The Blues with the Trade Deadline looming

Tonight's game between the Blues and the Red Wings could change a franchise. If St. Louis loses, they'll remain at least three points out of the playoffs and it will likely be more with the high amount of games between Western Conference teams scheduled for tonight. They'll probably deal Keith Tkachuk for draft picks or prospects with his contract expiring at the end of the year. They might even cut a couple of other deals. If they win, they could buy for a postseason run which began early last month. The Blues' have the second best record in the NHL over their last 20 games to only the Devils. New Jersey's well into the playoffs at this point as they're likely to win their division and just got back one of the best goalies of all-time in Martin Brodeur. That team is looking to buy more even after picking up Niclas Havelid, a decent defenseman. That team doesn't need anymore to contend for the cup. The Blues, however, need a lot more to contend for the cup.

Former Blue and fan favorite Chris Pronger is on the trading block out in Anaheim. I knew on last Saturday night that he could be moved, but I never thought that the Blues would be in on him. Then, I brought up ESPN's home page for the NHL where the headline was "Feelin' the Blues?" with a picture of Pronger. I looked at my girlfriend, Laura, and started babbling about how great it would be to get him back and my eyes probably looked like Christmas morning when I opened up my Sega Genesis (Think about it a second and I know you can hear the Sonic theme). I then put my wish for Pronger up in my facebook status and my buddy Mike brought me back down to earth. He told me that it would take David Perron to get Pronger. After further research, a package of Perron, a first round pick, and maybe another top prospect is what the Ducks are looking for. As much as it bothered me to see Pronger lift the cup in this monstrosity of a jersey (it's ugly and it even looks like it says Dicks in that picture), I think it would bother me even more to give up too much to get him back.The next NHL draft is loaded. Perron has some of the best hands in the league and once he learns to make the smart play instead of trying to go through and/or around four NHL players, he could be as good as Marian Hossa is right now. Our prospects are rated as some of the best in the league, so while trading some of them is OK, dealing them for something that's not our biggest need would be even worse.

The Blues have allowed just one goal in each of their last five games. A lot of that is Chris Mason being ridiculous and the goal posts being his best friends (I swear Dallas hit at least three posts in the third period against us last Thursday). But the defense has to be part of it. If we're going to make a deal, I'd much rather go for a forward. The Thrashers' Ilya Kovalchuk could be had for the right price. He's still young (turns 26 in April) as opposed to Pronger who will turn 35 in October. Kovalchuk could probably be had for a first round pick and maybe a top prospect. If we could then sign him to an extension, he'd definitely be worth it. He could tutor Perron, Oshie, and Berglund in addition to scoring 40+ goals a year. He's scored that many goals in each of his last four seasons and has gotten to 50 in two of those. 

So would I love to see Pronger skating around Scottrade wearing number 44, the captain's C, and slashing opponents when the refs aren't looking? Of course, what Blues fan wouldn't? But I don't want to mortgage the future of would could be a team that makes another run of 25 consecutive season in the playoffs with a chance to get it done in one of those years. As team president John Davidson put it,"I don't just want to make the playoffs, I want to win the playoffs." The Blues could still do nothing if they win tonight and keep the chemistry they have. They could make the playoffs and gain some valuable experience for those youngsters. So let's take care of business tonight. LET'S GO BLUES!