SB Nation User Blog: Brad Lee

Wayne Gretzky Now Expected For Brett Hull Night

Brad Lee — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:00:38 -0000

More photos » by Darren Calabrese - AP

Wayne Gretzky probably received a much smaller reception at Lambert International Airport. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese)

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This is all going to get a little surreal.

Jeremy Rutherford with the Post-Dispatch made a posting at the Blues Talk Forum that Wayne Gretzky has been sighted in St. Louis and is expected to participate in the on-ice ceremonies honoring Brett Hull for his induction in the Hockey Hall of Fame. It will be interesting to experience the fan reaction.

You have to remember, Gretzky only played 18 regular season games and 13 playoff games with the Blues in the spring of 1996. His last moment wearing the Blue Note was him turning the puck over and then watching Steve Yzerman score over Jon Casey's shoulder.

There were reports the Blues offered a new contract for the soon to be free agent Gretzky, but that the offer was pulled by Mike Keenan after a poor early performance in the playoffs. I remember hearing Gretzky say he would never re-sign after they did that. The Great One eventually signed with the Rangers and his time as a Blue became just a minor footnote in the Gretzky mythology.

Hands down, Gretzky was the best player in the NHL during his prime years. His scoring records are light years from the rest of the league. But it is not reasonable to believe that fans in St. Louis have any connection with Gretzky.

So Blues fans, I ask what your response will be tonight when Gretzky appears on the ice during the festivities? Let us know down below.

This is also your pre-party before the game.

Blues Blow 3-0 Lead

Brad Lee — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:58:16 -0000

More photos » by Tom Gannam - AP

This game is over! Where are we going to celebrate after the victory! (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

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I'm not going to say that the Blues thought the game was over, but David Backes and Keith Tkachuk were caught smiling on the bench after he nearly got a hat trick. It all seemed a little too easy.

And then Gilbert Brule scored. And he scored again. Suddenly it was a game. And then it wasn't with four third-period goals for the Oilers. And then it was over 5-3.

Shocking.

I'll end this wrapup jus like the Bl

Oilers @ Blues GDT

Brad Lee — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:38:32 -0000

by Paul Sancya - AP

If you get more playing time, will you smell better? I need to know. You are ripe. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

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The Edmonton Oilers make their first visit to St. Louis tonight. Try not to get too excited. They have one more point than the Blues.

The Oilers are coming off a 3-2 win Wednesday night at Tampa Bay. Zach Stortini scored a Gordie Howe hat trick with his third goal of the season, an assist and not one but two fights. Overachiever. The win gives Edmonton four straight victories on the road coming into tonight. Who do they think they are, the Blues? The Oilers also got goals from Tom Gilbert and Dustin Penner.

Penner is having a renaissance this season, his third after signing a ridiculous free agent offer sheet while in Anaheim. His first season in Alberta, Penner 23 goals and 24 assists, only two points more than he had scored the season before. Last year, his second for the Oilers, his production dropped to 17 goals and 20 assists. This season already Penner has matched his goal total of 17 and has 15 assists. Even if he has turned his career around at age 27 and made his signing not seem like such a freaking joke, Penner will still remain the argument against a franchise gambling by throwing gobs of money at young restricted free agents. I guess that's better than being remembered for marrying one of the actresses on Baywatch and then having his messy divorce go public.

So Sheldon Souray got married to Angelica Bridges who was on Baywatch. They were happy. Had some kids. Decided to get a divorce. She got a Twitter account and started accusing Souray of being violent towards his family. Real, real messy. The big defenseman with a big shot from the point, especially on the power play, Last season for the Oilers Souray netted 23 goals. This year, two. To match his 53 points from last year, he's going to have to turn it up a notch from seven.

Lubomir Visnovsky is having a fine year and enjoying time away from Los Angeles. The defenseman has seven goals and 15 assists and is supplying the offense from the blue line that Souray should be providing. Of course offense has been at a premium for the Oilers since their leading scorer Ales Hemsky went down with a torn left labrum. Season-ending surgery. Too bad for him.

Gilbert Brule was a bust as a first-round draft pick in Columbus. Without the pressure of being the next big thing in Ohio, he can be just another player for the Oilers. He's scored seven goals and 11 assists during this his first season in Edmonton. And he's only 22. So go figure what his real potential ceiling is.

The pressure is still on young Sam Gagner to get better. As an 18-year-old he scored 49 points. It was precious. And then at age 19, his points dropped to 41. Now that he's not a teenager but not old enough to order his own beer, he has 18 points on the season. Good luck, young fella.

I had totally forgotten Nikolai Khabibulin signed in Edmonton. And maybe the Oilers wish they could forget too. The Bulin Wall has a record of 7-9-2 on the season. While sporting a 91 percent save percentage, his GAA is above 3.0. That's a really weird mix. He's been on the shelf with a sore back since Nov. 21. Playing in his place have been Jeff Deslauriers and Devan Dubnyk. I think they may sell tires in their spare time.

Can the Blues play a good game on home ice? Who's the starter in net? Will Towel Boy actually jump? Let's drop the puck.

This is your game day thread. There's no way you read all that. Do your thing.

Which Blues Could Make The Olympics?

Brad Lee — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:46:03 -0000

More photos » by Ross D. Franklin - AP

This face was built for dangerous activities. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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The hockey blogs on the SB Nation network have been putting together previews for the 2010 Olympics. The idea is to put together educated guesses about which players from each team will participate in the Winter Games. We don't want to get left out, so keep reading to see our predictions for players making the Olympics.

Jay McClement, Canada
With his combination of speed, hard work, determination and Zen-like ability to control his emotions in the game, Silent Jay should pack his bags for Vancouver. And when we say pack his bags, we mean he needs to put his cross country skis and rifle in travel bags so he can participate in the biathlon. Ah, the biathlon. It combines the obscure sports of cross country skiing and shooting. The biathlon requires the participants to ski as fast as they can for long stretches then stop and hit small targets at distance with their rifle. That requires the shooter to slow his breathing and heartbeat to get a steady bead on the target. McClement is perfect for it.

Paul Kariya, Canada
One of the fastest and agile skaters on the Blues with a combination of sparkling moves and aversion to contact, Kariya should pack his bags. And he should make sure to include his skates that have toe picks. Kariya is the perfect ice dancer. Just add sequins.

T.J. Oshie, USA
Backwards hat, check. Frosted hair tips, check. Wild energy, check. Reckless abandon, double check. Oshie will be a hit in freestyle snowboarding, preferably the half pipe. Tell me he's not the prototypical snowboarder. Plus he'd guarantee a sellout and hundreds of screaming 16-year-olds.

Ty Conklin, Chris Mason, Canada
This tandem, they just look like they get along really well. They're openly happy for the other after victories and look genuinely concerned after defeats. Goaltenders are a different breed. They're odd. Different. Oddballs, you see. So they have a bond that most players can't even fathom. That's why they will be threats to contend in doubles luge. Have you seen these people in their skin-tight suits all spooned together? You think any two guys can just mount each other and the sled before hurtling down the ice-covered track? Most guys would piss their pants, and on doubles luge you really don't want that. Conk and Mase, they have everything.

David Backes, USA
The Olympics next year are in Vancouver. That's part of Canada last time we checked. And they sometimes highlight some of the local sports during the games. A dark horse to win a medal has to be David Backes in bear wrestling. He'll be in a battle with some work to do before becoming nearly a lock, but it's a safe bet he'll be moving on up the rankings as long as the bears agree to fight him. If not, he'll be moving down.

Patrik Berglund, Sweden
The second-year Swede has been gliding up and down the ice, just kind of scuffling along the entire season. Berglund should pack his broom for curling.

Alex Steen, Canada
It's as plain as the nose on his face, Steen is perfect for ski jumping. The said nose will cut the wind like a shark's fin through room temperature Velveeta. Plus he's mostly from Europe, so he's got that going for him, which is nice.

B.J. Crombeen, USA
Look at the marked-up, bruised, cut, toothless mug on this guy and know he has no fear. He's perfect for skeleton. You don't know what skeleton is? That's the sport where you climb on a sled that's about the size of a cafeteria tray and all the control of one and you slide down the ice track, cranium first at huge rates of speed - even when they measure it at kilometers per hour. Godspeed, B.J. Just remember there's no freaking brakes.

Roman Polak, Czech Republic
Now he's got a lot of work to do to make the Czech Republic men's ice hockey team. But he's pretty much a lock to make Team Italy. Or Poland's.

Are there any players/sports we missed? Give 'em in the comments.

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Remember, Blues at Sharks tonight. GDT will be hopped up on Red Bull. Come back, won't you?

There Are Moral Victories

Brad Lee — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:45:40 -0000

More photos » by Bill Boyce - AP

Dammit. (AP Photo/Bill Boyce)

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I saw the postgame press conference with head coach Andy Murray after Saturday's shootout loss to the Red Menace and could see the disappointment on his face. I heard David Backes talk in hushed tones. I know the team took Todd Bertuzzi beating Chris Mason hard. And yeah, I was pissed off right after the game ended.

How they played against a Red Wings team desperate for a win was just another positive sign in a string of many. The game-tying goal off of Barret Jackman's arm pit was a fluke. A bad break. Not indicative of how the Blues played even in the waning seconds when they gave up the lead.

Let's be realistic, the Blues seem to be back on track at the moment. They've won some games they wouldn't have three weeks ago and they're playing hard in most facets of the game, probably for a couple reasons.

I think most evident is that Mason has elevated his game and the players in front have responded. A goaltender on his game behind his teammates can be a calming influence. It's easier to play in front of a hot goalie. I have no facts or evidence to back this up, mind you, but I think it's probably true.

The Jay McClement and B.J. Crombeen Rejuvination Machine is still working its magic. David Perron found his game and has kept going. Patrik Berglund forgot he was scared of his own shadow and has shown some improvement. I believe the rotting corpse of Paul Kariya saw some time with McClement and Crombeen before coming back to life in recent games.

And in the end, I don't think anyone panicked. Other than the fans and all of the crazies who comment around this place and the people who write for the Game Time paper and Towel Boy. He had to be pissing his air-brushed jeans thinking all his autographed towels would never seen the outstretched hands of his fans. But the guys on the ice and the front office didn't lose their shit. And suddenly the Blues are again a dangerous opponent every night. Go figure.

An NHL season is so damn long. If the Blues can keep this intensity and play with some balance and dare I say confidence and we might forget at the end of the season about late October and early Novemeber. Hopefully.

So fine Game TIme readers who continue to grace us with your presence, have the Blues really turned the corner? Is this the real Blues? Or will we be seeing the team from a couple weeks ago resurface? Tell us down below.

And don't forget to come back for the GDT when the Blues travel to Columbus.

Redwings @ Blues GDT

Brad Lee — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 01:02:36 -0000

This is your game day thread. It is under construction due to holiday travel.

Go to work.

Blues @ Starts GDT

Brad Lee — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:41:25 -0000

by Donna McWilliam - AP

Steve Ott, greated by Chris Mason and the munchkin defenseman. I'm sorry, he prefers dwarf. Anyway, this may be representative of the treatment Mr. Ott may receive tonight. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

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Remember a little earlier in the season when for about five days almost every post on this here Web site was about Steve Ott of the Dallas Stars and his various acts of douchebaggery? Well call this the rematch.

For the first time since that Saturday night where Ott went low on a questionable hit on Carlo Colaiacovo and then purposefully went knee-on-knee with B.J. Crombeen, the Blues face Ott and the Stars. Honestly, I'd kind of forgotten about it until I read a warning to some Stars fans that we might be assholes over the whole thing. So let's defy conventional wisdom and just be our normal selves around here tonight.

So back to the man of the night. Do I expect a fight or two? Hell yes. Do I think the Blues will go after Ott in a physical/dirty way? If they do, I hope they don't cross the line. That's how the Todd Bertuzzis of the world are made. I hope they put a body on him as part of the play and not lay the lumber behind the officials' backs like some folding chair over Ric Flair's head (WOOOOOOOOO!). What I'm saying is I hope the Blues even the score by getting a win and playing physical within the rules of the game. Is that too much to ask?

One thing to look for: commenter Brado and his signs. He's the awesome dude who was behind the Blues' net who had the Oshie For Prez sign that made the John Hamm commercial with the St. Louis Game Time sticker on it. He's got tickets for tonight. He's got another sign and more stickers. He's like the Where's Waldo of Game Time. In Dallas only. You know what I mean.

I have no idea how many of you crazy people will be here on one of the busiest bar nights of the year. I've got two kids. I'm leaving town for Thanksgiving first thing in the morning. No crowded, smoky, overpriced bar for me. Sad, I know. But I'll have the GDT to fill my belly, keeping me lightheaded and probably a little sick when it's over.

This is your game day thread. Fill it up and drink it in.

Bruins @ Blues GDT

Brad Lee — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:06:07 -0000

by Tom Gannam - AP

This is probably the wost photo of a great play ever. Where's the puck? Who's ass is that? What's the goalie doing? Is Perron even paying attention? (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

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Holy crap it's almost over. This homestand has been a killer.

Remember, we're the "smart guys" who publish a fan-run paper for each home game. So not only do we have to keep this little machine humming, we have words upon words upon dozens and dozens of words we need to churn out for each paper. And this Web site we've started suffers. Sorry 'bout that. Thanks to all our cool readers for the fanposts and fanshots. They help with keeping you coming back. And thanks for all the participation in the game day threads. We're kind of known for some of the more entertaining GDTs and it's all you crazy, obsessed people.

So tonight the Bruins come to town. You might remember the last second miracle on a Monday afternoon last season that Average Joe referenced in the morning links. Go watch the video again and tell me you're not a little motivated to go run through a brick wall. Exciting shit.

Well here's hoping the Blues don't need that kind of effort at the end of the game.

For the record, I love root beer. IBC root beer at Lion's Choice with their crushed ice was the best beverage of my childhood. I've been on a kick lately drinking the non-traditional soda flavors. A little orange soda, some cherry stuff. I think it's awesome that the Drinkscotch Center has Wild Cherry Pepsi at the concession stands. And with the unlimited refills on the souvenir cups, I may see how many I can drink next game. I'll keep you updated.

This bubbly, fizzy, cherry-flavored drink of a post is your game day thread. Guzzle it up.

Game Time On Team 1380

Brad Lee — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:24:55 -0000

Chris Gift spent some time on 1380 yesterday.

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For the second time this season we were asked to be on the radio. We don't know why either.

Yesterday afternoon Chris Gift appeared with the "Z-Man" on Team 1380 here in St. Louis. The talk focused on the 6-1 win over the Canucks. And Gift even sounds like he knows what he's talking about.

Click the audio below.

Gift and Z-Man 11.11.09

Four Fights Equals Six Goals?

Brad Lee — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:52:35 -0000

More photos » by Tom Gannam - AP

If I pound on the glass, maybe that will make them fight harder! (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

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Well that was interesting last night. Four first-period goals. Four fights. Maybe there are some hard feelings from last year's playoff sweep.

The fisticuffs are an interesting topic to talk about. In the game wrap last night, I mentioned that Cam Janssen on The Morning After on Team 1380 actually went public with a gripe from a loss last week. Janssen had seen less than two minutes of total ice time and was ready to drop the gloves but never got the opportunity. He talked about that frustration on the radio.

The Blues were the last team in the entire league to have a fight and at first glance, it doesn't seem like the Blues have had a lot of fights, but they're actually near the league lead in dropping the gloves. According to HockeyFights.com, the Blues have 13 fighting majors on the season, sixth most in the league and just three behind Calgary and San Jose for the league-lead. B.J. Crombeen has five fights on the year and Janssen has four. Matt Carkner has seven, the most in the league.

I'm of the camp that fights can change momentum and bring a team together. I understand the view that pre-arranged fights are lame and shouldn't be part of the game. If it's a good fight, I wouldn't care that they set it up on Twitter while updating their Facebook pages. It's part of the game, let it remain part of the game.

But what do you think? Has the fighting helped this year? Do you like to see Janssen in the lineup but play around five minutes for the whole game (he skated more than seven minutes Tuesday)? Let's talk about fightin' and this current Blues squad.

And come back this afternoon for a You Write The Comedy.