And then he delivers that kind of performance that Steen has high expectations for him as well.

Yeah, you know what, Tim? He does have some high expectations for him.

And It's one of those kind of scenarios for me when it comes to Koski Maki where when they went ahead and they brought in Mason McTavish and they brought in some of these other veteran players, well, maybe not even great veteran players in terms of long-term in the National Hockey League, but when they brought in players that are definitely going to have NHL spots, Ross Johnson, Mason McTavish, and Connor McMichael, it looks a little bit different for some of these younger guys, you know, or maybe going out of last season, you're thinking, okay, next year is the year that Tosca Maki and Stenberg and these guys can, you can, are going to join.

Well, those spots aren't quite as available.

So you're going to have to make an impact when you get a chance.

Now.

You know, four games is all that the preseason is.

We don't talk much about him, but I feel like moving forward, how they view him, where his career is headed, I sense this is a year for him to kind of reemerge.

I heard Joey recount the anecdote as he was heading up the elevator to uh to the press box for the call the game with you that he was in the elevator with uh steen and said hey give me somebody who we should keep an eye on tonight and he raved about him to joey and then he delivers that uh that kind of performance that uh that steen has high expectations for him as well

yeah you know what he does have some high expectations for him and uh uh It's one of those kind of scenarios for me when it comes to Koski Maki where when they went ahead and they brought in Mason McTavish and they brought in some of these other veteran players, well, maybe not even great veteran players in terms of long-term in the National Hockey League, but when they brought in players that are definitely going to have NHL spots, Ross Johnson, Mason McTavish, and Connor McMichael, it looks a little bit different for some of these younger guys, you know, or maybe going out of last season, you're thinking, okay, next year is the year that Tosca Maki and Stenberg and these guys can, you can, are going to join.

Well, those spots aren't quite as available.

So you're going to have to make an impact when you get a chance.

Now.

You know, four games is all that the preseason is.

Guy earns two of them.

We don't talk much about him, but I feel like moving forward, how they view him, where his career is headed, I sense this is a year for him to kind of reemerge.

I heard Joey recount the anecdote as he was heading up the elevator to uh to the press box for the call the game with you that he was in the elevator with uh steen and said hey give me somebody who we should keep an eye on tonight and he raved about him to joey and then he delivers that uh that kind of performance that uh that steen has high expectations for him as well

yeah you know what he does have some high expectations for him and uh uh It's one of those kind of scenarios for me when it comes to Koski Maki where when they went ahead and they brought in Mason McTavish and they brought in some of these other veteran players, well, maybe not even great veteran players in terms of long-term in the National Hockey League, but when they brought in players that are definitely going to have NHL spots, Ross Johnson, Mason McTavish, and Connor McMichael, it looks a little bit different for some of these younger guys, you know, or maybe going out of last season, you're thinking, okay, next year is the year that Tosca Maki and Stenberg and these guys can, you can, are going to join.

Well, those spots aren't quite as available.

So you're going to have to make an impact when you get a chance.

Now.

You know, four games is all that the preseason is.

Guy earns two of them.

We don't talk much about him, but I feel like moving forward, how they view him, where his career is headed, I sense this is a year for him to kind of reemerge.

And it's been a while since they've been in that kind of a spot.

I think you have to go back honestly to what Doug Armstrong opened up his press conference yesterday with.

And he said the exciting thing for them as a management group is they have transitioned now from acquiring assets to building a team.

And so the next step in building that team is exactly what you saw.

There's two things to me that happened this past offseason that I think should give fans – all the confidence in the world that this team is on it and management is on it.

And the Carlo trade, I think is a big part of that.

The reason, the two things that, that how many times last year do we talk about this team just needs some jam? Like, like Braden Shen was the one, you know, having to go out and, and, and stir things up and get things going.

And

And it's been a while since they've been in that kind of a spot.

I think you have to go back honestly to what Doug Armstrong opened up his press conference yesterday with, uh, And he said the exciting thing for them as a management group is they have transitioned now from acquiring assets to building a team.

And so the next step in building that team is exactly what you saw.

There's two things to me that happened this past offseason that I think should give fans – all the confidence in the world that this team is on it and management is on it.

And the Carlo trade, I think is a big part of that.

The reason, the two things that, that how many times last year do we talk about this team just needs some jam? Like, like Braden Shen was the one, you know, having to go out and, and, and stir things up and get things going.

And then, and then, you know, there didn't seem others on a regular base.

you off, but even that year, that off year, Toronto

And it's been a while since they've been in that kind of a spot.

I think you have to go back, honestly, to what Doug Armstrong opened up his press conference yesterday with.

And he said the exciting thing for them as a management group is they have transitioned now from acquiring assets to building a team.

And so the next step in building that team is exactly what you saw.

There's two things to me that happened this past offseason that I think should give fans – all the confidence in the world that this team is on it and management is on it.

And the Carlo trade, I think is a big part of that.

The reason, the two things that, that how many times last year do we talk about this team just needs some jam? Like, like Braden Shen was the one, you know, having to go out and stir things up and get things going.

you off, but even

Do you think the Blues roster is pretty much set, or might there be room for one of the young guys you talked about to actually make the team out of camp?

Y- you know, I, the, I remember a, a camp a, a good number of years ago where Doug Armstrong literally looked at all the players and said Look, there, there's a reality here, and, and that reality is that, you know, there's not 15 open jobs.

There's, there's only a couple of open spots.

Um, and, you know, so that's what you have to battle through.

I- Doug, I, I think, is there room? Yes, there is room for one of those guys, say, a Carbonneau or a Jiri Cek to do it.

The question is, is, is there time for them to do it? You know, with the way the camp is this year and all that, you know, i- is there time for them to do that? And then the bigger question is, do the Blues really need them to do that? And I think the one thing that they did this summer, obviously, you know McTavish is gonna be here.

You know McMichael's gonna be here.

I mean, I, I, I think at first I thought, "What, what's the point of that?" And now I think I get it.

Do you think the Blues roster is pretty much set, or might there be room for one of the young guys you talked about to actually make the team out of camp?

Y- you know, I, th- I remember a c- a camp a, a good number of years ago where Doug Armstrong literally looked at all the players and said, "Look, there, there's a reality here, and, and that reality is that, you know, there's not 15 open jobs.

There's, there's only a couple of open spots." Um, and, you know, so that's what you have to battle through.

I, d- Doug, I, I think, is there room? Yes, there is room for one of those guys, say, a Carbonneau or a Jiriacek, to do it.

The question is, is, is there time for them to do it? You know, with the way the camp is this year and all that, you know, i- is there time for them to do that? And then the bigger question is, do the Blues really need them to do that? And I think the one thing that they did this summer, obviously, you know McTavish is gonna be here.

You know McMichael's gonna be here.

You know Ross Johnston's gonna be here.

I mean, I, I, I think at first I thought, "What, what's the point of that?" And now I think I get it.

Do you think the Blues roster is pretty much set, or might there be room for one of the young guys you talked about to actually make the team out of camp?

Y- you know, I, th- I remember a, a camp a, a good number of years ago where Doug Armstrong literally looked at all the players and said, "Look, there, there's a reality here, and, and that reality is that, you know, there's not 15 open jobs.

There's, there's only a couple of open spots." Um, and you know, so that's what you have to battle through.

I- th- Doug, I, I think, is there room? Yes, there is room for one of those guys, say, a Carbonneau or a Jiri to do it.

The question is, is, is there time for them to do it? You know, with the way the camp is this year and all that, you know, i- is there time for them to do that? And then the bigger question is, do the Blues really need them to do that? And I think the one thing that they did this summer, obviously, you know McTavish is gonna be here.

You know McMichael's gonna be here.

You know Ross Johnston's gonna be here.

I mean, I, I, I think at first I thought, "What, what's the point of that?" And now I think I get it.

Center since

the 90s.

Here's one thing that I do like about it, and here's one thing that I don't like about it, okay? The one thing that I do like about it is I think it just continues to move a process forward.

You get certainty.

You get consistency in a game that you know exactly the kind of game he's going to play, okay? Now, I don't know anything else about locker rooms or anything else like that or any of that kind of stuff, so let's assume everything's kosher there.

I like the fact that it actually does advance something because, you know, like you said, you know, Q suitor is in the final year of his contract.

If you did look at him, Bergeron, he's an RFA, right.

What are you most looking forward to seeing with these young guys getting out on the ice curbs? I know we'll talk to you more about the actual team that's taking the ice next week, but for the prospects, what are you looking for this weekend?

been the Kiel Center

since the 90s.

Here's one thing that I do like about it, and here's one thing that I don't like about it, okay? The one thing that I do like about it is I think it just continues to move a process forward.

You get certainty.

You get consistency in a game that you know exactly the kind of game he's going to play, okay? Now, I don't know anything else about locker rooms or anything else like that or any of that kind of stuff, so let's assume everything's kosher there.

I like the fact that it actually does advance something because, you know, like you said, you know, Q suitor is in the final year of his contract.

If you did look at him, Bergeron, he's an RFA, right.

What are you most looking forward to seeing with these young guys getting out on the ice curbs? I know we'll talk to you more about the actual team that's taking the ice next week, but for the prospects, what are you looking for this weekend?

has been the Kiel Center

since the 90s.

Here's one thing that I do.

Here's, here's one thing that I do like about it.

And here's one thing that I don't like about it.

Okay.

The one thing that I do like about it is I think it just continues to move a process forward.

What are you most looking forward to seeing with these young guys getting out on the ice curbs? I know we'll talk to you more about the actual team that's taking the ice next week, but for the prospects, what are you looking for this weekend?

I still wonder maybe if you're a Blues fan, a little concerned, the Maple Leafs, the Rangers, there's going to be a lot of franchises that still have way more money available, I would think.

Yeah, here's the thing.

That's always going to be the case, I think, Martin.

That's no surprise.

But I think you've got to be, if you're a Blues fan specifically, I think you've got to be extremely encouraged and extremely happy with the fact that since Tom Stillman and his ownership group took over this franchise, they have spent up to the cap pretty much every single year and are willing to do so when they're putting a product on there that is good.

The question, kind of more along the lines, I think, that I go with with you on this one is, The question is, eventually, if you're going to develop some star players, and we'll see who becomes those star players in this Blues group.

At some point, you're going to have a restricted free agent or somebody that's going to be approaching unrestricted free agency like Colorado just did with Kale McCarr, right? Like Chicago has had with Bedard or Celebrini and all that.

I mean, I guess he's trying to force their hand, but, man, that's not going to sit well with fans, I think, saying, hey, I want out.

I still wonder maybe if you're a Blues fan, a little concerned, the Maple Leafs, the Rangers, there's going to be a lot of franchises that still have way more money available, I would think.

Yeah, here's the thing.

That's always going to be the case, I think, Martin.

That's no surprise.

But I think you've got to be, if you're a Blues fan specifically, I think you've got to be extremely encouraged and extremely happy with the fact that since Tom Stillman and his ownership group took over this franchise, they have spent up to the cap pretty much every single year and are willing to do so when they're putting a product on there that is good.

The question, kind of more along the lines, I think, that I go with with you on this one is, You know, the question is what, like eventually if you're going to, if you're going to develop some star players and we'll see who becomes those star players in this Blues group.

At some point, you're going to have a restricted free agent or somebody that's going to be approaching unrestricted free agency like Colorado just did with Kale McCarr, right? Like Chicago has had with Bedard or Celebrini and all that.

I mean, I guess he's trying to force their hand, but man, that's not going to sit well with fans, I think, saying, hey, I want out.

I still wonder, and maybe if you're a Blues fan, a little concerned, the Maple Leafs, the Rangers, there's going to be a lot of franchises that still have way more money available, I would think.

Yeah, here's the thing.

That's always going to be the case, I think, Martin.

That's no surprise.

But I think you've got to be, if you're a Blues fan specifically, I think you've got to be extremely encouraged and extremely happy with the fact that since Tom Stillman and his ownership group took over this franchise, they have spent up to the cap pretty much every single year and are willing to do so when they're putting a product on there that is good.

The question, kind of more along the lines, I think, that I go with with you on this one is, You know, the question is what, like eventually if you're going to, if you're going to develop some star players and we'll see who becomes those star players in this Blues group.

At some point, you're going to have a restricted free agent or somebody that's going to be approaching unrestricted free agency like Colorado just did with Kale McCarr, right? Like Chicago has had with Bedard or Celebrini and all that.

And that's not going to sit well with fans, I think, saying, hey, I want out.

Do you go with more of an NHL steady lineup this time around?

I, I ...

You're gonna have to see that.

Um, I'm gonna go back to one thing that Doug Armstrong said when look at back in, looking back at training camp a year ago.

When you had as many games as the Blues played, and you only played really one game against another team's top players, and you only had your close to full lineup, 'cause it wasn't even the full lineup, in one game.

So you didn't play any games, any games with, with a, an actual full lineup.

Um, I, I get the sense that they felt that that was a missed opportunity there.

Yeah.

Do you go with more of an NHL steady lineup this time around?

I, I, you're gonna have to see that.

Um, I'm gonna go back to one thing that Doug Armstrong said when looking back at, looking back at training camp a year ago.

When you had as many games as the Blues played, and you only played really one game against another team's top players, and you only had your close to full lineup, 'cause it wasn't even a full lineup, in one game.

So you didn't play any games, any games with a, with a, an actual full lineup.

Um, I, I get the sense that they felt that that was a missed opportunity there.

So my understanding was just two basic rules here.

Yeah.

And with those guys coming in, Curbs, I mean, how much of a difference does that make? I know they do this every year, but when you start to get all those guys on the ice a month before the season truly begins, how much does that benefit things moving forward?

Well, I think it's always helpful.

Now, my understanding is actually...

In one sense, it's not as busy at this point in time as it has been in past years because camp is going to be smaller.

Camp is shorter.

There's not going to be as many players coming in.

You might have had a lot more younger players already coming in, getting some extra time with some of the veteran players, things like that.

If the Blues have that mindset with Chicago, I wonder if they talked to Chicago prior to it to say, look, let's load this one up to make it like an NHL game.

What are your thoughts?

Yeah, you know what? I won- I, I don't know if it's good or not.

I, I think...

I, and, and, and when I say...

I mean, I r- I really, I really don't know.

I don't...

I, like, you clearly have interest to get into the league, so that I think is positive.

So maybe, maybe that's outdated to just say it won't work in warm weather cities.

in other markets for the 34th team phoenix and atlanta so more expansion for the nhl what are your thoughts

yeah you know what i don't know if it's good or not i think i and and and when i say i mean i really i really don't know i don't like You clearly have interest to get into the league, so that I think is positive.

The league continues to grow.

Revenues are growing.

That is good.

That's evidence with the salary cap continuing to go up.

The value of the franchises that they're getting for these expansion teams right now continues to rise, not just in the NHL, but obviously across sports.

Did you say it won't work in warm weather cities?

What are your thoughts?

Yeah, you know what? I won- I, I don't know if it's good or not.

I, I think...

I, I...

And, and, and when I say...

I mean, I re- I really, I really don't know.

I don't...

So maybe, maybe that's outdated that you say it won't work in warm weather cities.

When you think about that and you look at one of the big storylines for the Cardinals this year with J.J. Weatherholt and all that he's accomplished, how do you view the Rookie of the Year race where Sal Stewart, potentially could get himself to 30 home runs and 100 RBIs, doesn't really have a lot of defensive value, doesn't have any base running value, and then you measure that against J.J. Weatherholt, who's just this really good all-around player, but doesn't necessarily have any of those gaudy statistics that you traditionally look at.

It has been so long, right, since we've even been able to have these kind of conversations, hasn't it? So the reality for me, The reality for me is, and I was thinking about this, kind of hit me last week too, especially watching so much of that Cards Club series.

I think this has been a great season for the Cardinals.

I really do.

It's been a great season for the Cardinals.

I think it's been a good season for the fans, right? You're kind of in it, but you see the direction.

And finally, the work of a few years paying off.

Do you think people are feeling the same way with the blues that they are the Cardinals?

When you think about that and you look at one of the big storylines for the Cardinals this year with J.J. Weatherholt and all that he's accomplished, how do you view the Rookie of the Year race where Sal Stewart... potentially could get himself to 30 home runs and 100 RBIs, doesn't really have a lot of defensive value, doesn't have any base running value, and then you measure that against J.J. Weatherholt, who's just this really good all-around player, but doesn't necessarily have any of those gaudy statistics that you traditionally look at.

It has been so long, right, since we've even been able to have these kind of conversations, hasn't it? So the reality for me, The reality for me is, and I was thinking about this, kind of hit me last week too, especially watching so much of that Cards Club series.

I think this has been a great season for the Cardinals.

I really do.

It's been a great season for the Cardinals.

I think it's been a good season for the fans, right? You're kind of in it, but you see the direction.

And finally, the work of a few years paying off.

Do you think people are feeling the same way with the blues that they are the Cardinals?

When you think about that and you look at one of the big storylines for the Cardinals this year with J.J. Weatherholt and all that he's accomplished, how do you view the Rookie of the Year race where Sal Stewart, potentially could get himself to 30 home runs and 100 RBIs, doesn't really have a lot of defensive value, doesn't have any base running value, and then you measure that against J.J. Weatherholt, who's just this really good all-around player, but doesn't necessarily have any of those gaudy statistics that you traditionally look at.

It has been so long, right, since we've even been able to have these kind of conversations, hasn't it? So the reality for me, The reality for me is, and I was thinking about this, kind of hit me last week too, especially watching so much of that Cards Club series.

I think this has been a great season for the Cardinals.

I really do.

It's been a great season for the Cardinals.

I think it's been a good season for the fans, right? You're kind of in it, but you see the direction.

And finally, the work of a few years paying off.

Do you think people are feeling the same way with the blues that they are the Cardinals?

Yeah.

Like, the, um, uh, that was...

As a, as a broadcaster, that was, I'm like, "Oh, I gotta go hear what this sounds like." And then, and then you start looking then, okay, okay, what does it sound like from the Cubs side? I've always thought, like, the other side would be kind of cool.

But you're, you, you, obviously you can't be prepared for the amazing.

You know, it, it just happens, right? But what I do believe is, like, you could be, we, we could be losing a game six-nothing, right? And maybe, uh, you know, someone's making their, their NHL debut and they score a goal.

Well, that call deserves everything that it should get, whether the, no matter what the score is, right? Um, you, you could be, you could be down in a game four-nothing and your goaltender then could make a save that is just one of the most amazing saves that you've ever seen.

And that individual moment deserves that individual moment's call.

Hmm.