Chicago businessman on verge of purchasing Blues

Verbal agreement between Matthew Hulsizer and Dave Checketts

appears to have set wheels in motion for completion of sale

By LOUIE KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- The long-awaited sale of the Blues may finally have reached its climax.

According to multiple sources, principal owner Dave Checketts has a verbal agreement to sell the Blues to Chicago businessman Matthew Hulsizer, long to be rumored as one of the bidders in a sale process dated back to March.

(Getty Images)

Matthew Hulsizer (middle) has reached a verbal agreement to purchase the

St. Louis Blues from Dave Checketts.

The sale price wasn't currently available, but it is believed that Checketts was looking for as much as $200 million for the Blues, the lease to Scottrade Center, the Peabody Opera House and the American Hockey League's Peoria Rivermen.

According to a pair of those sources, Checketts has signed a letter of intent believed to be with Hulsizer, the CEO of Peak6 Investments, a financial services firm founded in 1997. But the agreement doesn't become binding until the two sides enter a purchase agreement and a sale approval with the NHL.

Checketts, who is the chairman of SCP Worldwide, officially put the Blues up for sale in March when the principal investment group, TowerBrook Capital Partners, decided to divest its 70 percent ownership interest in the franchise. Checketts' group owns 20 percent of the team while minority owner Tom Stillman, who is chairman and CEO of Summit Distributing, Inc., owns 10 percent of the club.

"We expect to have something done by the start of the season," Checketts said in July. "... We expect to have an orderly sale process. It'll be done by the start of the season."

It appears that with a verbal sale agreement, Hulsizer, who as recently as last season unsuccessfully attempted to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes, would become the principal owner/primary investor of the Blues and Checketts would stay on as the team's chairman.

"I haven't been approached by anybody in that way," Checketts previously stated.

TowerBrook and Checketts could not come up to a successful resolution and price that gave Checketts the right of first approval to purchase the majority stake in the team. Checketts and TowerBrook bought the Blues from Bill and Nancy Laurie for a price tag in the neighborhood of $153 million in 2006.

"I had to put the whole thing up for sale and that's where we're headed," Checketts said when in town in July. "... We went through that process for awhile. We didn't find anybody that way, and I had to agree with TowerBrook that I'd put the whole thing up for sale.

Dave Checketts

"We tried putting together a group, which includes local investors, as well as others with the intention of buying out TowerBrook Capital Partners," Checketts said. "We began negotiations in earnest with TowerBrook and we have been unable to come to an agreement with them on terms that they will accept."

"This is a story that has gone on longer than anyone would have liked it to."

Neither Checketts nor Hulsizer were available for comment Wednesday, but when Checketts made public "the whole thing" was up for sale, he placed the trust of the sale to Game Plan LLC, a Boston-based firm led by founder and chairman Robert Caporale.

"I know everybody wants me to get this thing (in St. Louis) concluded, but we're working diligently in that direction," Checketts said.

Game Plan set a deadline of Aug. 22 for prospective buyers to submit informal bids. There were initial offers from a group led by Stillman, whose reported offer of $110 million was rejected. Hulsizer initially submitted an undisclosed offer before the self-imposed deadline that was rejected. There was also a recent bid from Calgary businessman Max Chambers, who has gone on record saying his group submitted an offer of $167 million that was also turned down.

Hulsizer's bio: (http://www.peak6.com/leaders/founders/matthew-hulsizer/).

(10-5-11) BLUES NOTEBOOK

Season opener nearing; projected opening night lineup

By LOUIE KORAC
HAZELWOOD, Mo. -- With the Blues taking off Wednesday, there was a longer than usual workout at the St. Louis Mills on Tuesday.

With the opening of the 2011-12 regular season against Nashville just four days away, the Blues will have two more full practices before finally unveiling a lineup in a game that matters.

And according to coach Davis Payne, it's time to be fine-tuning a little bit of everything before facing the Predators.


Blues coach Davis Payne

"We want to touch upon all of the structure we've talked about all camp long," Payne said. "Obviously you want to spend time on special teams, special situations ... whether it's 6-on-5 or 4-on-3, whatever comes your way ... some 4-on-4 stuff. When you're at that point in overtime, it's a big factor when you start getting down to the end of the season.

"A lot of the stuff in our game, these guys have been well-versed and we just want to make sure that there's a lasting imprint here this week."

The Blues were 10th in the league on the power play last season at 18.6 percent but they were only 18th on the penalty kill (81.7 percent) after being No. 1 in 2009-10 (86.8 percent).

* Depth already tested -- Blues general manager Doug Armstrong has reiterated many times the need to acquire depth. After seeing the Blues go through so many injuries a season ago, Armstrong felt like it was critical to make sure that the team doesn't go into this season shorthanded.

With the injury to B.J. Crombeen (shoulder) heading into the season that will see the Blues' fourth-liner sidelined indefinitely, the Blues feel like they can now get through the time without missing Crombeen's physical play.

"Yeah, but we didn't want to have to use that depth so quickly," Armstrong said. "I feel for B.J. In a game that wasn't going our way, I thought he was one of the few bright spots (in Saturday's 4-0 preseason loss to Dallas) that we had with his competitive level.

"... It's something that we'll deal with. We have the depth to deal with (it) and right now, I just want B.J. to recuperate as quick as possible. But it does provide someone like Ryan Reaves as excellent opportunity as well as (Chris) Porter and (Evgeny) Grachev."

* Bishop/Allen to split time in Peoria -- With Brian Elliott winning the backup job behind Jaroslav Halak, it's Ben Bishop on his way back to Peoria ... not where the homegrown Bishop wanted to be.

But with Bishop going back to Peoria, look for him to split time there with Jake Allen.

"I think they're going to have very good competition," Armstrong said of the two goalies. "I know that Ben Bishop, if he wants to be the guy called up, he has to be the best goalie down there. So he's going to have to go and command that net. I know Jake wants to further his career, so he is going to command that net. It's a great competitive situation that their team is going to have."

* Reaves, Porter ready to make an impact -- Now that Porter and Reaves -- along with Grachev -- were the last players standing in the camp-long battle for the extra slots at forward, now's the time to enhance the reasons the Blues chose to keep them.

Reaves offers the power and physicality the Blues lost when they chose to let Cam Janssen walk as a free agent and now it becomes even more important with Crombeen shelved for an extended period.

(Getty Images)

Ryan Reaves becomes the Blues' new enforcer.

"It's one thing to have people say they think you're going to be here, but you've still got to prove yourself," said Reaves, who had two goals and two assists in 28 games last season. "God knows how many forwards were here. It seemed like there was endless amounts, so if you don't perform, there's somebody else champing at the bit. I think I had my best camp in St. Louis since I've been part of this organization. Hard summer for me, I trained really hard and it paid off.

"I like to think that I can be a third- and fourth-line player, just crashing the net, energy, chipping in some points when I can. I try not to be strictly a fighter because there's limited minutes in this league now. You've got to be a well-rounded player and I'm striving for that."

Porter, who had three goals and four assists in 45 games a season ago, said it's all about making an impact now and not just being happy to be here.

"I feel like I had a pretty good camp," he said. "I still feel like I can improve and add to this team. I'm happy to be here and the next goal is getting in the lineup and making an impact.

"Last year was get your foot in the door and show (Payne) what you can do. Now it's add to that and bring that every night and contribute to wins."

* Projected lineup -- The Blues have tinkered with line combinations throughout much of camp. But unless a difference of opinion or injury occurs, expect this to be the lineup that takes the ice Saturday:

Andy McDonald-David Backes-Jamie Langenbrunner

T.J. Oshie-Patrik Berglund-Chris Stewart

Alex Steen-Jason Arnott-Matt D'Agostini

Vladimir Sobotka-Scott Nichol-Ryan Reaves

Carlo Colaiacovo-Alex Pietrangelo

Barret Jackman-Kevin Shattenkirk

Kent Huskins-Roman Polak

Jaroslav Halak

Extras: (forwards) Chris Porter, Evgeny Grachev, (defenseman) Nikita Nikitin and (backup goalie) Brian Elliott.

Blues have one of the more versatile players in Alex Steen

Winger says he's "sick of these long summers"

By LOUIE KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- The motivation that Alex Steen brings with him into this season is simple.

"Making the playoffs," Steen said sternly. "I'm so sick of these long summers. That's my goal."

And with that, the 27-year-old Winnipeg, Manitoba native took another summer and spent it going between Winnipeg and Sweden using the time to prepare for what Steen hopes will culminate with the Blues getting back into the postseason. He also spends time running the Amadeus Steen Foundation http://www.amadeussteenfoundation.com/. 

(Getty Images)

Alex Steen gives the Blues an element at both ends of the ice.

Steen, who scored 20 goals and added 31 assists in 72 games last season, says the drive to getting better and staying fit is all about keeping it fun. He may be the best all-around athlete on the Blues' roster.

"I find when you do the same things over and over again, it's harder to motivate yourself, so last year, I did roller blading ... it's almost like skiing but on roller blades," Steen said. "This year was a lot more running. I've done some boxing, biking, cycling ... I do all sorts of stuff. Some soccer here and there.

"You just try and find ways to motivate yourself and make it fun. When you have fun, you always seem to push yourself a little bit harder. You almost don't realize how hard you're going until it's almost over and done."

Steen said he's worked out with the Sedin brothers, Daniel and Henrik in Sweden. He calls them some of the most fit guys he's seen, and judging by the numbers the duo put up with the Vancouver Canucks, why not try and duplicate it?

"Every year is different," Steen said. "I find new ways and talk to new people over in Sweden. We've got a good group of guys. ... You pick programs off of (the Sedins') programs in the summer. Obviously (Blues strength and conditioning coach) Nelson (Ayotte) has some stuff that I really like and I do. There's a strength coach back home in Modo that I really like. I think it just keeps you excited.

"During the summer, it's a lot of mental preparation for this year, but the physical parts was getting quicker and getting better endurance. I've found the last couple years that it's gotten really good and I'm able to last a long time. Those have always been key elements. I've obviously put some strength in these bones. That helps, too."

Steen, who has 100 goals and 248 points in 454 career games, is a commodity that is rare in the league these days. The Blues are able to utilize Steen in a number of different roles, and in each situation, they all seem to pay positive dividends.

Steen can play a checking role and has been used in that scenario on multiple occasions. But when the Blues went through a rash of injuries in season's past, Steen was first in line to be used in a scoring role. Power play or penalty kill, Steen is up for the challenge.

"We know how well he deals with playing all the different positions and all the different variables we throw at him," Blues coach Davis Payne said. "He does a very good job in that, but we want to get him solidified and cohesive with a group of guys so that he doesn't have to continue to adjust and bounce. He knows coming to the rink he's got his guys and he's going to play his game. That's part of the big picture we want to get to.

"We want to make sure Steener gets to a spot where he's locked in and he's got some constant in his game, including with his linemates."

Steen, who was thought to be projected to play on a line with Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner, has developed a nice niche recently with Vladimir Sobotka and Matt D'Agostini. He said it's all about making the right adjustments.

"You adapt to the type of players they are," Steen said. "Dags and Sobe, I've played together with them before. Langs, we've practiced a lot together, played one game and now Arnie had that eye surgery.

"I think the biggest thing is communication. You talk both on the ice and in the room about what type of situations you like to get yourself into and what they expect and where they like to be. You just get a feel for guys."

D'Agostini said you can't help but be a better player playing on a line with Steen.

"He's just such a great all-around player," said D'Agostini, who had a career-high 21 goals a season ago and has played with Steen previously before this season. "He plays both ends of the ice so well.

"I know personally for myself, he's gotten pucks to me where shooting it is the easy part. The work that he does to get you pucks is what makes him so good. And when guys get pucks to him, he makes it look easy. He drives to open ice as good as anyone I know."

(Getty Images)

Alex Steen (right) has 100 career goals, 50 of them in 201 career games with

the Blues.

Steen said the quickness aspect to his game is an area he feels needs to be continuously enhanced, and it's an area he particularly focused on this past off-season.

"I think I've gone up a lot in the quickness area, and since Day 1, that's something I've been working on," he said. "Goalies get quicker and quicker and almost stay ahead of guys.

"Every year, it seems like the league gets quicker and quicker. I feel like I want to try and stay a step ahead of that instead of falling behind."

Payne said he's already noticed it.

"He looks faster this year," Payne said. "Talking to him, he said he feels a little bit stronger on his feet.

"He's a guy with great pace, great acceleration, a guy who can really drive to open ice very very well. I sat down and talked to him and really encouraged him to use that ability, whether it's on a self-chip or clear possession, if he's got some wide ice, let's go ahead and take it. Let's maintain it, let's see what happens underneath those defensemen. He's the kind of guy that has that pace going both ways very effectively. ... He can really provide some direction to our game, but he's obviously gone back in the summer and worked on some things, gained a little bit of strength and with that comes a little bit of speed. He looks pretty sharp out there."

Steen, who has been named one of the assistant captains this season along with Barret Jackman, Andy McDonald and Langenbrunner, applauds the moves the Blues made this off-season and gives the Blues a look he hasn't seen here since being acquired from Toronto (along with Carlo Colaiacovo) on Nov. 24, 2008.

"Really good additions," he said. "We had some injury problems obviously last year. We were a little thin at times, but I think the character guys that we brought in, they're veteran-type of guys that have been around the league for a long time. They've won and they bring different elements to the team, most importantly a winning attitude. It's already spread within the room. The guys are awesome. You met all these guys, they're great guys. They've come in and it's like they've been a part of the team forever. I think we're going to have a really fun year."

Steen notes in order for the Blues to be successful and be a playoff team, they have to start strong and stay consistent, something that was lacking in an injury-plagued season. With expectations high, he's looking forward to being a part of something that could be special and contribute any way he can.

"Everybody's excited," Steen said. "You (media) guys are excited, the city's excited. I think it's going to be a fun year. We've got to come out of the gates hard, start the season fast and quick and get some wins right away and go from there.

"I think the biggest thing for me personally is I always want to grow and get better. That's something that drives me throughout the whole year."

2011-12 NHL predictions

Western Conference
1. San Jose
2. Vancouver
3. Detroit
4. Los Angeles
5. Chicago
6. St. Louis
7. Anaheim
8. Calgary

Eastern Conference
1. Boston
2. Pittsburgh
3. Washington
4. Philadelphia
5. Tampa Bay
6. Buffalo
7. N.Y. Rangers
8. Carolina

Western Conference final: San Jose over Detroit

Eastern Conference final: Pittsburgh over Tampa Bay

Stanley Cup: San Jose over Pittsburgh

* Not all awards are listed, just the top categories:

 

Hart Trophy: 1. Steven Stamkos, 2. Evgeni Malkin, 3. Joe Thornton

Norris Trophy: 1. Shea Weber, 2. Zdeno Chara, 3. Mike Green

Vezina Trophy: 1. Henrik Lundqvist, 2. Ryan Miller, 3. Pekka Rinne

Jack Adams Award: 1. Todd McLellan, 2. Dan Bylsma, 3. Terry Murray

Calder Trophy: 1. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 2. Brayden Schenn, 3. Adam Larsson

Lady Byng Trophy: 1. Martin St. Louis, 2. Jonathan Toews, 3. Brad Richards

Art Ross Trophy: 1. Steven Stamkos, 2. Evgeni Malkin, 3. Joe Thornton

Conn Smythe Trophy: 1. Joe Thornton, 2. Evgeni Malkin, 3. Martin St. Louis

Selke Trophy: 1. Pavel Datsyuk, 2. Ryan Kesler, 3. David Backes

Rocket Richard Trophy: 1. Steven Stamkos, 2. Ilya Kovalchuk, 3. Corey Perry

(10-3-11) BLUES NOTEBOOK

Arnott, Colaiacovo back on ice, geared for opener; Blues roster set for opener

By LOUIE KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- When Jason Arnott played in his first and only preseason game, he knew right away something wasn't right.

"I came off the ice and was like, 'Man, this is not right. I just do not feel right,'" Arnott recalled. "So we took time off there to see if I could get contacts and we didn't, so I went and got the (procedure) done and that's it."

The veteran Arnott was back on the ice Sunday a little over a week after playing against the Minnesota Wild. He was getting a cataract removed from his right eye earlier in the week and is on track for the season opener at home against Nashville.


Jason Arnott

"Everything went really well. I can see again. That's a good thing,." Arnott joked. "The doctor was phenomenal. No repercussions yet and things have been going smooth and it's nice to get back on the ice.

"I felt good. I've got to get used to the visor. It's definitely different. I'll have it for a little while. I'll see how long I have to wear it. For now, just for my own protection, I have to wear it."

Arnott said the eye is something that was bothering him dating back to last season.

"It was bothering me last year quite a bit," Arnott said. "I had trouble seeing and blurred vision and things like that. I just went and got it diagnosed and found out and they couldn't tell me why I got it. It's one of those things.

"I got the left eye done early on. I got a contact to try and I just couldn't do it. I couldn't see very well. My head just didn't feel right, so we opted to go get the other one done, so far it's been great."

Blues coach Davis Payne was encouraged.

"It was the first time he was on the ice with things happening at pace, different variables, guys moving in and out of his line of sight," Payne said. "He thought that everything was clear, real happy with the way he felt. That's a good step. Tuesday will be another good day for him."

* Colaiacovo dodges scare -- Defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo has lived through a number of injuries in his career.

So when there was a mysterious upper-body injury in Thursday's preseason game against Colorado that would eventually be disclosed as a chest injury, the Blues and Colaiacovo are glad to have dodged a bullet.

Carlo Colaiacovo

"It was just an incident that it didn't feel good at the time," said Colaiacovo, who was back on the ice Sunday. "Luckily, I escaped the worst. I feel good today and making progress every day. I'm looking forward to getting better every day.

"It happened early in the game. I'm not going to get into specifics, but I tried to work through it and it kept getting worse. I got to the point where I just couldn't put up with it anymore. I left the game and had a real hard time that night but the last couple days had some real good strides with it. I am where I am today. I felt good out there and I just want to continue moving forward."

There were tests conducted to see if there was any further damage just as a precaution.

"Obviously the concern at first was to just make sure there was nothing wrong," Colaiacovo said. "After that, I came to the rink, did my treatment, got on the bike and had no setbacks.

"It's been a slow process but at the end of the day, I'm here skating today. I felt good, I skated this morning, tested it out, felt good and joined in practice and I feel good right now. Let's hope it continues this way."

* Elliott happy -- One would be upset, the other pleased. That's the cut-and-dry reaction from both Ben Bishop and Brian Elliott. So when Elliott won the battle for the backup job behind starter Jaroslav Halak, the more experienced Elliott was smiles on Sunday.

"It was a tough competition," Elliott said. "You want everybody in the organization to do well. You just want to do the best you can and hopefully that's what helps the team go forward and helps the team get a win every night.

"My job is to stop as many pucks as you can, be a good team guy and when called upon, just get in there and compete like I can."

Payne said he and general manager Doug Armstrong were ready to get down to the final group after Saturday's 4-0 loss in the preseason finale.

"Just kind of the assessment of how the whole process went last night," Payne said. "We didn't like the way the game went, didn't really like the atmosphere. We just wanted to clarify things and get to work. It was a short conversation between Doug and I right after I got done with you (media) guys. We made the decision. Let's get going, and that's it.

"It was the whole room, bench, team play, performance. Enough's enough. Let's get to our group. Let's get to work."

Elliott, who split time last year between Ottawa and Colorado, now must play up to standards to stay in the league. He had no idea a decision was looming.

"It's Step One," he said. "They say it's really hard to come to the NHL, but it's harder to stay. You just have to work hard and be a team guy.

"You just put it out of your mind, come every day and work hard. If you think about it too much, that's when you start messing with yourself mentally and ultimately playing poorly. I just tried to come every day, be happy, have a smile on my face and work hard."

* Porter, Reaves and Grachev outlast the rest -- Two open spots on forward became three with the injury to B.J. Crombeen, and it was Chris Porter, Ryan Reaves and Evgeny Grachev that stood out over the rest.

The Blues optioned eight players to Peoria on Saturday, but the aforementioned trio were left behind in St. Louis. It's how they wanted it.

"It's always a good feeling. I get good experience," Grachev said. "I'm going to try and make the best out of it. I'm trying to enjoy it as much as I can.

"I hope to get better in all aspects. You never know what's going to happen tomorrow, so you just want to give yourself the best chance and see what happens."

All three players the Blues chose to keep, according to Payne, fill a necessary role.

"Starting with Reaves, he fills a role," Payne said. "His game in Colorado shows the kind of impact he can have in that role. Ports is a guy that works hard and gives us that depth in that checking role. Grach came in and with a good opportunity, did what he needed to do with it.

"There are some things that these guys need to work on and will continue to work on that. We feel we've got good options there with those three guys in a number of different roles."

"Last year was get your foot in the door and show him what you can do," Porter said. "Now it's add to that and bring that every night and contribute to wins."

Blues lose preseason finale, winger; make final roster cuts

Elliott wins backup job; Crombeen out indefinitely after fracturing left shoulder

By LOUIE KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- The final audition for those searching for a roster spot with the Blues didn't bring out any ringing endorsements Saturday afternoon.

The Blues used a makeshift lineup against the Dallas Stars, which did include eight regulars including goalie Jaroslav Halak, in their exhibition finale. And for those looking to stick here in St. Louis, a 4-0 loss to the Stars was not what some of those fringe players wanted.

Despite outshooting the Stars 33-24, the Blues didn't get good performances across the board, including Halak, who allowed those four goals on the Stars' first 15 shots. He finished with 20 saves.

"Just turn the page. It's preseason and it's behind us," said Halak, who finished exhibition play with a 1-2 record. "Everyone now starts the regular season."

(AP)

The Blues' T.J. Oshie (74) battles for a puck with the Stars' Eric Godard.

When asked where his game was a week away from the regular season opener, Halak said, "We'll see when we play the first game. Nobody wants to lose 4-0. No one wants to lose a last exhibition game, but it happened. You've got to turn the page."

Other skaters, including the four that were recalled from Peoria Friday, didn't assert themselves either with a final preseason performance that saw the Blues end 5-3.

"I don't suppose you'd tell a very good story out of that one," Blues coach Davis Payne said. "We still wanted to see some impressions. Unfortunately, some of our guys we called up didn't leave great ones. We've got some moves we've got to make, we've got to get the roster down, we've got to get to work."

Some roster cuts were made Saturday afternoon, and those that will stick around here a while longer include Evgeny Grachev, Ryan Reaves and Chris Porter. Porter likely stuck it out after news came down that winger B.J. Crombeen suffered a broken scapula fracture in his left shoulder and is sidelined indefinitely.


(AP)

The Blues' B.J. Crombeen reacts after injuring his left

shoulder Saturday against Dallas. Crombeen fractured

his shoulder on the play and is sidelined indefinitely.

"I feel for B.J.," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. "In a game that wasn't going our way, I thought he was one of the few bright spots that we had with his competitive level.

"Before the injury, he was talking to some of the players on the Dallas team and letting them know that he wasn't happy with the way things were going. It's unfortunate that he got injured because I thought he was one of the bright spots in the game for us. It's something that we'll deal with. We have the depth to deal with (it) and right now, I just want B.J. to recuperate as quick as possible. But it does provide someone like Ryan Reaves as excellent opportunity as well as Porter and Grachev."

Going back to Peoria will be forwards Jonathan Cheechoo, Brett Sterling, Philip McRae, Anthony Peluso, and Adam Cracknell, defensemen Ian Cole and Mark Cundari along with goalie Ben Bishop.

So that means Brian Elliott, signed in the summer to a one-year, two-way contract, has won the backup job behind Halak.

"I was definitely shocked," Bishop said Saturday evening. "I wasn't very happy with the decision, but you've got to respect the decision. They're obviously your bosses. They tell you what to do. You might not agree with it, but you've just got to take it and use it down in Peoria and play well and hopefully be up here soon."

And the decision, according to Armstrong, came down to Elliott's experience.

"I felt they were very equal in training camp," Armstrong said. "I don't think either separated themselves. Davis and I talked a lot and we talked before the game (Saturday) and I felt we could drag this a couple days and we could let it play into next week, but watching the game, I got a feeling I needed to let Davis work with a small group.

"The decision was based basically on experience. We're going with the experienced guy. On a positive note, Ben wasn't happy. He was disappointed and somewhat ... he was disappointed and I think he has to take that fuel and put it in the right direction. I think he's going to get an opportunity at some point this year. All goalies seem to get an opportunity. You just have to be ready. At the end of the day, there wasn't enough to differentiate between the two in our mind and we decided to go with the experienced guy to start with."

Added Payne, "I thought both guys had good camps. Both guys battled hard, both guys made our decision difficult."

There's some question whether the fact that Elliott needed to clear waivers and Bishop didn't weighed in on the decision, but Armstrong said, "I don't really respond to (that question). My job is to put the team on the ice that I felt comfortable with. That's what I've done."

Bishop was 2-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average and .907 save percentage, while Elliott was 1-1 with a 2.03 GAA and .917 save percentage.

"I felt almost 100 percent positive that I thought I was going to be up here," Bishop said. "I felt real happy with the way I came into camp, the shape I came in and the games I played and the practices. I had the faith in the guys in the locker room and I think they had the faith in me. It was tough when I found out the news. I wasn't happy with it, but now I've just got to put the past in the past and go to Peoria and win games and hopefully get up here soon.

"Elliott's obviously played more games than I. You're not always going to agree with the decisions, but he has been around a little longer than I. I was hoping to get that experience to start the year, but hopefully that'll come halfway through the year or a month or who knows, so you've just got to be ready when you're called upon."

Bishop said he's taking the high road and used a couple prime examples of why good things come to those who wait.

"That's exactly how you have to look at it," Bishop said. "You kind of think about it for a little bit; not sulk, but you have to get over it real fast because you've got a job to do down there. You look at the brighter side, (Vancouver's Cory) Schneider was in the American league for four years, (Detroit's Jimmy Howard was in there for four years. If it takes four years, it takes four years. People turn out to be pretty good goalies in the NHL. Hopefully, I'll be on a team by then, whether it's this year or next year."

Payne also said that test results came back negative on defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo, who suffered a chest injury in Thursday's game against Colorado. He could be back on the ice as early as Sunday or held back until Tuesday but looks like he'll be ready for the home-opener next week against Nashville.

"It sounds like everything will be good," Armstrong said. "I'm not sure if he'll be on the ice tomorrow in practice, we think he may be, but for sure we expect him to be ready to go on Tuesday."

Veteran Scott Nichol said despite Saturday's lethargic outcome, the team feels good about heading into the regular season.

"In here there's no doubt in our mind. We have a great team," Nichol said. "We've been doing a lot of the little things that's going to make this team win a lot of hockey games. We are disappointed in the end result (Saturday), but I think our overall training camp has been outstanding."

Shattenkirk paves quick road to NHL

Given opportunity early in career, 22-year-old

BU product has made most of unique opportunity

By LOUIE KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- The path for a defenseman trying to make it in the National Hockey League can be the most challenging journey. It's certainly not the easiest position to learn.

Many have faced a number of obstacles with a plethora of ups and downs. However, some are fortunate enough to cut the path down a road and make a smooth transition.

For Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, not only has it been a smooth transition but a quick path to the NHL has reaped many rewards as well.


(Getty Images)

Kevin Shattenkirk's NHL career has started off well. The Blues are reaping the

early rewards and hope for a long and prosperous career in St. Louis.

Shattenkirk, 22, doesn't have an extensive minor league resume. In fact, the 14th overall pick in 2007 has played in more NHL games in his career (72) than he has in the American Hockey League (13). It took teammate Alex Pietrangelo, the No. 4 overall pick in 2008, 180 games in the Ontario Hockey League before the Blues felt he was NHL-ready.

"I think I've just had a great opportunity to play (in the NHL)," Shattenkirk said. "Everyone always talks about making the most of your opportunity when it comes. ... I was fortunate there was an injury and you hate for that to be the case, but when I went up, it was a leave-it-all-up-there-and-play-my-hardest-type of mentality.

Shattenkirk is best described as a fluid, puck-moving defenseman that the Blues learned last season was far more polished than a common rookie. His best attributes include moving the puck from the defensive to offensive zone and joining the rush, giving the Blues three of those players (Pietrangelo and Carlo Colaiacovo), a quality unfounded in other organizations.

"With every level that you step up, there's obviously an adjustment period," Shattenkirk said. "The first thing that I noticed playing up was the speed and obviously the talent of all the players. Originally I was being matched up against third- and fourth-line players for most teams. These players are all so great that they can all hurt you. I found that the most glaring thing is as soon as you make a mistake, somebody's capitalizing on it. That was the one real big part of the game that stuck out to me."

Shattenkirk was in Colorado when Avs defenseman Kyle Cumiskey suffered a concussion and was sidelined indefinitely early last season. The Boston University product has made the most of that opportunity and hasn't left the league since despite feeling like he could have definitely used an extended dose of AHL seasoning.

"I think he's got a high level of IQ," Blues coach Davis Payne said of Shattenkirk. "He's creative and sees the game within his skills. He's able to make plays, not only with the puck but with his feet. That gets you a certain point. I think as he grows stronger and more experienced in his situations, I think he's going to get nothing but better.

"Some guys, it may take them 1,000 times in a single situation to get a feel for it. Some guys 500. Whether that's a rush or whether that's a certain rep or play. He can get a pretty good feel for it. I don't think anybody's all the way there but we're making good progress."

Shattenkirk's progress is quite evident. He thrived after his call-up by Avalanche, tallying 19 assists and 26 points in 46 games while getting prime minutes and playing in all key situations. It says a lot for a first-year player.

"I really haven't been able to comprehend it all," Shattenkirk said modestly. "I'm definitely still learning a lot. I still have a lot of areas to improve on. I think with all my coaches along the way, they told me to just keep it really simple and play my game. That allows you to adjust as time passes by. It makes it a little easier to follow the play.

"As soon as I got to Colorado, they put me on the power play. I really had a chance to shine and it's the same thing here."

Shattenkirk credits Lake Erie coach Dave Quinn and John Riley, the regional scout for the Philadelphia Flyers with much of his youth and development.

"John Riley was huge for me," Shattenkirk said. "Something he taught me along the way that I still use today is to play outside my comfort level and during practice, do things that I may not normally try and do during a game just to become more comfortable with it. When the time comes, you're ready for it. That was just a key asset growing up, playing with older players and things like that.

"Once I got to college and even Lake Erie, Dave Quinn did huge things for my game. Defensively, just got on me to skate. I seemed to have these lapses where I don't move my feet and I'm planting my feet in the ice and I can't seem to get out of that funk. When I was sent down last year, he really made it a point in practice to stay on me and make sure I was moving my feet as much as possible."

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Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (left) in action against his former team

last season. 

As well as things seemed to go for Shattenkirk in Colorado, he was a minus-11 on the ice for a team floundering. It wasn't long after when Shattenkirk was slapped with a cold dose of reality.

It's called the business side of the NHL.

When the trade went down between the Blues and Avalanche in February, Shattenkirk was part of the blockbuster that shipped he and Chris Stewart here and former No. 1 pick Erik Johnson going the other way.

Some would view that as a sign that someone was giving up on you. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, Shattenkirk was given another chance to shine in the NHL. The Blues haven't been disappointed.

"Without a doubt it was one of the best things that happened to me last year," Shattenkirk said of getting traded. "I think that was my first real taste of the business aspect of hockey. Coming from college, you don't really experience that much. It really was, at first, very shocking to me. I had no idea that it was even going to happen. Looking back now, I couldn't be happier with it. What I learned from it, it's going to be extremely beneficial down the line and it really slapped me in the face and said, 'Hey, you're a professional now. This is what can happen.'"

Shattenkirk finished last season with nine goals and 43 points, the most points and assists (34) by a rookie defenseman.

When Shattenkirk came to the Blues, he scored twice and added 15 assists in 26 games and really embraced a role that has seen veterans Barret Jackman and Carlo Colaiacovo take him on in a mentor role.

"I've learned a ton. ... It was two guys that really stepped up and made me feel comfortable and right away, I just started telling myself to play my game and to help out," Shattenkirk said. "That goes straight to the coaching staff as well. The best thing coach (Brad) Shaw has done for me is calming me down in the game if things aren't going my way. He's a great voice of reason."

Shattenkirk would like to take that voice of reason and along with Pietrangelo, be one of the faces of this franchise for years to come.

"I want to be someone who the coaches feel comfortable putting out in every situation," Shattenkirk said, who would relish more minutes per game after averaging 19:50 last season. "I definitely have some growing room in the penalty kill area and the defensive zone. I think this year, one of my goals is to really earn that trust from the coaches and to really show that I can be out there in crucial situations and they don't have to worry about it.

"Coming into the team, I just wanted to bring my strengths. Things were very successful last year. You look at a guy like Petro, he's going to be an all-star for years to come. I hope to just kind of keep up with him as much as I can."