Alexander Steen Retires

St. Louis Blues left wing Alexander Steen has announced his retirement from the NHL. Steen, 36, had a back injury during the 2019-2020 season, which has caused him to retire. Steen played 15 seasons in the NHL. Steen was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2002 NHL Draft, in the first-round (24th overall). Steen played 4 seasons for the Maple Leafs, before being traded to the Blues, along with defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo for right wing Lee Stempniak on November 24, 2008. 

After being acquired by the Blues, Steen's career took off. Steen became the player scouts thought he'd be. In 2013-2014, Steen had a career high 33 goals with 29 assists, 62 points, and a plus 17. The following season, Steen had 24 goals, 40 assists, 64 points, and a plus 8. The assists, and points were career highs for Steen. 

In Blues franchise history, Steen ranks 4th in games played with (765), 9th in goals with (195), 6th in assists with (301), and 5th in points with (496). Steen played in 91 playoff games for the Blues with 15 goals, 21 assists, 36 points, and -8. The only two players in franchise history who have played more playoff games than Steen are right wing Brett Hull and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo. Steen helped the Blues win their first ever Stanley Cup in 2019, when the beat the Boston Bruins in 7 games. 

Overall, Steen played 1,018 games with 245 goals, 377 assists, 622 points, and a plus 42. 

Steen's presence in the locker-room will be missed. Steen was a great leader on and off the ice for the Blues. Steen was also a fan favorite. With Steen retiring, the Blues now have some cap space. The Blues had been rumored awhile back to be interested in free agent left wing Mike Hoffman. Do the Blues decide to sign Mike Hoffman? Hoffman would be a great addition for the Blues, if they were to sign him. It would need to make sense for both sides though.

Boston Red Sox Re-Hire Alex Cora

 

The Boston Red Sox have re-hired Alex Cora as their manager. Cora, 45, replaces Ron Roenicke, who managed just 1 season with the Red Sox. Cora gets a two-year contract, the contract includes two options for 2023 and 2024. Cora was the Red Sox manager for 2 seasons (2018-2019). In Cora's first season, the Red Sox won the World Series in 5 games against the Los Angeles Dodgers, after finishing 108-54 in the regular season. Cora was only the 5th rookie manager to win the World Series in his 1st season. Cora's 108 wins, were the 2nd-most by a rookie manager in MLB history. Ralph Houk, had the most wins (109), for a rookie manager. Houk's 109 wins, were in 1961 with the New York Yankees. 

Cora ended up being fired by the Red Sox, after the MLB investigated the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal. Cora was the Astros bench coach in 2017. The Red Sox were investigated for a 2018 sign-stealing. The MLB found that Cora wasn't at fault for the Red Sox scandal. Cora would end up being suspended for the 2020 season, for his role with the Astros. 

Overall, Cora has has managed 2 seasons in the MLB. Cora has managed 324 games with a record of 192-132, and a .593 winning percentage. In the playoffs, Cora is 11-3 with a .786 winning percentage. 

Does Cora deserve a second chance? What if a sign-stealing scandal were to happen again, and even if Cora wasn't at fault?

Detroit Tigers Hire A.J. Hinch

 

The Detroit Tigers have hired A.J. Hinch as their new manager. Hinch, 46, gets a multi-year contract. Hinch replaces Ron Gardenhire who retired on September 19, 2020 after 3 seasons managing the Tigers (2018-2020). Before becoming the manager for the Tigers, Gardenhire managed the Minnesota Twins for 13 seasons (2002-2014). Hinch was a backup catch for the Tigers in 2003, so he returns to a city he's familiar with. The Tigers will be Hinch's 3rd team he's managed. 

Most recently, Hinch managed the Houston Astros for 5 seasons (2015-2019). While with the Astros, he seemed to do well. He won three-straight AL West titles with them, including 2 World Series appearances (2017, 2019). The Astros won the World Series in 2017 in 7 games over the Los Angeles Dodgers. In those three seasons, the Astros won 101 or more games under Hinch. Hinch's best season came in 2019, they were 107-55.

News came out the Astros had been stealing signed during the 2017, and 2018 seasons. The MLB investigated it situation. They found evidence the the sign stealing was true. On January 13, 2020, Hinch and former Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended for one-year because for the scandal. On the same day, Astros Owner Jim Crane fired both Hinch and Luhnow. 

Before managing the Astros, Hinch managed the Arizona Diamondbacks for 2 seasons (2009-2010). Hinch was fired on July 1, 2010, after the Diamondbacks were 31-48. 

Overall, Hinch has managed 7 seasons in the MLB. Hinch has managed 1,022 games with a record of 570-452, and a .558 winning percentage. In the playoffs, Hinch is 28-22 with a .560 winning percentage.

Does Hinch deserve a second chance? What if the sign stealing scandal happens under Hinch with the Tigers? If were to happen, should Hinch be banned for life? 

Chicago White Sox Hire Tony La Russa

The Chicago White Sox have hired Tony La Russa as their new manager. La Russa, 76, replaces Rick Renteria was the White Sox manager. Renteria was fired on October 12, 2020 after 4 seasons (2017-2020). Renteria's White Sox made the playoffs for their first time since 2008, but lost to the Oakland Athletics in 3 games in the Wild Card round.  

La Russa, last managed the St. Louis Cardinals 2011. Under La Russa that season, the Cardinals won their 11th World Series title after defeating the Texas Rangers in 7 games. La Russa retired as manager three days after the World Series. Since retiring at manager, La Russa has word in the front office for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, and most recently the Los Angeles Angels. 

Before managing the Cardinals in 1996, La Russa managed the Oakland Athletics for 10 seasons (1986-1995). Who did La Russa manage before the Athletics, and the Cardinals? La Russa managed the White Sox for 8 seasons (1979-1986). Under La Russa, the White Sox didn't have much success. The White Sox only had 3 winning seasons, making the playoffs in only one of them (1983). La Russa's 83 White Sox lost in 4 games to the Baltimore Orioles in the ALCS. The White Sox fired Tony La Russa on June 19, 1986 after a 26-38 start. White Sox Owner Jerry Reinsdorf signed off on La Russa being fired. Over the years, La Russa and Reinsdorf have remained great friends. Reinsdorf has always said that he regrets signing off on La Russa being fired. 

La Russa would go onto the find success with the Athletics, and the Cardinals. La Russa led the Athletics to 3 World Series appearances (1988, 1989, 1990). The Athletics won the World Series in 1989 by sweeping the San Francisco Giants in 4 games. With the Cardinals, La Russ led them to 3 World Series appearances (2004, 2006, 2011). The Cardinals won the World Series in 2006, and 2011. 

Overall, La Russa has managed 33 seasons in the MLB. La Russa has managed 5,097 games with a record of 2,728 wins, 2,365 losses, 4 ties, and a .536 winning percentage. In the playoffs, La Russa is 70-58 with a .547 winning percentage. La Russa has won the World Series 3 times: 1989, 2006, and 2011. La Russa has won Manager of the Year 4 times: 1983, 1988, 1992, and 2002. 

La Russa currently ranks 3rd all-time in wins as a manager. The only two managers who have more wins than La Russa are: Connie Mack 3,731, and John McGraw 2,763. La Russa needs just 36 wins to move into 2nd place in all-time wins for managers. That would be an amazing milestone to see happen. Something fans should keep in mind too.

La Russa will be the first manager ever to return to managing after being elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame. There's people who think that La Russa is too old to manage. But, do people recall Jack McKeon? McKeon, was 72 in 2003. He ended up taking over the Florida Marlins (now known as Miami Marlins), who were 16-22. After McKeon took over, the Marlins went 75-49 and ending up winning the World Series in 6 games over the New York Yankees. McKeon hadn't hadn't even managed a MLB game since 2000, when he was the Cincinnati Reds manager. La Russa might be able to do well this time around with the White Sox. 

The Cardinals will travel to Chicago in May 2021 to play the White Sox. The Cardinals will be there May 24-26. Could there be former Cardinals joining La Russa with the White Sox? It also will be interesting to see who La Russa puts on his coaching staff in 2021. La Russa will be the oldest manager in the MLB.

St. Louis Blues Sign Torey Krug

 

The St. Louis Blues went into free agency knowing they could lose their captain and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, It sounds like that will happen, a lot because he's wanting too much. To replace Pietrangelo, the Blues went and signed another top defenseman on the free agent market Torey Krug. Krug, 29, signed a seven-year contract worth $45.5 million. Krug signed as an undrafted free agent on March 12, 2012 with the Boston Bruins. Krug made his NHL debut on April 3, 2012 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

In 2013-2014, Krug finally got a full chance to play in the NHL. That was after sending 2012-2013 in the minors to develop his game and then impressing the Bruins in 15 playoff games in the NHL. During the playoffs, Krug became the first Bruins defenseman to score in his playoff debut since Glen Wesley in 1988. Krug became to fourth Bruins player in franchise history to score goals in this first two playoff games. He became the first rookie defenseman in NHL history to score 4 goals in his first five playoff games. 

In his first full-season, Krug played 79 games with 14 goals, 26 assists, 40 points, and a plus 18. Krug was named to the NHL's All Rookie Team. Krug was the top scoring defenseman in the league. For rookies, Krug was 4th in goals. 

Krug's best season came in 2017-2018. That season Krug played 76 games with 14 goals, 45 assists, and 59 points. The goals, and points are career highs for Krug. The next season Krug had 47 assists. 

Last season, Krug played 61 games with 9 goals, 40 assists, 49 points, and a -4. If Covid-19 didn't shut everything down, Krug would have had his 4th straight season with 50 points. 

Overall, Krug has played 9 seasons in the NHL. Krug has played 523 games with 67 goals, 270 assists, 337 points, and a plus 23. In the playoffs, Krug has played 75 games with 11 goals, 41 assists, 52 points, and a -4.

Krug is a great pickup for the Blues. He can help quaterback a powerplay. Yes, it can hurt losing Alex Pietrangelo but Krug is good too. Some people even say Krug is better. Who will the Blues next captain be? I can see Ryan O'Reilly or Colton Parayko being the next captain for the Blues.

St. Louis Blues re-sign Jacob de la Rose

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed left wing Jacob de la Rose to a one-year contract, worth $700,000. De la Rose, 25, was acquired by the Blues on November 6, 2019 from the Detroit Red Wings for left wing/center Robby Fabbri. De la Rose, would end up playing in 34 games for the Blues. De la Rose had 1 goal with 4 assists, 5 points, and a -1. Combined between the Red Wings and Blues, de la Rose played in 50 games with 2 goals, 7 assists, 9 points, and a plus 2. 

De la Rose played in 5 of the Blues playoff games. De la Rose had 88 hits, which were 5th best on the team (120 total combined between the Red Wings and Blues). The hits were de la Rose's 2nd most in his career. De la Rose's most hits were 127 in the 2017-2018 season with the Montreal Canadiens. 

Overall, de la Rose has played 6 NHL season. De la Rose has played 229 games with 13 goals, 24 assists, 37 points, and a -27. In the playoffs, de la Rose has played 17 games and is a -1. 

De la Rose might not show up much on the scoring side of things, but he plays solid hockey. He doesn't make many mistakes. He showed that he can play Craig Berube style hockey. 

St. Louis Blues trade Allen to Canadiens

 

The St. Louis Blues have traded goalie Jake Allen, and a 2022 7th round draft pick to the Montreal Canadiens for a 2020 3rd round pick (via Washington Capitals), and 2020 7th round pick (via Chicago Blackhawks). Allen, 30, went 12-6-3 last season with 2 shutouts, a .927 saver percentage, and a 2.15 goals against average. The season before, (2018-2019), Allen ended up losing his job as the Blues starting goalie to rookie Jordan Binnington. Allen took it as a professional and didn't complain. The Blues ended up winning their first ever Stanley Cup in franchise history over the Boston Bruins. 

Allen's best season as a starter for the Blues came in 2016-2017. In that season, Allen played a career high 61 games, 60 starts with a record of 33-20-5 with 4 shutouts, a .915 save percentage, and a 2.42 goals against average. Allen's most shutouts in a season were 6 in 2015-2016. 

Allen leaves the Blues with 289 games played (2nd most for goalies in franchise history), 148 career wins (2nd), 21 shutouts (2nd), and 4 assists (5th). 

Overall, Allen has played 7 NHL seasons. Allen has a has played 289 games, 271 starts with a record of 148-94-26 with 21 shutouts, a .913 save percentage, and a 2.50 goals against average. In the playoffs, Allen has played 29 games, 23 starts with a record of 11-12 with a .924 save percentage, and a 2.06 goals against average. 

With Allen being trade the Blues get rid of $4.35 million in cap space. The Blues main focus this offseason is to re-sign captain Alex Pietrangelo. So it makes since for the Blues to clear cap space. The Blues backup goalie next season will probably be Ville Husso. I can see the Blues bringing someone into camp who has NHL experience to battle with Husso.