the organ. (Mouth first, but I digress)

I'll trust JD and Dave to do the right thing and build for the future and I'll leave d*uchebags like yourself to wail from the $8 seats while wearing your custom made Obsut sweater.

Look up the story of the old bull. You may learn something. Until then, please be quiet while the grown ups are talking.

Best case scenerio for you, should you continue on this pace, is a short term membership.

Know your role newbie.

Settle down and play nice.

[Celtic]

I see you're fighting the good fight over here BBZ, but the delusion runs rampant on this board too. Sad, you'd think they'd know better.

Building for the future by trading the UFA's and spare parts > two home playoff games.

Welcome to LGB ... now that the formalities are out the way, what you just said is hinting on you being a tool. I don't think there would be too many people here who would argue that offloading some UFA's come the trade deadline would be a bad thing. But I think you would find people here arguing that not making the playoffs would be a good thing, the best thing right now for this team would be to win some games make the 8 and go from there. Win or lose in the playoffs is not really relevant as the fact that the team gets there will put more bums on seats which is one of the things this franchise needs right now. Player building for the future is one thing, but it's no good if no one turns up while you're doing that player building.

Nice. Being called a tool from a f*cking convict. I stayed away from this forum because stupid a$$ kool aide drinkers such as you. The first response I get upholds every bad thing said about this place. Some things never change. I can guess what you're position is on the organ. (Mouth first, but I digress)

I'll trust JD and Dave to do the right thing and build for the future and I'll leave d*uchebags like yourself to wail from the $8 seats while wearing your custom made Obsut sweater.

Look up the story of the old bull. You may learn something. Until then, please be quiet while the grown ups are talking.

Oh lordy, calling me a convict, how original ... not.

You do know you're just changed your tune and agreed with me right? First off you said trading UFA's would be the way to go and anyone who thought otherwise was delusional, now you're saying you'll leave it to JD and DC to do the right thing whether they trade them or not. Make up your mind, do you want the UFA's to be trade or not? It's pretty hard to start to debate something with someone who has a foot on both sides of the fence.

I guess you need everything spelled out for you. But i'm not gonna do it for you. And don't put words in my mouth. You attacked me and got smacked, deal w/ it, from what I'm told, you should be used to it by now.

[Storm13]

I see you're fighting the good fight over here BBZ, but the delusion runs rampant on this board too. Sad, you'd think they'd know better.

Building for the future by trading the UFA's and spare parts > two home playoff games.

Welcome to LGB ... now that the formalities are out the way, what you just said is hinting on you being a tool. I don't think there would be too many people here who would argue that offloading some UFA's come the trade deadline would be a bad thing. But I think you would find people here arguing that not making the playoffs would be a good thing, the best thing right now for this team would be to win some games make the 8 and go from there. Win or lose in the playoffs is not really relevant as the fact that the team gets there will put more bums on seats which is one of the things this franchise needs right now. Player building for the future is one thing, but it's no good if no one turns up while you're doing that player building.

Nice. Being called a tool from a f*cking convict. I stayed away from this forum because stupid a$$ kool aide drinkers such as you. The first response I get upholds every bad thing said about this place. Some things never change. I can guess what you're position is on the organ. (Mouth first, but I digress)

I'll trust JD and Dave to do the right thing and build for the future and I'll leave d*uchebags like yourself to wail from the $8 seats while wearing your custom made Obsut sweater.

Look up the story of the old bull. You may learn something. Until then, please be quiet while the grown ups are talking.

Best case scenerio for you, should you continue on this pace, is a short term membership.

Know your role newbie.

Settle down and play nice.

Tezmyster has naked photos of Curt??

[Celtic]

I see you're fighting the good fight over here BBZ, but the delusion runs rampant on this board too. Sad, you'd think they'd know better.

Building for the future by trading the UFA's and spare parts > two home playoff games.

Welcome to LGB ... now that the formalities are out the way, what you just said is hinting on you being a tool. I don't think there would be too many people here who would argue that offloading some UFA's come the trade deadline would be a bad thing. But I think you would find people here arguing that not making the playoffs would be a good thing, the best thing right now for this team would be to win some games make the 8 and go from there. Win or lose in the playoffs is not really relevant as the fact that the team gets there will put more bums on seats which is one of the things this franchise needs right now. Player building for the future is one thing, but it's no good if no one turns up while you're doing that player building.

Nice. Being called a tool from a f*cking convict. I stayed away from this forum because stupid a$$ kool aide drinkers such as you. The first response I get upholds every bad thing said about this place. Some things never change. I can guess what you're position is on the organ. (Mouth first, but I digress)

I'll trust JD and Dave to do the right thing and build for the future and I'll leave d*uchebags like yourself to wail from the $8 seats while wearing your custom made Obsut sweater.

Look up the story of the old bull. You may learn something. Until then, please be quiet while the grown ups are talking.

Best case scenerio for you, should you continue on this pace, is a short term membership.

Know your role newbie.

Settle down and play nice.

Again, I've browsed here for some time and it's always the same insane crap. Most of the good Blues posters also post at the Lounge so it wasn't ever a loss not to look over here for good Blues insight.

Know my role? Get serious, one of your lapdogs attacks me (re-read his post, it may become clearer to you, or not) and I can't respond? And ask anybody who knows me, I took it easy on him.

Do what you've gotta do if it makes you feel cool and tough (right over your head) but just know you'll be upholding all the bad sh*t said about this playground.

[Hollywood]

Best case scenerio for you, should you continue on this pace, is a short term membership.

Know your role newbie.

Settle down and play nice.

Just FYI, I know Celtic. He's good. No trolling from him.

Gup and BBZ can back that up.

[BringBackZezel]

This just goes to show what I was saying....the hole the Blues built for themselves was too great.

Right now, as good as the Blues have played recently, they are only one point up on Columbus, tied with Phoenix, Florida and Boston, and are behind Washington.

That's right, they're tied for 5th worst in the NHL still. In addition they've still allowed 29 more goals than scored.

It doesn't take much of a setback to knock them out completely. Last night might have been enough.

[Tezmyster]

I see you're fighting the good fight over here BBZ, but the delusion runs rampant on this board too. Sad, you'd think they'd know better.

Building for the future by trading the UFA's and spare parts > two home playoff games.

Welcome to LGB ... now that the formalities are out the way, what you just said is hinting on you being a tool. I don't think there would be too many people here who would argue that offloading some UFA's come the trade deadline would be a bad thing. But I think you would find people here arguing that not making the playoffs would be a good thing, the best thing right now for this team would be to win some games make the 8 and go from there. Win or lose in the playoffs is not really relevant as the fact that the team gets there will put more bums on seats which is one of the things this franchise needs right now. Player building for the future is one thing, but it's no good if no one turns up while you're doing that player building.

Nice. Being called a tool from a f*cking convict. I stayed away from this forum because stupid a$$ kool aide drinkers such as you. The first response I get upholds every bad thing said about this place. Some things never change. I can guess what you're position is on the organ. (Mouth first, but I digress)

I'll trust JD and Dave to do the right thing and build for the future and I'll leave d*uchebags like yourself to wail from the $8 seats while wearing your custom made Obsut sweater.

Look up the story of the old bull. You may learn something. Until then, please be quiet while the grown ups are talking.

Oh lordy, calling me a convict, how original ... not.

You do know you're just changed your tune and agreed with me right? First off you said trading UFA's would be the way to go and anyone who thought otherwise was delusional, now you're saying you'll leave it to JD and DC to do the right thing whether they trade them or not. Make up your mind, do you want the UFA's to be trade or not? It's pretty hard to start to debate something with someone who has a foot on both sides of the fence.

I guess you need everything spelled out for you. But i'm not gonna do it for you. And don't put words in my mouth. You attacked me and got smacked, deal w/ it, from what I'm told, you should be used to it by now.

The closest thing I said to you that could be called attacking was...

what you just said is hinting on you being a tool

...if you find that overly offensive are you sure this is the right sport for you?

[Celtic]

Best case scenerio for you, should you continue on this pace, is a short term membership.

Know your role newbie.

Settle down and play nice.

Just FYI, I know Celtic. He's good. No trolling from him.

Gup and BBZ can back that up.

Your check is in the mail. :D

[BringBackZezel]

Celtic....go easy on Tezmyster. He's upset because he bet me $100 that the Blues would make the playoffs.

[Celtic]

I see you're fighting the good fight over here BBZ, but the delusion runs rampant on this board too. Sad, you'd think they'd know better.

Building for the future by trading the UFA's and spare parts > two home playoff games.

Welcome to LGB ... now that the formalities are out the way, what you just said is hinting on you being a tool. I don't think there would be too many people here who would argue that offloading some UFA's come the trade deadline would be a bad thing. But I think you would find people here arguing that not making the playoffs would be a good thing, the best thing right now for this team would be to win some games make the 8 and go from there. Win or lose in the playoffs is not really relevant as the fact that the team gets there will put more bums on seats which is one of the things this franchise needs right now. Player building for the future is one thing, but it's no good if no one turns up while you're doing that player building.

Nice. Being called a tool from a f*cking convict. I stayed away from this forum because stupid a$$ kool aide drinkers such as you. The first response I get upholds every bad thing said about this place. Some things never change. I can guess what you're position is on the organ. (Mouth first, but I digress)

I'll trust JD and Dave to do the right thing and build for the future and I'll leave d*uchebags like yourself to wail from the $8 seats while wearing your custom made Obsut sweater.

Look up the story of the old bull. You may learn something. Until then, please be quiet while the grown ups are talking.

Oh lordy, calling me a convict, how original ... not.

You do know you're just changed your tune and agreed with me right? First off you said trading UFA's would be the way to go and anyone who thought otherwise was delusional, now you're saying you'll leave it to JD and DC to do the right thing whether they trade them or not. Make up your mind, do you want the UFA's to be trade or not? It's pretty hard to start to debate something with someone who has a foot on both sides of the fence.

I guess you need everything spelled out for you. But i'm not gonna do it for you. And don't put words in my mouth. You attacked me and got smacked, deal w/ it, from what I'm told, you should be used to it by now.

The closest thing I said to you that could be called attacking was...

what you just said is hinting on you being a tool

...if you find that overly offensive are you sure this is the right sport for you?

You don't know much about the sport if breathing the same air isn't offensive. Or are you a 'no fighting' fan?