St. Louis Game Time

Thursday Links: What is Life With Out Blues Hockey?

2012-05-17T11:18:44Z

My nights are so boring now a days... I have no puck to watch, unless you count the rest of the Stanley Cup playoffs. But honestly I could care less about who is left. No team is really exciting to me and I have no desire to continue watching Quick mind fuck us all... its a wound that is still to fresh.

So that leaves my nights free to wallow away and attempt to fill the empty spot left by the blues with ice cream and an intense Gilmore Girls marathon... its like an intense break up that I am in the early stages of getting over.

Come back to me my dear blues I seriously won't ever hurt you like that again!

Now for the depressed RBR links:

Blues News:

Not much out there but this was a really cool read with our Boy Shatty. (Greenwich Post)
Bleacher Report gives us an A-... I can take that. (Bleacher Report)
Can Tommy Stillman get shit done in St. Louis? Hope so cause damn we deserve it Tom. (STLToday)

Hockey News:

Puck from Last Night: Well then... New Jersey tied up the series 1-1... blah. (NHL)
Who is sick of John Tortorella... I sure Am! (Puck Daddy)
So apparently there just isn't enough controversy in this post season for the media so they start creating it... seriously what's wrong with shot blocking!? (CBS)
Martin Hanzal will sit for one game as he has been handed a Shanaban. (Puck Daddy)
WTF IS THIS?! (Brooklyndaily)
246 hours of Hockey... that's a lot of playing... and a lot of love for the game. (Calgary Herald)
Now I have a strong hatred for the Dead Things and their fans but I have said it before and I'll say it again... Fuck Cancer. (The Record)

Other News:

We got new slang for balls boys and girls... (Today I Found Out)
Pretty good tumblr... (DatLaugh)
NOT Politically charged I swear, but it was to interesting to pass up read the speech that was covered up for stating this dudes opinions/his view on the rich as a rich man. (Round Table)
There is Seriously NO WAY anyone notice this in Iron Man 2. (Imgur)

Videos:

Not sure if this kid is a genius or a dumb ass.
Everyone is allowed to have an off day... even super heroes.

/RBR Witty Sign Off Here

gametimelinks (at) gmail.com

Twitter:

@bradflick55

@StephHartigan

@RealBadRobot

Pros and Cons of Vladdy Tarasenko coming to St. Louis

2012-05-16T19:00:21Z

According to every scouting report, Vladimir Tarasenko is at least twice as good as Evgeni Malkin. And by scouting report, I mean "comments on Facebook by guys who watched his shootout move on Youtube."

The question on everyone's mind (besides how he can stick handle like he's got the puck on a string) is WHEN. When will Tarasenko come to North America and make Alex Ovechkin look like Vitali Karamnov?

I've stolen a page from Tarasenko's diary weighing the pros and cons of coming to the NHL. (Although my friend Doug insists I call it a "journal.") I'm going to post it below as if I found it, but I really just ripped off Puck Daddy's translation and used it as my own.

Dear Journal,

Today is was cold in Russia. Again.

Anyways, I have been thinking about whether I should join the St. Louis Blues next year. John Davidson has expressed interest in me joining the team, but leaving me 4 voicemails a day is getting old. So, I guess I should decide soon. I made a list of pros and cons.

CONS:

1. God hates the St. Louis Blues.

It looks like the Blues have a lineup of second liners. They could really use a goal scorer, but can't really afford a $7 million player. It's a perfect match. Almost too perfect. I'm afraid I'll blow out a knee on a golf cart, and/or end up being a bust. Seems like the Blues have a history of screwing things up. (Hooligan's note: Good observations, Vladdy. I get the impression God hates the Blues, too. I just hope the reason God hates the Blues isn't because he's a Detroit fan. I might become an atheist or something.)

2. Captain Kangaroo hates Russians.

I hear the fat guy who coaches the Blues hates Russians. They traded Nikita Nikitin when he got there. There's a laundry list of Russians he's hated on. (Hooligan's note: Oh, come on. He used Sergei Zubov like a horse in Dallas. The rest of those guys were either shitty or washed up by the time he got there. Maybe Hitch doesn't hate Russians. Maybe he just hates shitty hockey players. Should you really be worried, Vladdy?)

3. I have more sex than a Roman emperor

You know, it's pretty awesome being a stud hockey player in my home country. I'm an all-star. I make more money than my degenerate friends. My days consists of hockey, vodka and pussy. WHY THE FUCK WOULD I EVER LEAVE???!!! (Hooligan's note: Fair point.)

PROS

1. The KHL

The KHL is more unstable than a Central African government. (And at times, just as violent.) Sometimes teams fold. Sometimes teams stop paying their players. And maybe that whole 2/3rds guaranteed contract thing Bryz was babbling about the other day is a good thing. (Hooligan's note: While Russia may be the everlasting land of hard liquor and women for a young hockey player, the KHL is just a step above the Brentwood Men's League in terms of quality of operations.)

2. God status in St. Louis

My friend TJ called me the other day, trying to convince me to play. Something about, "Dear God, please come play here so Hitch doesn't try Sobotka on the top line again." Anyways, he said all you have to do is skate hard and hit people and the people will love you. In fact, he made it sound like my current "hockey/vodka/beautiful girl" star player routine could be easily duplicated. (Hooligan's note: If he wants to live like a rock star, maybe TJ can give the young buck some tips.)

3. If I really am a star player, I'll win the Stanley Cup.

Wow, look at all these ex-Blues star players who have won Cups. Brett Hull, Brendan Shanahan, Chris Pronger, Curtis Joseph, Rod Brind'amour, Doug Gilmour, Scott Stevens...wow. Apparently, after a couple of years in St. Louis, I'm virtually guaranteed to win a Cup somewhere else! (Hooligan's note: Screw you, Vladdy.)

So, I'm still not sure what to do. I guess I'll figure it out soon and call John Davidson one of these days. (Hooligan's note: Please, Vladdy. Please. Put us out of misery. I'm getting sick of the "When's Tarasenko coming?" question.)

Wednesday Links: Don't Forget to be Awesome!

2012-05-16T11:01:06Z

Flick is off stuck in an endless cycle tending to a boom pole and very little sleep...

That sounds a little wrong... eh.

SO while he is off recording sound on some set that I will never see I am here for you, the people... of Gametime... are we really people here? I ponder these things at very awkward times. I really need to stop doing that... or not.

I now shall move forward cause really this is just starting to sound very rambly and like I have been hit in the head or something of that nature... Seriously is it time for Blues hockey to be back yet???

Onward with the Links of the Robot!

Blues News:

Interesting read on our future Russian Stallion... dog... what animal best associates with a russian??? (KMOV)
If you haven't heard yet the blues have been purchased by local boy Tom Stillman... aka The Blackhawks Fans new drinking partner... seriously jealous of that dick... but not his dick... oh shit I give up... (STLToday)
The Komen Race for the Cure is coming up soon... here is all the info you need to join the Blues "Team"! (Missouri Sports Mag)

Hockey News:

Puck From Last Night: Jonathan Quick further proved that he is a) A Jedi and b) the entire NHL is weak minded and therefore unable to see they are being mind fucked by him. (NHL)
In the East The Rangers are holding a pretty nice 2-0 Series lead over the Devils... meh I miss the Blues! (NHL)
Alex Goligoski is seriously a lucky lucky man... (CBSSports)
Apparently ESPN doesn't hate Hockey... According to Ilya "Universe" Bryzgalov This is news to the specks of earth... (Thanks Jason aka No GT Username Left in email...) (Sherman Report)
The St. Louis Bandits will be inactive for the 2012-2013 Junior Hockey season... damn man just damn... (Junior Hockey)
Women Hockey Players are sparse and when one of our ranks is taken from us we morn... RIP Lizzie Watkins. (Perth Now)
Chronicling the Drunken Adventures of Patricia Kane. (Deadspin)

Other News:

If you are an Olympian and you make a bet that includes humiliating yourself at the Opening Ceremony in London... you better sure as hell make sure you win that bet... this guy didn't. (Fourth Place Medal)
My history teacher in high school had it right... history is a bunch of lies... (Cracked)
This one is for the Ladies... Ryan Lochte (DAMN!!!) loves his mommy. (Shine)

Videos:

LMFAO Get's Schooled by this 18 year old... boy gots some amazing pipes!
There are things that people do with babies that just make me shudder... this is not one of those things:

Well that's it for me Cats and Kittens!

Until next time, I bid thee a du... yeah that's just weird...

Hit us Up at:

gametimelinks (at) gmail.com

@bradflick55

@StephHartigan

@RealBadRobot

Game Time Prospect Sunday, May 13, 2012

2012-05-13T17:00:30Z

By Brian Weidler, "Game Time" Prospect Department

A VERY HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY TO ALL YOU HOCKEY MOMS OUT THERE...

...especially Prospect Mom out here in Coyotes Country, and Friends of "Prospect Sunday" Angela and Jenn-Jenn.

Another short and sweet week, as there's just not much to talk about right now in the World O' Prospects. After the Memorial Cup, there will be heavy emphasis on the upcoming NHL Entry Draft.

Oh, and the Russians inexplicably continue to refuse to give Vladimir Tarasenko a chance to earn a spot on the World Championships roster. Are the powers-that-be in Russian hockey punishing T-90 for publicly expressing a desire to play in the NHL? And will this drive Tarasenko to sign with the Blues sooner rather than later, notwithstanding any threats about being banned from the Sochi Olympics in 2014 if he abandons the KHL?

I will try to stay on top of this story as best I can, with any details or breaking news posted here as soon as I hear them.

-- B.

PROSPECT PROMOTIONS / DEMOTIONS:

None to report this week.

PROSPECT TRADES:

None to report this week.

PLAYERS ON SICK CALL:

None to report this week.

PLAYERS RETURNED TO DUTY:

None to report this week.

PLAYERS ON SUSPENSION:

None to report this week.

PROSPECT NEWS AND NOTES:

ITEM: PROSPECT PLAYOFF UPDATE.

NHL: Nothin'.

AHL: Nothin'.

ECHL: Nothin'.

EUROPE: Nothin'.

QMJHL: The Saint John Sea Dogs are your President's Cup champions for the second consecutive season, earning a spot in the Memorial Cup tournament to be played May 20-27 in Shawinigan.

Blues' prospects Stephen Macaulay or Ryan Tesink were not key contributors on offense in the final series, being overshadowed by Saint John's more high-profile forwards. Tesink posted an assist, two penalty minutes, and a plus-1 in the four games of the Final series, and finished the playoffs with a 7-6-13 scoring line (plus-5, 24 PM, 2 PPG, 2 GWG) in 17 games. Macaulay, meanwhile, picked up a goal and an assist in the Finals, both coming in Saint John's 6-4 win over Rimouski in Game Three. Tesink and Blues' 2011 Traverse City invitee Maxime Villemaire assisted on Macaulay's goal, which put the Sea Dogs ahead to stay in that game.

Macaulay, a 2010 draft pick of the Blues who is likely to sign an ELC this summer and turn pro with the Peoria Rivermen in 2012-13, finished the playoffs with a 6-7-13 scoring line (plus-5, 10 PM, 1 PPG, 1 GWG) in 17 games.

OHL: The London Knights are your Rogers OHL Champions for the 2011-12 season, defeating the Niagara Ice Dogs and Blues' prospect Brock Beukeboom four games to one. The Ice Dogs took the series opener in double overtime by a 3-2 score at London's John Labatt Centre before dropping four straight games to the powerhouse Knights.

Beukeboom, who like Macaulay is also a 2010 draftee (by Tampa, acquired in the Eric Brewer trade) and expected to sign his ELC this summer, picked up a pair of assists and four penalty minutes in four Finals appearances, but was a minus-4 in the Finals and was not dressed for Game Five. In 19 playoff contests, the 6' 2, 197-pound right-shooting blueliner from Uxbridge, Ontario posted a 2-3-5 scoring line, with a minus-1 and 10 minutes in the sin bin.

WHL: Out in the wild, wild West, it all comes down to one game at the historic Rexall Place (formerly Northlands Coliseum) in Edmonton.

Ty Rattie and the Portland Winterhawks evened their best-of-seven Ed Chynoweth Cup Final series with the Edmonton Oil Kings at three games apiece with a 3-2 win at the Rose Garden, across the Willamette River from downtown Portland, on Saturday night. The Hawks got a goal from Pittsburgh first-rounder Joe Morrow, and a pair (including the game-winner) from Columbus prospect Olivier Gabriel to send the series back to Edmonton for what should be a classic Game Seven tonight.

The game for all the marbles in the 'Dub is scheduled for 8:00 PM CDT, and the Hawks' radio stream can be found HERE for those interested in listening live online.

Rattie has been held pretty much in check by Edmonton in the Finals, picking up "only" two goals (both on the power play) and four points in five appearances; remember, he sat out Game Two on concussion watch. As a result, he has fallen behind linemate and 2010 Calgary draftee Sven Bärtschi in the WHL playoff scoring race. Bärtschi now leads with 34 points (14 G, 20 A) in 21 games, while Rattie is right behind with 33 points (19 G, 14 A) in 20 games.

The Airdrie, Alberta native continues to lead all WHL players in playoff goals (19) and power-play goals (7), and he has a plus-12, 12 penalty minutes, a shorthanded goal (an OT game-winner vs. Tri-Cities in Game 2 of the Western Conference final) and two game-winning goals to add to that impressive scoring line.

Sunday Links: One Goal Edition

2012-05-13T12:30:05Z

I didn't get to watch hockey last night, I got to watch NASCAR. I'm shockingly okay with this. I'm shockingly not okay with the previous sentence.

Blues News:

Beer and Hockey - it goes together like . . . beer and hockey. [Post Dispatch]
Hey! Somebody recognized the Blues have been for sale for two years! [Washington Post]

Playoff stuff:

Everyone knows NHL 94 is awesome. [Sporting News]
Kings are the favorites. I guess. [San Bernardino County Sun]
A Canadian newspaper pretends to care about the Western Conference finals. It's precious. [The Star]
Worst playoff performers today? [New England Hockey Journal]
Holtbelive turned into Holtbesobbing. Consolation prize? Finally all of the DC fans have heard of Henrik Lundqvist. [SB Nation DC]

Worlds:

I'm going to do something different, and send you on a scavenger hunt. What else do you have to do? Oh, right, CALL YOUR MOTHER, OR A MOTHER LIKE FIGURE RIGHT NOW, Then find how many goals Canada has scored this tournament, which two Capitals will fill the remaining roster spots for Russia, The Chara and Burrows picture explained, and why France has a hockey team.

Evil Clown for hire of the day:

Hire a zombie clown to stalk someone for their birthday week! [Metro]
A different take, but the cost of the service is hilarious. I love this. [Itsy Bitsy Steps]

gametimelinks [at] gmail.com

Any complaints, concerns, and general griping can be sent to me on Interestate 70, because that's where I'll be all day.

Saturday Links: Goalies Galore Edition

2012-05-12T12:00:04Z

Goalies aren't my thing, but everyone else seems to like their crazy asses.

Let's give the people what the want! - Something Hartigan has never said, and probably never will - it's just the easiest theme this morning.

All the goalies:

There are good things! Like the Jennings Trophy, remember the Jennings Trophy? [Blues]
Poor Halak. He's got a long road of recovery most likely filled with percocets. [Sporting News]
Poor Elliott. Ear infections are the worst. [ProHockeyTalk]
Martin Brodeur's book will be one of the books read in my sport's book club. Most definitely. [Amazon]
Mike Smith is coming up solid in the post season. [NHL]
Pretty cool stats on Smith and Quick. A goal and a shutout for their first professional win? Both of them? [The ECHL]
Aw, it's a little Capital's goalie's baby. [puck daddy]
OF COURSE Henry has his own appreciation blog. It's kinda fantastic. [The Henrik Lundqvist Blog]

Video:

Honoring a wonder goalie this morning - Belchy.

P.S. I'm on a 1700 mile roadtrip. Today is KY, IN, IL, MO. Basically you'll find me on 64. SAVE ME. On the plus side there is a detour for Tim Horton's planned. Just learned that we're going to OHIO as well. Boy oh boy.

gametime links [at] gmail.com

How Will History Remember The Dave Checketts Era?

2012-05-10T13:00:49Z

With a press conference set at 11 a.m. today to introduce new controlling owner Tom Stillman and his group of investors, we draw a close to the ownership of Dave Checketts. What started out with the promise of a Blues revolution ended with a quiet exit stage left in the midst of cash flow problems and a litany of failed promises to fix the ownership situation.

When Checketts arrived on the scene in 2006, the team was in shambles, finishing last in the league and earning the No. 1 pick in the draft. There were a few aged stars left, but the roster was filled with cheap stop-gaps and journeymen. Crowds had dwindled at or below 10,000 a game in an arena that seats 19,150. Checketts represented tangible hope.

He had been successful in running professional sports franchises in New York. He seemed connected. He made all the right statements about committing to the St. Louis area and giving back to the community and wanting to give the fans a team we could be proud of. He immediately brought in John Davidson, a well-known and well-liked hockey guy. They made a splash by signing a hopefully defensive stalwart in Jay McKee. This Eric Brewer kid might work out. Some young guys were given a chance to improve. They fired Mike Kitchen. The next summer they signed Paul Kariya. They focused on the draft, made trades at the deadline and tried to get younger and better (the Brad Boyes trade comes to mind). But money problems were always in the background.

The biggest mistake Checketts made early on was raising ticket prices that first season. It didn't help him start on the right foot with fans and hurt attendance. Later he said the league forced his hand and made him raise prices. The next year, he tried to lower as many of the cheaper seats as possible. That, in retrospect was a bad move. It sent a message that Blues tickets would only be in a certain range and fans would only pay X amount of dollars. That becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Revenue not rising faster would handcuff the team.

Just two summers in, the team had to sell off the rights to concession stands for $10 million to cover a balloon payment on the loan Checketts had to get to pay for the team. That loan coming due last year forced Checketts to sell all of the team. He had tried just selling the majority shares that had been held by an investment firm, but he couldn't find anyone willing to put up millions of dollars while not calling the shots. When the loan was almost due, he had to sell all of the team.

When the Blues made the 2009 playoffs, we all thought the team had turned the corner. A bunch of injured guys were coming back that hadn't contributed to that season. Guys like Erik Johnson and Eric Brewer and a healthy Paul Kariya were going to take the team to the next level. It was a convenient excuse to not spend money in free agency or by trading picks or prospects. The reality was that the money was running out. At the end of last season, the Blues were less than $1 million above the salary floor. This past summer, the front office made one more play by signing Jamie Langenbrunner and Jason Arnott to one-year deals. While those worked incredibly well, they were safe moves for a new owner coming in who might want to shrink the payroll. Hopefully that's not the case.

The worst thing Checketts did (other than not having enough of his own money) was making empty promises on progress for stabilizing the ownership situation. Two years of deadlines come and deadlines gone led to a lot of confusion surrounding the sale. Last year it seemed it would never happen. But here we are today, saying goodbye to Checketts and hello to Stillman.

I don't have any hard feelings. It seems like the franchise has made progress despite the uncertainty. General manager Doug Armstrong sure seems like he knows what he's doing. Ken Hitchcock sure seems like the right guy for the job. This team had a chance to go deep in the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Better days are hopefully still ahead.

So in the end, Checketts helped put the Blues back on the map. He didn't have the resources to get the team over the hump, but few owners in their history have. When Checketts signed on as owner, the salary cap was below where the salary floor is now. No one could have predicted that. Even with the money issues, the roster, front office and entire organization seem stronger today than they were six years ago. For that, Mr. Checketts we thank you.

If you had to give Checketts a letter grade, what would you give him?

Wednesday Links: All I Do Is Six-Seed Edition

2012-05-09T17:27:33Z

Blues News

The goalies are disappointed, naturally. [P-D]
While the Blues clear out their lockers, Gordo reflects on the facts of a few players. [P-D]
Petro is a hockey player. He played the LA series with a knee injury. [P-D]
Somebody bought the goddamn team already. Thank you, Tom Stillman. [P-D]

NHL/Hockey News

The Devils beat the Flyers last night to win the series 4-1. As a result, the Minnesota Wild will get a conditional third-round draft pick acquired during the Marek Zidlicky trade. [SBN Minnesota]
This was the game-winning goal last night. Mr. Universe with a colossal blunder. [Puck Daddy]
Will Jagr play in the NHL next season? [NHL]
The Rangers need to finish off the Capitals and can do so tonight. [The Province]
Joel Quenneville is shaking up his bench, firing assistant coach Mike Haviland. [P-D]
"Why regular season success still matters in the NHL." [Globe and Mail]
Let's hate the Kings. EVERYBODY! [Anaheim Calling]

Wednesday Video

I've been on a 90s hip-hop kick to get over the sweep. Here's some Coolio. Suck one.

gametimelinks AT gmail DOT com

@bradflick55