2010–11 St. Louis Blues season

Off-season

On April 14, the Blues announced that Davis Payne would be retained as head coach, making him the 23rd head coach of the franchise.

Doug Armstrong was named the new general manager, replacing Larry Pleau, who will serve in a different capacity in the organization. On June 1, former player Scott Mellanby was hired as an assistant coach. On June 18, the Blues hired former NHL goaltender Corey Hirsch as their new goaltending coach. He joined the Blues on July 1.

On July 1, Doug Armstrong became the team's new general manager. Also on July 1, Dave Taylor became the new director of player personnel. He was previously with the Dallas Stars for three years and prior to that with the Los Angeles Kings organization as both a player and in their front office for 30 years.

On August 12, Dr. Jerome Gilden, the Blues' team doctor since their inception in 1967, died.

On August 27, forward Paul Kariya (a free agent at the time) announced that he would sit out the entire 2010–11 season due to post-concussion syndrome.

Divisional standings

Conference standings

Schedule and results

Pre-season

Schedule and results

Blues Schedule

On FSN, unless noted otherwise on VS.

• Green background indicates win (2 points).
• Red background indicates regulation loss (0 points).
• White background indicates overtime/shootout loss (1 point).

|-

• Green background indicates win (2 points).
• Red background indicates regulation loss (0 points).
• White background indicates overtime/shootout loss (1 point).

|-

• Green background indicates win (2 points).
• Red background indicates regulation loss (0 points).
• White background indicates overtime/shootout loss (1 point).

|-

• Green background indicates win (2 points).
• Red background indicates regulation loss (0 points).
• White background indicates overtime/shootout loss (1 point).

|-

• Green background indicates win (2 points).
• Red background indicates regulation loss (0 points).
• White background indicates overtime/shootout loss (1 point).

|-

• Green background indicates win (2 points).
• Red background indicates regulation loss (0 points).
• White background indicates overtime/shootout loss (1 point).

|-

• Green background indicates win (2 points).
• Red background indicates regulation loss (0 points).
• White background indicates overtime/shootout loss (1 point).

|}

Season

November

T. J. Oshie broke his ankle in Columbus on November 10 during a fight midway in the third period playing the Columbus Blue Jackets when a Blue Jacket player fell on him; he will be out at least three months. He had surgery the next day. Just before that game, after a November 7 shutout (game #4) win, the Blues were off to their best start in team history, with seven consecutive wins for 20 points (9–1–2) in only 12 games.

Ratings have soared for the Blues on FSN with 16 telecasts averaging 3.6, a whopping 59% higher than the 2.3 rating compared to the same time last year. October was the best-season opening month in Blues' history for games on the network. A record 5.6 rating was achieved on November 4 (Blues at home against the San Jose Sharks) beating the 5.0 rating for a game on March 29, 2000. The team has also sold out each one of its nine home games so far with 19,150 per game, for a total of 172,350.

December

The slew of key injuries this season continued with the concussion that Andy McDonald received on the last play of the December 4 game against the Edmonton Oilers in an overtime loss. He is the fourth Blue to suffer the debilitating injury with Cam Janssen and Carlo Colaiacovo returning, but David Perron still out with his since November 4.

T. J. Oshie began a light skate on December 23, six weeks after suffering a broken ankle on November 10, and could return by the end of January.

January

David Backes was named the lone Blues' representative for the NHL All-Star Game for January 30, his first.

T. J. Oshie was activated and available for the game on January 18 after missing 31 games since a broken ankle on November 10.

On January 20, the Blues updated the status of two forwards with concussions: Andy McDonald and David Perron. McDonald passed a baseline concussion test and has resumed light skating. He has been out of the lineup since December 4. Perron is still experiencing symptoms but will begin light exercise to see how his body responds. He has been out of the lineup since November 4.

February

On February 1, the Blues announced that the day's home game against the Colorado Avalanche was postponed due to severe weather. No make-up date has been set.

On February 2, the Blues announced that February 22 at 7pm is to be the make-up date for the February 1 postponed game.

Andy McDonald has been activated from injured reserve and will play against the Edmonton Oilers on February 4. He has missed 24 games since his December 4 concussion. To make room for him, the Blues sent Philip McRae down to the American Hockey League's Peoria Rivermen.

On February 18, the Blues traded their captain, Eric Brewer to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for unsigned draft choice Brock Beukeboom and a third-round pick in the upcoming 2011 NHL entry draft.

On a second consecutive day of trading, the Blues traded Erik Johnson, Jay McClement and a 2011 or 2012 first-round draft choice to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for former first-round draft choices Chris Stewart, Kevin Shattenkirk and a conditional 2011 or 2012 second-round draft choice.

The team responded to the changes in the next game that same February 19 evening. After spotting the Anaheim Ducks an 0–2 deficit, they scored two quick goals to tie the game, and then two others in the first period for a slender 4–3 lead. They then blasted four more goals in the second period, including two consecutive goals late in the period by newcomer Chris Stewart (with Kevin Shattenkirk setting him up for his second goal), and one more in the third in a runaway 9–3 win. It was the highest number of goals scored by the Blues in a single game since they scored their all-time high of 11 against the Ottawa Senators in 1994.

David Perron has been trying to get back onto the ice since his November 4 concussion. He has missed 50 games (through game #60 on February 24). He passed a baseline test last month and has begun light exercises.

Ben Bishop recorded his first NHL shutout against the Edmonton Oilers, stopping all 39 shots in a 5–0 win in Edmonton on February 25.

In the third major trade in barely over a week, on February 27, the Blues traded Brad Boyes to the Buffalo Sabres for a second-round draft pick.

The Blues suffered a rare shutout at the Buffalo game after 111 consecutive games, the longest in the NHL and only eight games shy of the Blues' record.

The Blues on February 28, the Blues placed goaltender Ty Conklin on waivers, but he cleared them with no team picking him up, so he remains a Blue for now. The team can either send him to the Peoria Rivermen, or ask goaltender Ben Bishop to be demoted.

In a move just before the NHL trade deadline at 3pm EST, on February 28, the Blues traded left-winger Brad Winchester for a third-round draft pick from the Anaheim Ducks in 2012.

March

After a glittering 9–1–2 (20 points in 12 games) start, the Blues plagued by injuries and sub-par performances by key personnel, dropped to an even record (28–28–9) with a loss to the New York Islanders on March 5. They have since struggled to a 19–27–7 (45 points in 53 games) record after that November 7 high point.

Prior to the March 7 game, a 5–4 shootout win against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team honored its four greatest players to wear the number 7 jersey in a "Salute to No. 7": Red Berenson, Garry Unger, Joe Mullen, and Keith Tkachuk. Transcripts of the four speeches are here.

Defenseman Barret Jackman and forward Alexander Steen (both alternate captains), will miss four-to-six weeks due to injuries suffered in the overtime win on March 9. The team subsequently elevated 21-year-old, up-and-coming defenseman Alex Pietrangelo and veteran Andy McDonald to alternate captains.

On March 16, Chairman Dave Checketts announced he was putting up for sale his 20% stake in the franchise and the Scottrade Center. TowerBrook Capital Partners owns 70% and other minority investors (including a local beer distributor Tom Stillman) own the other 10%. On March 17, it was announced that both the St. Louis Blues franchise and the Scottrade Center were for sale.

On March 30, the Blues defeated the Detroit Red Wings 10–3 at Joe Louis Arena. It was the first time an NHL team had scored 10 goals in a regular season game since February 6, 2009, when the Dallas Stars defeated the New York Rangers at home by a score of 10–2. It was also the first time that the Blues had scored 10 goals in a regular-season game since February 26, 1994, when they defeated the Ottawa Senators in an 11–1 road win.

April

On April 1, the Blues were officially eliminated from the playoffs with a 3–2 loss to the Calgary Flames with a record of 35–33–10 (80 points) and four games to play. Calgary now has 89 points while the Blues can now only get to 88 points. Jarome Iginla got two goals plus an assist in the win to become the 77th player to reach 1,000 points in his career with the game-winning wrist shot on a breakaway with only 5:03 remaining in the third period. He has 39 goals and 41 assists in 79 games this season, and 480 goals plus 520 assists in 1,103 career regular-season games.

On April 9, David Backes earned a plus-minus team-high of +32, Alexander Steen scored his 20th goal with 49 seconds remaining in the game – which was also his 100th career NHL goal – and T. J. Oshie scored the first goal in a 2–0 shutout by Jaroslav Halak for the third time this season over the Nashville Predators.

The Blues finished in fourth place in the Central Division and 11th place in the Western Conference with a 38–33–11 (87 points) record.

The Blues concluded the regular season having allowed the fewest shorthanded goals in the NHL, with just one.

Playoffs

The Blues failed to qualify for the playoffs again after having failed to qualify in 2009–10.

Player statistics

Skaters

(Updated through games of April 9, 2011) FINAL

Stats

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

|}

• indicates not currently on the active roster.

• indicates on Injured Reserve.

‡Traded away mid-season, date of last game in ( ). Stats reflect time with Blues only.

†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Blues, date of first game in ( ). Stats reflect time with Blues only. Bold = leading team in category.

Goaltenders

(Updated through games of April 9, 2011, FINAL)

Stats

Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime losses; GA = Goals against; GAA= Goals against average; SA= Shots against; SV= Saves; Sv% = Save percentage; SO= Shutouts

|}

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Transactions

The Blues have been involved in the following transactions during the 2010–11 season.

Trades

Notes

Free agents acquired

Free agents lost

Claimed via waivers

Lost via waivers

Lost via retirement

Players signings

Draft picks

St. Louis's picks at the 2010 NHL entry draft in Los Angeles, June 25–26, 2010. The Blues had the 14th choice by virtue of finishing ninth in the conference in 2009–10.

Farm teams

Peoria Rivermen

The Peoria Rivermen are the Blues American Hockey League affiliate in 2010–11.

Alaska Aces

The Alaska Aces are the Blues affiliate in the ECHL.

References

References

1. National Hockey League. (2010). "The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2011". Triumph Books.
2. [https://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/blues/story/CFE38573C44BF138862577050011060B?OpenDocument St. Louis Blues will make Davis Payne head coach] {{webarchive. link. (2010-04-15 , ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]'' (April 14, 2010))
3. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=530636 Mellanby Hired as Assistant Coach]
4. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=532014 Blues Hire Hirsch as Goaltending Coach]
5. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=533294 Armstrong Takes Over as Blues GM: Larry Pleau steps aside after 13 years as Blues General Manager]
6. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=533380 Blues Hire Dave Taylor to Front Office: Taylor will serve as the team's Director of Player Personnel]
7. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=535916 Blues Mourn Passing of Dr. Jerome Gilden: Orthopedic Surgeon worked for the Blues since its inaugural season] (Aug. 12)
8. [http://kmox.cbslocal.com/2010/08/28/kariya-to-sit-out-nhl-season Kariya to sit out NHL season]{{Dead link. (April 2019)
9. [http://hockeyinsider26.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/kariya-out-for-season Kariya Out for Season] (Aug. 27, 2010)
10. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=554687 Mar. 5 vs. NYI on Alternate Channel], NHL.com (Mar. 1, 2011)
11. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=543187 Oshie Has Fractured Ankle; Out Indefinitely: The Blues have recalled forwards Drazenovic, Porter from Peoria] NHL.com (Nov. 11, 2010)
12. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=542824 Blues Off to Best Start in Team History: The Blues are 9-1-2 through 12 games and have won seven straight] NHL.com (Nov. 7, 2010)
13. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=544472 Ratings on FS Midwest Keep Soaring: Ratings through first 16 telecasts are up 59 percent vs. last year] (Nov. 24, 2010)
14. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=545629 McDonald Out with Concussion: Blues forward is out indefinitely after being injured Dec. 4 at Edmonton] NHL.com
15. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=547219 Oshie Begins Skating Again: Blues forward is back on the ice rehabbing a broken ankle] NHL.com (Dec. 23, 2010)
16. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=547542 Oshie Could Return in Late January: Blues forward is currently rehabbing from a broken ankle] NHL.com (Dec. 28, 2010)
17. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=549036 Backes Headed to 2011 All-Star Game: Forward leads the Blues in scoring with 12 goals and 21 assists (33 points)] NHL.com (Jan. 11, 2011)
18. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=549790 Blues Activate Oshie from Injured Reserve: Blues forward will return from injury and is expected to play vs. Kings] NHL.com (Jan. 18, 2011)
19. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=549983 Blues Update Status for McDonald, Perron: Both players have been sidelined with concussion-like symptoms] NHL.com (Jan. 20, 2011)
20. STL. home Tonight's Game vs. Colorado is Postponed: Due to severe weather conditions, the game will be made up at a later date] NHL.com (February 1, 2011)
21. [https://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/article_c9c15abe-2f13-11e0-9557-0017a4a78c22.html Blues-Avalanche game rescheduled for Feb. 22], [[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]] (February 2, 2011)
22. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=551420 McDonald Activated from Injured Reserve: The Blues have assigned forward Philip McRae to the Peoria Rivermen], NHL.com (Feb. 2, 2011)
23. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=553317 Blues Trade Brewer to Tampa Bay: The Blues get rights to Brock Beukeboom and a 3rd Round Pick in 2011], NHL.com (Feb. 18, 2011)
24. STL. home Blues Acquire Stewart, Shattenkirk: Erik Johnson and Jay McClement have been trade to the Avalanche], NHL.com (Feb. 19, 2011)
25. [[Ron Jacober]], ''Sports on a Sunday'' ([[KMOX]], February 20, 2011)
26. [https://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/article_7f0da1e5-d10b-564e-8fe9-0b856672dacf.html Perron is still trying to get back on the ice], NHL.com (February 25, 2011)
27. link. (2011-07-14 NHL.com (February 25, 2011))
28. STL. home Blues Trade Boyes to Buffalo: Team acquires a second round pick in 2011 from Sabres], NHL.com (February 27, 2011)
29. [https://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/article_e24c2695-15f1-5502-8742-bc36da25cf67.html Blues suffer rare shutout], ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]'' (February 28, 2011)
30. [https://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/morning-skate/article_ff67b62a-4365-11e0-87ea-0017a4a78c22.html Conklin clears waivers, remains with Blues], ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]'' (February 28, 2011)
31. [https://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/article_6c1dba2a-54e5-58cf-9bae-c6e071ffce8f.html Blues Waive Conklin], ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]'' (February 27, 2011)
32. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=554510 Winchester Traded to Ducks for Pick: Porter, Reaves Recalled from Peoria; McRae on Injured Reserve], NHL.com (February 28, 2011)
33. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=555017 Salute to No. 7 Transcripts], NHL.com (Mar. 7, 2011)
34. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=555596 Jackman, Steen Sidelined 4-6 Weeks], NHL.com (Mar. 10, 2011)
35. [https://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/jeff-gordon/article_bd264630-4b28-11e0-89c3-0017a4a78c22.html Gordo: Steen's injury another blow for hard-luck Blues], ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]'' (Mar. 10, 2011)
36. [https://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/article_3b0ae774-e8e3-5b63-8d38-93b27c47f826.html Blues weigh leadership roles], ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]'' (Mar. 12, 2011)
37. [https://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/article_c3fc5198-501e-11e0-b1b6-0017a4a78c22.html Checketts to sell his share of Blues], ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]'' (March 16, 2011)
38. (16 March 2011). "Blues owner of five years puts team on market".
39. "St. Louis Blues at Detroit Red Wings Box Score — March 30, 2011".
40. "New York Rangers at Dallas Stars Box Score — February 6, 2009".
41. "St. Louis Blues at Ottawa Senators Box Score — February 26, 1994".
42. link. (2012-06-13 , NHL.com (Apr. 1, 2011))
43. [https://archive.today/20120718222707/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=310401019 Jarome Iginla reaches 1,000 points as Flames rally past Blues], ESPN.com (Apr. 1, 2011)
44. link. (2012-06-13 , NHL.com (April 9, 2011))
45. "2010-11 NHL Summary".
46. [http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=541493 Bourque, Halak and Stamkos named 'Three Stars']
47. [http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=542852 Torres, Garon and Halak top week's 'Three Stars']
48. STL. STL. home Blues Acquire Halak from Montreal]
49. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=531882 Blues Acquire Hensick from Avalanche]
50. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=532781 Blues Select Schwartz, Tarasenko on Day 1]
51. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=532960 Blues Acquire Sobotka from Boston]
52. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=535088 Blues Acquire Della Rovere from Capitals]
53. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=535396 Blues Trade Fast, Acquire Mink]
54. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=553317 Blues Trade Brewer to Tampa Bay]
55. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=553407 Blues Acquire Stewart, Shattenkirk: Erik Johnson and Jay McClement have been traded to the Avalanche]
56. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=554419 Blues Trade Boyes to Buffalo: Team acquires a second round pick in 2011 from Sabres]
57. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=554510 Winchester Traded to Ducks for Pick]
58. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=534218 Evans, Oystrick Sign Two-Way Deals]
59. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=535479 Blues Sign Forward Dave Scatchard]
60. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=535869 Blues Sign Arsene to Two-Way Deal]
61. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=547531 Blues Sign Forward Marek Svatos]
62. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=549648 Blues Sign Forward Kyle Wellwood]
63. [https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=sv&u=http://www.hockeysverige.se/news_show_skrallen-junland-till-fbk.html%3Fid%3D9885439&ei=HRtQTKLoKoXEsAPG763uBw&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBUQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3D%2522Junland%2Bto%2BFBK%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26prmd%3Dv Bang: Junland to FBK]
64. (June 2023)
65. [http://bluejackets.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=533649 Blue Jackets Sign Former Ohio State Defenseman Nate Guenin, Forwards Trevor Frischmon, Kyle Wilson]
66. [http://panthers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=535454 Florida Panthers Sign D Mike Weaver]
67. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=547681 Svatos Claimed Off Waivers by Nashville: The Blues had signed the forward to a one-year deal on Tuesday (Dec. 28)] (Dec. 29, 2010)
68. [http://sharks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=549768 Former Canucks Forward Tabbed]
69. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=524403 Tkachuk to Retire at End of Season]
70. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=534308 Sydor Retires After 18 NHL Seasons]
71. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=528957 Blues Sign Prospect Tyler Shattock]
72. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=529154 Blues Sign Prospect Anthony Nigro]
73. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=529629 Blues Re-sign Adam Cracknell]
74. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=530637 Blues Sign Prospect Jori Lehtera]
75. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=531446 Blues Sign David Rundblad]
76. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=531645 Blues Sign Defenseman Nikita Nikitin]
77. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=532023 Blues Sign Matt D'Agostini]
78. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=533381 Blues Sign Sobotka to One-Year Deal]
79. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=533378 Blues Reach Agreement with Alex Steen]
80. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=533662 Blues Re-Sign Brad Winchester]
81. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=533857 Halak Inks Four-Year Deal with Blues]
82. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=533856 Janssen Signs One-Year Deal with Blues]
83. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=533853 Blues Re-Sign Colaiacovo]
84. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=534294 Blues Sign Drazenovic to Two-Way Deal]
85. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=534391 Blues Sign Tyson Strachan]
86. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=534429 Hensick Signs One-Year Extension]
87. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=534392 Blues Reach Deal with Ryan Reaves]
88. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=534734 Blues Re-Sign David Perron]
89. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=535328 Johnson Signs Two-Year Deal with Blues]
90. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=536514 Blues Sign Forward David Spina]
91. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=543308 Backes Signs 5-Year Contract Extension]
92. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=556419 Blues Sign Prospect Cade Fairchild]
93. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=556965 Blues Sign David Shields]
94. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=557303 Blues Sign Forward Jay Barriball], NHL.com (Mar. 26, 2011)
95. STL. home Berglund Signs New Contract with Blues], NHL.com (May 31, 2011)
96. [https://twitter.com/jprutherford/status/75609450706239490 Jeremy Rutherford tweet], Twitter.com (May 31, 2011)
97. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=525355 Blues to Pick 14th at 2010 NHL Draft: Draft order was chosen during Tuesday's NHL Draft Lottery], (Apr. 13, 2010)