Darryl Sydor Gets an Invite to the Blues

With so many young and inexperienced defenceman I really don’t see how the St. Louis Blues can go wrong by signing two time Stanley Cup winner Darryl Sydor to a one year contract. The Blues, who last year enjoyed a second half surge which placed then sixth in the Western Conference with 92 points desperately need some more veteran leadership on the backend if they are to make it to the next level this coming season. On the blueline everyone with the exception of Eric Brewer and Mike Weaver, who is a sixth or seventh defenceman at best is under the age of 30 and haven’t experienced winning at the NHL level. There are a lot of youngsters such as former first round picks Carlo Colaiacovo (2001 pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs) Barrett Jackman (1999 St. Louis Blues) and Erik Johnson who was picked first overall by the Blues in 2006 who are all still developing. Sydor who is a 17-year veteran can be a positive influence especially to someone like the 21 year-old Johnson who missed all of last year due to a freakish off-season knee injury. In his career Sydor who himself is a former 1990 Los Angeles Kings first round pick knows what it takes to be successful which is necessary for a young team like the Blues. This Alberta born native who scored 15 points last season has been through the playoff grind and came out on top in 1999 with the Dallas Stars and again in 2004 as a member of the surprising Tampa Bay Lightning. With the off-season loss of Jay McKee it was essential for management to bring in another veteran influence and that’s the role Sydor can fill. What’s most encouraging is that this aging blueliner has a positive attitude and is willing to fill a reduced roll. “I’m cap friendly,” Sydor who has scored 499 career points in 1,244 games said. “I’ll go in there and be a leader. It’s a good young team. I’ll go in there and do anything they want.” As it stands right now team President John Davidson hasn’t guaranteed anything to Sydor who will be competing with Alex Pietrangelo, Brendal Bell and Steve Wagner. “There’s no guarantees on either side,” Davidson said. “He wants to come and give it a shot and we’re happy to take a look at him.” Here is hoping for Blues fans that Davidson dies the right thing and offers a roster spot to Sydor who has a lot to offer the young players.