Just signing a couple of former first-round draft picks — as the Blues did this week with the addition of forwards T.J. Oshie and Lars Eller — is no guarantee of success.
The organization must develop into a skilled talent farmer able to produce a bountiful harvest of talent by every means possible, including wise use of draft picks and exploring the trade and free-agent market to fill additional holes.
“There’s no doubt that when young players like these two sign contracts to turn pro, it’s the highlight of their lives,” Davidson said. “It’s something they’ve dreamed about — and then the reality sets in. It’s the best league in the world by far and it’s a fast, hard-fought, physical game.”
The Blues could throw a lot of money at a tantalizing free-agent like defenseman Brian Campbell, who could go a long way toward fixing the team's ailing power play as well as the five-on-five scoring. But fans shouldn't hold their breath for long waiting for that to happen.
"When I walk the streets of St. Louis and I go to service stations or restaurants or grocery stores, people come up to me and say ‘We love what you guys are doing, stick with the plan.' That’s what we’re doing, we’e sticking with the plan," Davidson said.
Oshie knows that just being a former first-round pick won’t guarantee him anything. Neither will his All-American honors and three straight Frozen Four trips at the University of North Dakota, where his leadership and talent were legendary.
Now he must deal with a longer schedule, constant travel and nightly dose of bigger, faster and stronger players from all over the world.
Oshie feels he’s ready.
“You always want to be on the top squad, you always want to be the best,” he said. “That’s my goal, we’ll have to wait and see rather I reach that or now.”
Oshie’s college coach, North Dakota's Dave Hakstol, already misses him.
“Getting to the is a big step and nobody takes it for granted, but in my opinion, he’s ready for that challenge,” Hakstol told the Associated Press. “I think he’s one of those special players that only comes around every so often.”
The Blues added rookies Erik Johnson and David Perron last season and could have up to five or six players this season with less than two full seasons of experience. Center Patrik Berglund is expected to get every chance at a roster spot and Swedish defenseman Jonas Junland is also turning heads in the organization.
As a result, don't expect any quick-fix solution to the Blues' playoff problem.
"We can go trade some really good young people we have in our organizationm and bring in some guys, probably make the playofs for sure," Davidson said. "But what good is that going to do? You probably lose in the first round, then you’ve lost your assets and you’ve lost in the playoffs. That’s not going to do anybody any good.
"Our plan is very plain and very clear: We’re going to make the Blues a good team for a long period of time, and we’re sticking to that."
Eller, 19, may still be a year or more away from the. The Blues’ 2007 first-round pick hopes to use the time between now and training camp to improve everything about his game and conditioning.
He just finished up playing for Denmark at the World Championships in Canada against teams that featured many players.
“Things are going really fast here, my season just ended two days ago,” he said. “I’ll come to camp and do my best and see if I can stay here.”
If not, Eller must be available to his Swedish Elite League team, Frolunda. He also has the option of playing for the Blues’ minor-league team in Peoria, but on Wednesday didn’t seem to put much stock in that scenario.
“As we speak here, I think it’s very possible that I play in Frolunda next year,” Eller said. “I’m going to come and do my best and see where it goes, but I think this is maybe a one-year process which involves playing one more year in Sweden.
“We’ll see what happens. I have no problem whatsoever to come to North America; I moved away from home when I was 15, so it’s all about what’s best for my development. Nothing else.”
Blues veteran forward Keith Tkachuk was among those in attendance at Wednesday's news conference. Needless to say he wasn't just there to protect his No. 7 jersey, the same number worn by Oshie at North Dakota.
Tkachuk and the Blues' other veterans will join the coaching staff in trying to bring along the youngsters.
"If we win games, everything will be good," Tkachuk said. "But you’ve got to remember, a lot of our young guys over the last three years have gotten quality ice time. They’re going to be a lot more mature than the average guy in the league for two years. I think we’ll be fine."
Blues coach Andy Murray will likely have his patience tested some more before it's all over.
"It’s going to be the dressing room and how our veteran players help these young guys out that’s going to make the world of difference in their development and our development as a team," he said.
FRONT OFFICE ADDITION?
While the rumors flying around the hockey world have former Vancouver Canucks general manager Dave Nonis linked with Toronto, don’t count out St. Louis as a possible destination.
The 41-year-old Nonis was fired April 14 by the Canucks after the team missed the playoffs.
Davidson said Wednesday that there could be an opening here for an assistant GM that would report to current general manager Larry Pleau.
Nonis’ name has also been linked to the Atlanta Thrashers. One of his best moves in Vancouver was obtaining all-star goaltender Roberto Luongo from Florida for veteran forward Todd Bertuzzi.
“As a franchise, we’re always looking to improve,” said Davidson, who already has permission from the ownership group to pursue a possible hire. “There’s nothing imminent and there’s no rush on this particular need, but we’re looking to add somebody to our front office.”
The Blues’ current hockey braintrust includes Davidson, Pleau, assistant general manager and scouting director Jarmo Kekalainen, vice president Al MacInnis and Peoria Rivermen GM Kevin McDonald.
“It’s another set of eyes and another brain, another set of ears ...it just makes us deeper and better,” Davidson said. “That’s what we’re going to try to do.”
— Norm Sanders
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