St. Louis Blues Morning Links: Lost In Translation
By Todd Panula
Good morning Blues fans! The St. Louis Blues got some good news mixed in with their usual downer of an exit day. It wasn’t too surprising, but nevertheless welcome.
The St. Louis Blues and their fans were wondering what the heck was going on a couple days ago. We knew that Alex Steen was playing with a broken bone in his foot, which to mere mortals sounds like more than enough to call into work.
Then it was reported that Vladimir Tarasenko was not going to report to the Russian World Chamiponships team because he needed surgery. Fans and media alike began racking their brains trying to figure out what could have happened.
The main focus was on an injury way back in Game 1 of the Nashville series. Tarasenko was in a great deal of discomfort after a collision that appeared to injure his chest.
He did not miss much time in the game and missed no games following. He practiced as well. So, that seemed odd to hear that particular injury had gotten to the point where going under the knife would be necessary.
In the end, it was all just nonsense. I won’t say that I never believed it because I did, but I also had an inkling this could be misinformation.
Usually if it gets to the point where the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports it, you can believe it is true. That’s where the Russian part of the equation comes in.
I have nothing wrong with the Russian people or their country or heritage. When it comes to hockey though, they have a track record of doing what they want, saying what they want and putting whoever is doing the talking in the best light possible. Truth be damned and never let facts get in the way of a good story.
I don’t know that there is any shenanigans going on here. The Russian coach, Oleg Znarok, may have been fed misleading information by Tarasenko’s Russian agent (he has a North American and Russian agent).
The coach may have made it sound worse than it was for the Russian media. Perhaps he was trying to save Tarasenko from any bad publicity by him not coming home to play for the Motherland.
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Maybe he was trying to save himself some embarrassment. Maybe Znarok was giving himself an excuse if Russian fails to do well. He could always say that his high profile guys were either still playing or had to have surgery.
Who knows. We will never know how this story came about.
All we can do right now is believe Tarasenko himself. While he has not talked directly to the media about it, Doug Armstrong said he spoke with the player. Tarasenko is dealing with issues, according to Armstrong, but nothing that will need surgery.
“He’s a big man that plays big minutes that goes against the other team’s most physical top players,” Armstrong continued. “So I’m not shocked he’s not feeling great.”
Hopefully this is not one of those odd things where the player feels the need to take care of things themselves. Perhaps not with the Blues, but we’ve heard stories of players going off and seeing their own doctor and doing their own thing.
It usually never ends well for some reason. For now, let’s hope all is as is being reported and a little time off will be all that is needed.
Here are your St. Louis Blues morning links to get your day going right.
Doug Armstrong discussed the injuries to Tarasenko and other guys yesterday. Colton Parayko also got pulled up to his national team and more in Tom Timmerman’s Blue Notes. (STLToday)
Jake Allen had a heck of a turnaround when Marty Broduer came down from the office to coach him up. Those hoping that would be a semi-permanent role will be disappointed. Brodeur has already hung up his coaching hat. (Post-Dispatch)
Despite a surge to a division championship and getting players sent down from the Blues, the Chicago Wolves have found the playoffs a struggle. Coming from behind to win the first round, the Wolves didn’t learn and will have to do it again in round two. (St. Louis Gametime)
The trade rumors and signing rumors are picking up steam as more teams are added to the list of guys on the golf course. The Blues are listening but not expecting much, the Islanders may spend big bucks, the Blue Jackets are looking east and the Flames fans are disappointed. (My NHL Trade Rumors)
The Dallas Stars may have solidified their goaltending situation. May is the key word though as they traded for a former Blues goaltender, but all they get are exclusive negotiating rights for now. (NHL)
Have a great day Blues fans!