End of Season Report Card: Part Two

It’s a tradition unlike any other, although it’s happening in May instead of April. It’s the annual insideSTL.com Blues season report card, part two! Please note that the grades are based on personal expectations per player and not on a single scale.

GRADING SCALE:
A+: Surprisingly transcends expectations
A/A-: Exceeds expectations
B+: Better than expected
B: Meets expectations
B-/C+: Slightly below expectations, not disappointing.
C: Slightly disappointing
C-: Moderately disappointing
D+/D: Surprisingly disappointing
F: Unbelievably disappointing

Andy McDonald:
McDonald played just 25 games this season following a freak concussion just three games into the season, but he finished with 22 points (10g 12a) in the regular season. The Blues’ overall scoring was around 2.68 goals per game with him in the lineup. Without him in the lineup the Blues scored just 2.47 GPG. In nine playoff games he scored 10 points; he played a critical role in the dismantling of the Sharks despite absorbing several runs from Sharks players.
Final Grade A-

David Perron:
Another concussion case, Perron returned from a 97-game absence and scored in his very first game back. He endured a slow stretch after that, admitting that he didn’t feel very comfortable until after the All Star break. He finished the season with 21 goals, and 42 points in 57 games. He was -4 in the playoffs with just five points as a member of the fairly impotent first line for the most part. Hard to place what my expectations were for Perron when the season began, as it was unknown if and when he would return.
Final Grade: B

Kris Russell:
Acquired early in the season for Nikita Nikitin, Russell gave a little more offense to a third pairing with Roman Polak. Ken Hitchcock said when Russell arrived that he envisioned the young defenseman creating six or so odd-man rushes per game. He didn’t necessarily do that, but playing time and situations factored in. Finished the season +12 with 12 points.
Final Grade: B-

Carlo Colaiacovo:
The much-maligned defensive partner with Alex Pietrangelo, Colaiacovo finished with 19 points in 64 games played. After being sat in the game one of the postseason, Colaiacovo notched three assists in his return. That’s all she wrote though in the early playoff exit. It doesn’t appear at this point that he will be back in St. Louis next season.
Final Grade: C

T.J. Oshie:
Gambled with a one-year contract last offseason and won, Oshie set a career high in games played (80), goals (19), assists (35), and points (54). He won’t put up superstar numbers, but he’ll give the Blues decent production in all categories while adding his on-ice intangibles of defensive play, physicality, energy, and penalty killing.
Final Grade: B+

Kevin Shattenkirk:
We can go ahead and call him the cornerstone of the Erik Johnson deal, and he delivered with 43 points playing alongside Barret Jackman. Shattenkirk is an offensive-defenseman at heart, but his defensive play won’t be questioned for much longer. A weak playoff performance knocks his grade down a bit.
Final Grade: B+

Matt D’Agostini:
D’Agostini was limited by his own concussion, but he followed up his breakout 21 goal season with just 9 this year. No one expected him to get more than 21 with the playing time it looked like he would get this season, but 9 seems a little low.
Final Grade: C

Jason Arnott:
Arnott was brought in to bring size to the pivot slot on the third line and experience to a team hoping for a playoff run. His 17 goals and 34 points surprised some who thought the old legs were wearing out on him; they finally did toward the end of the season and playoffs. It doesn’t appear likely that he will return.
Final Grade: B+

Barret Jackman:
Jackman posted a +20 (17 points higher than last season) rating while playing on the second pair. He also anchored the first penalty-killing unit with Pietrangelo. His 13 points matched last season’s totals, but he added a goal. His 153 blocked shots were a big part of the team focus on getting in shooting lanes that led to a combined Jennings Trophy for Brian Elliott and Jaroslav Halak. Jackman is the type of quiet leader that doesn’t get much credit for his achievements and receives criticism for any mistakes. Winning teams carry a Barret Jackman on their rosters.
Final Grade: B

Roman Polak:
Don’t open the Roman Polak door. Don’t ever open that door. Polak didn’t score a goal, but did notch 11 assists while playing on the third defensive pair with Russell. He’s another player that doesn’t do a lot in terms of stats, but will draw positive attention to himself with a big hit from time to time.
Final Grade: B-

Kent Huskins:
Hard to place Huskins who missed all but 25 games with a broken foot. He opened the season well before the injury, and finished with 7 points and a +9 rating. He outdueled Ian Cole for the de facto seventh defenseman position on the team.
Final Grade: C

Jaroslav Halak:
An atrocious start opened the door for Brian Elliott’s season, and the eventual tandem that led to the Blues’ success in net. He finished the season 26-12-7 with a 1.97 GAA and .930%. He added six shutouts. Throwing his bad start out the window, Halak posted a 1.72 GAA and .935% under Ken Hitchcock. An early injury in the playoffs sidelined him, possibly when the team needed him most.
Final Grade: A-