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Wednesday, February 25
CAREFUL WHAT YOU READ, WATCH AND HEAR
14:27:42 CST
I'm getting bombarded with e-mails. I will attempt to respond to the questions over the next two days as quickly as possible in bulk-form via the newsletter.
Here are quick responses to three of the most asked questions.
The first relates to Larry Pleau and the Blues drafts during his tenure. Consider the following...
THE PLEAU DRAFT REGISTER
Simply stated, once again, the morons that want to rip the Blues for failure to produce through the system... lack the time, effort or cranium matter to analyze.
Larry Pleau was brought aboard in June of 1997 as GM.
Pleau has guided the franchise through seven NHL drafts.
Thanks in large part to deals consummated prior to his arrival, the franchise was void of top selections.
Since, 1997, the Blues have had four Top 30 picks... not good enough? Since 1997, the Blues have had five Top 40 picks... not good enough? Since 1997, the Blues have had eight Top 60 picks.
To use simple terms, roughly, the Blues have had the equivalent of eight picks, total, in the first two rounds over the last seven years.
That noted, the Pleau & Co. have nailed their premium picks.
The four players the Blues drafted among the first 30 picks since Pleau took the reins: Christian Backman, Shawn Belle, Barret Jackman, and Jeff Taffe. Backman and Jackman are legit difference-makers. Taffe is beginning to blossom in Phoenix and Belle remains a favorite topic of conversation around the NHL as a potential big-time talent.
In 2000, the Blues had four picks among the first 100 selections for the first time during the Pleau era. David Morisset was converted into Scott Mellanby. Justin Papineau became Chris Osgood and Jeff Taffe was a key component in the deal for Keith Tkachuk (as was Ladislav Nagy, picked by the Blues in Pleau's first draft)..
Last year the Blues had five picks in the first 101 picks and four of their selections are deemed legit prospects by scouts around the league. Belle along with goalie Konstantin Barulin are rated legit big-timers.
Keep something in mind, Steve Yzerman, Niklas Lidstrom, Sergei Federov, and Darren McCarty were all selected five to 14 years prior to the Red Wings winning a Stanley Cup. Keith Primeau and Slava Kozlov were drafted in 1990. Primeau was bait to acquire Brendan Shanahan and Kozlov was included in the Dom Hasek deal. Tomas Holmstrom was draft 10 years ago. Kris Draper was acquired early in his career (1993) and groomed by the Red Wings.
It took Jimmy Devellano (considered the mastermind behind Detroit's rise) 15 years to build a 'Cup winner in Detroit with a huge chunk of Scotty Bowman's assistance.
It took Lou Lamoriello eight years to build a winner in New Jersey even with a plethora picks along with the fleecing of Scott Stevens all the while playing in an inferior conference.
Simply stated, considering the circumstances... Pleau & Co. receive passing grades for their drafting efforts.
If scouts I've spoke with prove correct, the Blues last three drafts will prove a solid foundation for the future. As one scout told me, "It's the best those guys have drafted since late in the (19)70s."
Now onto topic two... KFNS. A number of e-mails have bashed the all-sports station for their coverage, misinformation and coverage by 'Fredo Marecek. Consider the following...
THAT'S WHY THE WELL IS DRY
There is a reason that KFNS wannabe Greg Marecek is begging for somebody to buy the station. There is a reason why he is telling employees that times are tough and he is selling.
Simply stated, the station sucks. I've said it before and I'll say it again, it is the worst all-sports station in the country.
Today is a perfect example with 'Fredo (known as John Marecek) doing a morning show related to hockey. From what I'm told it was pathetic.
First, he admits to disliking hockey, second, he knows nothing about hockey, and third where the hell would he work if he wasn't the son of the man that oversees a station that is taking on water barely staying afloat?
There are three regular on-air talent worth listening time. There is a kid behind the scenes that I can vouch has skills. The rest are useless. The rest will have extended careers outside the broadcast business once the station is sold or buried.
The lack of hockey knowledge has shined through, thanks in large part to 'Fredo.
Believe me, it's only a matter of time before the station is spread over the spring flower beds which is what it is worth.
The few legit "players" will be free of the albatross carried for years and will hopefully land on their feet.
The rest will get what they deserve... the same "nothing" they've scammed the public with far too long.
I apologize to my boys over there but I can no longer protect your useless pals.
The scam is up, what has been a wart on the St. Louis sports media is about to be removed.
VIVE LE WEBSTER HIGH, VIVE LE WEBSTER HIGH, VIVE LE WEBSTER HIGH
TOPIC THREE... DA NEW COACH
I laugh when I see the masses attempt to analyze the sport of hockey in this town.
One of the hot questions is why give Mike Kitchen a multi-year deal?
First, his deal is guaranteed for the remainder of this year and next year... the team has an option for the third (well second full year).
Next, Kitchen is considered on of the best assistant coaches in the game. Often times in hockey... as in other sports highly-regarded assistant coaches become head coaches.
And... often times in sports, teams like to protect coaching assets. Hence, instead of having Kitchen on the open-market. The Blues tied down a highly respected assistant coach.
In the end, as is usually the case in this town, the media which is clueless about the sport of hockey makes asses of the themselves spewing the public sentiment.
If I were to ask 10 media members in this town, give me legit coaching candidates... roughly 10 would fail to reach five.
Simply stated, 99.999% of the media in this town has no idea how Kitchen is perceived in the business, what his strengths are deemed to be, etc.
I wonder, how many of these media types broached the same topic with Lovie Smith? Did Smith win a Super Bowl, what did Lovie Smith do to warrant a long-term deal with the Bears?
Can anybody tell me exactly what the differences are in style, handling, and attitude between Kitchen and Coach Q?
The only reason to ask why Kitchen deserved a long-term deal is lack of knowledge.
Again, I ask, if you question Kitchen, why not question Lovie?
Do you have to be an assistant on a Stanley Cup winning team or a Super Bowl winning team to deserve a chance? If so, shall I broach dozens of examples in recent times that assistants from championship teams failed on their own?
If an assistant is marred by his predecessor why has so many men elevated after dismissal of their superiors in the sports world?
The next question coming from a ton of readers and professional suppoters will be why open a wound, why bash your brethren?
So in advance here is my response... I don't need anymore friends... my family, boys from Maryland Heights and existing professional posse is more than enough.
I won't rollover for this pathetic cast of morons sprinkled throughout the KFNS, the TV media and at the P-D.
Likewise, I will continue to offer props to the 11 guys in this town that bust their ass to provide sports fans with legitimate insight and information.
I have options down the road, I don't need to be a part of the brotherhood of pukes in this town working to keep the status quo so they can continue to provide surface material and misinformation while drawing a paycheck.
All righty, bye-bye.
MORE INFORMATION, INSIGHT, STATS AND FACTS TO FOLLOW
CAREFUL WHAT YOU READ, WATCH AND HEAR
14:27:42 CST
I'm getting bombarded with e-mails. I will attempt to respond to the questions over the next two days as quickly as possible in bulk-form via the newsletter.
Here are quick responses to three of the most asked questions.
The first relates to Larry Pleau and the Blues drafts during his tenure. Consider the following...
THE PLEAU DRAFT REGISTER
Simply stated, once again, the morons that want to rip the Blues for failure to produce through the system... lack the time, effort or cranium matter to analyze.
Larry Pleau was brought aboard in June of 1997 as GM.
Pleau has guided the franchise through seven NHL drafts.
Thanks in large part to deals consummated prior to his arrival, the franchise was void of top selections.
Since, 1997, the Blues have had four Top 30 picks... not good enough? Since 1997, the Blues have had five Top 40 picks... not good enough? Since 1997, the Blues have had eight Top 60 picks.
To use simple terms, roughly, the Blues have had the equivalent of eight picks, total, in the first two rounds over the last seven years.
That noted, the Pleau & Co. have nailed their premium picks.
The four players the Blues drafted among the first 30 picks since Pleau took the reins: Christian Backman, Shawn Belle, Barret Jackman, and Jeff Taffe. Backman and Jackman are legit difference-makers. Taffe is beginning to blossom in Phoenix and Belle remains a favorite topic of conversation around the NHL as a potential big-time talent.
In 2000, the Blues had four picks among the first 100 selections for the first time during the Pleau era. David Morisset was converted into Scott Mellanby. Justin Papineau became Chris Osgood and Jeff Taffe was a key component in the deal for Keith Tkachuk (as was Ladislav Nagy, picked by the Blues in Pleau's first draft)..
Last year the Blues had five picks in the first 101 picks and four of their selections are deemed legit prospects by scouts around the league. Belle along with goalie Konstantin Barulin are rated legit big-timers.
Keep something in mind, Steve Yzerman, Niklas Lidstrom, Sergei Federov, and Darren McCarty were all selected five to 14 years prior to the Red Wings winning a Stanley Cup. Keith Primeau and Slava Kozlov were drafted in 1990. Primeau was bait to acquire Brendan Shanahan and Kozlov was included in the Dom Hasek deal. Tomas Holmstrom was draft 10 years ago. Kris Draper was acquired early in his career (1993) and groomed by the Red Wings.
It took Jimmy Devellano (considered the mastermind behind Detroit's rise) 15 years to build a 'Cup winner in Detroit with a huge chunk of Scotty Bowman's assistance.
It took Lou Lamoriello eight years to build a winner in New Jersey even with a plethora picks along with the fleecing of Scott Stevens all the while playing in an inferior conference.
Simply stated, considering the circumstances... Pleau & Co. receive passing grades for their drafting efforts.
If scouts I've spoke with prove correct, the Blues last three drafts will prove a solid foundation for the future. As one scout told me, "It's the best those guys have drafted since late in the (19)70s."
Now onto topic two... KFNS. A number of e-mails have bashed the all-sports station for their coverage, misinformation and coverage by 'Fredo Marecek. Consider the following...
THAT'S WHY THE WELL IS DRY
There is a reason that KFNS wannabe Greg Marecek is begging for somebody to buy the station. There is a reason why he is telling employees that times are tough and he is selling.
Simply stated, the station sucks. I've said it before and I'll say it again, it is the worst all-sports station in the country.
Today is a perfect example with 'Fredo (known as John Marecek) doing a morning show related to hockey. From what I'm told it was pathetic.
First, he admits to disliking hockey, second, he knows nothing about hockey, and third where the hell would he work if he wasn't the son of the man that oversees a station that is taking on water barely staying afloat?
There are three regular on-air talent worth listening time. There is a kid behind the scenes that I can vouch has skills. The rest are useless. The rest will have extended careers outside the broadcast business once the station is sold or buried.
The lack of hockey knowledge has shined through, thanks in large part to 'Fredo.
Believe me, it's only a matter of time before the station is spread over the spring flower beds which is what it is worth.
The few legit "players" will be free of the albatross carried for years and will hopefully land on their feet.
The rest will get what they deserve... the same "nothing" they've scammed the public with far too long.
I apologize to my boys over there but I can no longer protect your useless pals.
The scam is up, what has been a wart on the St. Louis sports media is about to be removed.
VIVE LE WEBSTER HIGH, VIVE LE WEBSTER HIGH, VIVE LE WEBSTER HIGH
TOPIC THREE... DA NEW COACH
I laugh when I see the masses attempt to analyze the sport of hockey in this town.
One of the hot questions is why give Mike Kitchen a multi-year deal?
First, his deal is guaranteed for the remainder of this year and next year... the team has an option for the third (well second full year).
Next, Kitchen is considered on of the best assistant coaches in the game. Often times in hockey... as in other sports highly-regarded assistant coaches become head coaches.
And... often times in sports, teams like to protect coaching assets. Hence, instead of having Kitchen on the open-market. The Blues tied down a highly respected assistant coach.
In the end, as is usually the case in this town, the media which is clueless about the sport of hockey makes asses of the themselves spewing the public sentiment.
If I were to ask 10 media members in this town, give me legit coaching candidates... roughly 10 would fail to reach five.
Simply stated, 99.999% of the media in this town has no idea how Kitchen is perceived in the business, what his strengths are deemed to be, etc.
I wonder, how many of these media types broached the same topic with Lovie Smith? Did Smith win a Super Bowl, what did Lovie Smith do to warrant a long-term deal with the Bears?
Can anybody tell me exactly what the differences are in style, handling, and attitude between Kitchen and Coach Q?
The only reason to ask why Kitchen deserved a long-term deal is lack of knowledge.
Again, I ask, if you question Kitchen, why not question Lovie?
Do you have to be an assistant on a Stanley Cup winning team or a Super Bowl winning team to deserve a chance? If so, shall I broach dozens of examples in recent times that assistants from championship teams failed on their own?
If an assistant is marred by his predecessor why has so many men elevated after dismissal of their superiors in the sports world?
The next question coming from a ton of readers and professional suppoters will be why open a wound, why bash your brethren?
So in advance here is my response... I don't need anymore friends... my family, boys from Maryland Heights and existing professional posse is more than enough.
I won't rollover for this pathetic cast of morons sprinkled throughout the KFNS, the TV media and at the P-D.
Likewise, I will continue to offer props to the 11 guys in this town that bust their ass to provide sports fans with legitimate insight and information.
I have options down the road, I don't need to be a part of the brotherhood of pukes in this town working to keep the status quo so they can continue to provide surface material and misinformation while drawing a paycheck.
All righty, bye-bye.
MORE INFORMATION, INSIGHT, STATS AND FACTS TO FOLLOW
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