NHL trade deadline chat with Jeff Gordon
Hockey columnist Jeff Gordon takes your Blues and NHL questions as the league's trade deadline arrives on Monday Feb. 26.

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I understand why some may believe that the trade of Stastny signals the end of playoff hopes this season, but the players, for the most part, must take some of the blame. In todays NHL, unless you decide to fire the coach, then there maybe only two other ways to get it across to players that they need to play better. One is a trade of a core player. Indeed that was what Scotty Bowman did a few times when the team was not playing well. The other is ice time. Because this losing started late in the year and the trade deadline is today, that might not have worked. Yet as I recall in Brian Sutter's first year as coach of the Blues, the team was a no show for a game in LA. Accordingly, for the next game Sutter did not dress Hull and Oates, the team's best two players. That no only turned those two around but the team as well. Perhaps in game 50, if the coach had sat Vlad and one of the top two defensemen, maybe the same outcome. I am ready for Cardinal Baseball!
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Like the Stastny deal. Yes, he was among the team leader in points, but what does that really mean? On most teams, he's a face-off specialist and not much else at this point in his career. They weren't going to keep him after this season and even with him, the playoffs were increasingly a long shot. I was a fan of the Stastny signing at the time, but it was also time to get something for it and a first-round pick seems more than fair. Thoughts? St. Louis sports fans always seem to flip out when an average player leaves.
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Well, he motivated them last season and reached the second round on a team that was stagnant. Most of the players are the same. That is what makes this odd. Did his message wear out that quickly? Given Armstrong's aggressive nature, it's fair to say Yeo is under duress these days.
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It amazes me how many "fans" want to run Tarasenko out of town just for having a down year. The guys has been sniffing around 40 goals the past three seasons. Signed to a very manageable contract for superstar talent. Has the ability to be a game-breaker. I understand watching the team go through such a downward fall is tough but the punishment doesn't fit the crime.
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This team gave up when they puked that 3 - 0 lead to Nashville. Bouwmeester may be playing hurt but the lack of a shot, poor defensive play, poor passing and NTC have stood out the past several years. Plus he isn't very good in front of the net. I can't think there would be much of a market for him. You agree?
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I understand Petro sticking up for his teammate in regards to the boos for Allen. but at the same time fans pay their hard earned money to see games and Allen was flat out terrible on two of those goals. No NHL goaltender should be that out of position on angles. My only point is the goaltender gets stuck with the short end of the stick because ultimately he is the one who answers for goals getting past him but this team has hung him out to dry, period. Absolutely no help whatsoever. BONEHEAD PLAYS.
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I don't see the captain as a problem. The problem is lack of scoring, goaltending and coaching. Yeo cant coach a power play or make in game changes. Minny let him go for a reason . Also think Army has had enough time to bring a winner he is going back wards and has proven he is great at finding 3rd or 4th line players . May be time to see what Brodeur can do!
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This is sort of a trade question: Yeo's system is high-risk; high-reward. He pinches defenseman and leaves a forward back to cover. So, when those odd man rushes do occur they are against only 1 defenseman and sometimes that defenseman is a 3rd line player. What kind of players does Yeo need to run this offense? I'm starting to wonder if Yeo is worth keeping.
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