Paul Statsny "Coming Home" To St. Louis

COMMENTARY | It took me a little while to comment on the signing of Paul Statsny simply because of the overwhelming emails that I received regarding this event. Then other more noteworthy, at least in my mind, things were occurring in the Blues organization. Notably the trade of Roman Polak and the defection of Vladimir Sobotka.

When the St. Louis Blues were able to sign free agent Paul Statsny, it seemed that Armstrong may be able to redeem himself slightly from the horrible signings and trades that he has made in recent years. Then Armstrong started droning on and on about Statsny and insinuating that he was the missing link to the success of the Blues.

While the campaign following Statsny's signing was cute -- Statney is "coming home" to St. Louis -- it was just a little redundant and over-rated. I enjoy watching this guy play just as much as the next fan, however, by placing the pressures of great play-off hockey on his shoulders before he even steps on the ice for the Blues was a little ridiculous.

Statsny needs to get to St. Louis, meet his new coaches and teammates and get comfortable with them before any claims of grandeur should be touted throughout the city. Armstrong is a general manager who is known for making dumb and confusing trades, just look at the Perron/Paajarvi trade, the Halak-Stewart/Miller-Ott trade and the Polak/Gunnarsson trade.

Do I think Statsny will fit into the line-up and be an asset for the Blues? That is what many of my readers have been asking me. My answer to that is this: Statsny is a smart player and he will adjust to head coach Ken Hitchcock's style of play. Within the coarse of the year, yes, Statsny will be an asset for the Blues. Is he the play-off messiah that Armstrong seems to be seeking? The answer is no. To win in the playoffs it takes a cohesive team full of players who will give more of themselves for the good of the team, not for the spotlight and fame that it will bring them.

If the Blues hope to be successful this year, Hitchcock has his work cut out for him as the team has become disjointed since the infamous trade for Ryan Miller. I wish the best for Statsny and his family as they come to St. Louis and make a home. 

St Louis Makes Another Bone-headed Move: Roman Polak is headed to Toronto Maple Leafs

St. Louis Blues General Manager, Doug Armstrong, is at it again. He is wheeling and dealing to the ultimate detriment of the team as a whole. The man should really be muzzled and stuffed in a closet when he gets on these power trips.

NHL draft in Philadelphia, PA has been going smoothly. The Blues have an opportunity to bring in some very talented players in the system. Then a deal comes across that involves Blues defenseman, Roman Polak and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman, Carl Gunnarsson plus a draft pick. Of course power-hungry Armstrong jumped at the opportunity to once again look like a grade A ass.  

That said, Polak is on his way to the Maple Leafs and we get the pleasure of watching another sub-par defenseman flounder in front of the net. I will agree with the Polak critics that his post-season was less than stellar, but pick a Blues’ player who did not fumble and fall on their face during the Chicago Blackhawks series. Polak is a solid player and I have been a proponent of his since he came to the Blues.

Unfortunately, Armstong’s bone-headed deal to move Polak out is one of his best “worst-ever” trades. I place this one right up there with the Miller/Ott – Halak/Stewart trade and the Perron - Paajarvi trade.

Polak will be missed my many Blues fans and there will be a huge hole in the Blues defense as well as in the locker room next season due to this trade. I personally wish Roman and his family the very best in their new city. He is closing this chapter of his career and embarking on a new venture. Show them what you are made of and make Armstong regret his hasty decision.