Remember the old joke about the loser who couldn't get laid in a whore house? If so, then welcome to the 2010-11 version of the St. Louis Blues. Once again injuries have ripped out the heart of the team leaving it, frankly, flaccid.
Tonight's 4-1 home drubbing at the hands of the Sharks can be chalked up to one thing; lack of scoring. This team knows if it falls behind 1 or 2 goals you can pretty much predict the outcome. To hear the management talk, as I heard on the radio tonight between periods, it is next to impossible to trade for needs anymore.
I don't buy it. The same sorts of deficiencies and needs that have always arisen in the NHL are still there. To the perennial needs you can add a new one, i.e. making room for the salary cap, into the mix. Now, it is true, the types of deals can be a little restricted for those teams unable to take salary, but that should be when an organization loaded with prospects should be able to make a move. The Blues, unfortunately, seem to be convinced any such move would turn out to be the hockey equivalent of Brock for Broglio. Or they are at least living in fear of that possibility.
I'm not suggesting anyone make a panic move, but it is clear that the Blues roster is shy on NHL caliber talent right now. Given that Oshie will not be back for another three months (we hope) and Perron looks likely to be the Justin Morneau of hockey, sitting around and praying doesn't seem like much of a strategy.
At a bare minimum it might be nice to see someone with some offensive upside make the trip from Peoria...even if its only for a cup of coffee. We want to see effort, which is something we saw very little of Saturday night.
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