GDT #18: 2/28/13 > Blues vs Hawks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/KMOX

[cardsfan04]

Trying not to get down about last night because part of it is that Chicago really is that good. But, disappointed in the performance nonetheless.

It would be nice if Halak would put the team on his back for a couple of weeks and maybe get some momentum and confidence going for the entire team to help them find their groove. We're better than this, but at some point we need to show it.

[DaDitka]

I'm seeing the exact same team on the ice that got Kitchen and Murray fire. We've already been told they aren't firing the coach this time so what do you do?

There is clearly no leadership in that locker room. And Hitch was worried about that when Langs went down.

There is clearly a source of 'quit' on this roster that has been here. It creates an loosing atmosphere.

IMO it's not a lock of a scorer or problems on defense....it's not enough effort and we've seen this show before.

Management/Hitch needs to send a message...I don't know if it's sitting someone in the rafters or it's shipping someone out of town...but this team needs a wake-up call and they need it soon.

[Kreegz2]

The biggest thing that upset me about last night was how quickly the linesman jumped in and broke up Bollig and Reaves. Total (Frank) pussy bullshit fairy nonsense. Let them (Frank) fight. the game could have been totally different if Reaves had pounded Bollig and energized the Scottrade early in the first.

[Oaklandblue]

I'm seeing the exact same team on the ice that got Kitchen and Murray fire. We've already been told they aren't firing the coach this time so what do you do?

There is clearly no leadership in that locker room. And Hitch was worried about that when Langs went down.

There is clearly a source of 'quit' on this roster that has been here. It creates an loosing atmosphere.

IMO it's not a lack of a scorer or problems on defense....it's not enough effort and we've seen this show before.

Management/Hitch needs to send a message...I don't know if it's sitting someone in the rafters or it's shipping someone out of town...but this team needs a wake-up call and they need it soon.

If they really want to send a message, sign one or two Elites. Spend the money. Giving Oshie a money contract motivated him. Stewart on the end of his contract motivated him. This team is motivated by cash money and they KNOW they're playing for a team that refuses to pay and do what it takes to win. So they play like it.

We've lost more players to those two factors, money and the ability to win a ring moreso than anything else.

As much as I feel Hitch should be ditched, I have to go halfway and say that Hitch doesn't have anyone worth a damn in offense that can help make a difference. We've kept shots on goal down, so his D-first training has done wonders. With Steen, Tank and Amac and Langs out and their slots being filled with MINOR LEAGUE HELP, what do you expect, offensive firepower?

Yeah, we'll beat the bottom dwellers, but the teams worth a damn, like I said 5+ games ago, are going to walk all over us. I saw the trend start and everyone thought I was nuts.

Well, welcome to now. This team doesn't have the resolve to get through adversity and don't have the cornerstones to help them get through adversity and help develop them into the players we know they can be so they can get through adversity on their own. Which kind of is the point of developing players; we don't have that player(s) that can do that.

We need to sign those cornerstones and pay face value for them. End of story. Otherwise, here's your St. Louis Blues team.

It may very well be that the problem hasn't been coaching OR the players, it might be that we don't have the players we need to make it happen because we prefer to pay little money than the money it takes. Just like everything else in life, you get what you pay for.

[DaDitka]

These same players played with passion and urgency last year and two of the players that have gotten payed (Perron and Oshie) are two of the biggest slackers right now.

Pie is playing for a contract and he's playing poorly.

This team's problems are in the locker room, not with the Roster IMO.

I think we need a shake up and need to put the rest of the roster on notice...possibly a trade of DP or Oshie. Trading an impending free agent would look like a money move and wouldn't have the same effect (actually, it could have a negative effect). Trading away someone that you appeared to be committed to would let the entire roster know that no one is safe.

I'd prefer it not be Oshie......but I could see it and I would understand it....just prefer it be DP.

As far as the 'money thing'....it's not going to change so get used to it. The situation is what it is here in St. Louis. There simply aren't enough corporate dollars and they don't own the parking garage. The only thing that could drastically change the fiscal reality for the club would be numerous years of deep playoff runs.

[glen a richter]

They should have traded Elliott when his value was sky high. I wouldn't have thought it last year, in fact adamantly disagreed with the suggestion, but they should have. Allen could be backing up Halak, getting some serious NHL experience and they could have gotten a superb return on Ells. That would have been a good start.

Perron needs to go, Stewart needs to go, they need to get Rattie in town and give him some NHL experience for the rest of the season. He'll be on the big club full time next year, this is a good opportunity to give him experience without burning him out, in an already shortened season.

Hope isn't lost because the rest of the conference isn't doing that great either. Changes that send a message, don't do any short term damage and help the immediate future of this team would be very very welcome. Army can start by making some changes after tonights game.

[DaDitka]

I also wouldn't be surprised to see Hitch and Army look to bring in a cagey veteran ...perhaps one Hitch as worked with in the past....to be a presence in the locker room. Clearly, none of the current bodies have the pulse of the team.

[STLADOGG]

Is Backes really "C" material?

[dmiles2186]

Is Backes really "C" material?

Yes.

[sseagle]

3 - Cracknell
2 - BOAT
1 - Teh Schwartz

[Oaklandblue]

3 - Cracknell
2 - BOAT
1 - Teh Schwartz

BOAT eats them all for breakfast. Guy's the definition of heart.

[sseagle]

3 - Cracknell
2 - BOAT
1 - Teh Schwartz

BOAT eats them all for breakfast. Guy's the definition of heart.

Total fail post. Wrong gdt for sure

[DaDitka]

Is Backes really "C" material?

Yes.

I agree with you and was glad he got the 'C'.

But even he said he was a 'lead by example' guy and not a rah-rah guy in the locker room.

Furthermore, Hitch said Langs was his locker room guy that had the feel for the team and knew best how to reach them.

I really like 42 and wanted him to get the 'C', but that doesn't change my feelings on this team coming out flat in something like 12 of their last 15.