Post by St. Louis Blues on Jan 27, 2023 12:13:10 GMT -6
Mid Season St-Louis Blues
Now that we're 50 games in, the St-Louis Blues GM, Charles-A. Poulin, is meeting the PFHL medias. GM Poulin will give a recap of the season (so far) and he will answer your questions after. You may ask one or two questions maximum and please be respectful to each other.
GM Poulin: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. So let's start by the obvious. We're at the moment 24 wins, 21 loss and 4 OTL. That's 52 points and right now we are tie with Nashville who are the last seat in the Central Division. So basically, we are really in a race with the Blackhawks and Predators for a spot in the playoffs. I'll be honest, it's not the worst case scenario but clearly not the scenario we want.
We have one of the worst GF/GA differential at the moment (-31). That's clearly where it gets ugly. We are struggling on the road with a 10-15-0 record.
When playing at home with our fans things get better with 14-6-4 record.
I can't explain why if I'm being honest with you guys... It's always hard to play on the road but we clearly after to be better. WAY better !
We give up way to many shots (32,49 shots per game). Jack and Samso are trying their best but they can't continue to face that many shots..
Our PP and PK are mid pack. We are discipline and we try to stay away from the box.
In summary we're a mid pack team looking to make a push in the playoffs. We feel like most of the players and staff members are (at the moment) in that mindset. Will there be any moves before the deadline, I still don't know. Time will tell. At the moment, the market value is really high and we're not looking to hurt our future. We will be looking at every opportunities that comes to us. I will keep you up to date no need to worry.
I will now take your questions.
Corey Shernuka (Blues Fans Club): Over here Charles. Blake Wheeler has been on the team for about 2 months, 27 games to be specific. You gave him the C and signed him to a 3 years at 8 500 000$ contract. He was struggle to get his offense numbers running with 4 goals and 11 assists. Any regrets with how he has performed and his contract extension ?
GM Poulin: First of all, I wasn't the only the one who made him Captain of the Blues. The players and coaches were the one who decided with me. Even before he came here, it was well known (in the PFHL) that Blake is a great leader who take cares of the people around him. On and off the ice. He did struggle at the start but it's a new system for him, new teammates, new coaches and a new city to adapt to. He will improve his stats. No doubts in my mind he will. There's so many factors around his game that doesn't show up on the score sheets. You have to look at the big picture here.
Speaking of his contract, he deserves that amount. Next question.
Scott Daavidson (106.3 AM The Blues): Rumors around the league are that you are looking for a top pair D. Do you have any updates about that situation ? And if not, do you denies the rumors ?
GM Poulin: The rumors you have heard are right. I've been looking for an upgrade with our defense. Like I've said, the price at the moment is way too high for what we are willing to give away. Mike (Matherson) and Brady (Skjei) have been great additions and have been doing well on the second line. Connor (Murphy) and Colton (Parayko) have been doing a fine job on the first unit. But yeah... We are always looking to improve our squad and the defense is clearly something we need to improve too.
Now that we're 50 games in, the St-Louis Blues GM, Charles-A. Poulin, is meeting the PFHL medias. GM Poulin will give a recap of the season (so far) and he will answer your questions after. You may ask one or two questions maximum and please be respectful to each other.
GM Poulin: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. So let's start by the obvious. We're at the moment 24 wins, 21 loss and 4 OTL. That's 52 points and right now we are tie with Nashville who are the last seat in the Central Division. So basically, we are really in a race with the Blackhawks and Predators for a spot in the playoffs. I'll be honest, it's not the worst case scenario but clearly not the scenario we want.
We have one of the worst GF/GA differential at the moment (-31). That's clearly where it gets ugly. We are struggling on the road with a 10-15-0 record.
When playing at home with our fans things get better with 14-6-4 record.
I can't explain why if I'm being honest with you guys... It's always hard to play on the road but we clearly after to be better. WAY better !
We give up way to many shots (32,49 shots per game). Jack and Samso are trying their best but they can't continue to face that many shots..
Our PP and PK are mid pack. We are discipline and we try to stay away from the box.
In summary we're a mid pack team looking to make a push in the playoffs. We feel like most of the players and staff members are (at the moment) in that mindset. Will there be any moves before the deadline, I still don't know. Time will tell. At the moment, the market value is really high and we're not looking to hurt our future. We will be looking at every opportunities that comes to us. I will keep you up to date no need to worry.
I will now take your questions.
Corey Shernuka (Blues Fans Club): Over here Charles. Blake Wheeler has been on the team for about 2 months, 27 games to be specific. You gave him the C and signed him to a 3 years at 8 500 000$ contract. He was struggle to get his offense numbers running with 4 goals and 11 assists. Any regrets with how he has performed and his contract extension ?
GM Poulin: First of all, I wasn't the only the one who made him Captain of the Blues. The players and coaches were the one who decided with me. Even before he came here, it was well known (in the PFHL) that Blake is a great leader who take cares of the people around him. On and off the ice. He did struggle at the start but it's a new system for him, new teammates, new coaches and a new city to adapt to. He will improve his stats. No doubts in my mind he will. There's so many factors around his game that doesn't show up on the score sheets. You have to look at the big picture here.
Speaking of his contract, he deserves that amount. Next question.
GM Poulin: The rumors you have heard are right. I've been looking for an upgrade with our defense. Like I've said, the price at the moment is way too high for what we are willing to give away. Mike (Matherson) and Brady (Skjei) have been great additions and have been doing well on the second line. Connor (Murphy) and Colton (Parayko) have been doing a fine job on the first unit. But yeah... We are always looking to improve our squad and the defense is clearly something we need to improve too.
Erika Wolf (Fox News KTVI): You do not have (at the moment) a first round pick for the 2023 draft. We all know that the 2023 draft is stacked with talents.. Any chances of making a move at the Bedard lottery like you did last year for Wright ?
GM Poulin: We are looking at many options at the moment. Of course we would like to add a excellent prospect but we are already have plenty of excellent prospects. Some that will make a move to the PFHL next season. Guys like Carson (Lambos), Jakob Pelletier, Jonatan Berggren and Helge Grans are probably going to play in PFHL or in the AHL pretty soon. You add guys like Liam Ohgren, Danila Yurov, Tyler Boucher, Tristan Luneau and others and you have a pretty healthy prospect pool. Never say never but we might not be in the first round of the 2023 draft. We'll see ...
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GM Poulin: We are looking at many options at the moment. Of course we would like to add a excellent prospect but we are already have plenty of excellent prospects. Some that will make a move to the PFHL next season. Guys like Carson (Lambos), Jakob Pelletier, Jonatan Berggren and Helge Grans are probably going to play in PFHL or in the AHL pretty soon. You add guys like Liam Ohgren, Danila Yurov, Tyler Boucher, Tristan Luneau and others and you have a pretty healthy prospect pool. Never say never but we might not be in the first round of the 2023 draft. We'll see ...
Aaaaaaron Sanderson (PFHL ''Special'' Analyst): One last over here Charles, please. Have you had a look at the Pacific Division standing recently ? That division is pretty stacked ... don't you think ?!
GM Poulin: Ahhhh shut up Aaaaaaron.. No one cares about the Pacific Divison.
GM Poulin: Sorry guy's for that last stupid question. That will be all for today. Go Blues !
GM Poulin: Ahhhh shut up Aaaaaaron.. No one cares about the Pacific Divison.
GM Poulin: Sorry guy's for that last stupid question. That will be all for today. Go Blues !
