One thing overlooked by many in the 2012-13 playoff loss to the Los Angeles Kings is the play of Brian Elliott. Elliott was amazing in the Kings series and gave the team every chance to win that series. Elliott compiled a 1.93 goals against average in the six games and stopped 137 shots. That’s important to remember on a day where the Blues retain the services of the veteran goaltender through the 2016-17 season. After providing another solid season in 2013-14 and giving the team a quiet trustworthy presence behind the spectacle that was Ryan Miller, Elliott is coming back to the Blues on a three year deal, which was announced Tuesday. Here are 3 reasons it’s great for the Blues.
1. Elliott is solid and important to this team going forward, plain and simple. His record over his three seasons in St. Louis(including the playoffs) is stellar and deserving of a chance to start and continue his time with the club. Signing Ells over the more risky Ryan Miller is a smarter play for the Blues with Jake Allen entering the mix in the 2014-15 season. Elliott is also very good in the toughest games. His G.A.A has dropped in each playoff appearance, from his first with the Ottawa Senators in 2009-10(4.14) to 2012-13 with the Blues where he allowed under 2 goals per game. He doesn’t flunk in big moments. That is a pure myth.
2. Three years isn’t too long. Elliott is still very young and has proved to be very durable for the team. Let’s say Allen doesn’t work out or gets hurt, then the Blues are covered with a guy who has stood strong in the playoffs and knows the Blues opponents well. Doug Armstrong is keeping his cards close to the chest but not wasting any time in restoring depth to the goaltending position. Everyone wants long term stability there but Elliott gives you a lot for a payroll friendly price. The three years gives the team and player comfort going forward.
3. He is versatile beyond belief and a real pro. Elliott could have whined when the team acquired Miller and basically isolated him into a clear backup position. Instead, Elliott shined bright in his starts down the stretch and gave the team every reason to think twice about riding Miller out to the end. He is the kind of player who is a team oriented guy and thinks about more than just himself. He has been around, fought through tough stretches and has a lot he can teach the young Allen about being a long term goaltender in the National Hockey League.
This just in. Ryan Miller isn’t coming back to St. Louis. The hint came in the Elliott deal and the finalizer came a few hours later. It’s just not logical to bring back Miller because he is going to want multiple years at an unreasonable price for a team like the Blues who are still payroll restricted. An Elliott/Allen combo is best for this team.
There was some doubt about whether the Blues would bring back Elliott with Allen coming up but never in my mind. Blues fans love him and Ken Hitchcock trusts him so the deal is a no brainer. With Elliott ready to fight for a starting job or backup Allen, the Blues are set in goal for the long term. It will be fun watching the vet fighting it out with the young gun for the throne. At the very least, the two can provide the team with the same type of production the Blues goal has provided the past few seasons. A dynamic tandem.
Now, the hunt for a #2 center or goal scoring forward(bye bye Patrik Berglund) begins. Things are about to get very interesting down at Scottrade Center. One thing Blues fans won’t have to worry about now is who will be commanding the net for the foreseeable future.
