Zero
12-10-2005, 10:32 AM
Blues get Poapst in swap for Boguniecki
By Jeremy Rutherford (jrutherford@<hidden>)
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Friday, Dec. 09 2005
Already looking for a veteran defenseman, the Blues were forced to make a move
Friday when they learned that a shoulder injury suffered by Matt Walker in
Thursday's 5-4 loss to Tampa Bay was more severe than first thought.
The Blues sent forward Eric Boguniecki to Pittsburgh for defenseman Steve
Poapst in what the club called a "need" trade. Walker's slight separation,
which will sideline him for seven to 15 days, left the team with only five
healthy defensemen.
"We needed a defenseman, and it was the right fit for us," Blues general
manager Larry Pleau said. "We wanted a veteran guy ... if we could get one."
Poapst, 36, has played in 266 NHL games with three teams, including Chicago for
four seasons before signing as a free agent with Pittsburgh last August. He has
eight goals in his career, with 27 assists and 136 penalty minutes.
"He's a steady defenseman ... played pretty well against us when he was with
Chicago," Pleau said. "We felt that we could use that. You look on our right
side (Thursday night), we barely had 70 games of experience. Walker getting
hurt, and with (Eric) Brewer and (Christian) Backman out for a while, we needed
to get more experience."
Brewer, who suffered a separated shoulder Nov. 16, skated with the Blues for
the first time in practice Friday, but he's still expected to be out at least
another two weeks. The timetable is similar for Backman, who fractured his foot
Dec. 1 against Columbus.
"That's the whole thing behind (the trade)," Blues coach Mike Kitchen said. "As
you see, with all the injuries, we had to fill that void. We were looking
beforehand to get a defenseman and (Walker's injury) pushed it quicker than
expected."
Poapst said he was caught off guard by the deal.
"I didn't know anything about it ... kind of a surprise," he said. "We weren't
doing well (in Pittsburgh) and there was speculation there would be some kind
of move. But I'm surprised that I was involved in it."
Poapst, who was a minus-5 while averaging 17 minutes 36 seconds of ice time in
Pittsburgh, feels that he can provide the Blues with some defensive leadership.
He's been paired with Penguins rookie prospect Ryan Whitney this season.
"That's the situation I've been in ... spending a lot of time helping young
kids along," Poapst said.
As for how he's adjusted to the new rules this season: "Pretty good," said
Poapst, who's had just 10 penalty minutes all season. "It definitely took a lot
away from my game initially. But I was able to adjust."
Kitchen liked Poapst's play with the Blackhawks.
"He was out against our best lines and he played well," Kitchen said. "He's
steady and reliable. That's what we're looking for."
The Blues were not looking to give up Boguniecki, but Pittsburgh wanted offense.
"It's hard to give up a goal scorer like 'Bogie,'" Kitchen said. "I know he'll
get his legs under him shortly."
After undergoing shoulder surgery in May, Boguniecki missed the first 14 games
of the season. He returned Nov. 9 and registered one goal and four assists in
nine games with the Blues.
"I never really got into form yet, and that's the only thing that is
frustrating for me," Boguniecki said. "I wasn't able to get back to where I
know I can be for the team and the fans."
Boguniecki viewed the trade the same way as the Blues.
"I could be wrong, but I'm not getting traded because I'm the problem here, or
I did anything wrong," he said. "It's just what both teams need right now ...
what's important for the team and the organization. That's what this move is
based on."
Boguniecki will be back soon. The Blues host the Penguins Tuesday night at
Savvis Center.
By Jeremy Rutherford (jrutherford@<hidden>)
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Friday, Dec. 09 2005
Already looking for a veteran defenseman, the Blues were forced to make a move
Friday when they learned that a shoulder injury suffered by Matt Walker in
Thursday's 5-4 loss to Tampa Bay was more severe than first thought.
The Blues sent forward Eric Boguniecki to Pittsburgh for defenseman Steve
Poapst in what the club called a "need" trade. Walker's slight separation,
which will sideline him for seven to 15 days, left the team with only five
healthy defensemen.
"We needed a defenseman, and it was the right fit for us," Blues general
manager Larry Pleau said. "We wanted a veteran guy ... if we could get one."
Poapst, 36, has played in 266 NHL games with three teams, including Chicago for
four seasons before signing as a free agent with Pittsburgh last August. He has
eight goals in his career, with 27 assists and 136 penalty minutes.
"He's a steady defenseman ... played pretty well against us when he was with
Chicago," Pleau said. "We felt that we could use that. You look on our right
side (Thursday night), we barely had 70 games of experience. Walker getting
hurt, and with (Eric) Brewer and (Christian) Backman out for a while, we needed
to get more experience."
Brewer, who suffered a separated shoulder Nov. 16, skated with the Blues for
the first time in practice Friday, but he's still expected to be out at least
another two weeks. The timetable is similar for Backman, who fractured his foot
Dec. 1 against Columbus.
"That's the whole thing behind (the trade)," Blues coach Mike Kitchen said. "As
you see, with all the injuries, we had to fill that void. We were looking
beforehand to get a defenseman and (Walker's injury) pushed it quicker than
expected."
Poapst said he was caught off guard by the deal.
"I didn't know anything about it ... kind of a surprise," he said. "We weren't
doing well (in Pittsburgh) and there was speculation there would be some kind
of move. But I'm surprised that I was involved in it."
Poapst, who was a minus-5 while averaging 17 minutes 36 seconds of ice time in
Pittsburgh, feels that he can provide the Blues with some defensive leadership.
He's been paired with Penguins rookie prospect Ryan Whitney this season.
"That's the situation I've been in ... spending a lot of time helping young
kids along," Poapst said.
As for how he's adjusted to the new rules this season: "Pretty good," said
Poapst, who's had just 10 penalty minutes all season. "It definitely took a lot
away from my game initially. But I was able to adjust."
Kitchen liked Poapst's play with the Blackhawks.
"He was out against our best lines and he played well," Kitchen said. "He's
steady and reliable. That's what we're looking for."
The Blues were not looking to give up Boguniecki, but Pittsburgh wanted offense.
"It's hard to give up a goal scorer like 'Bogie,'" Kitchen said. "I know he'll
get his legs under him shortly."
After undergoing shoulder surgery in May, Boguniecki missed the first 14 games
of the season. He returned Nov. 9 and registered one goal and four assists in
nine games with the Blues.
"I never really got into form yet, and that's the only thing that is
frustrating for me," Boguniecki said. "I wasn't able to get back to where I
know I can be for the team and the fans."
Boguniecki viewed the trade the same way as the Blues.
"I could be wrong, but I'm not getting traded because I'm the problem here, or
I did anything wrong," he said. "It's just what both teams need right now ...
what's important for the team and the organization. That's what this move is
based on."
Boguniecki will be back soon. The Blues host the Penguins Tuesday night at
Savvis Center.