Im starting to draw a picture of Dave Checketts in my mind. Its one of a little boy crying out, "please can I please raise ticket prices? I really really want to have higher ticket prices!" I remember that the first decision Checketts made when he first bought the team was to raise ticket prices. Thankfully, Checketts saw the light back then and changed his mind on the price increase. Still, it was a stupid decision to raise ticket prices then and it is a stupid decision now.
According to Jeremy Rutherford, Blues writer for the St. Louis Post Dispatch, season tickets are going up by an average of 14 percent. The spin being put on by the blues is that the current tickets is in the bottom fifth of the league and the new prices will still be one of the lowest. They act as if this is a huge bargain. They act as if the Blues have been playing like Stanley Cup contenders these last couple of seasons. What team has Checketts and John Davidson been watching?
Since they seem to have forgotten, I will remind them of this. The team hasn't been very good! Paying low ticket prices for a team that isn't very good isn't a bargain. It is an even trade! Yes, I do remember that the blues were a playoff team last season. However, that was due to a miraculous late season surge in to the playoffs. Even though they made the playoffs, the team still played poorly for most of the year and I dont think I have to remind blues fans how the blues have played this season.
Another excuse the Blues have given is that they need these increases to resign their young guys. That may be true, but simply resigning the players you have won't make the team that much better. The blues youth are not ready to carry this team right now, especially with the way Patrick Berglund has played and the inconsistency of David Perron and Erik Johnson. So how can we have any confidence that the team is going to be any better the next couple of seasons?
There is only way this ticket increase would be acceptable. Thats if the Blues bring in a superstar talent during the offseason, like a Kolvalchuck. Other than that, it is inexcusable.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Two Words for the Blues: Do Nothing!
The olympics are almost over. The trade dealine in the NHL is getting closer and closer. Trade rumors are all over the internet (including the blues looking for a goalie). Mens hockey is on a 24 hour break. This just might be a good time for blues trade talk.
Actually its more like non-trade talk in this post. My belief is the blues shouldn't make a move at the deadline.
This is my case:
Let's assume the blues do acquire someone at the deadline and that acquisition gets them into the playoffs this season. Then what? Do they win the cup? I doubt it. (unless they miraculously acquire a Crosby or Ovechkin caliber player) So why make a trade and give up prospects/picks for at best an early playoff exit? I know this season will be considered a disappointment and a failure if the blues don't make the playoffs, but is it worth throwing away the future of the franchise away for the sake of salvaging one season?
If you follow me on twitter, then you probably remember me advocating for the blues to trade Keith Tkachuck and Paul Kariya. I still believe they should trade them if they don't think its possible to make the playoffs this season. However, if you believe making the playoffs are a possibility then you cant let them go. It makes no sense to break up a team before attempting to make a playoff run, especially when the blues are only sitting four points out of the last playoff spot ( and consider where the blues would be right now with out all this awful officiating they've had to put up with). Also, what kind of players do you expect to get in return for an overpaid Kariya and an aging Tkachuck? Certainly not anyone that will lead them to a cup this year or anytime in the near future.
By the way, why are the blues even considering trading for a goalie? I know I'm not the most knowledgeable about hockey but I do believe that Chris Mason has been having a great couple of seasons with the Blues. How could the Blues even consider letting this guy walk away after what hes done for this team? I realize that he may be a little costly to resign in the offseason but it will be more costly for the team to let him go.
My only execption to this plan is if the blues can somehow acquire a good sniper and sign him long term, but how many teams are going to part with one of those? Any other trade would be pointless. No player the blues could acquire is going to lead them to a cup this season. Because the blues are only four points out of the last playoff spot, I don't believe they should be sellers either. The best bet for making the playoffs this year and keeping the future alive and well for the blues is to stand pat at the deadline and to try to fight their way into the playoffs with what they currently have.
A trade for a sniper, or a trade thats a huge steal for the blues are the only deals the blues should even consider pulling off. Anything else would make the "Whatever it takes" and "building from within" slogans a crock.
Actually its more like non-trade talk in this post. My belief is the blues shouldn't make a move at the deadline.
This is my case:
Let's assume the blues do acquire someone at the deadline and that acquisition gets them into the playoffs this season. Then what? Do they win the cup? I doubt it. (unless they miraculously acquire a Crosby or Ovechkin caliber player) So why make a trade and give up prospects/picks for at best an early playoff exit? I know this season will be considered a disappointment and a failure if the blues don't make the playoffs, but is it worth throwing away the future of the franchise away for the sake of salvaging one season?
If you follow me on twitter, then you probably remember me advocating for the blues to trade Keith Tkachuck and Paul Kariya. I still believe they should trade them if they don't think its possible to make the playoffs this season. However, if you believe making the playoffs are a possibility then you cant let them go. It makes no sense to break up a team before attempting to make a playoff run, especially when the blues are only sitting four points out of the last playoff spot ( and consider where the blues would be right now with out all this awful officiating they've had to put up with). Also, what kind of players do you expect to get in return for an overpaid Kariya and an aging Tkachuck? Certainly not anyone that will lead them to a cup this year or anytime in the near future.
By the way, why are the blues even considering trading for a goalie? I know I'm not the most knowledgeable about hockey but I do believe that Chris Mason has been having a great couple of seasons with the Blues. How could the Blues even consider letting this guy walk away after what hes done for this team? I realize that he may be a little costly to resign in the offseason but it will be more costly for the team to let him go.
My only execption to this plan is if the blues can somehow acquire a good sniper and sign him long term, but how many teams are going to part with one of those? Any other trade would be pointless. No player the blues could acquire is going to lead them to a cup this season. Because the blues are only four points out of the last playoff spot, I don't believe they should be sellers either. The best bet for making the playoffs this year and keeping the future alive and well for the blues is to stand pat at the deadline and to try to fight their way into the playoffs with what they currently have.
A trade for a sniper, or a trade thats a huge steal for the blues are the only deals the blues should even consider pulling off. Anything else would make the "Whatever it takes" and "building from within" slogans a crock.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)