Blues sign Brendan Bell

[stlmark]

http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=457971

Apparently Ottawa fans aren't to thrilled with management on letting go of Bell. He may add some offense from our back end.

[glen a richter]

Got enough d-men? Jeebus....

[Sweetred95ta]

I hope this was a 2-way contract.

[F Keenan]

[Kyle1512]

I hope this was a 2-way contract.

It is two way, one year. He would have to clear waivers to be sent down to Peoria.
http://www.pjstar.com/sports_rivermen/x ... -sign-Bell

[SIU LAW]

So uh...21 points in 53 games.

He may play more than you guys expect. He might be this year's Weaver. When Weaver was signed last year, everyone thought he would be spending a majority of his time in Peoria.

Unless I am forgetting someone, one of Petro, Weaver, and Bell will probably be in and out of the pressbox depending on performance.

Could be a rocky start for the Blues' defense.

Brewer (IR)
Jackman
Johnson
Polak
Colaiacovo
Weaver
Pietrangelo*
Bell

Wild cards: Strachan, Wagner

[WaukeeBlues]

:cup:

grrr

[dmiles2186]

Honestly, I like the signing. Especially with the uncertain status of Captain Brewer. Besides, Bell had 6 goals last year. That's something half of our defense can only dream of scoring in one season.

[philco_3]

Got enough d-men? Jeebus....

With this team...nope.

[TSUCookieMonster]

..wow. Brewer won't be back methinks.

[Krigloch the Furious]

good.....

[ProngerBlues44]

Honestly, I like the signing. Especially with the uncertain status of Captain Brewer. Besides, Bell had 6 goals last year. That's something half of our defense can only dream of scoring in one season.

That is so sad that is not a joke. I wish it were.

This guy has an upside, but it definitely does raise the question of will Brewer be back. I don't like how we are absolutely stockpiled on D, but I think it was a little shaky last year so adding a new face may help things.

[Robb_K]

A very good pick up. He's got a good shot, can skate, move the puck out of his zone, pass decently, oin the rush. The knock on him is that he doesn't play so consistently in his own zone. But, I think part of that may be due to Toronto's system. In any case, defensive positioning can be learned, and he was thought of as a pretty good prospect when drafted. Maybe Al can work with him closely on positioning, anticipation and general defensive play. A lot of that can be learned. He's got decent size and can skate well. He can score pretty well, so he's already one or two steps up on Woywitka.

I think The Blues will be very happy with the way Bell turns out. He can alternate with Pietrangelo and Weaver in 3 players taking 2 shifts. That way, Pietrangelo and Bell can be brought along at a comfortable pace.

Let's hope Brewer returns no later than 2 months into the season.

[DaDitka]

Got enough d-men? Jeebus....

With this team...nope.

Larry was on with Bernie last week and was quite clear that they are STILL looking for a puck moving front line defenseman.

Considering EJ's puck moving skills, CC's potential in that area, and Jackman's turnovers I think we have 'puckmoving' covered.

[section319]

Got enough d-men? Jeebus....

With this team...nope.

Larry was on with Bernie last week and was quite clear that they are STILL looking for a puck moving front line defenseman.

Considering EJ's puck moving skills, CC's potential in that area, and Jackman's turnovers I think we have 'puckmoving' covered.

I still wouldn't mind having a Schneider or Zubov who can still score 30 or more points.

[Robb_K]

[quote="section319"][quote="DaDitka"][quote="philco_3"][quote="glen a richter"]Got enough d-men? Jeebus....[/quote]

With this team...nope.[/quote]



Larry was on with Bernie last week and was quite clear that they are STILL looking for a puck moving front line defenseman.

Considering EJ's puck moving skills, CC's potential in that area, and Jackman's turnovers I think we have 'puckmoving' covered.[/quote]


[b]I still wouldn't mind having a Schneider or Zubov who can still score 30 or more points.[/b][/quote]

Zubov signed with a KHL team. He won't be in North America.

But Schneider's slow now, and a liability on defence. Colaiacovo will be playing all year. E.. is back. Bell will provide offence and puck movement. Pietrangelo will help after 20-25 games to get comfortable. Polak will shoot more, carry the puck and pass with more confidence. Murray may allow him to take more chances than last season. The Blues' defenders are a lot more mobile than last year, and get the puck out of the defensive zone better and faster, and get it to forwards faster, and also will shoot more and score a lot more goals.

I'm more worried about them defending in their own zone.

[WaukeeBlues]

Got enough d-men? Jeebus....

With this team...nope.

Larry was on with Bernie last week and was quite clear that they are STILL looking for a puck moving front line defenseman.

Considering EJ's puck moving skills, CC's potential in that area, and Jackman's turnovers I think we have 'puckmoving' covered.

I still wouldn't mind having a Schneider or Zubov who can still score 30 or more points.

Zubov signed with a KHL team. He won't be in North America.

But Schneider's slow now, and a liability on defence. Colaiacovo will be playing all year. E.. is back. Bell will provide offence and puck movement. Pietrangelo will help after 20-25 games to get comfortable. Polak will shoot more, carry the puck and pass with more confidence. Murray may allow him to take more chances than last season. The Blues' defenders are a lot more mobile than last year, and get the puck out of the defensive zone better and faster, and get it to forwards faster, and also will shoot more and score a lot more goals.

I'm more worried about them defending in their own zone.

Mason was unbelievable last season in stealing us some wins. If history is any indicator, that won't last forever.

[section319]

Got enough d-men? Jeebus....

With this team...nope.

Larry was on with Bernie last week and was quite clear that they are STILL looking for a puck moving front line defenseman.

Considering EJ's puck moving skills, CC's potential in that area, and Jackman's turnovers I think we have 'puckmoving' covered.

I still wouldn't mind having a Schneider or Zubov who can still score 30 or more points.

Zubov signed with a KHL team. He won't be in North America.

But Schneider's slow now, and a liability on defence. Colaiacovo will be playing all year. E.. is back. Bell will provide offence and puck movement. Pietrangelo will help after 20-25 games to get comfortable. Polak will shoot more, carry the puck and pass with more confidence. Murray may allow him to take more chances than last season. The Blues' defenders are a lot more mobile than last year, and get the puck out of the defensive zone better and faster, and get it to forwards faster, and also will shoot more and score a lot more goals.

I'm more worried about them defending in their own zone.

Wow, I missed the Zubov signing my bad.

And I can't say that I have as much confidence in our d's offensive ability as you do. I hope you are right though.