Which young Blue is ready to step up?

[Portland Blues]

I think our young padawan organist Jeremy is bound to bring his game to a new level this year. Playoffs, here we come!

I've been hearing good things about Jeremy. I too think this will be his breakout year.

[stlbluz]

Trending up: RW Brad Boyes

Boyes averaged 38 goals and 13.1 GVT in 2007-08 and 2008-09, then dropped to just 14 goals and 5.1 GVT in 2009-10. His shooting percentage dropped from 20.8 percent to 15.0 percent to 7.1 percent last season; despite improving defensively, his ice time dropped two minutes per game, and most of that was valuable power-play time.

Boyes likely will play on the Blues' top line with Andy McDonald and David Perron, so it makes sense to predict that he will bounce back over 30 goals, especially because he has missed only one game in his NHL career. There could be a wave of offense flowing out of St. Louis starting this season, and Boyes has the opportunity to be at the head of it.

Trending down: G Jaroslav Halak

Given the 18th-best GVT in the league and his tremendous postseason performance, you might be scratching your head as to why the VUKOTA system would predict a decline for the league's hottest young goalie. Ask yourself this: If Halak is so good, why did the Habs keep Carey Price and give up the Slovakian netminder for a couple of St. Louis' average prospects?

Free of Price, Halak may expect bags of ice time in a Blues uniform, but he'll have to pry every minute away from veteran Alaskan Ty Conklin, who quietly earned a save percentage only three points lower. Given that Halak totaled just 15.2 GVT in the previous three seasons combined, we wonder whether the extra playing time will yield better results or just expose him. He's a solid goalie, but don't build him a shelf for the Vezina just yet. -- Vollman



E.J.'s name to know: D Alex Pietrangelo

The 2008 draft was heavy on high-end defensive prospects: Drew Doughty and Tyler Myers, selected second and 12th, respectively, already have made their mark at the NHL level.

In St. Louis, they're wondering whether this will be the season when Pietrangelo can take the next step. The Blues grabbed the 6-foot-3, 206-pound defender with the fourth overall pick in that '08 class.

Pietrangelo made the team out of training camp at age 18 but had a setback when he suffered a head injury as a result of a cheap shot by then-Leafs forward Ryan Hollweg during an early-season game. He returned to action but played in just eight games before being sent back to the OHL.

In fall 2009, Pietrangelo again started the season in St. Louis, but he quickly fell out of favor with then-coach Andy Murray, playing in just nine games.

Pietrangelo didn't let that get him down. He earned a spot on Canada's World Junior Championship team. In a silver-medal-winning effort, he was named the tournament's top defender and earned a spot on the all-tourney team. From there, Pietrangelo went to Barrie (which had acquired his rights via trade from Niagara) and again performed well, posting 29 points in 25 games. He contributed 14 more points in 17 playoff games.

When the Colts were eliminated from the OHL playoffs, Pietrangelo was summoned to join Peoria for some AHL postseason action. He chipped in three assists in seven games.

Now, Pietrangelo does seem poised to take that next step under young head coach Davis Payne. With size, skill and smarts, he should be ready for full-time duty in the NHL. In fact, more than a few see him as a preseason contender for the Calder Trophy. -- Hradek

[philco_3]

Now, Pietrangelo does seem poised to take that next step under young head coach Davis Payne. With size, skill and smarts, he should be ready for full-time duty in the NHL. In fact, more than a few see him as a preseason contender for the Calder Trophy. -- Hradek

Read somewhere Pietrangelo is no longer considered a rookie. So no Calder contention. Any way do we want another Jackman?

[ReelBluesFan887]

I think our young padawan organist Jeremy is bound to bring his game to a new level this year. Playoffs, here we come!

I've been hearing good things about Jeremy. I too think this will be his breakout year.

I heard he spoke in class today

[Portland Blues]

I think our young padawan organist Jeremy is bound to bring his game to a new level this year. Playoffs, here we come!

I've been hearing good things about Jeremy. I too think this will be his breakout year.

I heard he spoke in class today

You may have just unleashed a lion...

[cprice12]

Now, Pietrangelo does seem poised to take that next step under young head coach Davis Payne. With size, skill and smarts, he should be ready for full-time duty in the NHL. In fact, more than a few see him as a preseason contender for the Calder Trophy. -- Hradek

Read somewhere Pietrangelo is no longer considered a rookie. So no Calder contention. Any way do we want another Jackman?

I heard the same thing. Petro isn't eligible for the Calder. Hradek needs to check his facts there.