These are correct. For today at least. RT @SI_sarahkwak: D pairs are:
Fowler-Suter; mcdonagh-Carlson; shattenkirk-Martin; orpik-Faulk (https://twitter.com/SI_sarahkwak/status/432939873473794048)
Sarah Kwak (@SI_sarahkwak) tweeted at 11:21am - 10 Feb 14: USA lines: jvr-pavekski-Kessel; Parise-Backes-oshie; brown-Kesler-Kane; Callahan-stastny-pacioretty ( https://twitter.com/SI_sarahkwak/status/432927352956657664)
Though not the kind of big-body player that plays the physical game, nor parks in front of the net, I think the pros far outweigh the cons with Wheeler's game. Did I mention he's not afraid to block some shots?That begs the question, since we’re talking about right wings. I you had to pick a right wing as your first over-all pick for your fantasy hockey team, who would be your first pick? Why? My first pick would be Tyler Seguin because I think that he has an amazing upside.
Andy Strickland, TrueHockey.com --- Sources close to Blues forward T.J. Oshie tell me he will file for arbitration before today’s 5:00 eastern deadline.
This is often nothing more than simple protocol to protect a player’s rights. Oshie, who tied Captain David Backes for the team lead in scoring, enjoyed career highs last season in goals, assists, points, penalty minutes, and games played. His 19:31 minutes per game were second among Blues forwards while leading the way with 1:48 per game shorthanded. He also averaged over 2:00 per game on the power play.
Considering Oshie’s versatility it’s hard to put a number on his actual value. He does much more than what you find on the scoresheet and head Coach Ken Hitchcock has referred to him as one of the better defensive forwards in the NHL today. With that being said he’s also among the Blues more talented offensive players as well.
 |
| picture by zimbo.com |
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- T.J. Oshie ended a two-game suspension Thursday, apologizing to his St. Louis Blues teammates, the organization and its fans for missing a practice.
Oshie was back on the ice at the team's practice facility after being disciplined by the team for missing a workout Monday in what the Blues called an unexcused absence.
"I was irresponsible. I made a mistake," Oshie said in his first public comments. "I realize that. It was my full responsibility to get here (on Monday) and get here on time."
The 24-year-old center met with Blues general manager Doug Armstrong, coach Davis Payne and his teammates Thursday morning, and will be in the lineup when the Blues host the Calgary Flames on Friday night.
"The toughest thing for me was sitting at home and watching my teammates play a game," said Oshie, who also missed 31 games this season with a broken ankle. "... This morning was the first time I've seen them and I had a smile on my face. From here on out, I'm trying to move forward."
Oshie missed Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss at home against Minnesota and Wednesday night's 10-3 victory in Detroit.
"We're very comfortable that (Oshie) understands the severity of missing practice," Armstrong said. "He accepts his two-game absence from the team. We've moved on and T.J.'s ready to move on and we'll have him back in the lineup tomorrow.
Oshie was paid for the two games he missed, but he has decided to donate both checks, one to the Blues' 14 Fund and the other to Dream Factory of St. Louis, a pair of charities run by the franchise.
"I want to let people know I did get paid for the two games that I missed," Oshie said. "I don't think that that's right."
 |
| Sports Illustrated |
This afternoon, Hull said that he didn't want to speculate on why Blues forward T.J. Oshie missed Monday's practice, but the Hall of Famer does know where he would point the finger.
"I don't know what the reason is, why he missed," Hull said. "But to me, I put less blame on him and blame his teammates. When we played together ... (Kelly Chase), (Adam Oates) and (Brendan Shanahan) ... we took care of each other. That never would have happened. Someone would have been at his house getting him up and getting him to practice.
"So to me, I would blame more the teammates than I would him. You've got to take care of each other, especially that team. They're so young. They've got such an opportunity to bond together and be a great team. There's so much talent there. They've got to take care of each other in those situations off the ice."
TrueHockey.com --- Monday was a significant day for Blues forward T.J. Oshie who could return from ankle surgery as early as Tuesday when the Los Angeles Kings visit St. Louis.
For the first time since beginning the on-ice portion of his rehab, Oshie participated in contact drills as he begins to put his surgically repaired ankle to the test. Prior to Monday’s practice Oshie told his teammates he didn’t want them to hold back as he was looking to push it.
After practice Oshie looked good and there is a chance he suits up Tuesday night. How big of a chance remains to be seen as a lot of that will depend on how his ankle feels Tuesday morning. Obviously if he’s experiencing any soreness the team will hold him back.
It appears the safer play would be to sit out against the Kings but no one is willing to rule anything out at this point. If Oshie is not in the lineup on Tuesday, it looks like Thursday against Detroit is looking pretty good.
Oshie originally broke his ankle November 10th in Columbus.
NHL Hockey --- Blues forward T.J. Oshie could return to the lineup as early as late January, according to Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong.
Armstrong made the announcement to members of the media on Tuesday after the team's gameday skate.
"Oshie is doing very well. He's been out skating the last week or so I'd say and he's progressing very well," Armstrong said. "With his work ethic and his healing and the way he's been, we're comfortable that (his return) somewhere around the All-Star break is a realistic goal for us."
Oshie was injured in the Nov. 10 game vs. Columbus and was originally projected to be out of the lineup until at least mid-February with a broken ankle. But Armstrong said an early return is possible thanks to Oshie's positive attitude off the ice.
Jeremy RutherfordThis is what the St. Louis Radio station KMOX had to say.
According to Blues coach Davis Payne, forward T.J. Oshie has suffered a broken ankle, which will require surgery.
ST. LOUIS (KMOX) — Already having their worst night of the season, the Blues may receive more bad news when T.J. Oshie’s injury is determined.
With just under 11:00 minutes left in the third period down 8-1, Oshie jumped on the back of a Columbus Blue Jackets player trying to break up a fight. However, when the player fell backwards with Oshie on his back, it appeared that the third-year forward came down on the left leg awkwardly.
The reaction from Oshie drew the Blues training staff to the ice immediately. He was not able to come off the ice, nor able to get to the locker room, on his own power.
Hockey Independent --- Born Timothy Oshie Jr., TJ Oshie is developing into a big time playmaker for the Saint Louis Blues.
Drafted 24th overall by the Blues in 2005, Oshie played his high school hockey in Warroad, Minnesota. During his senior season at Warroad High School, the 23-year-old forward lead his team to an undefeated season and a Class A state title. That season Oshie put up 37 goals and 62 assists, en route to earning the title of state scoring champion and a spot on the AP All-State first team.
After high school, Oshie spent a short time in the USHL with the Sioux Falls Stampede before enrolling in the University of North Dakota.
In his first season with the Fighting Sioux, Oshie scored 24 goals, the most of any first year player in the entire NCAA. That same year he was also selected to Team USA for the World Junior Championships (that team lost to Finland in the Bronze medal game).
After a prolific first year in the Western Collegiate Hockey League, Oshie was selected in the 1st round, 24th overall in the 2005 NHL Draft by the Blues. That ’05 draft was loaded with big name NHL players including Sidney Crosby, Bobby Ryan, Jack Johnson, and Jonathan Quick.
Oshie went on to play two more seasons at North Dakota putting up 52 points his second season and a team-high 45 points in his third and final season. During his final year with the Fighting Sioux, Oshie was a Top 10 Hobey Baker Award finalist and earned all-tournament honors at the WCHA Final Five and NCAA Midwest Region Championship. He was also selected to the American Hockey Coaches Association first team West All-American and the All-Western Collegiate Hockey Association first team
Oshie played a pivotal role in the Blues’ 2008-09 playoff run putting up 39 points (14 goals, 25 assists). His goal against the Vancouver Canucks on March 25 earned him the NHL’s 2008-09 Goal of the Year honors and his hits against Rick Nash late in the season energized both his teammates and fans and earned him a spot in Urban Dictionary.
Last season, the young Blues forward showed improvement from his rookie year putting up more goals, assists, and points.
While he may not become a big-time scorer, Oshie does posses the ability to create plays and score goals in the clutch.
“Is he ever going to be a 35 goal scorer? He hasn’t shown any signs to make you think that he will be, but it’s going to be real interesting,” said HockeyBuzz writer Andy Strickland. “He’s a hard player to figure out. There’s so much value to his game outside of his offensive production. He kills penalties, relentless worker, responsible in all 3 zones, creative offensively, he can score, he’s an all-around player.”
