Blues Notes: Steen, Pietrangelo, Sobotka
In Jeremy Rutherford’s latest post for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, he walks us through a few notes from Blues camp.
- Alex Steen seems to be progressing admirably from the shoulder surgery he underwent in June. Originally given a four to six month timeline, Steen now is on track to be ready for the start of the season just four months and nine days after the operation. Steen himself was even pushing hard in his rehab to try and make it to the World Cup in September, though it is not going to happen; Steen was replaced by Rickard Rakell last week.
- After announcing Alex Pietrangelo as their newest captain yesterday, owner Tom Stillman heaped praise onto his young defenseman: “Alex is one of the elite players in the game, and he’s a model citizen. He takes responsibility, he leads by example, he’s not afraid to speak up, he’s just an exemplary person.” The captaincy was vacant after the Blues saw David Backes hit free agency and sign with Boston this summer.
- In the long and winding saga of Vladimir Sobotka, nothing seems to have changed from either side, though they are at odds on what will happen after the World Cup. Doug Armstrong reiterates that he’s been told Sobotka will stay in North America following the tournament, while Victor Shalaev, general manger of Omsk Avangard told a Russian news outlet “Sobotka will join us as soon as he’s healthy. Forget about St. Louises and other nonsense.” Armstrong says that he is healthy, and that he’ll be ready to join Blues camp as soon as the World Cup is completed.
- T.J. Galiardi and Mike Weber have already received PTOs from the Blues this year, and Armstrong thinks they may give at least one more out now that Jay Bouwmeester is heading to the World Cup. He’s leaving that in the hands of three of his lieutenants though; Martin Brodeur, Kevin McDonald and Rob DiMaio are in charge of contacting players for try-outs, and since two players earned contracts from them last year, Armstrong thinks they are an attractive spot.
Blues Add Mike Weber On Tryout Deal
The St. Louis Blues have signed 28 year old defenseman Mike Weber to a professional tryout, according to Andy Strickland. Weber started last year with the Buffalo Sabres, and finished it playing ten games with the Washington Capitals. A veteran of 351 NHL games, Weber scored one goal, five points, in 45 games last year. None of those points came in his 10 games with the Capitals. He has not played for any other NHL teams.
The Blues have seven NHL defensemen, according to Cap Friendly. It’s hard to see who he could take a spot from, but this may be insurance in case the Blues manage to finally trade Kevin Shattenkirk. One advantage Weber does have is that the Blues are in the unusual position of having a surplus of right handed defensemen. Weber being a lefty could be of value as a means of balancing the pairings.
Strickland also notes that Weber is close friends with former Blue Steve Ott, who signed with the Red Wings on July 1st.