Jaden Schwartz's college season is over

[kodos]

It feels like it isn't really happening doesn't it?

It's just so bizarre.

[AlsWoodenStick]

This shit is starting to get real.
The Blues making a move "for the now" and not the future.
Folks outside St. Louis talking about the Blues being legitimate cup contenders and actually having the type of game and finally the goaltending needed to excel in the playoffs.

It's getting very real. Gettin' legitimately excited for the first time in about 8-9 years...no more of the cautious optimism...this is full blown optimism. Playoff hockey will be back in St. Louis, and we're finally expected to actually do something.

Holy shit.

Kind of crazy isn't it?

Very.
I have missed this feeling so much. It's hard to describe. It's like when you walk into your old grade school that you haven't been to in like 20 years, but it smells the same. That smell only exists there and nowhere else. That scent causes a ton of memories to come rushing back and you remember what it felt like to be a student there again. Very weird...but very cool.
It's kind of like that.
It just seems like it's been so long. Hopefully this starts another 25 year run of those kinds of feelings...only with a few cups sprinkled in along the way this time.

I'm in my early 20's so I don't remember many of those years. My parents weren't ever into any sports besides baseball so I didn't watch it much when I was really young. I remember starting to follow Hull when he was in his last few years here, when MacInnis was still blowing people away (my first favorite hockey player,) people like Demitra, Drake, Twist, etc. I started really following in middle school and even more so after the lockout, and went to my first playoff game when we lost here to the Canucks. I feel like as long as I've been watching them they've had some talent but ever took it to the next level, and now they're looking to run away with the division, and I'm not sure how to react. I expected the Cards to make it to the playoffs every year, not the Blues. I'm excited and nervous at the same time.

That personal story aside, this move makes me even more excited. Our talent is gelling and we've just added our first of a few potential new young stars to the roster. I can't wait to see how Schwartz fits in on this young and talented team. I've got a feeling good things are coming our way.

[glen a richter]

If we go back to the traditional 1st or 2nd round playoff exit, it'll be more familiar. I have a very strong feeling that won't be happening this year. Call me crazy, but I think this team has a legit cup chance.

[kodos]

This looks like a team built for the playoffs, but they have almost no experience in the post season.

Plus, the playoffs are just weird. They could get swept in the first round and it wouldn't be that big of a shocker.

We'll just have to see.

I just want to see them win a round. Win one round and everything after that is a bonus.

[glen a richter]

This looks like a team built for the playoffs, but they have almost no experience in the post season.

Plus, the playoffs are just weird. They could get swept in the first round and it wouldn't be that big of a shocker.

We'll just have to see.

I just want to see them win a round. Win one round and everything after that is a bonus.

(Frank) that shit, I want them to go deep. If they don't win, make it painfully obvious that the only reason they didn't go all the way was being one finisher short, then bring back the entire team as is next year with one additional year experience, smelling the cup being that close and incorporate Tarasenko. Or... win the whole (Franking) thing this year and next year too, for good measure.

[goon attack]

glen- we know you always want guys to go deep.

FYI: they brought Rod Brind'amour in for a few playoff games before he had played any reg season games. he even scored in his first ever game, which was a playoff game.

Schwarz should get some light duty to get his feet wet. Let's see what the fucker is made of.

and is this team capable of winning the Cup? I'm not going to bet on it, but someone's gotta win it... why the (Frank) can't it be the Blues?

[STLADOGG]

glen- we know you always want guys to go deep.

Hahahahaha

[ohio BLUES]

Hay guys, remember when Peter Sejna! joined the Blues and played right out of Colorado College?

That worked out well.

[theohall]

This looks like a team built for the playoffs, but they have almost no experience in the post season.

Plus, the playoffs are just weird. They could get swept in the first round and it wouldn't be that big of a shocker.

We'll just have to see.

I just want to see them win a round. Win one round and everything after that is a bonus.

Jamie Langenbrunner and Jason Arnott have plenty of STANLEY CUP experience. So what if it was not with the Blues. Their experience is a specific reason both were signed this season. Halak had a very good playoff experience in Montreal. Rest of the team - yes, lacks that experience. I expect Hitchcock's experience as a Stanley Cup winning coach and those three players playoff backgrounds (although Halak's is very minimal) which have a major impact on how this team handles playoff pressure.

[philco_3]

This looks like a team built for the playoffs, but they have almost no experience in the post season.

Plus, the playoffs are just weird. They could get swept in the first round and it wouldn't be that big of a shocker.

We'll just have to see.

I just want to see them win a round. Win one round and everything after that is a bonus.

Jamie Langenbrunner and Jason Arnott have plenty of STANLEY CUP experience. So what if it was not with the Blues. Their experience is a specific reason both were signed this season. Halak had a very good playoff experience in Montreal. Rest of the team - yes, lacks that experience. I expect Hitchcock's experience as a Stanley Cup winning coach and those three players playoff backgrounds (although Halak's is very minimal) which have a major impact on how this team handles playoff pressure.

We're forgetting about AMac, won that cup with Anahiem. And also with the playoff experience is Halak, and Huskins...and ya thats about it.

[WaukeeBlues]

If we go back to the traditional 1st or 2nd round playoff exit, it'll be more familiar. I have a very strong feeling that won't be happening this year. Call me crazy, but I think this team has a legit cup chance.

Depends on two things

1) Our young guys playing like veterans and not like they played in '09 when they looked absolutely terrible, with the exception of McDonald who was the only one who looked like he knew what he was doing

2) Goaltending. Halak has already shown he can single-handedly carry a team on his back deep into the playoffs. Maybe Elliott can too but if they don't play great... just not going to happen.

[dmiles2186]

Blues website makes it official... http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=622512

Jaden Schwartz will make his professional debut when the Blues faceoff with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday at 6 p.m.

Schwartz, the Blues' first-round draft pick (14th overall) in 2010, signed an entry-level contract on March 12.

"It's been a dream of mine to play in the NHL and I'm excited to be able to do it as a St. Louis Blue," Schwartz said in a press release. "The Blues are having a terrific season and I will do whatever they need me to do just to help out."

Schwartz, 19, led the Colorado College Tigers with 41 points, including 15 goals and 26 assists, in 30 games this season as a sophomore.

During his freshman year, the 5’10, 193-pound forward posted 47 points (17 goals, 30 assists) in 30 games leading the nation in freshman scoring average with 1.56 points per game.

The Wilcox, Saskatchewan native was originally drafted by the Blues in the first round, 14th overall, of the 2010 Entry Draft.

Rumored to be wearing #9, and if so, he will be following in some mighty footsteps...

[theohall]

Blues website makes it official... http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=622512

Rumored to be wearing #9, and if so, he will be following in some mighty footsteps...

Not rumor, fact. He stated he would wear #9 in an interview during the Hawks game. Chose #9, because his usual number 8 was retired by the Blues.

[glen a richter]

Don't care what number he wears so long as he puts up points and makes things happen out on the ice.

[cardsfan04]

What kind of expectations do you guys have for him?

Personally, I mainly expect him to not be a liability (although understand there will be a learning curve) while creating a few chances out there. I don't think he'll be great from the start, but so long as he doesn't continually repeat the same mistakes, I think I'll be satisfied.

[PGABluesFan]

What kind of expectations do you guys have for him?

30 points by the end of the season.

[gaijin]

I think it's difficult to make the case that someone who hasn't been playing in Hitchcock's system, much less on a line with anyone on the current roster, will be able to make a serious immediate impact.

On the other hand, over the last few games, the Blues have looked, well, unlike the Blues we've come to expect. Some new (young) blood probably couldn't hurt.

[ohio BLUES]

I think he'll score tonight, and make Brewer look bad. (Oh please oh please oh please)

[goon attack]

Does the pansy fight?

[STLADOGG]

If he can play like Porter, I will be very happy.