Brewer had knee surgery today?

[Nyghtewynd]

From Twitter: Blues defenseman Eric Brewer underwent successful right knee surgery on Thursday.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports ... enDocument

UM...WHAT? NOW? Why now? Why is he still on this team eating salary and wasting resources? We are getting dangerously close to "Worst Blues Player EVAR" category. Pull the freaking plug.

[ProngerBlues44]

Is it just me, or is this the first time any of us have heard that he has knee problems too?!

I agree Nyghte. This whole freakin Brewer drama needs to stop. I was done with the guy before any of this happened anyway. Before he sucked, now all we are getting out of him is Rich Pilon.

[TSUCookieMonster]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=289068

I know I'm stating the obvious, but time for a new captain....

[Winning Unlimited]

What we really need is one season without a captain to honor our previous captain.

[glen a richter]

Never fear, they signed Bryce Lampman!

Seriously though, maybe we'll never see Brewer again? Pietrangelo's spot just became solidified for this season, unless they're seriously thinking of playing Brendan Bell instead.

[drwoland]

Time to take old yeller out back.

[SIU LAW]

It is clear that the inequities of the Pronger trade angered the Hockey Gods, and they therefore cursed everything about the Brewer and Blues relationship.

The Gods only allowed him to play good enough for a brief, critical time to force an unwise and cursed contract on the Blues.

[Leedog]

thanks Lar

[gaijin]

Knee surgery = teh suck, having gone through 2 myself.

How many years remain on Brewer's contract? Perhaps a buyout is in the works?

[Leedog]

Knee surgery = teh suck, having gone through 2 myself.

How many years remain on Brewer's contract? Perhaps a buyout is in the works?

They would be paying him most of his contract not to play if they did, and the cap hit. I'm not sure, but I think if they keep him and pay him not to play due to injury, a big chunk of his pay will be covered by insurance. Plus, I think there is a cap break for long term disability.

[WaukeeBlues]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=289068

I know I'm stating the obvious, but time for a new captain....

The comments on the TSN page are pretty good. All accurate too.

Don't know why this guy was named captain. The way it's going, I would be in favor of a buyout or trade. As with Jackman, he just hasn't been the player we needed him to be on a consistent basis. In 2ish seasons, the defensive corps will be Petro and EJ's anyway...

[ProngerBlues44]

It is clear that the inequities of the Pronger trade angered the Hockey Gods, and they therefore cursed everything about the Brewer and Blues relationship.

The Gods only allowed him to play good enough for a brief, critical time to force an unwise and cursed contract on the Blues.

I still feel that Davidson and Co. jumped the gun on that deal. He played decent for about 15-20 games and he gets a bloated deal for that? Bad bad move.

[Robb_K]

It was only a minor scoping (probably to clear some painful debris). It will set back his training about 2 weeks. The better comfort might help his training a bit. I still see him returning in early January. If he can't play all season, his insurance will kick in after his 30th game out, and then pay for 80% of his salary after that. That will cover approximately 53.5% of his annual salary. As for his cap hit, -I think his cap hit WON'T count in The Blues' total if he's out for the season. So, they'll have flexibility later, to add an experienced defenceman for the playoff run and the playoffs (IF they choose to). But, I think they WON'T do that. I think they'll stick to the youth plan, and let Pietrangelo, Bell and, maybe Junland, get valuable game experience. Pietrangelo will be eased in, but by mid season, he and Bell should be well integrated into the system. The defence will have a lot of youth, and make youthful mistakes, but it will be a lot more mobile,better at carrying the puck, and be able to participate in scoring a lot more than previous teams with Brewer, McKee, and Woywitka in their places. And, Brewer may join in at mid season, bring added depth.

I think Bell will be a lot better than a lot of people think. His weaknesses on defence can be corrected by learning in a defensive system (Blues'). Mac and other coaches can work with him. His young, strong, has a decent sized body. He's working with Nelson Ayotte. The Blues' system and coaches will want him to play more physically, and play a lot better position in his own zone than he did in Toronto's offensive-oriented system. I don't believe the rap on him that he CAN'T play good defensive hockey. He wasn't picked in the 2nd round of the draft because he was an extreme one-sided offence-only D-man. I think that by game 50, Bell will be a very solid 3rd pairing player, and Pietrangelo will be a plus player, helping the team out when he's on the ice. Junland may even get a trial due to injuries. The Blues should have decent depth on defence for the playoff race and the playoffs, whether or not Brewer returns. If he DOES return (as I expect him to (at mid season), The Blues should be okay on D for the playoffs. If NOT, I expect some "playoff jitters" by The Blues' defence, at least in the first few playoff games.

It'll be interesting to see how they do in the playoffs.

[cprice12]

Good thing we still have McKee....oh wait.

Brewer just needs to go away. The sooner the better.

[philco_3]

What we really need is one season without a captain to honor our previous captain.

We already did that last season.

[not_a_wings_fan]

I hope they sewed on a sack while he was under the knife, that would really help his play.

I guess someone missed with the Tanya Harding job... damn.

If his knees and back were so f-ed up, why was he on the ice at all last year? And how long had he been trying to play through this "painful debris" in his knee? Cause all that would make him play like a bitch, which is exactly what he has done since he's been on this team.

[Krigloch the Furious]

Backes deserves the C