St. Louis Blues: Will We Ever See Someone Retire A Blue?

In the “old days” it was common place for guys to start their careers and end them in the same place. Now, it seems unlikely to ever happen again.

When the NHL first started, it was almost unheard of for players to move. There were, of course, situations where a player would upset a general manager or owner and that would facilitate a move. However, it was much more the norm for someone to start and end their career with one team.

Even when most of us came into the game, it was more common. Guys like Brian Sutter stayed with the Blues until they were done. The same was true for other leagues.

While trades had become commonplace, it seemed almost unfathomable that one of the greatest players of all time, Wayne Gretzky could ever get moved. Yet it happened twice.

Now, with salary cap situations to maneuver around and unnecessary dollars being thrown at players and terms of too much length being given out, it seems unlikely that anyone will finish with one team anymore. The St. Louis Blues, in particular, seem to be a team unlikely to have anyone start and finish their career with.

The St. Louis Blues came close with a few guys in recent times. It seemed almost a forgone conclusion that Barret Jackman would spend his entire career in St. Louis. Management was enamored with him despite the almost daily tongue lashing he received from the fans.

It was not to be, however. The Blues finally realized that he was not providing what they needed for the money he had been given in the past and let him walk. He spent a season with the Nashville Predators, who cut him after a season. He’s not retired yet, but the league may be sending him a message.

David Backes was almost a lock to stay here forever. Drafted by the Blues, he was groomed from the start. He was named team captain after five seasons with the club and would proudly wear the C for another five.

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While his production had dipped a bit, he was still a solid player at 32. Sadly, there was a discrepancy between the amount of years the Blues were comfortable awarding Backes and the amount he felt he had earned/deserved. Now, he will be a member of the Boston Bruins.

In a conversation with Chris Kerber, St. Louis Blues goaltender, Jake Allen said he would like to retire with the Blues if possible. Regardless of your feelings on Allen as a player, it begs the question of whether we’ll ever see someone come up with the Blues and end their career here too.

I’m not talking drafted by St. Louis, traded away and signed for an honorary contract so they can retire with the team. This is the literal stay with one team your entire career.

It seems almost unthinkable right now. If anyone could do it, perhaps Vladimir Tarasenko will be the guy (playing in Russia doesn’t count). His current contract has him locked up with the Blues until he is 31.

So, if he was still scoring at the numbers we all want or at least the team wants, any extension or new contract might keep him in the bluenote until he is done. We’ve seen it happen though. A player prices themselves out of the team or thinks they are worth more than they actually are, but teams throw the crazy money at them.

It’s impossible to predict. As we sit here today, there are definitely names we’d like to stay.

If Allen is as good as I believe, he could be the goaltender the Blues have needed for years. If Colton Parayko is what we hope he will be, he might be someone to guard the blueline for St. Louis forever. Maybe Robby Fabbri could be the man.

If it is to happen with any current player, Alex Pietrangelo and Tarasenko seem the most likely candidates. Tarasenko is the big name right now, but scorers seem to be the most likely to be let go because of the drop off with age. Pietrangelo seems the more likely because defenders have tricks up their sleeve even if they lose a step and leadership along the back side always counts for something.

The sad fact of it all may be that players may never start and finish with one team anymore. Chicago and Pittsburgh have some candidates of their own to fit the bill. Outside of that it seems unlikely. After all, when Gretzky can play for four teams in his career, what’s stopping anyone else from moving or being moved around.

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As a fan, it would be nice to have more people stick around. Yes, it’s fun to wonder who is going to be signed as a free agent or what big, packaged trade could be made at the deadline. Even so, there’s something to be said for a constant. That one person or thing you know will always be there and can be counted on.

That’s gone away in today’s sporting landscape. Part of it makes me sad. It’s not impossible. As stated, maybe there is someone on today’s roster that will end their career with the Blues. The idea that even the best run their course and finish somewhere else make it seem unlikely though.