2014-2015 Post Mortem

[abc789987]

I'm ready for then to blow up the team and start over.
But I totally expect them to do absolutely nothing.

[Oaklandblue]

Nice strawman. So, if they destroyed everything that the franchise was, and then won, it would be obvious that they did the right thing. Well duh. And, frankly, they ought to do that. I'd even consider changing the logo and colors. Anything to get rid of the loser status of this franchise.

Blow up the team? Absolutely. After all, what's the worst thing that happens? You don't make the playoffs? So what? Prove that this isn't good enough. And, frankly, start tomorrow. Fire Armstrong tomorrow, announce that Hitch isn't coming back, and let Stillman make a fired-up public statement. "I'm embarrassed. This isn't good enough. We're getting rid of these losers because I'm not going to tolerate this." If you did that in this town, people would tear down the door to buy tickets. But if you do this stupid "retooling", "we'll have exit interviews first" thing, forget it. You've been a failure for almost 50 years now. Maybe try something different.

Yes, they'll sell some tickets. Especially when the Rams officially become lame-duck, you'll sell them. Heck, they should just get it over with and make the year's slogan "Where Else Are You Going To Have An Excuse To Get Drunk Indoors In The Winter?". That'll get you 15k every night in this town. I think very little of the self-respect of those people, but hey--you do you. It's called disposable income for a reason.

In the end, you can shift the chairs around on the Titanic if you want. But the best approach would be to sink the crappy ship and build a new one.

So what do we do to win? I hear alot of can't and won't, but not any IF we do this or that. This is a franchise, like Calgary, like Toronto or Chicago, like any other. If the fanbase tosses that shit out the door and demand the team do better, it changes the culture. You as a player would not walk around town with people who give a shit. It sounds like no one cares and everyone expects the Blues to putter out, so they're apathetic. Who cares? There's your problem. If these (Frankers) were shamed and I mean outright shamed and the fanbase called out for blood, shit would change real quick. Change the surrounding culture and you change the fortunes of the team. That's where it all starts, before you've won anything because without that, you CAN NOT win anything. Winnipeg gets it, why don't we?

[Oaklandblue]

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2015 ... /#comments

Oshie doesn't think the current core is the problem? You been drinking again, TJ? Reading that entire quote from TJ makes me wonder if he's right in the head. Were we watching the same game you were seeing from ice level? You guys looked like shit. Pure shit.

I absolutely blame Hitch for this. If Hitch laid into these guys like he should have, this wouldn't be an issue. Everytime Hitch lets bad play go to try and accentuate the positives or what he can make into positives gives these guys a pass and all he seemed to have been doing was handing out passes. Mind Hitch wasn't working for a contract, I really think he'll retire. If he does, he needs to stay out of this organization. Period.

[JesusNEVERexisted]

Nyghtewynd could have a point. Eventhough this Blues team wasn't around for past playoff failures nor are they responsible for them it clearly still ways on them mentally! For some reason they just can't get over that playoff hump.

They are haunted by the ghosts of past playoffs! Maybe the Blues need to get a team psychologist.

[Oaklandblue]

Nyghtewynd could have a point. Eventhough this Blues team wasn't around for past playoff failures nor are they responsible for them it clearly still ways on them mentally! For some reason they just can't get over that playoff hump.

They are haunted by the ghosts of past playoffs! Maybe the Blues need to get a team psychologist.

We going to blame Glenn Hall for not winning the Stanley Cup too?

They have full control of their destiny. They decided not to show up and they were allowed to come in with that attitude/outlook. They lost. There is nothing else to it, than that.

[Kerfuffle]

I was just listening to Jeremy Roenick and Mike Milbury on the hockey network. JR said he'd be surprised if Hitchcock was let go. Milbury was surprised JR said that and I agree. You have to hold the coach accountable here.

Seems like there's a lot of blame on Allen for the 5-hole goal today and blaming Hitch for not starting Elliot.

I'm not a fan of Oshie - I believe he's a one dimensional guy - he's good for shootouts and nothing else. And we all know there's no shootouts in the playoffs. Have said that he single handedly gets his team 5-6 points on shootout wins alone. But the question management needs to ask is if it's worth it to keep a roster spot filled by a shootout specialist.

[cardsfan04]

I don't think we should get carried away with roster turnover. I'm ok with getting rid of Hitch. I would absolutely shake up part of the core, but the key phrase is "part of."

If we have a fire sale of our top talent, we're going to go into a rebuild which is absurd for a team this talented. If we trade 1 or 2 key people to give the team a different feel, we can still be competitive with a very good roster that Army put together and get the benefit of shaking things up.

As for Hitch, I can't really argue against letting him go. We've lost 4 straight playoff series under him, and we had home ice in all 4. It's hard to make a passionate defense of keeping him. But, I'm not sure that he's the problem either.

[Oaklandblue]

I don't think we should get carried away with roster turnover. I'm ok with getting rid of Hitch. I would absolutely shake up part of the core, but the key phrase is "part of."

If we have a fire sale of our top talent, we're going to go into a rebuild which is absurd for a team this talented. If we trade 1 or 2 key people to give the team a different feel, we can still be competitive with a very good roster that Army put together and get the benefit of shaking things up.

As for Hitch, I can't really argue against letting him go. We've lost 4 straight playoff series under him, and we had home ice in all 4. It's hard to make a passionate defense of keeping him. But, I'm not sure that he's the problem either.

The big question is: Who shows up when the playoffs starts?

Those who don't, and we have four playoffs to base a concensus on, we trade off.

The false economy here is valuing making the playoffs more than making it -through- the playoffs. We can make the playoffs and lose pieces. We had top talent in the minors ready to start peeking out onto the roster. The thing is, if we do a major overhaul, we can only do it once and then we have to stick with it for 3-5 years. I feel after that time, our window is closed. If we are not willing to make the big decisions and changes to win, we won't go anywhere and that's where we are at, right now.

[goon attack]

You do NOT blow up this team. You people are (Franking) high.

You get rid of Oshie and toughen up the D. If that's all you do, you've done good. Toughening up the D should be priority #1.

Trade/get rid of these worthless fucks immediately:

Oshie
Gunnarson
Bouwmeester
Berglund

And go from there.

Hitchcock can suck it. Can his dumb ass immediately.

[goon attack]

The only way you keep Oshie is if you put him on the third or even fourth line during the playoffs.

[Oaklandblue]

The only way you keep Oshie is if you put him on the third or even fourth line during the playoffs.

And Backes?

Hell, Osh should be drug tested for the remarks he made after the game.

[JesusNEVERexisted]

Nyghtewynd could have a point. Eventhough this Blues team wasn't around for past playoff failures nor are they responsible for them it clearly still ways on them mentally! For some reason they just can't get over that playoff hump.

They are haunted by the ghosts of past playoffs! Maybe the Blues need to get a team psychologist.

We going to blame Glenn Hall for not winning the Stanley Cup too?

They have full control of their destiny. They decided not to show up and they were allowed to come in with that attitude/outlook. They lost. There is nothing else to it, than that.

Yes I know that. But all the players know they SUCK in the playoffs so it weighs on them mentally. They are clearly carrying an 800 lb. gorilla on their backs that they can't get rid of!

[JesusNEVERexisted]

To cheer you up here are franchises in all 4 major sports who haven't won a championship. The Sabres and Canucks came into existence in 1979 and haven't won either. In a way the Leafs are worse than the Blues since they haven't won since 1961.

1) Washington Senators/Texas Rangers (1961)
2) Minnesota Vikings (1961)
3) Houston Astros (1962)
4) Atlanta Falcons (1966)
5) St. Louis Blues (1967)
6) Cincinnati Bengals (1968)
7) Denver Nuggets (1968)
8 (tie) Seattle Pilots/Milwaukee Brewers (1969); Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals (1969); San Diego Padres (1969)
11) Phoenix Suns (1969)

[cardsfan04]

I don't think we should get carried away with roster turnover. I'm ok with getting rid of Hitch. I would absolutely shake up part of the core, but the key phrase is "part of."

If we have a fire sale of our top talent, we're going to go into a rebuild which is absurd for a team this talented. If we trade 1 or 2 key people to give the team a different feel, we can still be competitive with a very good roster that Army put together and get the benefit of shaking things up.

As for Hitch, I can't really argue against letting him go. We've lost 4 straight playoff series under him, and we had home ice in all 4. It's hard to make a passionate defense of keeping him. But, I'm not sure that he's the problem either.

The big question is: Who shows up when the playoffs starts?

Those who don't, and we have four playoffs to base a concensus on, we trade off.

The false economy here is valuing making the playoffs more than making it -through- the playoffs. We can make the playoffs and lose pieces. We had top talent in the minors ready to start peeking out onto the roster. The thing is, if we do a major overhaul, we can only do it once and then we have to stick with it for 3-5 years. I feel after that time, our window is closed. If we are not willing to make the big decisions and changes to win, we won't go anywhere and that's where we are at, right now.

If that's the standard for being moved or not being moved, we might as well do a full rebuild. But, doing a full rebuild right now would be really dumb. Any moves we make should be to make us better next season. If we unload everybody that underperformed in the playoffs, we'll be awful next year.

Oshie and Bouwmeester are where I'd start. Not saying their the only ones I'd consider moving, but you can't trade the entire team.

[tjk002]

You do NOT blow up this team. You people are (Franking) high.

You get rid of Oshie and toughen up the D. If that's all you do, you've done good. Toughening up the D should be priority #1.

Trade/get rid of these worthless fucks immediately:

Oshie
Gunnarson
Bouwmeester
Berglund

And go from there.

Hitchcock can suck it. Can his dumb ass immediately.

Goon, pretty much nails it. I've never understood the love affair this city has with Oshie. For you guys who want to ship of Steen and Backes, what are you going to get in return? Who is going to take that ice time? Those guys are excellent two way players. I doubt the Blues do more than what Goon is saying.

I don't know which idiot team will take Bouwmeester from us, but lord hope there is one who he'll accept a trade to. If not, can we use one of those cuts for salary cap reasons, and just eat it?

[theohall]

You do NOT blow up this team. You people are (Franking) high.

You get rid of Oshie and toughen up the D. If that's all you do, you've done good. Toughening up the D should be priority #1.

Trade/get rid of these worthless fucks immediately:

Oshie
Gunnarson
Bouwmeester
Berglundn

And go from there.

Hitchcock can suck it. Can his dumb ass immediately.

Goon, pretty much nails it. I've never understood the love affair this city has with Oshie. For you guys who want to ship of Steen and Backes, what are you going to get in return? Who is going to take that ice time? Those guys are excellent two way players. I doubt the Blues do more than what Goon is saying.

I don't know which idiot team will take Bouwmeester from us, but lord hope there is one who he'll accept a trade to. If not, can we use one of those cuts for salary cap reasons, and just eat it?

shipping off Backes and Steen is 100% about lack of playoff performance. They don't perform. If you can't perform in the playoffs, your team isn't winning any championships.

[WaukeeBlues]

You do NOT blow up this team. You people are (Franking) high.

You get rid of Oshie and toughen up the D. If that's all you do, you've done good. Toughening up the D should be priority #1.

Trade/get rid of these worthless fucks immediately:

Oshie
Gunnarson
Bouwmeester
Berglund

And go from there.

Hitchcock can suck it. Can his dumb ass immediately.

Goon, pretty much nails it. I've never understood the love affair this city has with Oshie. For you guys who want to ship of Steen and Backes, what are you going to get in return? Who is going to take that ice time? Those guys are excellent two way players. I doubt the Blues do more than what Goon is saying.

I don't know which idiot team will take Bouwmeester from us, but lord hope there is one who he'll accept a trade to. If not, can we use one of those cuts for salary cap reasons, and just eat it?

Quite frankly I don't care who eats the minutes. I like Backes and Steen, they ARE good two way players. They also happen to be two of the top guys on this team that have been a part of the last three playoff losses in the first round. They are a large part of the playoff leadership that has failed.

As has been said elsewhere in this thread: you could trade our whole top line of Backes, Oshie and Steen and I wouldn't bat an eye. We can get some talented players from trading those three. The STL line is basically our top line anyway and Stastny is too talented for us to be plugging him in on the 3rd line. We can't just keep the same roster year in and year out and expect different results. I've been patient for three postseasons and it's BS to ask us fans to be patient even more.

I can absolutely believe that there is some truth to a supposed quote from Stastny that this team can't handle losing or falling behind in a game or playing from behind.

Goaltending is another hot mess. Allen didn't do bad but he didn't steal us any games either. Dubnyk stole game 5 which ended up becoming pivotal. I don't remember the last time anybody in goal for the Blues stole a playoff game. Brent Johnson. That's about it.

[goon attack]

Backes is a beast. We need that. Put him on the third line for all I care... but he's a big body who plows over people. We are lacking in that. Steen is a great two way guy. I was speaking about out of the three, who do we get rid of? I'd pick Oshie in a second.

However, if we jettisoned any of them I wouldn't care.

I'd also slap an A on Backes at this point. Then again, Brian Sutter never won a Cup either and I couldn't imagine taking the C off of him.

I really think we need a tougher defense and a few quicker forwards and we're there.

This team is so close to greatness. "Blowing up the team" and "Starting from scratch" is (Franking) asinine.

Four words: Vladimir Sobotka Roman Polak. How badly were guys like them missed during this round?

This team went a little pansy and they paid for it.

[Oaklandblue]

Backes is a beast. We need that. Put him on the third line for all I care... but he's a big body who plows over people. We are lacking in that. Steen is a great two way guy. I was speaking about out of the three, who do we get rid of? I'd pick Oshie in a second.

However, if we jettisoned any of them I wouldn't care.

I'd also slap an A on Backes at this point. Then again, Brian Sutter never won a Cup either and I couldn't imagine taking the C off of him.

I really think we need a tougher defense and a few quicker forwards and we're there.

This team is so close to greatness. "Blowing up the team" and "Starting from scratch" is (Franking) asinine.

Four words: Vladimir Sobotka Roman Polak. How badly were guys like them missed during this round?

This team went a little pansy and they paid for it.

Boat is Badass intensified. I was really pissed that we didn't pay him whatever he thought he was worth. You don't let guys like that walk. Polak, eh, he was ok at times, sucked at others, kind of like the rest of this team...

But Boat was outstanding no matter what. Little guy with a heart the size of the stadium.

[Nyghtewynd]

This team is so close to greatness.

Greatness is sixteen wins. Once again, the Blues have gotten two wins.

You may want to try www.dictionary.com.