Let's Go Blues

(From NHL.com Trade Blog...)

Are Capitals seeking depth?
02.24.2010 / 09:00 a.m. ET

An interesting report on TheFourthPeriod.com has the Eastern Conference-leading Washington Capitals in the market to add some depth to their already potent lineup.

The web site states that "according to several reports" Washington GM George McPhee might be interested in acquiring a physical, stay-at-home type defenseman and/or a veteran forward before the March 3 trade deadline.

McPhee apparently had interest in former Carolina Hurricanes veteran center Matt Cullen, who was traded to the Ottawa Senators right before the Olympic roster freeze. It is now rumored that McPhee may be in discussions with St. Louis Blues General Manager Larry Pleau for defenseman Barret Jackman, who has a no-trade clause in his contract, and Columbus GM Scott Howson for unrestricted free agent forward Raffi Torres. Jackman has 2 goals, 15 points and a plus-6 rating in 51 games for St. Louis. The 17th overall draft choice in 1999 has spent his entire 7-plus seasons with the Blues.

For now, it appears McPhee is satisfied with goalies Jose Theodore and Semyon Varlamov.

--Mike G. Morreale

INNNNNTERESTING

Was thinking about Armstrong getting the call. Now why would that be unless we're going to have an extra roster spot for a forward. And I'm not thinking of Cam's spot...

fargoblues wrote:Was thinking about Armstrong getting the call. Now why would that be unless we're going to have an extra roster spot for a forward. And I'm not thinking of Cam's spot...

I believe its for Tkachuk's spot. Keith had a finger issue that they thought would heal on its own. It was further displaced in practice last week and required surgery. He's out at least 10 days according to the various Blues reporters.

dmiles2186 wrote:

fargoblues wrote:Was thinking about Armstrong getting the call. Now why would that be unless we're going to have an extra roster spot for a forward. And I'm not thinking of Cam's spot...

I believe its for Tkachuk's spot. Keith had a finger issue that they thought would heal on its own. It was further displaced in practice last week and required surgery. He's out at least 10 days according to the various Blues reporters.

*COUGH*



V V V V V V V V

Give Blues fans some Boston Pizza and you got a deal.

JD says "All is quiet"

http://interact.stltoday.com/blogzone/m ... ing-front/

This could be one of those trades where somebody tried to pick pocket the Blues.

You know whats awesome and substantial? Trade speculation.

I didn't know our zamboni was broken down and we needed the spare parts. Tell them Brewer is available and we need some used practice pucks.

Jackman is not the worst defensive player on this team, he is more likely the best or 2nd to Polak depending on what you consider the most important variables of being a defenseman. I can show you this if you like, but since you (general "you", nobody specifically) have seen the likes of Rick Nash and other superstars frequently make Jackman look bad then he must be worthless, right?

If you want to scapegoat a d-man for this season crucify Johnson, you'd have an easier time proving that. You are focused on the wrong area, but since it is easier to get pissed and toss around blame on a goal that enters our net than a goal for us that never materializes, we best stick to complaining about the positives of this team.

BoxCar wrote:Jackman is not the worst defensive player on this team, he is more likely the best or 2nd to Polak depending on what you consider the most important variables of being a defenseman. I can show you this if you like, but since you (general "you", nobody specifically) have seen the likes of Rick Nash and other superstars frequently make Jackman look bad then he must be worthless, right?

Two things make me view Jackman as the best choice to trade away....

#1) He has not had his head in the game what so ever. Dude is missing it between the ears right now and I saw clear signs of it last last year was well. IMO he doesn't 'love' hockey anymore and that is not something likely to change.

#2) Contract situation - he still has two years left on his deal. If you get out from under his contract, it is reasonable to think you could pick up 2 mill of Brewers contract and unload him in the offseason and now you cleared two wasted spots and 6.5 mill to tack on top of Paulie's 6 mill, Walt’s, 2 mill, and Mason's 3 mill.

Resign Carlo, and elevate a kid and you'll have as good of a D (if not better) and 17.5 mill to get a Goalie and some scoring .

DaDitka wrote:

BoxCar wrote:Jackman is not the worst defensive player on this team, he is more likely the best or 2nd to Polak depending on what you consider the most important variables of being a defenseman. I can show you this if you like, but since you (general "you", nobody specifically) have seen the likes of Rick Nash and other superstars frequently make Jackman look bad then he must be worthless, right?

Two things make me view Jackman as the best choice to trade away....

#1) He has not had his head in the game what so ever. Dude is missing it between the ears right now and I saw clear signs of it last last year was well. IMO he doesn't 'love' hockey anymore and that is not something likely to change.

#2) Contract situation - he still has two years left on his deal. If you get out from under his contract, it is reasonable to think you could pick up 2 mill of Brewers contract and unload him in the offseason and now you cleared two wasted spots and 6.5 mill to tack on top of Paulie's 6 mill, Walt’s, 2 mill, and Mason's 3 mill.

Resign Carlo, and elevate a kid and you'll have as good of a D (if not better) and 17.5 mill to get a Goalie and some scoring .

Oh I'm not against trading him, by all means get some value for him. He is probably a little overpaid, but he does his job as a defensive defenseman just fine. He hits, he blocks shots, he roughs it up. He has the highest +/- of all defenseman on the team.

He and Weaver put up almost 4 minutes of SH TOI per game each, good for tops in the league. What else is near the top in the league? The Blues PK.

He is nowhere near perfect. His TA/GA ratio is horrible, twice as many give-aways as take-aways. But to act like teams should consider him a low-value player is insane. He is just the player I'd want on my 2nd or 3rd (if I had a deep team) defensive pairing and on the penalty kill. To quote Illinois' recent governor "That's a f***in valuable thing!"

DaDitka wrote:

BoxCar wrote:Jackman is not the worst defensive player on this team, he is more likely the best or 2nd to Polak depending on what you consider the most important variables of being a defenseman. I can show you this if you like, but since you (general "you", nobody specifically) have seen the likes of Rick Nash and other superstars frequently make Jackman look bad then he must be worthless, right?

Two things make me view Jackman as the best choice to trade away....

#1) He has not had his head in the game what so ever. Dude is missing it between the ears right now and I saw clear signs of it last last year was well. IMO he doesn't 'love' hockey anymore and that is not something likely to change.

#2) Contract situation - he still has two years left on his deal. If you get out from under his contract, it is reasonable to think you could pick up 2 mill of Brewers contract and unload him in the offseason and now you cleared two wasted spots and 6.5 mill to tack on top of Paulie's 6 mill, Walt’s, 2 mill, and Mason's 3 mill.

Resign Carlo, and elevate a kid and you'll have as good of a D (if not better) and 17.5 mill to get a Goalie and some scoring .

Got examples of point #1?
Seems like I remember Jackman being the lone soldier out there on defense during the playoff push last year. All while having a bum leg (knee or ankle). Yep, no heart or love of the game.

northwest dave wrote: Got examples of point #1?
Seems like I remember Jackman being the lone soldier out there on defense during the playoff push last year. All while having a bum leg (knee or ankle). Yep, no heart or love of the game.

What team were you watching? Jackman was terrible during the playoff push last year AND EVEN ADMITTED IT. Sure he blamed it on injury, but I don't understand how injury had him constantly out of position.

Like I said, it’s not just m opinion….it’s his as well.

per Bob McKenzie's Twitter

Bob McKenzie wrote:Capitals are interested in adding a player with a Cup ring and/or playoff experience as a stabilizing influence.

I guess that takes Jackman out of the conversation. Ha!

DaDitka wrote:

northwest dave wrote: Got examples of point #1?
Seems like I remember Jackman being the lone soldier out there on defense during the playoff push last year. All while having a bum leg (knee or ankle). Yep, no heart or love of the game.

What team were you watching? Jackman was terrible during the playoff push last year AND EVEN ADMITTED IT. Sure he blamed it on injury, but I don't understand how injury had him constantly out of position.

Like I said, it’s not just m opinion….it’s his as well.

He admitted he didn't have the love for the game?
Gotta link?

northwest dave wrote:
He admitted he didn't have the love for the game?
Gotta link?

He admitted that he played poorly.

Sorry if I'm picking on your favorite player, but dude's played like crap (considering expectations).

DaDitka wrote:

northwest dave wrote:
He admitted he didn't have the love for the game?
Gotta link?

He admitted that he played poorly.

Sorry if I'm picking on your favorite player, but dude's played like crap (considering expectations).

Not my favorite player and I know Jax didn't play consistent last year. I disagree this year...IMO I think he's played pretty well. But you still didn't answer my question...what examples are that Jackman lost the love of the game?

northwest dave wrote:what examples are that Jackman lost the love of the game?

inconsistent passion and he's not had his head in the game often. He's out of position. He's given up on plays. That kind of stuff.

DaDitka wrote:

northwest dave wrote:what examples are that Jackman lost the love of the game?

inconsistent passion and he's not had his head in the game often. He's out of position. He's given up on plays. That kind of stuff.

I think he was trying to do more than he's capable of...not to say he played bad at times, because he did. But, we might just have to disagree...I think Jax is one of the key players on the blues right now.

I'd welcome talks that involved moving Jackman. No question. If we could get a high pick or a decent prospect...yup.

Jackman is a good defenseman...and I like the guy. But he will never be a real #1 or #2 guy because he has too many lapses and missed assignments to be considered as such.

Is he as bad as Brewer? No.
Has he been better this year than last...yes.

I'd take Jackman over Brewer in a heartbeat, but I'd have to say that neither one at this point is absolutely crucial to the success of this team, unless they start playing a lot better than they have been. (but if that were the case, you'd keep them to help make the playoffs)

It also kind of sucks that Jackman doesn't rough it up as much as he used to because of his bad shoulder. He rarely lays anyone out and hardly ever fights. That was a big part of his game his first year-plus in the league. Blame Bertuzzi and rule changes after the lockout for Jackman's drop off in performance.

EJ, Polak, Weaver, Colaiacovo are our top four as far as I am concerned and should be retained. Brewer and Jackman are overpaid and underperforming and are therefore expendable. (common sense)

I would imagine Jackman may actually have some trade value because he could be a serviceable veteran defenseman (who pretends to be mean on the ice once in a while without ever really doing much) to a cup contender looking to add depth on the blueline...we'll see.