My year end grades for this roster

[WaukeeBlues]

Backes a B+? Really? No "A"?

"Sometimes invisible?" Guy was a fukkin +32. PLUS THIRTY TWO. Nobody even comes close to that on our roster. There's a tie for +18 and that's it.

You score 30+ goals a season and a +32 in a year... nobody's passing on you if you're a free agent is all I'm going to say about that.

Stewart was sick but we only had him for a half year. I'm stoked for next season with this many 20 and 30 goal scorers back and hopefully all healthy.

[DaDitka]

Nice job Goon

I agree for the most part, I'd only knock two grades down a little..


Sobotka and Halak


Sobotka had a nice first couple weeks, then he was ineffective. He tried had, and skated hard, but without results. Poor play with the puck, too small to play physical. We're a better team without him next year.

Halak was a complete let down IMO.....not that he was the worst goalie in the league.........but he was another Chris Mason or Chris Osgood..... adequate.

He was supposed to be a difference maker and I didn't see that. A goalie's #1 job is to stop shots (save percentage) and even after throwing out goalies that didn't start at least 10 games....41 goaltenders had a better save percentage. That is the only stat that is solely on the net minder. Wins and goals against are highly dependent on those around you. Goals against is the only stat completely in the goaltenders control, and Halak was a very big let down.

Again....I saying he was a let down based on expectations set fourth by the team themselves. IMO, I don't think he was better or worse then Mason. I think he is better then Mason when he's 'on' his game, but he also showed mental softness from time to time and once he got frustrated.......good night.

I'm not giving up on him by any means, but I expect much more from him next year.

As for Backes....yes his point totals a 'A' range, but the slow start, and a ton of stupid penalties this year drive it back down to a B. I have always thought of Backes' penalty minute total as a good thing, but this year it was not just a result of gritty play. If he's going to be the leader of this team, he's got to show a little more self control.....not less grit....more self control.

[Carl Racki]

BERNIE FEDERKO - C I like Bernie a lot; I grew up watching him play... but meh. I know he's hated here by many, but he scored over 1000 points in the NHL and you didn't. (Frank) you; Bernie represents tradition.

A "c" and props...how can it be both?

Good grades Goon...Pietrangelo is an Al Macinnis, but a better passer and without the "howitzer" obviously...Shattenkirk is Brian Rafalski. What a trade. Doug Armstrong gets an A from me...got rid of the four most glaringly inconsistent players on the roster and got an assload for all of them. Looking forward to seeing what he does with these picks this summer.

[DaDitka]

BERNIE FEDERKO - C I like Bernie a lot; I grew up watching him play... but meh. I know he's hated here by many, but he scored over 1000 points in the NHL and you didn't. (Frank) you; Bernie represents tradition.

A "c" and props...how can it be both?

Good grades Goon...Pietrangelo is an Al Macinnis, but a better passer and without the "howitzer" obviously...Shattenkirk is Brian Rafalski. What a trade. Doug Armstrong gets an A from me...got rid of the four most glaringly inconsistent players on the roster and got an assload for all of them. Looking forward to seeing what he does with these picks this summer.

No doubt Armstrong get's an A.

While the results may not yet be what we expected he swung for the fences with Halak and didn't give up much. Last year it was Armstrong that wanted D'Agistini. He managed to unload a lot of dead salary.

Now, this will be a critical offseason to rebuild Peoria. No more 27 year old free agents. When you're best 'prospect call ups' Porter and Cracknell are two of the older guys on your NHL roster....these aren't prospects.....they are journeymen....AHL journeymen.

He's got three second rounders to get it started with, and they they already signed one of the most sought college FA's to a trial contract in Peoria....so they are doing their homework.

[theohall]

Ian Cole better be on the main team next season, and not stuck in Peoria. There was a dropoff in the Blues defensive play when Jackman returned from injury and Cole was sent down.

Were I the Blues, Jackman would be trade material. Only issue is his no-trade clause. Even Jackman knows today's post-lockout game doesn't fit his style of play at all. His development was predicated on being able to interfere, so it's not completely his fault he isn't as good as these younger guys. We shall see what the off-season brings. Unless they keep him as a 7th d-man and rotate him with someone. Not sure Nikitin can take a full 82 game schedule without getting hurt.

[DaDitka]

Not sure Nikitin can take a full 82 game schedule without getting hurt.

I really like Nikitin, but I could easily see him as a valuable trade chip this offseason. We have plenty of offensive minded d-man and as you noted...too many total D-man (I doubt they unload Jackman).

It's not like I've head any speculation or even have any idea who they'd move him for....just a little process of elimination. Petro and Shattenkirk will defiantly be back. Polak, Jacks, and Carlo,.....figure Cole.... and something has to go. Same may suggest moving Carlo instead, and that would better money move, I just think N64 may have more trade value and with Jacks having on foot out the door, Carlo does provide some veteran presence. And if one of the offensive guys get injured, you could always call up Ostrick.

I think defense will be really interesting to watch this offseason.....there are certainly more bodies then spots.....something probably has to give.

Of course if your starting 6 are Petro, Shat, N64, Polak, Cole, and Carlo with Jackman the #7 watching most game, but there when needed....I'd be very happy. I just don't see them putting Jacks in the role. They aren't going to have Cole watch more then he plays, and that would be a complete waste of Nikitin's value (as a number 7)

[Carl Racki]

The defiant ones. I like it. They should use that name for a movie.

[goon attack]

Backes a B+? Really? No "A"?

"Sometimes invisible?" Guy was a fukkin +32. PLUS THIRTY TWO. Nobody even comes close to that on our roster. There's a tie for +18 and that's it.

You score 30+ goals a season and a +32 in a year... nobody's passing on you if you're a free agent is all I'm going to say about that.

Stewart was sick but we only had him for a half year. I'm stoked for next season with this many 20 and 30 goal scorers back and hopefully all healthy.

dude is the de facto captain and we missed the playoffs... plus he went through a stretch early on where we were all like "What the hell is up with Backes?" Some people actually supported trading him.

Sure, he bounced back from all that relatively quickly, but had he played the whole season the way he did in the second half, he would have had 80 points. He started real slow, hence the B+, which is still a damn good grade.

If you don't agree with it, post your own fookin' grades, ya pansy.

[DaDitka]

The defiant ones. I like it. They should use that name for a movie.