Blues Reduce Roster to 32 Players

[Thrillhouse]

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues President John Davidson announced today the club has reduced their roster to 32 players.

Forward Michal Birner, along with defensemen Jeff Woywitka, Alex Brooks, Micki Dupont, and goaltenders Jason Bacashihua and Juuso Riksman were all assigned to the Blues’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen.

Forward Patrik Berglund was assigned to his European club in Sweden.

[Snipes19]

No real surprises.

Some good news for Blues fans: Hannu Toivonen beat out Jason Bacashihua for the backup goaltender spot, and Matt Walker beat out Jeff Woywitka for the #7 defenseman spot.

Bacashihua and Woywitka both have to clear waivers....

I'm really happy with both of those. Bacashihua is way too inconsistent, and he just doesn't deserve to be in this league. And the Blues love Matt Walker's toughness that he brings, so it's good to know that he has a safe spot on the team.

Our roster now stands at 32 players. Here a list of who's left:

Forwards:
Paul Kariya, Martin Rucinsky, Lee Stempniak, D.J. King, Chris Porter, Keith Tkachuk, Jay McClement, Doug Weight, Petr Cajanek, Ryan Johnson, Trent Whitfield, Yan Stastny, Brad Boyes, Martin Kariya, David Perron, Jamal Mayers, Dan Hinote, David Backes, Mike Glumac.

Defensemen:
Christian Backman, Eric Brewer, Barrett Jackman, Matt Walker, Jay McKee, Erik Johnson, Bryce Salvador, David Tanabe, Steve Wagner, Roman Polak

Goalies:
Manny Legace, Hannu Toivonen

And, the roster has to be reduced to 23 to start the season. Here are my predictions for the final cuts:

Forwards:
Chris Porter, Trent Whitfield, Yan Stastny, Mike Glumac, Martin Kariya, David Perron

Defensemen:
David Tanabe, Steve Wagner, Roman Polak

Which leaves this as our final roster for opening night:

Paul Kariya - Keith Tkachuk - Brad Boyes
Petr Cajanek - Doug Weight - Martin Rucinsky
David Backes - Jay McClement - Lee Stempniak
D.J. King - Dan Hinote - Jamal Mayers
Ryan Johnson

Eric Brewer - Bryce Salvador
Barrett Jackman - Erik Johnson
Jay McKee - Christian Backman
Matt Walker

Legace
Toivonen

[McDonald19]

Originally Posted by Wes McSnipes

D.J. King - Dan Hinote - Jamal Mayers

I like that line...

[Boom Boom Belak]

boy has Woywitka ever been a disappointment

[bustoff]

Yeah Wes, that look's about right who's staying and who's going. Hope Toivonen picks up the pace as a backup to Legace. Perron might be up for a few games at the start unless he catches fire. Ryan Johnson's name has been thrown around as someone who could be leaving one way or another.

[Blues 34]

Originally Posted by bustoff

Yeah Wes, that look's about right who's staying and who's going. Hope Toivonen picks up the pace as a backup to Legace. Perron might be up for a few games at the start unless he catches fire. Ryan Johnson's name has been thrown around as someone who could be leaving one way or another.

I hope he doesnt take a spot away from King like he did for part of last year. I like Wes' 4th line as well.

[wellzy]

how quick did Tim Spencer get cut?

[bustoff]

Originally Posted by wellzy

how quick did Tim Spencer get cut?

He was one of the first but I like his style of play. A year in the 'A' will do him good.

[wellzy]

Hes goin to play in the A though? Well thats good, hes a home town boy, who got the rough treatment from me when we scrimmaged. Good kid.

[bustoff]

He fought Q.C.'s Donally in his first game as a Rivermen. I think he's a good addition to the Blues system.

[wellzy]

yeah he wont back down, i talked to him at the c-store before he went down, and asked if i have any good words for him, and i said go down, play ur game, fight and fuk as many woman u can, cause ur only young once.