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St Louis

Volume 4, Issue 20 Game Time December 30, 2008

Four Dollars Of Being In The Gang The Game Day Guide To St. Louis Blues Hockey Established in 2005

By Brad Lee joining the Devils. Obviously he sold his soul to his dark lord to take control of the aptly-named team. There isn’t a bigger ego in A reminder of what could have been visits the Blues tonight. the NHL than Lamoriello. Twice he’s fired his head coach and Before we get into how the Blues have had a horrible placed himself behind the bench late in the , just in time for December and how they blew the game Sunday against the the . His team also helped usher in the Left Wing Lock Ducks, I’m going to dwell on a few demons from Blues’ seasons strategy that slowed down NHL games and reduced scoring league pasts. wide. What a great invention! The Devils can thank the Blues franchise for Lamoriello is one of the most powerful men in the NHL. being aggressive in the early when it came to He’s credited with playing one of the biggest roles in signing free agents. Retired defenseman Scott negotiating the end of the 2004-05 players lockout, Stevens, the linchpin for three Cup-winning which is a good thing. But he also was the Devils teams, was delivered to New Jersey as roadblock in adding more non-conference compensation for the Blues signing Brendan games because his team is within a bus ride of Shanahan. That was before the league had every divisional opponent and more games true free agency when signing the best against the Western Conference means fewer players drew punitive compensation. In a games in the division. roundabout way, the Devils have three NHL commissioner serves championship banners to show for that at the pleasure of teams in the league. signing while the Blues have , Therefore he takes his lead in hurting the game Jeffy Woywitka and a prospect. Those were and stunting its growth from them. In a vacuum the three players acquired in the of leadership, the league has turned to strong , who they got for Shanahan after he became personalities like Lamoriello to misguide it and friendly with ’s wife. What an ugly turn of TM thoroughly screw things up. events. Yes, it’s a little misguided to hate the of a team But instead of dwelling on Six Degrees of , let’s the Blues play what seems like a couple times a decade. Yes, talk about the demon spawn that is . He’s the Lamoriello wasn’t ultimately responsible for the Blues losing general manager of the Devils, the longest tenured GM in the Stevens. But it’s damn convenient to have him as the face of my NHL. He was hired in April 1987 from where displeasure. he was athletic director and hockey coach. He was hired as team president, but would quickly name himself general manager. He Of course there’s plenty to be upset about with this current never played, coached or worked in an NHL front office before (Continued on page 26) Today’s Records, Injuries & News Today’s Team Records: Today’s Injuries: Today’s News & Notes:

Blues: Devils: Blues: C Andy McDonald (fractured • Senators road losing streak 14-19-3 (31 points) 20-11-3 (43 points) ankle), LW (lower body), F reaches 12 with loss to on 5th in Central 3rd in Atlantic TJ Oshie (ankle, again), D Fragile Jay Sunday. 15th in Western 6th in Eastern McKee (broken finger) and D Eric • Colorado’s has surgery on Brewer (back surgery) are out. broken left arm and is out indefinitely. Last Ten Games: Blues: Devils: Devils: G (elbow) is • ’s Nicklas Lidstrom out with a 2-8-0 6-3-1 out. D (ear infection) is bad ankle. questionable. Season Series: All-Time Series: • Game Time staff starting to feel like 0-0-0 45-34-14-1 maybe we spend too much time here.

CAUTION: St. Louis Game Time contains extreme sarcasm and less-than-gentle language. But it is a hockey paper, so you should fucking just get over it. Volume 4, Issue 20 From The Editor December 30, 2008

In the words of virtually every character in days of Pronger and MacInnis. Lars St. Louis Game Time the movie Major League when discussing Eller, Aaron Palushaj, Ian Cole, Jonas Established: November 6, 2005 their team, I feel very similar when talking Junland and others will be the next level St Louis, about the Blues right now: They’re shitty. of talent, and that’s a high level. Just by Phone: 402-2266 And it didn’t have to be like this. the law of averages, one of these prospect www.StLouisGameTime.com goalies will turn out to be decent (right? As the season dawned upon us just under Right?). three months ago I would have called myself Godfather cautiously optimistic. I never thought that It will be our time. The Blues will be Jeffio they were a sure-fire playoff team, but I the team to beat. The team that domi- guessed that they’d be around the seven nates. The team that makes the run. The through 10 spots in the playoff chase when it real run. To the Finals. Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Sean Gallagher was all said and done. And some day, some day that I [email protected] And then Erik Johnson, who as know I’ll get to see, the Blues a sophomore was pretty clearly are going to be the team that going to be the team’s No. 1 gets to skate around with the Advertising defenseman, decided to play a Cup in their hands. [email protected] drunken game of crash ‘em up derby with his What we’re going through is a hard [email protected] golf cart. Allegedly. (Look, I do the same shit road, but the road to the championship every time I’m in a golf cart and have since I isn’t ever easy. Look at the Red Wings, Distribution was pre-18. But if I need knee surgery, I just who suffered for more than a decade to John Nicolay have to endure six months worth of jokes become dominant. Same with the Pens, Amy Benoist, Becky Benoist, about being a gimp. It’s a risk I’m willing to who are on the way. Devils? Check. Billy Cash, Clarence Walker take. His livelihood is at stake. Them’s the Sharks? Check. Ducks? Check. breaks, kid. Golf Cart Go-Kart is officially over until you’re like 40.) But even then I These days, that promise can get me Columnists remained optimistic. That injury probably through. But more than that, I look Chris Gift, Duke, Brad Lee, Answer Man & Brian Weidler cost the team a handful and a half of points forward to the parlor trick of the future in the standings, but it wasn’t the end of the that is going to keep me in free beers into dream. my old age. I can’t wait to be the guy who Contributors can recite every member of the team who Jeffio, Jeff Browning, LosBri, But then we lost Oshie. And Kariya. And got his name engraved on the Cup when Childhood Trauma, Dan Doke, Jeff McDonald. And McKee. And Brewer. I the Blues win. Fahrenkrog, Jeremy Pratte & Chris Reed started to hear people talk about the ‘same old Blues’ and about how their rebuilding has Think about it, for the first couple Photographer Andrew D’Angelo made no progress. And while I’ve dropped years a lot of people will remember 95% my expectations for where the Blues will of the guys. A few years later, a bunch of Mission: finish the season, I dare these naysayers to people will remember about 50% of the show me any other NHL team that could lose guys. Then 20%. Then, just the stars. But Game Time will provide prospect me? I’ll remember everyone. The grinder information, up-to-date statistics, articles that many players of that caliber, or at least that spark discussion and humor that players of that level of importance to their who played one playoff game and got on points out the best and worst about our team, and continue to be a playoff-bound the Cup by technicality? Got him. The favorite team and sport. We are all fans of the Blues and our opinions will reflect team. fighter who played more than 40 regular season games, but never got dressed in those of subjective fans. And so, not to start carving out the the playoffs? Yeah, I got him. The backup The paper is published for every home headstone or anything, but I’m starting to goalie? Yep, him too. game, excluding the pre-season, which we feel like the playoff chase might not quite be all know sucks. in the offing this spring. That’s who I have become. That’s what it is that keeps me from getting Rights & Permissions: Which moves me into the now-annual upset when I watch the Blues give away a next phase of my fandom: Thinking about All material printed herein is copyrighted win on a Sunday night in the third and protected. Do not reprint in any the future good days. The day is coming period. I’m paying the dues. Paying dues format without expressed, written when Patrik Berglund is an offensive on a future parlor trick. permission from Game Time LLC. monster that cannot be contained. The same These are the things that keep me day when TJ Oshie has become Logos & Photos and is blazing a trail through the league in warm at night. That and a burning hot hatred for the Red Wings. That helps too. Team logos and pictures used herein are pure physicality, offensive prowess and tone- the property of the individual teams setting all-around play. will be and/or the NHL and are used solely for identification and editorial purposes. wowing the NHL every night rather than -Sean “hey old-timer, name all the once a week. Erik Johnson and Alex Blues who won the Cup again. Pietrangelo will be reminding us all of the Today’s Phrase: The Devil always gets his We’ll buy you a beer.” Gallagher due. G AME TIME Page 3

Tonight’s Trivia Top 11 Things Jerseyites By Childhood Trauma Do Instead Of Going To Devils Games First Period (true or false): 1. Martin Brodeur is the winningest goalie in NHL history. 11. Pretend they’re from New York. 2. Former Devil Pascal Rheaume famously said, “I’m not 10. Shop for gold chains. drinking Lou’s Kool-Aid anymore” about Devils GM Lou 9. Pretend they were on The Sopranos. Lamoriello. 8. If actually were on The Sopranos, commit First Intermission (t/f): crimes. 3. “The Devil in Miss Jones” is the only X-rated movie to win 7. Go to the bar to find women; end up fighting another dude in a wife-beater t-shirt. an Academy Award. 6. Keep talking about what Exit they’re from. Second Period: 5. Pretend they’re related to Bon Jovi. Still. 4. Which defenseman is not signed for next season: Jay 4. Play a fun game called, “Don't Get Killed McKee, Eric Brewer, , or ? Driving Through Newark.” 5. Which is not true about : He was an NHL head 3. Pretend that Atlantic City is as good as Las Vegas. coach, he played for Team USA in the Olympics, he has a 2. Peel out the Camaro at White Castle. Actually, ring as a player and as an assistant general that’s what people do here, too. manager, he is a member of the . 1. Pretend they are Devils fans (Cup winning years Second intermission: only). 6. Which of these is New Jerseyite Bruce Springsteen’s highest charting single: Hungry Heart, Dancing in the Dark, From the 12 Fluid Ounces of Gallagher’s Brain Born in the USA, or Glory Days? Third Period: 7. Who is the only person to be a team of both the Blues and the Devils? 8. Name the two cities the Devils called home before moving We Don’t Hug It to New Jersey. Out, Bitch. 9. Who is the Devils all-time leading scorer? ! 10. During the 1990 , The Flames traded up in the draft www.stlouisgametime.com with New Jersey to select the first taken, the 11th overall player. The Devils ended up with Martin Brodeur at 20th overall. Who did the Flames draft?

Corrections & Clarifications

10. who will be about 400 wins shy of Martin. Martin. of shy wins 400 about be will who Kidd Trevor 10.

John MacLean, with 701 points. points. 701 with MacLean, John

9. Current Devils assistant coach coach assistant Devils Current 9. • Game Time apologizes for saying one of our former

Colorado Rockies. Rockies. Colorado vendors likes crack cocaine. It was actually heroin. 8. The Devils were previously the City Scouts and the the and Scouts City Kansas the previously were Devils The 8. We just thought crack sounded funnier.

7. Scott Stevens. Stevens. Scott 7. • We apologize for quoting our vendor who described

Platinum single, was “Dancing in the Dark.” Dark.” the in “Dancing was single, Platinum her own outfit as ‘looking homeless.’ We should have

6. Reaching 2 on the billboard hot 100, and Bruce’s only only Bruce’s and 100, hot billboard the on 2 number Reaching 6. said it looks ‘less than homed.’ been inducted to the NHL hall of fame. fame. of hall NHL the to inducted been

5. Larry is a member of the US Hockey Hall of Fame, but has not yet yet not has but Fame, of Hall Hockey US the of member a is Larry 5. • Game Time printed the

4. Jeff Woywitka. Woywitka. Jeff 4. wrong picture of all the

ard. It won best picture in 1969. 1969. in picture best won It ard. the only X-rated film to win an aw an win to film X-rated only the hardcore Devils’ fans

3. False. “Midnight Cowboy” (since downgraded to an R rating) was was rating) R an to downgraded (since Cowboy” “Midnight False. 3. in the last issue. The convict said it. it. said Danton Mike convict

2. False. Ex-Devil and current current and Ex-Devil False. 2. correct picture is shown of ’s 551 career wins. wins. career 551 Roy’s Patrick of

1. False. He is within 10 wins wins 10 within is He False. 1. here. Volume 4, Issue 20 Page 4 December 30, 2008 Page 5 G AME TIME The Five Hole

With Chris Gift

You’ll be hard pressed to find any athlete in any sport that , , , and Miika played in a city for only one year that had as much impact Elomo (don’t worry, we’ve never heard of this guy, or Trevor on a franchise as Scott Stevens did on the St. Louis Blues, Halverson either). They dealt the 1994 pick to and it both positively and negatively. was used on goaltender Eric Fichaud, who had a brief career On July 12, 1990, the Blues signed restricted as a backup goalie in a few different places in the late ‘90s and Scott Stevens, 27, of the to an offer early 2000s. sheet. At the time, being a “free agent” in the NHL was The Blues looked like geniuses during the 1990-1991 about the same to being an entrepreneur in Cuba. Sure, you season. scored 86 times that year. can go where you want, but don’t count on being given a finished with 90 assists. Stevens, the team’s captain, finished huge going away party, and your new place of business may the season with five goals and 44 assists. Most importantly, be a target for future retaliatory activity. he had 150 minutes. To fast forward to another great The offer sheet was for four years and $5.145 million. At Blues season, Stevens was to that team what Chris Pronger the time, the Blues were mavericks (like Sarah Palin) for not was to the 1999-2000 team. Fierce, punishing, intimidating, a only signing a restricted free agent, but also giving him such leader, a winner. a large salary. Just for comparison’s sake, Stevens’ total four The team finished with a record of 47-22-11 for 105 points, year compensation would make him the third highest paid second in the , just one point behind Capital for this season (behind Alex Ovechkin and Mike for both the division and the overall points lead in the league. Green), and the second highest paid Blue (only Paul Kariya That was the year that the fourth place finishing makes more this year than Stevens’ entire contract was NorthStars caught fire during the playoffs and eliminated worth). both the Blackhawks and the Blues on their way to the Stanley Stevens’ Cap teammate, , made $200,000 Cup Finals. that year. The Stevens deal with the Blues was looked at as a Always proactive, the Blues decided to raid yet another watershed moment for salaries going from the middle six team for another emerging star that was, like figure range to the high six figure to seven figure range Stevens the previous year, a restricted free agent during the where they are now. Hatcher made two-hundred grand in summer of 1991. 1990-1991 and was one of the league’s best players, while The ’90-’91 team had nearly everything. Solid goaltending is a fourth liner 18 years later that makes with and , both grit (Garth $550,000. had already won three Norris Butcher, Harold Snepsts, and Stevens) and skill (Jeff Brown, Trophies (three more than Stevens at the time), and was Paul Cavallini, and Stevens) on the blueline, and loads of making less than half of what the Blues were paying talent up front (Hull, Oates, , , Rod Stevens. Brind'Amour- hell, even scored 19 goals on that Once the Blues and Stevens agreed to terms with Stevens, team). But a true power forward was missing. Washington had a week to do one of two things: they could was that power forward. The Blues saw either match the Blues’ offer and retain Stevens or they Shanahan average 27 goals, 62 points and over 130 minutes could let Stevens sign with the Blues and receive the Blues’ in penalties in his three full seasons in the league and had to first round draft picks for the next five seasons. (Continued on page 22) Obviously the Capitals chose option b, and Stevens ended up here, while five draft picks ended up in Washington. The Jeffio Joke of the Day The Blues signing of Stevens was done to win Stanley

Cups. Plural. The philosophy of sacrificing five number one draft picks, which Blues management (which was led by Old man Lou Lamoriello got on a crowded bus owner Mike Shanahan, team president Jack Quinn, general and no one gave him a seat. As the bus shook and manager , and head coach Brian Sutter) assumed rattled, his cane slipped on the floor and he fell. with a successful, veteran, winning franchise, would be in As he got up, a seven-year-old kid, sitting nearby, the tail end of the first round. By the time it was the Blues’ turn to draft, the consensus was that the marquee players in turned to him and said, “If you put a little rubber the top end of the round would be gone. The penalty of thingy on the end of your stick, it wouldn’t slip.” losing the picks wouldn’t be as bitter because the success of Lamoriello snapped back, “Well, if your the team would greatly outweigh it. And Stevens would be a vital part of it. daddy did the same thing seven years ago, I would With those five number one picks, Washington drafted have a seat today.” Volume 4, Issue 20 Page 6 December 30, 2008 St. Louis Blues Statistics

Skater Statistics PLAYER GP G A PTS +/- PIM ATOI PPG PPA SHG SHA SOG SPCT , RW 36 17 15 32 -22 14 19:33 10 7 0 0 98 17.3 , C 36 13 13 26 -10 35 18:16 9 3 0 0 96 13.5 Patrik Berglund, C 31 12 13 25 12 6 15:45 4 6 0 0 58 20.7 David Perron, LW 35 4 19 23 1 18 15:27 0 7 0 0 75 5.3 Andy McDonald, C 16 6 12 18 -12 12 19:55 2 9 1 0 46 13 , RW 36 10 7 17 -5 93 17:20 2 2 0 0 70 14.3 Paul Kariya, LW 11 2 13 15 1 2 18:06 0 9 0 0 31 6.5 Jay McClement, C 36 3 8 11 -8 19 16:37 0 0 1 0 57 5.3 Barret Jackman, D 36 2 7 9 -8 50 22:16 0 1 0 0 40 5 B.J. Crombeen, RW* 20 6 2 8 -3 40 12:46 0 1 0 0 36 16.7 Alexander Steen, LW* 17 1 6 7 E 4 17:52 1 3 0 0 36 2.8 Roman Polak, D 36 1 6 7 -5 29 20:41 0 2 0 0 35 2.9 Eric Brewer, D 28 1 5 6 -14 24 25:07 1 2 0 0 49 2 Jeff Woywitka, D 22 0 6 6 -3 30 17:17 0 4 0 0 21 0 Carlo Colaiacovo, D* 17 1 5 6 -2 17 18:32 0 5 0 0 22 4.5 , LW 18 5 1 6 -5 36 12:09 3 1 0 0 20 25 , C 30 2 2 4 -14 20 12:53 0 0 0 0 27 7.4 T.J. Oshie, C 12 2 2 4 2 2 15:15 1 0 0 0 16 12.5 Mike Weaver, D 18033-3213:0700018 0 Cam Janssen, RW 28033 -4705:430 0 0 0 11 0 Jay McKee, D 30 1 1 2 -5 12 16:32 0 0 0 0 19 5.3 D.J. King, LW 1011E08:2000000 0 , D 60111414:4200003 0 Dan Hinote, RW 19 0 0 0 -6 21 10:54 0 0 0 0 10 0 Goalie Statistics PLAYER GP W L GAA SV SV% SHO TGA TSA PIM ENG 20 10 7 3.25 456 88.9% 0 57 513 0 1 Chris Mason 17 3 11 3.22 420 89.9% 1 47 467 0 5

*Statistics reflect time with St. Louis only. For full season totals, see Pg 14.

Blues Leaders Blues All-Time Leaders Goals Brad Boyes 17 Games Played 927 Assists David Perron 19 Goals Brett Hull 527 Points Brad Boyes 32 Points Bernie Federko 1,073 Plus/Minus Patrik Berglund 12 PIM Brian Sutter 1,873 PP Goals Brad Boyes 10 Goalie GP 347 Wins Manny Legace 10 Wins Mike Liut 151 GAA Chris Mason 3.22 GAA Jacques Plante 2.07 Save PCT Chris Mason 89.9% Glenn Hall 16

Not Afraid To Be Misunderstood. St. Louis Game Time G AME TIME Page 7 New Jersey Statistics

Skater Statistics PLAYER GP G A PTS +/- PIM ATOI PPG PPA SHG SHA SOG SPCT , LW 34 19 23 42 12 10 19:34 6 7 0 2 147 12.9 Patrik Elias, LW 34 17 22 39 12 20 19:01 5 8 1 1 124 13.7 , RW 33 9 20 29 12 22 16:47 2 4 1 1 100 9 , C 34 10 16 26 12 19 19:26 1 4 0 1 82 12.2 , RW 33 5 17 22 9 33 18:46 0 3 0 0 82 6.1 , C 34 8 12 20 9 37 16:20 1 4 0 0 58 13.8 , D 34 3 10 13 10 10 21:12 1 2 1 0 45 6.7 David Clarkson, RW 34 6 6 12 2 58 12:44 1 1 0 0 63 9.5 , D 29 2 9 11 6 16 24:54 1 5 0 0 41 4.9 Colin White, D 34 1 9 10 10 24 19:29 0 0 0 0 28 3.6 , C 28 3 6 9 -8 14 17:26 0 0 0 1 46 6.5 Mike Mottau, D 32 0 6 6 10 17 17:54 0 1 0 0 30 0 , LW 34 3 3 6 -6 6 16:19 0 0 1 0 42 7.1 Bryce Salvador, D 28 2 4 6 -1 26 21:38 0 0 0 1 23 8.7 , D 11 1 5 6 6 4 15:42 0 0 0 0 6 16.7 , C 16 4 1 5 -3 12 15:40 2 0 0 0 45 8.9 , LW 32 3 2 5 3 61 8:07 0 0 0 0 32 9.4 Bobby Holik, C 16 1 2 3 2 14 10:08 0 0 0 0 20 5 , D 15 0 3 3 2 4 15:05 0 0 0 0 29 0 Jay Leach, D 16 0 1 1 4 21 15:07 0 0 0 0 4 0 Petr Vrana, LW 16 1 0 1 -4 2 6:54 0 0 0 0 6 16.7 Nicklas Bergfors, RW 8 1 0 1 -1 0 5:48 0 0 0 0 6 16.7 P. Letourneau-Leblond, LW 6 0 1 1 1 15 4:50 0 0 0 0 2 0 Sheldon Brookbank, D 15 0 0 0 1 25 8:51 0 0 0 0 6 0 Goalie Statistics PLAYER GP W L GAA SV SV% SHO TGA TSA PIM ENG 19 12 5 2.15 487 92.4% 0 40 527 2 3 Martin Brodeur 10 6 2 2.16 229 91.6% 2 21 250 2 2 7 2 4 3.06 170 89.9% 0 19 189 0 0 *Statistics reflect time with current team only.

Devils Leaders Devils All-Time Leaders Goals Zach Parise 19 Games Played 1,283 Assists Zach Parise 23 Goals John MacLean 347 Points Zach Parise 42 Points John MacLean 701 Plus/Minus 4 tied 12 PIM Ken Daneyko 2,519 PP Goals Zach Parise 6 Goalie GP Martin Brodeur 978 Wins S c o t t Cle mme ns e n 12 Wins J-S Giguere 544 GAA Scott Clemmensen 2.15 GAA J-S Giguere 2.20 Save PCT Scott Clemmensen 92.4% Shutouts J-S Giguere 98

Time To Unleash The Swear Words. www.StLouisGameTime.com Volume 4, Issue 20 Page 8 December 30, 2008

Like The Photos in GT? The Big Johnson Joke of the Day Aye, yo, New Joisey! You wanna know how big my Now available for purchase Johnson is? My Johnson is so big, the Feds from our photographer needed the RICO Act to try to bring it down. My Johnson is so big, it’s sometimes referred to as Manhattan's Dick. My Johnson is so big, its inhabitants have a weird accent.

The Roman Polak Joke of the Day

Great Rates! Roman Polak was suffering from some Perfect for autographs! constipation, so he approached the team doctor. The doctor listened to Great gifts for your favorite fan! the description of his problem and prescribed suppositories. A week View the shots online. later Polak complained to the doctor that they didn't produce Contact: Andrew D’Angelo the desired results. “Have you been taking them [email protected] regularly?” the doctor asked. (314) 546-0369 “What do you think I've been doing,” Polak said, “Shoving them up my ass?”

The BJ Crombeen Joke of the Day

A groom passes down the aisle of the church to take his place by the altar and the best man notices that the groom has the biggest, brightest smile on his face. Wanna Be Semi-Famous The best man says, “Hey man, I know you’re happy to be getting (Regionally)? married, but what’s up? You look so Do you have a different excited.” perspective? The groom replies, “I just had the best BJ I have ever had in my entire life Passion? Knowledge? Desire? and I am marrying the wonderful Work well under deadlines? woman who gave it to me.” Ever pay kick-backs to an editor The bride comes walking down the to get better space? aisle and she, too, has the biggest, brightest smile on her face. The maid of honor notices this and says, “Hey, girlfriend, I know you are happy to be getting married, but what’s up? You We’re looking for writers, graphic artists, look so excited.” statisticians and comedy writers. “Rightly so,” the bride replies. “I just gave the last BJ of my Contact: [email protected] entire life!" G AME TIME Page 9 The Jersey Devil By Chris Graviss

Mother Leeds lay on the bed exhausted. The labor the Jersey Devil occurred in the early nineteenth century, for her thirteenth child had lasted nearly 24 hours when Commodore Stephen Decatur was test firing already. The midwife was similarly exhausted. They cannonballs at the Hanover Ironworks in the Pine were both soaked in sweat, like Keith Tkachuk after the Barrens. The Jersey Devil flew across the firing range, pre-game skate. The year was 1735, and the scene is a and Decatur fired a direct hit, the cannonball passing small shanty in the Pine Barrens of southern Jersey. through the beast, but seemingly having no effect on it. New Jersey is the most densely populated state in The creature was also reported by Joseph Bonaparte, the nation, but even today the Pine Barrens remain a former King of Spain, and brother of Napolean, who lived desolate, sparsely populated region of over 17,000 in south Jersey from 1816 to 1839. square miles in the northeastern megalopolis of the Over the years the Jersey Devil became somewhat less . I used to go through the sinister, mostly being blamed for killing Pine Barrens a few times a year, going livestock, and terrorizing local residents from one set of grandparents in Phila- with its eerie cries, and strange tracks left delphia to the others in Atlantic City. in the night. Its appetite for human flesh With miles of stunted pines, reddish, seemed to have waned. That did not stop iron stained soil, and old abandoned my relatives from using threats of the shacks and bankrupt businesses, it is a Jersey Devil to urge children to behave truly forlorn area, even today. themselves. Back in 1735, Mother Leeds having The Jersey Devil has also made its way had enough of the difficult labor, cried into the entertainment industry. There out “Let the Devil take my child!” The was a X-Files episode that focused on the child then burst out of the womb, and a legend, and there are at least two movies clawed hand reached out and slashed on the Jersey Devil, both “The Last the midwife across the face. At this Broadcast“ and “The 13th Child.” point the child appeared nearly human, I have lived in St. Louis for most of my but soon began its metamorphosis. Its life, and I am a die-hard Blues fan, being legs elongated and its feet became sorely tested the last few seasons. But No, not Lou Lamoriello, it’s hooves. It sprouted leathery wings like a when the Colorado Rockies moved to New the real Jersey Devil. bat, and a long serpentine tail, and its Jersey and became the Jersey Devils in head and face stretched out with the 1982, I now had a second team to root for. You see, my hideous sound of cracking bone and cartilage. It then mother’s last name is Leeds, and Mother Leeds of the feasted on some of the smaller Leeds children, and legend is my great, great, etc, grandmother, making the rapidly growing in size, spread its wings and flew up Jersey Devil my great uncle, and regardless of the the chimney and out into the New Jersey night. misfortunes of the Blues at the hands of the Devils, I Over the next decade or so the creature was blamed can’t help but root for a team named after family. I can for disappearing children and other mysterious deaths, just picture the Jersey Devil sitting on the arbitrator’s and came to be known as the Leeds Devil, and later the shoulder, whispering in his ear during the Shanahan Jersey Devil after which the hockey club is named. compensation meetings. There was an attempted exorcism by a Catholic priest So game this year that you’ll see me at in league with an Indian shaman in 1740 which the rink in the other team’s sweater; it’s my family resulted in a hundred years truce between it and the sweater, so can you cut me some slack? If not, the Jersey local residents, although the creature never completely Devil might just get you. disappeared. One of the more interesting sightings of

Like Education, But With Drinking. St. Louis Game Time Volume 4, Issue 20 Page 10 December 30, 2008 The Ghost of the Blues With Jeff Browning

One of the longest tenured Blues in recent years makes his he has been very active in the Blues’ organization despite his return tonight. Bryce Salvador was signed by the Blues in short tenure here. No surprise he hates New Jersey and Lou 1996 from Tampa and was with the club until last year. In Lamoriello. 1996, we still had Brett Hull scoring Then there is the little case of a guy named Scott Stevens. big, Craig MacTavish was allowed to He is one of the best defensemen ever, one of the best captains not wear a helmet, we had this sure-fire ever, and without a doubt the most punishing checker ever. He kid named Jim Campbell, and we just fired played for the Blues for one season before going to New Jersey . What more could a team ask for? and winning three championships while being the nucleus of Salvador wound up as the longest tenured Blue the best team in the East. He retired, entered the Hall of Fame right after , but he, too, recently alongside another great d-man and longer serving Blue Al departed, making Barret Jackman our eldest Blue. McInnis, and had his No. 4 raised to the rafters at the Meadow- Bryce was a deadline deal for local boy Cam Janssen. He lands. However, above that No. 4 was not Stevens, but the played with the Devils for half of two seasons. He did play name Judge Edward Houston, the arbitrator and the only once against the Blues as a Devil, and the St. Louis media had reason why he went to New Jersey at all. We got screwed out of quite the field day hyping him up to be the next Pat way too many draft picks because of his LaFontaine or something. He didn’t do much with the Devils, stupid restricted free agent signings. Let’s not but he did rack up an amazing 337 penalty minutes with speak of him again. Albany in 2004-05 before making the big league. Speaking of Scott Stevens, he had an Mike Mottau is coming off his first full season in the absolutely brutal check on Paul Kariya in game league. Before getting signed by the Devils, he spent two six of the a few back, knocking years in our minor league clubs from 2004-06. the Duck briefly unconscious. He was carried off the ice, but Yan Stastny’s father, Peter Stastny, was one of the greatest returned only minutes later to score a huge . Something European players ever. He started his career in where like that barely fazed the guy then, but now he practiced too he had the most fun, then he ended it in St. Louis. In between hard and is out for probably the season? Oh, how the mighty those two, he was with New Jersey. Ever since his retirement, have fallen.

Blues Record When… With LosBri Playing at 3in4AgainCentre 9-8-2 Still can't find my high ankle 14-19-3 Playing on the road 5-11-1 Leading after the 1st 7-2-3 Always good to see a Sutter here 14-19-3 Tied after the 1st 4-5-0 They score first 8-2-3 Trailing after the 1st 3-12-0 The other team scores first 6-16-0 Cam Jannsen "plays" 12-14-2 They score 4 or more goals 9-1-1 Leading after the 2nd 8-1-1 They score fewer than 4 goals 5-18-2 Tied after the 2nd 3-3-2 They score on the PP 10-10-3 Trailing after the 2nd 3-15-0 The other team scores on the PP 5-15-2 Wrecked him? Damn near killed 'em! 14-19-3 They score shorthanded 1-1-0 They are called for 7 or more penalties 5-8-2 The other team scores shorthanded 1-2-0 Other team called for 7 or more penalties 4-9-1 A Blues players has multiple goals 6-2-1 Emmanual Legace starts 10-9-1 An opposing player has multiple goals 2-9-1 Chris "Dooks" Mason starts 3-9-1 They take 30 or more shots 4-8-0 Starts 1-1-1 They allow 30 or more shots 6-10-2 Game is on VS 1-0-0 Sunday Game 1-2-1 Playing the Eastern Conference 3-6-1 Monday Game 2-0-0 Playing the Atlantic Division 0-2-0 Tuesday Game 1-2-0 Playing the Northeast Division 1-2-1 Wednesday Game only 3 left thank God! 0-6-0 Playing the Southeast Division 2-2-0 Thursday Game 1-3-1 Playing the Western Conference 11-13-2 Friday Game 3-1-1 Playing the Central Division 5-2-0 Saturday Game 6-6-0 Playing the Northwest Division 2-4-1 Playing in October 5-4-0 Playing the Pacific Division 4-7-1 Playing in November 5-6-2 They played the day before 4-5-1 Playing in December 4-9-1 The other team played the day before 3-4-1 Lou Lamoriello is evil 6-6-6 Hinotes' wife's measurements are 34D-24-34 Page 11

Franchise Foundations

St. Louis Blues Year Player Year Player 1999 Barret Jackman ~ Drafted 1st rd (17 overall) by STL 1990 Martin Brodeur ~ Drafted in 1st rd (20 overall) by NJ Jay McClement ~ Drafted 2nd round, 57 overall by STL 2001 1993 Jay Pandolfo ~ Drafted in 2nd rd (32 overall) by NJ 2002 D.J. King ~ Drafted in 6th rd (190 overall) by STL 1994 Patrik Elias ~ Drafted in 2nd rd (51 overall) by NJ 2003 David Backes ~ Drafted in 2nd rd (62 overall) by STL 2004 Roman Polak ~ Drafted in 6th rd (180 overall) by STL 1996 Colin White ~ Drafted in 2nd rd (49 overall) by NJ T.J. Oshie ~ Drafted in 1st rd (24 overall) by STL Scott Clemmensen ~ Drafted in 8th rd (215 overall) by Eric Brewer ~ Acquired from EDM with Jeff Woywitka 1997 NJ 2005 and for Chris Pronger John Madden ~ Signed as Free Agent (undrafted) Jeff Woywitka ~ Acquired from EDM with Eric Brewer 1998 Brian Gionta ~ Drafted in 3rd rd (82 overall) by NJ and Doug Lynch for Chris Pronger 1999 Patrick Davis ~ Drafted in 4th rd (99 overall) by NJ Erik Johnson ~ Drafted in 1st rd (1 overall) by STL Paul Martin ~ Drafted in 2nd rd (62 overall) by NJ 2000 Patrik Berglund ~ Drafted in 1st rd (25 overall) by STL Michael Rupp ~ Drafted in 3rd rd (76 overall) by NJ 2006 Jay McKee ~ Signed as Free Agent (BUF) Jaime Langenbrunner ~ Acquired with Joe Niewendyk Dan Hinote ~ Signed as Free Agent (COL) from DAL for , Randy McKay and a 1st rd 2002 Manny Legace ~ Signed as Free Agent (DET) pick (traded to CLB, then BUF, Dan Paille) in 2002 Yan Stastny ~ Acquired from BOS for 5th rd pick in Barry Tallackson ~ Drafted in 2nd rd (53 overall) by NJ 2007 Zach Parise ~ Drafted in 1st rd (17 overall) by NJ 2003 Brad Boyes ~ Acquired from BOS for Dennis Petr Vrana ~ Drafted in 2nd rd (42 overall) by NJ Wideman Travis Zajac ~ Drafted in 1st rd (20 overall) by NJ Steve Wagner ~ Signed as Free Agent (undrafted) 2004 Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond ~ Drafted in 7th rd (216 David Perron ~ Drafted in 1st rd (26 overall) by STL overall) by NJ 2007 Keith Tkachuk ~ Signed as Free Agent. Originally Nicklas Bergfors ~ Drafted in 1st rd (23 overall) by NJ 2005 acquired from PHX in 2001 for a 1st rd pick in 2002, David Clarkson ~ Signed as Free Agent (undrafted) , Michal Handzus and Andy Greene ~ Signed as Free Agent (undrafted) Paul Kariya ~ Signed as Free Agent (NAS) 2006 Mike Mottau ~ Signed as Free Agent (STL) Andy McDonald ~ Acquired from ANA for Doug Johnny Oduya ~ Signed as Free Agent (WAS) Weight, Michal Birner and a 7th rd pick in 2008 Matt Halischuk ~ Drafted in 4th rd (117 overall) by NJ Cam Janssen ~ Acquired from NJ for Bryce Salvador Dainus Zubrus ~ Signed as Free Agent (BUF) 2007 Mike Weaver ~ Signed as Free Agent (VAN) Kevin Weekes ~ Signed as Free Agent (NYR) Chris Mason ~ Acquired from NAS for a 4th rd pick in Sheldon Brookbank ~ Claimed off from CLB 2008 Bryce Salvador ~ Acquired from STL for Cam Janssen Brad Winchester ~ Signed as Free Agent (DAL) Bobby Holik ~ Signed as Free Agent (ATL) 2008 2008 B.J. Crombeen ~ Claimed off waivers (DAL) Brian Rolston ~ Signed as Free Agent (MIN via TB) Alexander Steen ~ Acquired with Carlo Colaiacovo Jay Leach ~ Signed as Free Agent (ANA) from TOR for Lee 'Dutchie' Stempniak Carlo Colaiacovo ~ Acquired with Alexander Steen from TOR for Lee 'Dutchie' Stempniak

What’d McGrath Trade For These Guys? St. Louis Game Time Volume 4, Issue 20 Page 12 December 30, 2008 NHL Leaders NHL Leaders Points Goals Against Average Shootout Goals 1. , PIT 59 1. , CLS 1.77 1. Wojtek Wolski, COL 6 2. Alex Ovechkin, WAS 49 2. Manny Fernandez, BOS 2.02 2. Nikolai Zherdev, NYR 5 3. , PIT 49 3. , BOS 2.04 3. , BUF 4 4. Marc Savard, BOS 43 4. Scott Clemmensen, NJ 2.15 4. , CHI 4 5. Zach Parise, NJ 42 5. , VAN 2.17 5. , COL 4 29. Brad Boyes, STL 32 39. Chris Mason, STL 3.22 6. Brad Boyes, STL 3

Goals Save Percentage Rookie Points 1. , PHI 26 1. Craig Anderson, FLA 93.6% 1. , CHI 29 2. Alex Ovechkin, W AS 25 2. Tim Thomas, BOS 93.5% 2. Patrik Berglund, STL 25 3. Thomas Vanek, BUF 25 3. Steve Mason, CLS 93.5% 3. Derrick Brassard, CLB 25 4. , BOS 22 4. Manny Fernandez, BOS 93.0% 4. Blake Wheeler, BOS 23 5. Zach Parise, NJ 19 5. Jonas Hiller, ANH 92.9% 5. , TOR 22 11. Brad Boyes, STL 17 36. Chris Mason, STL 89.9%

Plus/Minus Wins Defensemen Points 1. Marc Savard, BOS 23 1. , CGY 21 1. , SJ 30 2. Evgeni Malkin, PIT 22 2. , SJ 20 2. , NYI 28 3. David Krejci, BOS 22 3. , NYR 19 3. , NAS 28 4. Blake Wheeler, BOS 22 4. Niklas Backstrom, MIN 16 4. Andrei Markov, MTL 27 5. Dennis Wideman, BOS 22 5. , BUF 15 5. ,CHI 26 31. Patrik Berglund, STL 12 24. Manny Legace, STL 10 85. Barret Jackman, STL 9 Around The

Cherepanov Tests Positive — According to Russian month, notching two goals and four assist in 14 games. investigators, former hockey star Alexei Cherepanov, who Once considered one of the biggest pests in the NHL, he died during a KHL game earlier this year, was using has regular season numbers of 379 goals and 406 assists in performance-enhancing drugs. 1,197 games with , Phoenix, New Jersey, Colorado and Cherepanov, a top prospect of the Rangers, collapsed Oct. . 13 while on the bench for club Avangard. He died a It was in the playoffs, however, where he shined. He was a short time later. key component of four Stanley Cup teams, two with New ’s federal Investigative Committee said a chemical Jersey and one each with Montreal and Colorado. analysis of blood and urine samples conclude “that for several In the 1995 playoffs with the Devils, he was awarded the months Alexei Cherepanov engaged in doping.” as the playoff MVP. The statement also said Cherepanov suffered from a condi- Maybe He Should Have Worn His Faceshield— The tion called myocarditis, where not enough blood gets to the have lost forward Matt Stajan for up to heart, and that he should not have been playing pro hockey. a week following a freak eye injury. The team’s medical personnel might carry legal liability in Stajan missed the team’s morning practice on Saturday the incident, the statement added. because of blurry vision following a hit to his eye with a “A row of gross violations was committed by the medical soccer ball while warming up, an exercise common to NHL brigade,” the statement said. Among them, doctors arrived on teams. the scene a full 12 minutes after Cherepanov collapsed, and Leafs general manager said that Stajan will the battery on the defibrillator used to attempt shock his be on restricted activity for one to two weeks after suffering a heart back to life was drained, the statement said. hyphema in the right eye Lemieux Attempting — The Expensive Tickets To Not Be At The Game— Murphy’s signed forward to a two-way contract on Bleachers, the bar with the rooftop view of Wrigley Field, will Monday. be doing some booming business on New Year’s Day this The 43-year-old, who has not played in the NHL since the year. The building, located across the street from Wrigley 2002-03 season, has been attempting a comeback and has behind the right field wall, is selling tickets to view the played for San Jose’s AHL affiliate in Worcester for the past Winter Classic on Jan. 1 for $250 a seat. Volume 4, Issue 20 Page 13 December 30, 2008

Fried Chicken’s www.hockey-fights.com

Tonight’s Matchup: The Devils are one of the tougher teams in the Eastern Conference with 29 fights this season. The Blues have the fourth most fights in the NHL so far with 34, but they have gone over a week without a fight. The Blues haven’t played the Devils a whole lot since they are in different conferences, but interestingly enough some of the last fights these two teams have had involved players that are now teammates. St. Louis Blues Probable Fighters New Jersey Devils Probable Fighter

•Cam Janssen – Cam has hung in there with much bigger •David Clarkson – Clarkson is a scrappy middleweight who opponents this year. He has 10 fights so far this season. His likes to play an in-your-face style. He is 6’1 and weighs around last two fights came on 12/16 against the Flames. After 200 pounds. Last year he had 21 fights, and he currently has nailing a Duck’s player, Janssen turned down an invitation to eight fights so far this season. His last fight was on Dec. 12 vs fight from Anaheim’s last game and drew a the ’ . penalty in the process. Personally I’d rather see him not punk •Michael Rupp – Rupp has excellent size at 6’5 and 230 out, but I’m sure he earned brownie points with . pounds. He’s a good fighter who usually ends up with 7 or 8 •BJ Crombeen – Crombeen is a physical player who is fights a season. However, he is having his most active fighting willing to drop the gloves when need be. He is 6’2, 212 pounds, season this year, with 7 fights racked up already. and he’s a decent fighter who won’t hesitate to stick up for a •Bryce Salvador – I’m sure most of you remember long time teammate. BJ has had 10 fights thus far, and he got tagged by Blue Bryce Salvador manning the backline for the home team. ’s in his last fight on 12/21. He’s a physical guy who will protect his goalie’s crease and •Brad Winchester – Winchester is a big guy. He has the size stand up for his teammates. He doesn’t fight all that often-he of a heavyweight at 6’5, 230 pounds. He’s a good fighter, and has only had 2 fights this season-but he’s usually pretty he beat Calgary’s Cory Sarich in his last fight on 12/16. effective when he does. Winchester has had four fights so far.

Best bet of the night: Cam Janssen vs David Clarkson — Jason Travers, hockey-fights.com Date Combatants Description Decision

This was when Salvador was still a Blue, and ironically it was against his current teammate. Rupp took down Salvador in the corner. They both followed the puck and after a push Bryce Salvador vs from Salvador they dropped the gloves. They grabbed on to 1/10/2007 Draw Michael Rupp one another and Rupp got off a couple of rights. They wres- tled and Salvador tried to throw a couple of rights, but he was locked-out. Salvador then shook off his right elbow pad and threw some rights.

Right off of the faceoff these two dropped the gloves with Marshall throwing a quick right. They both struggled to get Jamal Mayers vs loose until Mayers threw two lefts that missed. Mayers 1/17/2006 Edge: Marshall Grant Marshall switched hands and threw a short left as Marshall came over the top with a right that missed. Mayers got turned around and lost his balance and Marshall pushed him to the ice. Ironically, this was when Janssen was a Devil. Jackman bumped Janssen, and they both dropped the gloves. They grappled for a while, and finally Janssen got free and threw Barret Jackman vs some rights with a couple landing. Jackman finally got free 1/17/2006 Draw Cam Janssen and landed two rights to the back of Janssen's head. Jackman got Janssen up against the glass and threw a flurry of overhand rights. Jackman responded with 4-5 lefts before the linesmen separated the two. St. Louis Blues Rosters General Manager: Larry Pleau Head Coach: Andy Murray and Statistics Asst Coaches: Ray Bennett Volume 4, Issue 20 Issue 20 4, Volume December 30, 2008 2008 30, December Asst / Goalie Coach:

# Player Pos DOB City S/P Ctry Ht Wt S Rk GP G A Pts +/- PIM TOI/G Salary 4 Eric Brewer D Apr 17 '79 Vernon BC CAN 75 222 L 28 1 5 6 -14 24 25:07 $4,500,000 5 Barret Jackman DMar 05 '81Trail BCCAN72203L36279-85022:16$2,500,000 7Keith Tkachuk C Mar 28 '72 Melrose MA USA 74 232 L 36 13 13 26 -10 35 18:16 $4,500,000 9Paul Kariya L Oct 16 '74 Vancouver BC CAN 70 180 L 11 2 13 15 1 2 18:06 $6,000,000 10 Andy McDonald C Aug 25 '77 Strathroy ON CAN 71 183 L 16 6 12 18 -12 12 19:55 $3,333,333 13 Dan Hinote RJan 30 '77LeesburgFLUSA72187R19000-62110:54$1,000,000 15 Brad Winchester LMar 01 '81MadisonWIUSA77228L18516-53612:08$600,000 18 Jay McClement C Mar 02 '83 Kingston ON CAN 73 201 L 36 3 8 11 -8 19 16:36 $950,000 19 D.J. King L Jun 27 '84 Meadow Lake SK CAN 74 228 L 1 0 1 1 0 0 8:20 $550,000 20 Alexander Steen C Mar 01 '84 MB CAN 73 205 L 37 3 8 11 -4 10 16:39 $1,700,000 21 Patrik Berglund C Jun 02 '88 Vesteras SWE 76 187 L Y 31 12 13 25 12 6 15:45 $850,000 22 Brad Boyes R Apr 17 '82 ON CAN 72 195 R 36 17 15 32 -22 14 19:33 $2,500,000 25 Yan Stastny C Sep 30 '82 Quebec City QC CAN 70 191 L 30 2 2 4 -14 20 12:52 $500,000 26 B.J. Crombeen R Jul 10 '85 CO USA 74 212 R Y 35 7 6 13 -4 66 11:09 $550,000 28 Carlo Colaiacovo DJan 27 '83TorontoONCAN73200L27167-42317:54$1,400,000 29 Jeff Woywitka DSep 01 '83VermilionABCAN74217L22066-33017:17$725,000 42 David Backes C May 01 '84 MN USA 75 216 R 36 10 7 17 -5 93 17:19 $2,500,000 43 Mike Weaver DMay 02 '78BramaleaONCAN69182R18033-3213:04$700,000 46 Roman Polak DApr 28 '86Ostrava CZE73227R36167-52920:42$475,000 55 Cam Janssen RApr 15 '84St. LouisMOUSA72210R28033-4705:43$550,000 57 David Perron L May 28 '88 Sherbrooke QC CAN 72 180 R 35 4 19 23 1 18 15:27 $875,000 62 Tyson Strachan D Oct 30 '84 Melfort SK CAN 75 205 R Y 6 0 1 1 1 4 14:41 $575,000 74 T.J. Oshie C Dec 23 '86 Mt. Vernon WA USA 71 170 R Y 12 2 2 4 2 2 15:15 $850,000 77 Jay McKee DSep 08 '77KingstonONCAN76203L30112-51216:30$4,000,000 TOTALS 92 158 250 -119 598 $42,683,333 # Player DOB City S/P Ctry Ht Wt C Rk GP W L OT SO GAA Sv% Salary 34 Manny Legace Feb 04 '73 Toronto ON CAN 70 200 L 20 10 7 1 0 3.25 88.9% $2,500,000 50 Chris Mason Apr 20 '76 Red Deer AB CAN 72 195 L 17 3 11 1 1 3.22 89.9% $3,000,000 TOTALS 13 18 2 1 $5,500,000 $48,183,333 Page 14 Page Page 15 Page New Jersey Devils Rosters General Manager: Lou Lamoriello Head Coach: and Statistics Assistant Coaches: John MacLean Goaltending Coach: Jacques Caron

# Player Pos DOB City S/P Ctry Ht Wt S Rk GP G A Pts +/- PIM TOI/G Salary 2 Sheldon Brookbank D Oct 03 '80 Lanigan SK CAN 74 215 R 15 0 0 0 1 25 8:50 $500,000 5 Colin White D Dec 12 '77 New Glasgow NS CAN 76 220 L 34 1 9 10 10 24 19:29 $3,000,000 6 Andy Greene D Oct 30 '82 Trenton MI USA 71 195 L 11 1 5 6 6 4 15:42 $600,000 7 Paul Martin D Mar 05 '81 Minneapolis MN USA 73 195 L 29 2 9 11 6 16 24:53 $4,000,000 8 Dainius Zubrus R Jun 16 '78 Elektrenai LTU 77 225 L 34 8 12 20 9 37 16:20 $3,400,000 9Zach Parise L Jul 28 '84 Minneapolis MN USA 71 190 L 34 19 23 42 12 10 19:33 $2,500,000 11 John Madden C May 04 '73 Barrie ON CAN 71 190 L 28 3 6 9 -8 14 17:25 $3,958,346 12 Brian Rolston C Feb 21 '73 Flint MI USA 74 214 L 16 4 1 5 -3 12 15:39 $5,250,000 14 Brian Gionta R Jan 18 '79 Rochester NY USA 67 175 R 33 9 20 29 12 22 16:47 $4,000,000 15 Jamie Langenbrunner R Jul 24 '75 Cloquet MN USA 73 205 R 33 5 17 22 9 33 18:46 $2,800,000 16 Bobby Holik C Jan 01 '71 Jihlava CZE 76 230 R 16 1 2 3 2 14 10:07 $2,500,000 17 Michael Rupp L Jan 13 '80 Cleveland OH USA 77 230 L 32 3 2 5 3 61 8:07 $500,000 19 Travis Zajac C May 13 '85 Winnipeg MB CAN 74 200 R 34 10 16 26 12 19 19:25 $984,200 20 Jay Pandolfo L Dec 27 '74 Winchester MA USA 73 190 L 34 3 3 6 -6 6 16:18 $2,500,000 23 David Clarkson R Mar 31 '84 Toronto ON CAN 73 200 R 34 6 6 12 2 58 12:44 $800,000 24 Bryce Salvador D Feb 11 '76 Brandon MB CAN 74 220 L 28 2 4 6 -1 26 21:37 $2,900,000 26 Patrik Elias L Apr 13 '76 Trebic CZE 73 195 L 34 17 22 39 12 20 19:01 $6,000,000 27 Mike Mottau D Mar 19 '78 Quincy MA USA 72 190 L 32 0 6 6 10 17 17:54 $750,000 28 Jay Leach D Sep 02 '79 Syracuse NY USA 76 220 L 16 0 1 1 4 21 15:06 $475,000 29 David Johnny Oduya D Oct 01 '81 SWE 72 200 L 34 3 10 13 10 10 21:12 $600,000 TOTALS 97 174 271 102 449 $48,017,546 # Player DOB City S/P Ctry Ht Wt C Rk GP W L OT SO GAA Sv% Salary 1 Kevin Weekes Apr 04 '75 Toronto ON CAN 74 215 L 7 2 4 0 0 3.06 89.9% $700,000 30 Martin Brodeur May 06 '72 Montreal QC CAN 74 215 L 10 6 2 2 2 2.16 91.6% $5,200,000 35 Scott Clemmensen Jul 23 '77 Des Moines IA USA 75 205 L 19 12 5 1 0 2.15 92.4% $500,000 TOTALS 20 11 3 2 $6,400,000 $54,417,546

Legend: S:Shoots; C: Catches; Rk: Rookie (any player who has played fewer than 25 games in the previous season or fewer than 26 in the previous two years and has not reached age 26); GP: Games Played; G: Goals; A: Assists; Pts: Points; PIM: Penalties in Minutes; TOI/Game: average Time On Ice per Game. Volume 4, Issue 20 Page 16 December 30, 2008 NHL Referee Statistics 2008-2009 Since 2007 1st O O No. Official Born Blues Blues Blues Blues Blues Blues Game WLT WLT Games PP PK Games PP PK L L 2 Fraser, Kerry Sarnia, ON 1980 2 5 12 1 1 0 7 26 31 3 4 0 3Leggo, Mike North Bay, ON 1997 3 14 10 1 2 0 10 48 41 4 6 0 4 McCauley, Wes Georgetown, ON 2003 2 4 7 0 2 0 5 14 18 1 3 1 5 Rooney, Chris Boston, MA 2000 3 11 12 1 2 0 10 46 53 3 5 2 6 Marouelli, Dan , AB 1984 2 9 9 0 2 0 4 15 17 0 4 0 7 McCreary, Bill Guelph, ON 1984 3 16 11 1 2 0 5 26 20 2 3 0 8 Jackson, Dave Montreal, PQ 1990 1 3 4 0 1 0 6 21 27 4 2 0 10 Devorski, Paul Guelph, ON 1989 3 13 15 1 1 1 5 24 24 2 2 1 11 Sutherland, Kelly Richmond, BC 2000 4 19 16 1 3 0 8 30 28 1 6 1 12 Koharski, Don Dartmouth, NS 1981 2 9 9 0 2 0 4 21 15 1 3 0 13 O'Halloran, Dan Essex, ON 1995 3 21 23 1 1 1 9 42 56 5 3 1 14 LaRue, Dennis Savannah, GA 1991 2 9 8 1 1 0 8 33 34 2 3 3 15 Auger, Stephane Montreal, PQ 2000 1 7 5 0 1 0 7 41 48 4 2 1 16 Shick, Rob Port Alberni, BC 1986 3 10 14 2 1 0 9 28 39 2 6 0 18 Kimmerly, Greg Toronto, ON 1996 2 8 10 0 1 1 9 32 37 3 5 1 20 Peel, Tim Toronto, ON 1999 5 20 21 2 3 0 11 47 40 4 5 2 21 VanMassenhoven, Don Parkhill, ON 1993 3 17 15 1 2 0 10 44 47 6 3 1 23 Watson, Brad Regina, Sas 1996 3 16 16 1 1 1 8 35 40 3 2 3 25 Joannette, Marc Verdun, PQ 1999 4 18 22 1 2 1 6 25 30 1 4 1 26 Martell, Rob Winnipeg, MB 1996 3 11 15 1 2 0 12 51 62 8 4 0 27 Furlatt, Eric Trois-Rivieres, PQ 2001 3 15 12 1 2 0 6 29 28 3 2 1 28 Lee, Chris St John, NB 2001 2 13 13 0 1 1 6 28 31 2 2 2 29 Walsh, Ian Philadelphia, PA 2000 2 8 8 0 2 0 5 17 21 1 4 0 30 Hasenfratz, Mike Regina, SK 2000 3 9 10 1 1 1 32 Kowal, Tom Vernon, BC 2000 1 2 3 1 0 0 7 32 32 2 3 2 33 Pollock, Kevin Kincardine, ON 2000 1 4 3 1 0 0 6 26 27 3 3 0 34 Meier, Brad Dayton, OH 1999 1 4 2 1 0 0 8 34 30 4 3 1 35 Warren, Dean Toronto, ON 1999 6 34 25 1 3 2 36 Morton, Dean Peterborough, ON 2000 2 9 7 2 0 0 3 16 13 3 0 0 37 Rehman, Kyle Stettler, AB 2008 1 5 5 1 0 0 1 5 5 1 0 0 38 St Laurent, Francois Greenfield Park, PQ 2006 1 6 6 1 0 0 4 16 18 1 2 1 39 Dwyer, Gord Halifax, NS 2003 1 6 4 0 1 0 6 28 24 2 4 0 40 Kozari, Steve , BC 2006 6 30 26 3 3 0 42 O'Rourke, Dan Calgary, AB 1999 2 11 7 0 1 1 43 Pochmara, Brian Detroit, MI 2006 3 12 13 2 1 0 6 26 33 2 4 0 45 St. Pierre, Justin Dolbeau, PQ 2003 5 23 22 3 1 1 TOTALS 36 162 165 13 20 3 507 530 46 56 15 NHL Linesmen

#Name #Name #Name #Name #Name 17 Heyer, Shane 61 Seitz, Lyle 73 Rody, Vaughan 80 Nelson, Thor 91 Henderson, Don 47 Schachte, Dan 65 Racicot, Pierre 74 Cameron, Lonnie 82 Galloway, Ryan 92 Shewchyk, Mark 54 Devorski, Greg 66 Gibbs, Darren 75 Amell, Derek 84 Sericolo, Tony 93 Murphy, Brian 56 Wheler, Mark 67 Champoux, Pierre 76 Cormier, Michel 86 Lazarowich, Brad 95 Murray, Jonny 57 Sharrers, Jay 68 Driscoll, Scott 77 Nowak, Tim 88 Cvik, Mike 96 Brisebois, David 59 Barton, Steve 70 Nansen, Derek 78 Mach, Brian 89 Miller, Steve 97 Morin, Jean 60 Dapuzzo, Pat 71 Kovachik, Brad 79 Pare, Mark 90 McElman, Andy G AME TIME Page 17 St. Louis Game Time Scorecard

St. Louis Blues vs. New Jersey Devils; Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Referee: ______Referee: ______

Linesman: ______Linesman: ______

Shots Score Team 1st 2d 3rd OT SO F Team 1st 2d 3rd OT SO F

Devils Devils

Blues Blues

Blues Starting Lineup Goal Scoring

C: Per. Time Team Goalscorer 1st Assist 2nd Assist LW: RW: D: D: G:

Devils Starting Lineup C: LW: RW: Penalties Called D: Per. Time Team Penalized Player Penalty D: G:

Three Stars of the Game 1st Star: 2nd Star: 3rd Star:

Other Stars of the Game GWG: GW Goalie: Hard Hat:

Game Notes: Volume 4, Issue 20 Page 18 December 30, 2008

Ask Game Time’s Answer Man

Dear Answer Man, cares, you made it! Call your mom and dad and make sure What is happening with the Blues players? Why are so you get to keep your jersey. many getting hurt? You read about the term “snake bit” but I know there are some fans out there that are thinking, this is insane what has happened this year. What should “What chance do we have now? Let’s bag this season and go management do? Do a bunch of call ups from Peoria, tank for Hedman or Tavares.” I say nay to such thinking. There is the season and go for the top pick? a strategic way to handle your roster if you aren’t going to -Jeremy (Arnold-MO) make the playoffs but that is a long way off before those things need to happen.

I’d go with Tavares though. This kid is a man-boy with Dude this is so typical of someone from South County. When stud-like qualities. I bet he could live in North Co he is such a things get rough, just fold up and mail it in the rest of the stud. way. That may work out or be respected in your indoor Co-Ed soccer league but this is hockey. If Never give up, this is the Blues. I would bet the ghost of you give up, you are banned from the Barclay Plager would come back and beat up the quitters on game. the team and there would be even more injuries. I also think that this is a reflection of where we are at as a society. This is the Blues we are talking about, never say die, do whatever it This is very typical of the lack of work ethic that exists in takes and practice at the Mills. Well, our culture. It leads to obesity, poor grades, less rocking, less maybe the last one isn’t as inspiring rolling, less manufacturing and people growing up on soda as the other two but at least it is and video games. They think they can just chug another can located in North Co. and hit the reset button and all is well. That’s not the case here people. When things get tough, roll up your sleeves and The number of injuries and how get your hands dirty. The results of hard work are extremely they happened have been incredible. Paul Kariya has been a rewarding. For example, my hair regimen in the morning. It real bummer since signing with the Blues. Hindsight is takes a long time to get it feathered just right. Usually about 20/20 though right? We all know that the Johnson golf cart 45 minutes of hair mouse and solid hair dryer with thing was nothing but horseplay. If he was a Euro I’d suggest volumizer. When it is all said and done, I know it drives the it was butt-play. Jay McKee busted his finger blocking a , ladies crazy and my locks are flowing just right. Can’t be that is about the only injury that has any street cred. Hinote’s beat. leg gash was bitchin’ but that is in the past now. I feel bad for a dude like Brewer. Those back surgeries can be real tricky. Quitters are the people who just sit and complain. No action, just a complaint (just like Blackhawk or Predator On a side note, I’m glad this nonsense about Brewer’s fans). Wow, that really helps out. Who needs them any way? family at games seems to have blown over. Dude, if I had an How does this pertain to the Blues? Easy. The guys in the Answer Wife and people were giving her trouble, I’d punch- organization need to band together, stick up for each other, a-size their faces so fast. My fists would be moving so fast it work even harder and do their part. Hell, I’d even give them would look like two Camaros with ground effects racing lessons on how to rock the sweet hairstyle. Some will need each other on North Lindberg. I’d go insta-crazy. Maybe time to grow it out but hey, there is plenty of season left. some day I’ll have a chance to get hitched but then again how do you tame a wild stallion? Maybe with a daily “put out” schedule, home gym and being open to living in Answer Mom’s house coupled with taking over the weekly Send your questions on hockey (NHL or rec league), foot scraping Answer Mom requires. I don’t know, just Busch beer or any other thing that keeps you awake at night spitballing here. Nothing set in stone. Oh, and she’s gotta to: [email protected] and have them rock a car with at least a V6. answered here. OK, back to injury talk. The one positive that is coming from this is the Peoria guys getting a shot to play in the NHL. That has got to be a big thrill. As a player you don’t want to get a call up because someone is hurt but on the flipside, who

Boy, That Escalated Quickly. www.stlouisgametime.com G AME TIME Page 19 The Fantasy Files By Duke

Since the day that Cam Janssen was acquired from New Brodeur. He is to the New Jersey Devils what Albert Pujols is to Jersey for Bryce Salvador at last year’s trade deadline I’ve the St. Louis Cardinals. He’s hands-down the best at his been as critical of that talentless, Cro Magnon goon as anyone position, and it’s no mistake that he was taken in the first round else. When he fucks up, I’m all over him. On Sunday night of your fantasy draft. against the Ducks, however, he did something right – I feel And then he got hurt. Kevin Weekes started for a short time obligated to point it out. in his stead, and then journeyman Scott Clemmensen stepped In the middle of the third period of a tie game, Janssen in to take the starting job for himself. With a 12-5 record and laid on a big, clean hit in goals against average at 2.15, he’s managed to step in to provide the offensive zone. Ducks every bit of stability over the past couple of months as Martin goon and part-time porn Brodeur has for the past decade and change, and he was star George Parros quickly probably available on your waiver wire. dropped his gloves and Roberto Luongo, Evgeni Nabokov, , Roberto gave chase to Janssen Luongo, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Martin Brodeur were all taken when something amazing in the early hours of your draft, and each one of them has either happened: Cam Janssen been a complete bust or has missed enough time because of resisted. By keeping his injury to do major damage to your place in the standings. So, is cool during a key point in it worth your high draft pick to take a No. 1 goalie these days? the game, the Blues earned a power play which Detroit’s started the season on the “40” side of We still prefer Bryce allowed them to take the the 60/40 time share with , and by playing better Salvador, but Cam lead. Regardless of the fact and staying healthy, he’s worked his way to something that will Janssen did do the right that the Blues completely shape up to be more on the “70” side of things by the end of the thing Sunday night. (and almost predictably) season. Boston’s Tim Thomas and Manny Fernandez have blew the game, Janssen’s combined to be the best timeshare tandem for one of the decision was a great one. Enough of that. league’s best teams, and have been dominant night in and night out with a 27-5-4 record with 4 shutouts. In 18 decisions, The last time that the Devils were in town, Blues defense- Columbus goaltender Steve Mason has put together a 1.87 GAA man Barret Jackman actually fought Cam Janssen. Oh, the with 3 shutouts in relief of injured chimpanzee Pascal Leclaire. good old days. That was nearly three years ago, and Devils The common link between these four is that they goalie-for-life Martin Brodeur wasn’t his usual future Hall-of- were either available on your waiver wire at the start of the Fame self, but was good enough to pass current Hall of Famer season, or they could have been had for pennies on the dollar Tony Esposito for sole possession of the fifth spot on the before their breakout efforts began. NHL’s career win list. He’s one of the greatest to ever put on a pair of pads, and has been phenomenal for well over a decade It’s going to take the length of the season to make a fully for a Devils team that has seen every shade from mediocre to informed determination on this, but for now it looks as though great, including a Stanley Cup. playing the waiver wire in order to answer goaltending needs and saving those valuable early picks for much-needed This season, though, Brodeur finally witnessed a dent offensive and defensive firepower is a no-brainer. In any case, applied to his armor when an elbow injury caused him to all of the injuries to backstops this season have served to make miss significant time for the first time in his NHL career. He’s me permanently think twice about building my fantasy team started at least 64 games for the Devils dating all the way around a first-round goaltender. back to the 1995-96 season. Three things have been a certainty in life for over a decade: death, taxes, and Martin Welcome back Salvador, let’s go Blues! You Wanna Know How I Know… ...Andy Murray Is Frustrated With His Squad?

• Just bringing mixed drinks right onto the bench • Calling in to Slaten’s radio show demanding that with him now. the Blues fire the coach. • Re-named his lines Gold, Bronze, Rust and Shit. • No more bag-skates; punishes team with whacks • Asked Legace and Mason to go in together in one from his bamboo rod. gigantic jersey. • New guys have to answer to the name ‘Peoria’. • Always whipping his shoe at people. • Killed a hobo Sunday night. Volume 4, Issue 20 Page 20 December 30, 2008

Tomorrow’s Blues By Brian Weidler

The (Calendar) Year In Review, Part III Steve Regier: Another off-season free agent signing by the For this, the last game of 2008, your Game Time Prospect Blues, Regier had played 18 games in the NHL with the NY Department is wrapping up our quick look around the Blues’ Islanders before this season, but had never scored a goal. In system. Our list tonight is bookended by a pair of his 19th NHL game, his first with the Blues, he scored a pair outstanding college players, and includes five players that in a 3-2 SO loss to Montreal, and then scored another five have seen a time in the NHL this season. days later in a 3-2 OT win vs. Anaheim. Regier has also Aaron Palushaj: Possibly the Blues’ best scoring forward found time to lead Peoria in scoring from Day One this year, prospect right now, Palushaj is having a breakout year under posting 11-14-25 totals and a team-leading plus-8 in 27 at (18 GP, 8-17-25, plus-10, 12 PIM, games. 2 PPG, 2 GWG) after an impressive showing at Development Andrew Sackrison: In the Minnesota State pre-season Camp last summer. Palushaj starred for Team USA (5 G, 1 A) preview article at US College Hockey Online.com, Mavericks’ in two warm-up games prior to the start of the World Junior head coach Troy Jutting identified Sackrison as one of Championship tournament in Ottawa, several players on his team who were but is scoreless in two tournament “ready to step up from the 20-point games thus far. plateau and into that 30-point range.” Anthony Peluso: A versatile big man If the 6’1, 185-pound center is going to (6’3, 222) who can play either forward reach that plateau this year, he’ll have or defense, Peluso has put in a couple to catch fire in the second half; of impressive appearances at Develop- Sackrison is 1-4-5 with a plus-1 and 16 ment Camps since being drafted 160th PIM after 15 games. overall by the Blues in 2007. A decent Ian Schultz: Drafted 87th overall by skater for a big man, Peluso is more the Blues last summer, Schultz was likely to light up his opponents with projected to be an honest grinding his fists than to light up the score- forward who would stick up or his board, but he does have four goals teammates. He may still be that, as his (including a shorthanded goal) in his Steve Regier sets up for Peoria in front nine fighting majors this year illustrate, last nine games. of the Houston Aeros’ net during a but he’s finding a scoring component to Alex Pietrangelo: The Blues’ first- recent game at Carver Arena. his game as well. With 11-16-27 totals in 37 games this year, Schultz has round pick in 2008 (fourth overall) started this season on the NHL roster, reached a career high in assists, and is but was sent back to the Niagara Ice (Game Time photo by Brian Weidler) only three points shy of his point total Dogs (OHL) for more ice time and of last season (15-15-30 in 67 games). development. In nine games with Niagara, Pietrangelo is : For the former first-rounder (17th overall 5-10-15 with a plus-3, a power play tally and a game-winner. in 2004), time may be running out in the Blues’ organiza- Currently, the 6’4, 210-pounder is patrolling the blueline for tion. He has been consistently inconsistent in three pro team at the World Juniors, where he had a goal and seasons, and has gotten only limited exposure to the NHL an assist, and was a plus-2, in two games prior to last night’s (125 minutes, 0-2-0, 4.32, 80.8%) in that time. Schwarz is tilt with Germany. currently on assignment to Alaska, where he lost his first Chris Porter: Heart and a work ethic second to none, and start, and has done little better (4-4-0, 3.56, 86.8%) in four years of preparation with one of the top college Peoria this year. programs in North America got Porter to the NHL this Brett Sonne: Another Blues’ draftee (85th overall in 2007) season, where he scored his first NHL goal against the team having a breakout season. The six-foot, 185-pounder from that originally drafted him (Chicago, on Oct. 13). Porter Maple Ridge, BC currently sits third in the Western league in played all 80 games for Peoria last year, putting up 12-25-37 scoring with 23-32-55 totals in 34 games played for the totals with 72 penalty minutes, and is 1-4-5 with 29 PIM in Calgary Hitmen, all career highs with half the season yet to 28 games this season. play. Sonne is also representing Canada at the World : The son of a former Juniors, and had an assist and a plus-2 mark going into the League star, Reaves carries a football player’s mentality onto game with Germany on Monday. the ice in Peoria. A hard-working player who finishes every Julian Talbot: A free-agent find by the Blues in 2007-08, check, the Winnipeg native has four goals (including a short- Talbot has been at or near the top of the Peoria scoring handed tally against Houston on Dec. 28) and seven points parade since his first time on the ice at Carver Arena. After a this season, and his total of 63 PIM (third on the Rivermen) solid but unspectacular junior career with Ottawa of the OHL includes five fighting majors. (Continued on page 21) G AME TIME Page 21

Lou Lamoriello loves grinders almost as much as Andy Murray does, so it’s no surprise that this big, physical forward has been the only one of the Devils’ kids to get much ice time at the new so far. Never a big scorer even in junior, Letourneau-Leblond By Brian Weidler has made his name with physical play. 427 minutes in penalties in two seasons at Baie-Comeau, and 286 minutes in less than 80 games at the AHL level, give testament to Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond that aspect of his game. Shoots: Left Letourneau-Leblond plays a solid and simple up-and-down game on the wing, which is exactly Height: 6’2 what Lamoriello wants from his checkers, so Weight: 215 that and his excellent size and aggressive nature should ensure more time with the Devils in the Birthdate: June 4, 1985 near future. Birthplace: Levis, Quebec Currently with the Devils’ AHL team in Lowell, MA, Letourneau-Leblond is 0-1-1 with 58 PIM in 16 games played there. With Jersey, Letourneau-Leblond is the only rookie to have the big Quebecois is 0-1-1 with 15 PIM in six seen any time with the veteran-laden Devils this games. He last appeared for the Devils on season, and five'll get you ten that the reason is Dec. 10 against Pittsburgh. because he's one of that rare breed: a French-Canadian grinder.

We Dare You To Find Better Prospect Info. St. Louis Game Time

Tomorrow’s Blues (continued)

(Continued from page 20) split time last season between Peoria and St. Louis, racking up 2-6-8 totals with a minus-4 in 24 NHL games, and 5-7-12 with (83-137-220 in 263 games over four seasons), Talbot turned a plus-2 in 23 games with the Rivermen. He’s following the pro with Alaska in 2006-07, notching 20 goals and 53 points. same pattern this year, 1-1-2 with a minus-5 in 16 games for He added 24-26-50 totals in Peoria to his resume last year, the Blues, and 3-5-8 with a minus-1 in 15 games for Peoria. and is 11-11-22 in 27 games this season. A dangerous power David Warsofsky: The Blues' fourth-round selection (95th play scorer, nine of Talbot’s 11 goals this year have come with overall) in last summer’s draft, Warsofsky makes up in skill the man advantage. and heart what he lacks in size. At 5’8, 160, Warsofsky plays : Acquired from Boston in trade for reluc- six inches taller and forty pounds heavier, and will not hesitate tant prospect Carl Söderberg, Toivonen started the 2007-08 to go toe-to-toe with players much larger than he. Warsofsky season backing up veteran Manny Legace before the roof fell racked up nine goals and 40 points in 56 games with the in on a dark night in Denver. The former Boston first-rounder USNTDP U-18 squad last season, and is 0-6-6 with a plus-6 (29th overall in 2002) got lit up for eight goals on 25 shots, and 10 PIM in 16 games for . and was never the same thereafter. Toivonen is currently trying to regain his confidence back home in Finland, where he is 12-15-3 with a 2.60 GAA and 90.6% save percentage in 31 Next time in “Tomorrow’s Blues,” we’ll focus specifically on games for Tampere. the Peoria Rivermen, with an in-depth look at where they are and where they’re headed, plus statistical analysis and more. Steve Wagner: The smooth-skating 6’2, 200-pound defense- Don’t miss it, and remember... “if we do not prepare for our- man left Minnesota State after his junior year in 2006-07 to selves the role of the hammer, there will be nothing left but turn pro with the Blues, who assigned him to Peoria. Wagner that of the anvil.” Auf wiedersehen. Volume 4, Issue 20 Page 22 December 30, 2008 The Five Hole (continued)

(Continued from page 5) With his new deal, Stevens and the Devils won three Cups have him. (plural) in New Jersey. Stevens became the first Devil to have his number retired. He retired as the all time NHL leader in Adding Shanahan would guarantee that fluky upsets games played by a defenseman (1,635). He played in 13 All-Star wouldn’t happen anymore. Adding Shanahan would get a games (10 with New Jersey, one with the Blues). He won the parade down Market Street (or in those days, Oakland in 2000, and was in the same Hockey Avenue). Sure, the team would lose a little bit in compensation Hall of Fame Class as Al MacInnis, and Ron to New Jersey. But like those draft picks, the addition of Francis, arguably the best single class to be enshrined in any Shanahan would outweigh the loss of the agreed upon compen- given year, in 2007. sation that the Blues would send to the Meadowlands. And that concludes the mutual courtship between Ronald Aye, there’s the rub. Scott Stevens originally of Kitchener, and the St. Louis Since the Blues didn’t have Blues Hockey Club, right? draft picks to give to the Devils, In 1998, four years after the second offer sheet was signed by as they were already Washing- Stevens, Lamoriello and the Devils filed tampering charges ton’s property, a compensation against the Blues, namely then-chairman Jerry Ritter, and then package of players would have to -president Jack Quinn because Lamoriello suspected that the be agreed upon by both clubs, or Blues and Stevens had contact before he was officially a free head to arbitration. The case agent. went to an arbitrator, Judge Edward J. Houston of Ottawa, To the surprise of no one, Gary Bettman, the big market hired by the league, to settle the suck-up that he is, ruled in favor of the Devils, fining the Blues dispute. a total of $1.5 million. Caron offered spare parts. Important, talented, parts, but That’s plenty, right? spare ones to New Jersey. Joseph and Brind'Amour weren’t Hang on; the Blues hadn’t been kicked in the nuts enough at enough to satisfy either Devils’ GM Lou Lamoriello or Judge that point. Houston. The Devils were also awarded draft Houston agreed with Lamoriello’s logic that since Stevens picks. Over the course of five seasons was acquired for five first-round picks, and that if this was any (1999-2004), the Devils were other team but the Blues, the Devils would receive that team’s awarded one of the Blues’ first round five first-round picks. Stevens’ value was equated to five first- draft picks, and were also given the round picks the previous summer, and Lamoriello wanted right to swap positions in the first Stevens in exchange for Shanahan. round with the Blues. The only CuJo and Brind'Amour stayed here, after festering over caveats to this were that the Blues numerous things with the dysfunctional Devils’ organization were allowed to reject New Jersey’s for three weeks Stevens begrudgingly went east. Stevens wasn’t request once, and that both acts of exactly sold on New Jersey. He was quoted as saying, “St. Louis larceny couldn’t happen in back to was making a commitment to get to the Stanley Cup, which I back seasons. really appreciated because I wanted to win the Stanley Cup. New Jersey took the Blues’ pick in That’s what everyone wants to win. I just feel with some teams, 1999 and selected center Adrian Fos- that’s not their main goal. Their main goal is to make money ter 28th overall. He’s never played in and just put people in the stands.” the NHL and is currently playing in Austria. He was taken one Stevens in New Jersey continued playing the same way he pick after Jeff Woywitka and two picks after . played in St. Louis and the Devils started to win. In 2003, the teams swapped. New Jersey received the Blues’ During the summer of 1994, Stevens’ four year deal expired 22nd overall pick and the Blues selected (who was and again he was a free agent. traded for Bacashihua) with the last pick in the first round. The Devils traded up with Edmonton to end up with Zach Parise. On Jul. 4, at the brand new Kiel Center, the Blues announced that they had signed Stevens to another offer sheet, We’ve grown to hate a few things around these parts: Bill this time it was $17 million over four years. Laurie, Detroit, Mike Keenan, Towel Boy, furry blue bears, out of service toilets, and backup goalies from Finland just to name Three years prior to that, the Blues had their man, they had a few. all the adjectives described above and wanted him back. He wanted to be back. We need to add Lou Lamoriello to that list. Here is what the head Devil (doesn’t that somehow make him Lucifer?) said One problem. Since he was restricted, the Devils had an opportunity to match the offer. Wisely, they did. (Continued on page 27) G AME TIME Page 23

009 008-2 Top 11 Titles of New The 2 uffle ate Sh Andy Murray Speeches cky Sk Lu ker Trac 11. OK, you’re all like business owners. But for really small businesses. 10. It’s a game of inches, and you’re all missing by miles. Times Occurred 9. Lollygaggers. Finishing Point This Year / 8. You don’t have to be perfect, but Jesus fucking Percentage Christ, guys. 7. Have you guys heard of The Army of One? You’re about an Army of None. Puck finishes in same 6. You guys remember when Brett Hull was here? 15 / 78.9% skate as starting point. That was awesome. 5. We need to pull together for one another. Or for our paychecks. Whatever. Puck finishes in skate one 4. Attrition is my mission. place lower than start 4 / 21.1% 3. Think of this season as a war. You know, like point. Vietnam. 2. How to earn Schrutebucks. Puck finishes in skate one 1. Whatever it takes to keep me from getting fired. place higher than start 0 / 0.0% point. From the 12 Fluid Ounces of Gallagher’s Brain

Remember Me? By Brad Lee & Chris Gift

Ray Ferraro playoffs with the Islanders. He had two game-winning goals in Born: August 23, 1964 overtime over Washington and Played for Blues: 2002 assisted on the overtime game-winner in against the Cup-defending didn’t have a . long, distinguished career with the Blues. He was traded by Off the ice, Ferraro is known to St. Louis in the spring for marrying former U.S. of 2002 for a fourth-round draft pick. His regular women’s team captain . They were season career in St. Louis was just 15 games. His dating during his short time in St. Louis and she was career ended when the booted the spotted in the stands during home games in St. Louis. Blues from the playoffs. Along with broadcasting with on ‘NHL 2Night’, Ferraro has been part of the studio Chicken Parm as he was known later on the set of show for NHL games on NBC. He’s appeared on an ‘NHL 2Night’ played 1,258 regular season games for all-sports radio station in Vancouver and has been an Hartford, Islanders, Rangers, Los Angeles and analyst for NHL games on TSN. He returned to ESPN Atlanta. He scored a respectable 898 points on 408 last spring to help call the Frozen Four. goals and 490 assists. His playing career highlight came in the 1993 Volume 4, Issue 20 Page 24 December 30, 2008 NHL Standings—Don’t Look

Eastern Conference ATLANTIC GP W L OTL PTS GF GA PP% PK% HOME AWAY L10 NY Rangers 39 23 13 3 49 107 107 14.6 88.0 13-7-2 10-6-1 5-4-1 Philadelphia 36 19 10 7 45 123 112 27.0 83.2 12-4-3 7-6-4 6-3-1 New Jersey 34 20 11 3 43 103 87 16.4 80.7 11-7-1 9-4-2 6-3-1 Pittsburgh 36 19 13 4 42 116 105 18.4 81.5 8-7-2 11-6-2 4-6-0 NY Islanders 37 11 22 4 26 94 134 18.1 80.5 6-9-2 5-13-2 1-7-2 NORTHEAST GP W L OTL PTS GF GA PP% PK% HOME AWAY L10 Boston 36 27 5 4 58 132 80 25.0 82.4 13-1-1 14-4-3 9-1-0 Montreal 35 20 9 6 46 106 90 14.6 81.8 11-4-4 9-5-2 5-3-2 Buffalo 36 17 14 5 39 103 104 19.6 87.0 10-8-2 7-6-3 5-3-2 Toronto 36 14 16 6 34 111 130 20.8 74.6 6-6-4 8-10-2 5-5-0 Ottawa 34 12 17 5 29 80 98 17.8 82.6 9-6-3 3-11-2 2-7-1 SOUTHEAST GP W L OTL PTS GF GA PP% PK% HOME AWAY L10 Washington 37 23 11 3 49 120 109 22.9 79.9 15-1-1 8-10-2 8-2-0 Carolina 37 17 15 5 39 97 112 14.5 77.8 9-9-1 8-6-4 5-3-2 36 16 15 5 37 91 100 14.9 83.2 8-5-3 8-10-2 5-3-2 Tampa Bay 35 10 16 9 29 84 108 14.5 80.4 4-6-6 6-10-3 4-5-1 Atlanta 36 12 20 4 28 106 132 20.5 73.2 6-11-2 6-9-2 3-6-1 Western Conference CENTRAL GP W L OTL PTS GF GA PP% PK% HOME AWAY L10 Detroit 35 23 7 5 51 128 105 26.7 79.9 12-3-2 11-4-3 6-3-1 Chicago 33 20 6 7 47 123 84 23.6 85.5 11-1-4 9-5-3 9-0-1 Nashville 36 17 16 3 37 90 107 13.4 82.1 10-4-1 7-12-2 3-6-1 Columbus 36 16 16 4 36 94 103 10.1 81.0 11-6-1 5-10-3 5-4-1 St.Louis 36 14 19 3 31 103 124 21.6 80.0 9-8-2 5-11-1 2-8-0 NORTHWEST GP W L OTL PTS GF GA PP% PK% HOME AWAY L10 Calgary 36 21 11 4 46 109 106 18.0 85.0 12-4-3 9-7-1 6-1-3 Vancouver 37 20 14 3 43 108 97 17.3 82.2 11-5-1 9-9-2 5-4-1 Colorado 36 19 16 1 39 102 104 17.5 79.2 11-6-0 8-10-1 7-3-0 Edmonton 34 17 14 3 37 95 102 18.9 74.8 6-5-3 11-9-0 6-3-1 Minnesota 35 17 16 2 36 89 82 22.5 88.6 10-7-2 7-9-0 2-7-1 PACIFIC GP W L OTL PTS GF GA PP% PK% HOME AWAY L10 San Jose 36 28 4 4 60 126 84 22.5 86.3 18-0-2 10-4-2 6-1-3 Anaheim 37 19 14 4 42 107 105 20.4 81.2 10-7-2 9-7-2 5-4-1 Phoenix 37 17 15 5 39 94 105 14.0 80.1 11-5-2 6-10-3 5-2-3 Los Angeles 37 15 16 6 36 95 102 19.0 84.2 10-8-6 5-8-0 4-4-2 Dallas 35 15 15 5 35 103 121 15.3 76.1 8-6-3 7-9-2 6-3-1

Wish You Had Game Time When You Watch The Blues At Home? Subscribe! [email protected] G AME TIME Page 25 St. Louis Blues Schedule and Results

October January (continued) WINNING/LOSING WINNING/LOSING DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD GOALIE GOALIE Oct 10 Fri Predators 5-2 1-0-0 Legace/Ellis Jan 17 Sat Blackhaw ks Oct 11 Sat @Islanders 2-5 1-1-0 MacDonald/Mason Jan 19 Mon @Bruins Oct 13 Mon @Maple Leafs 5-4 SO 2-1-0 Legace/Toskala Jan 21 Wed @Blackhaw ks Oct 16 Thu Stars 6-1 3-1-0 Legace/Turco Jan 24 Sat All-Star Skills/Young Stars Game Oct 18 Sat Blackhaw ks 4-3 SO 4-1-0 Legace/Khabibulin Jan 25 Sun All-Star Game Oct 22 Wed Red Wings 3-4 4-2-0 Conklin/Legace Jan 29 Thu Senators Oct 24 Fri Kings 0-4 4-3-0 LaBarbera/Legace Jan 31 Sat Flyers Oct 25 Sat Panthers 4-0 5-3-0 Bishop/Anderson Oct 30 Thu Hurricanes 0-1 5-4-0 Ward/Mason

Nove m be r Fe br uar y WINNING/LOSING WINNING/LOSING DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD GOALIE GOALIE Nov 1 Sat Penguins 3-6 5-5-0 Fleury/Mason Feb 2 Mon @Red Wings Nov 5 Wed @Ducks 2-5 5-6-0 Giguere/Mason Feb 3 Tue @Blue Jackets Nov 6 Thu @Sharks 4-5 SO 5-6-1 Nabokov/Bishop Feb 5 Thu Oilers Nov 8 Sat @Kings 3-5 5-7-1 Ersberg/Legace Feb 7 Sat Avalanche Nov 12 Wed @Sabres 3-4 5-8-1 Miller/Mason Feb 10 Tue Canucks Nov 14 Fri @Blackhaw ks 4-3 OT 6-8-1 Legace/Khabibulin Feb 12 Thu @Predators Nov 16 Sun Canadiens 2-3 SO 6-8-2 Price/Legace Feb 13 Fri Blackhaw ks Nov 21 Fri Ducks 3-2 OT 7-8-2 Legace/Giguere Feb 16 Mon Rangers Nov 22 Sat @Wild 2-1 8-8-2 Mason/Backstrom Feb 18 Wed @Blue Jackets Nov 25 Tue @Predators 1-0 SO 9-8-2 Mason/Ellis Feb 19 Thu @Predators Nov 26 Wed @Avalanche 1-3 9-9-2 Budaj/Legace Feb 21 Sat Predators Nov 29 Sat Oilers 2-4 9-10-2 Roloson/Legace Feb 24 Tue Coyotes Nov 30 Sun @Thrashers 4-2 10-10-2 Mason/Pavelec Feb 26 Thu @Stars Feb 28 Sat @Coyotes

De ce m be r M ar ch WINNING/LOSING WINNING/LOSING DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD GOALIE GOALIE Dec 3 Wed @Wild 0-4 10-11-2 Backstrom/Legace Mar 3 Tue Red Wings Dec 5 Fri Flames 3-4 OT 10-11-3 Kipprusoff/Mason Mar 6 Fri @Lightning Dec 6 Sat Coyotes 4-3 11-11-3 Legace/Bryzgalov Mar 7 Sat @Panthers Dec 8 Mon Predators 6-3 12-11-3 Legace/Rinne Mar 10 Tue Stars Dec 10 Wed @Ducks 2-4 12-12-3 Giguere/Mason Mar 12 Thu Sharks Dec 11 Thu @Kings 2-6 12-13-3 Ersberg/Mason Mar 14 Sat Red Wings Dec 13 Sat @Sharks 4-5 12-14-3 Nabokov/Mason Mar 15 Sun Wild Dec 16 Tue Flames 3-6 12-15-3 Kipprusoff/Mason Mar 17 Tue @Oilers Dec 18 Thu @Capitals 2-4 12-16-3 Varlamov/Bishop Mar 19 Thu @Canucks Dec 20 Sat Wild 4-2 13-16-3 Legace/Backstrom Mar 20 Fri @Flames Dec 21 Sun Bruins 3-6 13-17-3 Fernandez/Legace Mar 24 Tue Kings Dec 23 Tue @Red Wings 1-4 13-18-3 Conklin/Legace Mar 26 Thu Canucks Dec 27 Sat Sharks 3-2 SO 14-18-3 Legace/Nabokov Mar 28 Sat Blue Jackets Dec 28 Sun Ducks 3-4 14-19-3 Hiller/Mason Mar 29 Sun @Blue Jackets Dec 30 Tue Devils

January April WINNING/LOSING WINNING/LOSING DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD DATE OPPONENT SCORE RECORD GOALIE GOALIE Jan 2 Fri @Hurricanes Apr 1 Wed @Blackhaw ks Jan 3 Sat Blue Jackets Apr 2 Thu @Red Wings Jan 9 Fri @Canucks Apr 4 Sat @Stars Jan 11 Sun @Oilers Apr 7 Tue @Coyotes Jan 13 Tue @Flames Apr 10 Fri Blue Jackets Jan 15 Thu Avalanche Apr 12 Sun @Avalanche Volume 4, Issue 20 Page 26 December 30, 2008

Straight To Hell (continued)

(Continued from page 1) play well enough. We have to find ways a 2.15 GAA and 92.4 save percentage. to hang on,” said goaltender Chris So maybe it is the team in front of the Blues squad. After a thrilling shootout Mason who took the loss Sunday. goaltender that makes the difference. win over the San Jose Sharks Saturday “We’re just letting points slip away. If American Zach Parise is probably night, the Blues returned to action we keep going at this rate, it’s going to pulling as much Jersey mall tail as he Sunday against the . be too late and we’re going to look back can. At age 24, he’s one of the lesser They took a 3-2 lead in the third period and kick ourselves in the butt.” known up-and-comers in the NHL. In off a Brad Boyes goal. Young forwards 34 games this season he has 19 goals Patrik Berglund and David Perron had and 23 assists for 42 points. He led the two-point nights. It was all setup for a Devils with 32 goals and 33 assists last great four-point weekend with wins season, both career highs. His father over two powerhouses in the Western Jean-Paul played 14 NHL seasons for Conference. And they fucking blew it. Boston, Toronto, Minnesota, the After letting Steve Montador score Islanders and Cleveland. Wait, his second goal of the season, the Blues Cleveland? Jean-Paul is connected to gave away the game on a power play Shattuck-St. Mary’s, the high school goal from someone named Bobby Ryan. program Blues head coach Andy The Blues couldn’t score the equalizer Murray has a history with. and lost their eighth game in their last Patrik Elias is second on the team in 10. The postgame interviews recorded scoring with 17 goals and 22 assists. A in the Blues dressing room were former 40-goal scorer, I would imagine somber as expected. that in his 10th season with the Devils “We got a lead in the third period Zach Parise is on his way to NHL he is frustrated to have only played for with seven and a half minutes to go. We stardom. a defense-first franchise. At age 32, you gave up a five on five. I take a penalty have to wonder how much time he has that I probably shouldn’t have behind Stealing a line from Rick Pitino while left in the league to be a prime their net especially and the PK doesn’t he was Celtics head coach, Paul Kariya performer. get the job done and it’s 4-3 on the isn’t going to come walking through that door. A lot has been said about the Brian Gionta is shorter than my wife wrong side instead of a win,” David at 5 feet, 7 inches. But she doesn’t have Backes said. “It’s unfortunate we’ve Blues trying to hang on until some of their injured players return. I think the nine goals and 20 assists in the league squandered a lot of these opportunities this season. At a plus-12, Gionta is tied this year. We feel like we had the right players are now admitting that even if TJ Oshie, Andy McDonald and others for the team lead in plus/minus. He’s thing going last night. We have to have one of 18 players on the roster so far it every single night no matter who come back strong, it probably won’t be enough. And that’s depressing. this season the positive side of the we’re playing.” ledger. Only eight players who have Then Backes said something that The New Jersey Devils, 8-3-1 in appeared in a game have negative says a lot about the Blues’ mindset right December, are a dangerous team. ratings. John Madden at minus-8 must now. “We definitely squandered a lead They’ve got some grit, some young guys feel like an asshole. and Martin Brodeur…sitting in the in the third period and teams that go to Jay Pandolfo is the prototypical New the playoffs and go deep into the press box. Brodeur has appeared in only 10 games this season after going Jersey Devil. He’s old at age 34. He’s a playoffs don’t do that,” Backes said. In th on the injured reserve list on Nov. 4 due veteran in his 11 season. He’s never some respects Backes was just explain- scored more than 27 points in a season. ing that they blew the game late and to a severe elbow injury. Before he was put on the shelf, he was playing up to He’s only had three negative plus/ that good teams don’t do that. But it minus seasons. And he’s boring as hell. also hints at the realization that before his Hall of Fame resume with a 2.16 we get to January, the Blues are pretty goals-against average and 91.6 save Bryce Salvador is still a Devil. While much out of the playoffs. While that percentage. Brodeur is a dominating he was here he was a serviceable player. should be apparent to anyone who force and quite frankly, it’s surprising But I can’t recall one moment since he notices the Blues are in last place in the the Devils have played as well as they was traded last February where I said, Western Conference, players are finally have with Scott Clemmensen, a 31-year- “Man, I wish they still had Salvador.” starting to address it. old with just 27 games played in the Nope, not one. NHL before this season. Yet his Let’s Go Blues! “Bottom line is that we just didn’t numbers are on par with Brodeur with G AME TIME Page 27 Game Time Bingo!

Fight! Colaiacovo making Red Berenson Still not motivated We Want Blizzards Cowboy thinks you’re that No. 28 look enough to vote for still not as good as Fight! a pussy for not better than Matt the All-Star game. We Want Tacos. drinking on a Fight! Walker did. Tuesday.

You hear at least Da. Vid. Freaking. Spot someone else Cam Janssen goes Air Horn Guy kinda two ‘Slap Shot’ Per. Ron. Is. Silly. filling out the GT after a Devil. fucking it up. references. Good. Bingo card.

Someone gets their Sec. 307 really Keith Tkachuk Kinda starting to Mite game ends copy of GT on the wants to see plays as well as he like The Beej. in a tie. Jumbotron. Towel Boy jump. did in October.

Someone in your Cotton Eyed Joe guy Angelllla totally section STILL wearing his jersey with Patrik Berglund reading someone Come on, Manny! really dislikes Jay McKee’s name and gets another point. else’s copy of GT. Eric Brewer. TJ Oshie’s number.

Another $200 Someone in your A goal is scored in Dancing Kid seems You love Boyes. stick breaks at the section never stops the first two like he’s not just Not that there’s worst possible playing with their minutes of any about the dancing anything wrong time. phone. period. anymore. with that.

Get five in a row in any direction and you win!

The Five Hole (continued)

(Continued from page 22) We’ll call that $1.5 million fine pain and suffering. Not being able to draft Richards or Perry, that just sucked, that’s all. about Bettman’s ruling to (back when they Scott Stevens changed the way hockey was played on the ice, used to be reputable): “I don't look at something of this nature he changed the way hockey was managed off the ice, and as a triumph. It’s a detriment to the NHL I don’t think the fortunately for New Jersey and unfortunately for the Blues, he compensation could be severe enough. My request was five first changed the fates of two franchises for a generation. -round picks, plus damages.” Stevens delivered a promise of glory in one season here. He There was also talk of uprooting the Arch and moving it to delivered glory for a decade and a half in New Jersey. the Meadowlands’ parking lot, but InBev already had their eye on it. Eventually, be it Brewer and Woywitka, or players that are acquired for them, there will be no direct link to Stevens in the Let’s just do one of those Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon Blues’ organization. Unless a fleecing happens in a subsequent things, just for the hell of it. Five first round draft picks in trade, the organization will have no choice but to look back on exchange for Scott Stevens in exchange for Brendan Shanahan Stevens’ one year here and the long term damage it did to the in exchange for Chris Pronger in exchange for Eric Brewer and team with great disappointment. Woywitka, and the loss of one more first round draft pick. Contact: [email protected] St. Louis Game Time

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