Ah, the Firesale
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On Wednesday, June 21, NHL league officials gathered for a Board of Governors meeting to discuss the sale of two teams: the St. Louis Blues, and the Phoenix Coyotes. Both sales were approved.
For the Blues, the decision was unanimous. Dave Checketts, along with his Sports Capital Partners and Towerbrook Capital Partners, will begin ownership duties upon completion of the sale, which is expected to take place on or around June 30.
In the eyes of many Blues' fans, this is too late. Not only did the Lauries' procrastinate an entire season too long, but the delay means that the team still belongs to them on draft day. (June 24) What these fans must realize however, is that who owns the Blues on draft day doesn't matter. Drafting isn't done by Larry Pleau, the Blues General Manager, who may very well be on his way out come June 30th.
Jarmo Kekalainen, the Blues Head of Amateur Scouting, will conduct the 2006 NHL Entry Draft for the St. Louis Blues. Kekalainen has been studying these players for the last year minimum. He's had his eye on some of them for several years. Kekalained has shown his skill drafting players for the Blues in the past. We're talking about a team who's motto has been, "Build from within," for the last decade. Current Blues drafted by Kekalainen include Peter Cajanek (253rd 2001), Barrett Jackman (17th 1999), Christian Backman (24th 1998), Lee Stempniak (148th 2003), David Backes (62nd 2003), Jay McClement (57th 2001), Colin Hemingway (221 1999), Matt Walker (83rd 1998), Reed Low (177th 1996), and Jamal Mayers (89th 1993), as well as the ECHL goalie of the year Chris Beckford-Tseu, and the ECHL Defenseman of the year Mike Gauthier in the 2003, and 2005 drafts respectively. Other picks by Kekalainen that are recognizable include: Igor Korolev, Ian Laparriere, Jamie Rivers, Eric Boguniecki, Mike Grier, Jochen Hecht, Michel Handzus, Ladislav Nagy, Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre, Marty Reasoner, Daniel Corso, Alexander Khavanov, and Tom Koivisto. And Kekalainen is still convinced that his 1st rounder in 2005 was the best pick next to Crosby and Ovechkin in the draft and he got him (T.J. Oshie 24th 2005).
Kekalainen is well prepared for this year's drafting having three picks in the top 31 overall, including number 1. Most team's around the league would have to agree and most would even offer thanks to the Blues' organization for trading away some of the Jarmo's gems.
So that brings me back to the title, ah the firesale. When a new owner comes in, it usually means alot of things are on the way out. And it should be no different in this case. The Blues finished dead last in the NHL last season, putting an end to the 26 consecutive Cupless playoff appearances, the longest such streak in any professional sport. Management, both upper and lower, have the most to fear, as Checketts may already have close personal ties lined up for those positions. Pleau's job is probably the least secure, or at least right up their with President/CEO Mark Sauer as well as Head Coach Mike Kitchen. Players too, should be wary of this firesale. New ownership might want a new look team, especially after finishing 30th. Players would normally be traded, but then again, the Blues only have 8 guys under contract for next season.
Only time can tell the future of the St. Louis Blues. But for now, the first step in a brilliant future lies in Jarmo Kekalainen's hands. A solid draft in combination with a couple of good offseason acquisitions will see the Blues back into the playoffs in 06-07, and a serious Cup contender by 08-09 (if all goes well!).
Source
- www.stlblues.com
- www.yahoo.com
- www.espn.com/nhl
Date
Thu 06/22/06, 12:19 pm EST
