BYE BYE, MCKEE

[Carl Racki]

I like the idea of Zubov...guy still has a rocket from the point, and you would think Armstrong would have some sway with him...

Jackman-EJ
CC-Zubov
Brewer-Pietrangelo

Anybody else notice that since Al Mac went to the front office, we no longer have a dearth of right-shooting defensemen? that was always a problem with those teams he was on in the 90's, but no longer...

[philco_3]

Where is the evidence that McKee is gone? Just curious.

[SIU LAW]

Where is the evidence that McKee is gone? Just curious.

http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/morning-skate/

[drwoland]

:\ I always liked him. I think this was a bad move.

[cprice12]

I'm sure he means Brewer...and Jackman.

hmmm....Am I like the only one who doesn't hate Jackman? I know he can be an asshat and the last play of the season is Exhibit A. But he puts up solid minutes and provides good leadership. Sure his salary is inflated, but most players' salaries are these days.

You're not alone. Jackman's positives are almost always ignored now.

Jackman's positives are ignored because of his glaring negatives.
Jackman has his moments, but too frequently he makes too many Brewer-like mistakes to be considered a top d-man in this league.

I'm not crazy about this McKee move...unless they are making room for a signing on on Wednesday.

Wait and see I guess.

[big d note]

A rusty Johnson

RoboCop's worst nightmare...

[philco_3]

Either way they cleared money for a possible FA. Just noticed on the UFA that Scott Clemenson is available, I hope the Blues would make a run on him for a back up and a potential starting goalie for the future.

[strocklen083]

Also forgetting Junland is/could/should be in the mix for a roster spot. So our options aren't limited by any means. They're just a bit on the young side. Although he didn't have a stellar year in Peoria, he was an All-Star. So who knows, he could step it up...

[cprice12]

McKee will probably sign on with Detroit and win a cup next year.

[philco_3]

McKee will probably sign on with Detroit and win a cup next year.

most likely, but

[STL JA]

I'm sure he means Brewer...and Jackman.

hmmm....Am I like the only one who doesn't hate Jackman? I know he can be an asshat and the last play of the season is Exhibit A. But he puts up solid minutes and provides good leadership. Sure his salary is inflated, but most players' salaries are these days.

You're not alone. Jackman's positives are almost always ignored now.

He was downright terrible last season.

[STL JA]

(Frank) Zubov. He's old and done.

Ohlund would be nice. I'd actually like to see if Hossa's price tag could be talked down a little... If so, I'd like to see him here. The Blues are in need of a 1st line/2nd line sniper.

We also need a goaltender... (Cory Schneider or Josh Harding, anyone?)

[JWatt (formerly PMS)]

I'm sure he means Brewer...and Jackman.

hmmm....Am I like the only one who doesn't hate Jackman? I know he can be an asshat and the last play of the season is Exhibit A. But he puts up solid minutes and provides good leadership. Sure his salary is inflated, but most players' salaries are these days.

You're not alone. Jackman's positives are almost always ignored now.

Jackman's positives are ignored because of his glaring negatives.
Jackman has his moments, but too frequently he makes too many Brewer-like mistakes to be considered a top d-man in this league.

I'm not crazy about this McKee move...unless they are making room for a signing on on Wednesday.

Wait and see I guess.

Amen to that.

So, because Murray continues to parade him out there even though he sucks, that is a positive? Shoot. I'll play 30+ minutes a game if the Blues would let me. Does that mean I would be earning whatever money they would pay me or wouldn't be hurting the team?

Jackman is a bottom pairing defenseman getting paid #2-3 dollars (and Murray is sticking him in our top pairing), and his contract and Brewer's contract are keeping us from improving our defense which is our biggest weakness.

[SIU LAW]

Junland is not in the mix unless he grows by leaps and bounds during training camp from all the various talk about how his stock has somewhat dropped. He's still learning.

I don't think anyone claims that Jackman is a top NHL defenseman.

[JWatt (formerly PMS)]

I don't think anyone claims that Jackman is a top NHL defenseman.

His salary and his minutes would lead you to believe otherwise. That is the problem.

[strocklen083]

I don't think anyone claims that Jackman is a top NHL defenseman.

His salary and his minutes would lead you to believe otherwise. That is the problem.

Well what else do you expect the team to do? They've shown a track record of loyalty towards the two whipping boys for the fans. Just because we don't like one or both of them doesn't mean management doesn't. It isn't like we traded for these guys and their contracts came along with them. The management team signed these guys to these deals.

At the time Jackman was signed to his contract he was playing as a #3-#4 guy and was compensated as such. When the top two guys went down the natrual progression of the depth chart took place and he slid into that role. Did he ask to play 25+ minutes a night? No. But he did it anyway. Now do I think he did a great job? Not really. I'd give him a B- or C+ as a #1 guy. That doesn't mean he's a f'ing throw away player. And he sure as hell wasn't bringing the team down with his play. What brought the team down was the lack of responsiblity exhumed by our #1 pick D-man. That and the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Brewer's injury.

The fact remains if Jackman didn't step up and play those minutes, the team probably doesn't make the playoffs. He's no All-Star and probably shouldn't be making as much as he does. But I don't think he deserves the severe criticizim he receives on a constant basis.

[kodos]

McKee >> Brewer and Jackman

Not sure how I feel about this. True, he never really lived up to his contract or early hype, but he was easily more consistent then Brewer or Jackman.

I hope this is a sign that they are about to make some sort of move.

[Oz-iz-God]

I'd have rather kept McKee and traded Jackman.

We'd have cleared more space and held onto a more steady defenseman. McKee was slow as all hell but he was smart and fearless. He knew his job and did it well more often than not.

Jackman can skate well for a D-man but is all-to-often out of position or unwilling to make the play. I hope beyond hope that he was hurt last season because he put up a year that would make Chebaturkin blush. He was shockingly ineffective in all facets of the game. If he's anywhere near that bad again this season we'll really struggle to make any noise in the playoffs.

[strocklen083]

I'd have rather kept McKee and traded Jackman.

Easier said than done. If they couldn't have moved McKee's contract, which I'm sure they tried to do. Then how were they going to move Jackman, who makes more? Now we know Jackman probably would have made as much (or maybe more) on the open market last season. But his stock has dropped since he signed that deal. So if there were any takers when he was a potential UFA, they're long gone now that he makes as much as he does.

[STL JA]

McKee >> Brewer and Jackman

Not sure how I feel about this. True, he never really lived up to his contract or early hype, but he was easily more consistent then Brewer or Jackman.

I hope this is a sign that they are about to make some sort of move.

They have to.