Post by St. Louis Blues on Nov 8, 2022 21:04:57 GMT -6
GM Charles-A. Poulin sat down with Huckleberry Pennywhistle from Bally Sports Midwest Radio and answered a few questions.
Huckleberry Pennywhistle
So Charles.. It's your second season with the Blues. How is your plan coming along ?
GM Poulin
Well we had ups and downs but mostly good times. It's great to be part of the PFHL. Even better when you're in charge of the St-Louis Blues.
Everything is going according to the plan. We knew we had to make a few changes but they turned out great. Is the team complete ? No clearly not. A few young guns are a year or two away from being ready to be part of the PFHL Blues.
We are playing for the long game.
Huckleberry Pennywhistle
Speaking of your plan.. What's the plan with the 2022-2023 season for the Blues ?
GM Poulin
Clearly we want to make the playoffs. We feel like we have a good formula and the results should be there. Will we win the PFHL trophy this season ? Probably not but we feel confident that the squad will be competitive.
We are still a season or two away from the top rank.
Huckleberry Pennywhistle
So a few young players are new this season for the Blues. What's your take on them ?
GM Poulin
For the most part they are doing really well. Anton Lundell on the first line with Buchnevich and Marner is doing great. For a 21 year old forward he plays with maturity and consistency. He will be very important for this team for a long time that's for sure. Alex (Newhook) is frustrated with his results. He's been unlucky for the most part.. He may need some time in the AHL to get his game right. Let's not forget that he is also 21. He still has some time to grow.
Samsonov has been great. We need more stability in the net but it should be all good in the end.
Huckleberry Pennywhistle
You have a few contracts coming to an end. How are the talks going with the players involved ?
GM Poulin
That's something that I'm not willing to talk about. These are private conversations between the player, their family, their agent and me.
All I can see is that the players want to be part of this squad and we want them to stay here.
I know that you guys (journalist) are trying to get a story but you gonna have to wait.
Huckleberry Pennywhistle
Alllllriiiight .... SO we have heard rumors about a possible trade with Alex Newhook being the big name out there. Are the rumors real or are they just silly ?
GM Poulin
Well... Alex Newhook needs to up his game. We know that and believe me he is well aware too. Do we need to trade him ? Clearly not ! Are we looking at all the options out there ? Yes.
Alex is a great kid. He fits really well in that locker room.
Sometimes you need drastic things to wake up...
We'll see. Time will tell.
Huckleberry Pennywhistle
You talked about Ilya Samsonov but when you look at Jack Campbell / Ilya Samsonov stats they are pretty bad. Do you think you need to get a new keeper cause clearly they are struggling ?
GM Poulin
We signed Jack last season to a three year extension and we did cause we want him to be our guy. Good goalies in the PFHL are hard to find but we have a great one with Jack. He is our guy. Things will turn out great soon enough. As for Samsonov, he just won his game tonight against the Flyers. So yeah their stats aren't that great but they are playing well and get wins. The guys in front of them need to improve their game and help them.
Huckleberry Pennywhistle
A few fans are asking you to fire Rick Tocchet. They feel like he is responsible for the results on the ice. How do you feel about that ?
GM Poulin
Rick is well aware of that and yes his job his on the line. You wanted your headline ? There it is.
We need to see results and now !
Huckleberry Pennywhistle
Last question Charles. What would you say to the fans that don't believe in you and your plan ?
GM Poulin
Well they can always close their TV and go out for a walk. We do not need fans like them.
Go BLUES !
You have a few contracts coming to an end. How are the talks going with the players involved ?
GM Poulin
That's something that I'm not willing to talk about. These are private conversations between the player, their family, their agent and me.
All I can see is that the players want to be part of this squad and we want them to stay here.
I know that you guys (journalist) are trying to get a story but you gonna have to wait.
Huckleberry Pennywhistle
Alllllriiiight .... SO we have heard rumors about a possible trade with Alex Newhook being the big name out there. Are the rumors real or are they just silly ?
GM Poulin
Well... Alex Newhook needs to up his game. We know that and believe me he is well aware too. Do we need to trade him ? Clearly not ! Are we looking at all the options out there ? Yes.
Alex is a great kid. He fits really well in that locker room.
Sometimes you need drastic things to wake up...
We'll see. Time will tell.
Huckleberry Pennywhistle
You talked about Ilya Samsonov but when you look at Jack Campbell / Ilya Samsonov stats they are pretty bad. Do you think you need to get a new keeper cause clearly they are struggling ?
GM Poulin
We signed Jack last season to a three year extension and we did cause we want him to be our guy. Good goalies in the PFHL are hard to find but we have a great one with Jack. He is our guy. Things will turn out great soon enough. As for Samsonov, he just won his game tonight against the Flyers. So yeah their stats aren't that great but they are playing well and get wins. The guys in front of them need to improve their game and help them.
Huckleberry Pennywhistle
A few fans are asking you to fire Rick Tocchet. They feel like he is responsible for the results on the ice. How do you feel about that ?
GM Poulin
Rick is well aware of that and yes his job his on the line. You wanted your headline ? There it is.
We need to see results and now !
Huckleberry Pennywhistle
Last question Charles. What would you say to the fans that don't believe in you and your plan ?
GM Poulin
Well they can always close their TV and go out for a walk. We do not need fans like them.
Go BLUES !
