Legace waived
by James Mirtle on Feb 6, 2009 2:37 PM CST
17 comments
Blues goaltender Manny Legace wasn’t thrilled when his bosses added Nashville goaltender Chris Mason, who was earning more money, to back him up.
Legace was unhappy about playing out the final year of his contract unsure of his future in St. Louis.
And now he is really mad that the Note has put him on waivers, for the purpose of sending him to Peoria for more work. Another team could claim him, but numerous goaltenders (including Martin Gerber, Dany Sabourin and Curtis Sanford) have already passed through waivers this season.
The word out of St. Louis all season has been that Legace's been sour, a real downer on a team that's had its share of reasons to be down. Losing Erik Johnson in preseason was a tough loss to start the season on, but there's some excellent young talent emerging on this team and a playoff berth next season should be their target.
At the moment, Legace's nothing but an anchor, weighing his team down. He hasn't played well, at all, and it makes sense to go with someone else who will be around beyond this year for whatever last gasp the team's going to have this season.
Legace's last start was against Detroit on Monday, right after Chris Mason had turned in a sparkling shutout of Philadelphia, and Legace was horrible. He knew it.
"I was the worst player in the league tonight by far," Legace said. "We should have won that game 3-0. The guys played great. I'm the reason that we lost in a shootout."
Like a lot of goalies in that situation, his confidence is shot, and I think more than anything, the Blues simply want to get him some playing time and get him away from their youngsters for the time being.
I doubt anyone picks him up — but I've been wrong before. His salary at this point in the season is hardly a burden, and teams like Dallas and Washington could use a veteran backup going into the postseason. Legace's attitude lately might scare them off.
He's been a popular player in St. Louis, and with good reason, playing his heart out on some pretty awful Blues teams. But he hasn't been good enough this season to allow his team to make steps forward, and at 36, won't be sticking around.
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Playoff comments 2006
I remember he said something along the lines of he felt like killing himself after the Red Wings lost to the Oilers in round one that year. That was the same season that he rejected a long term big money deal with the Red Wings. He’s finished.
by Exit716 on Feb 6, 2009 2:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, it’s always been an issue of mental fortitude with Legace. He gets on these rolls (like the first half of last season) where he seems spunky, upbeat and downright brilliant in net. But when things start to sour, he absolutely self-destructs.
From what everyone’s saying, the whole contract situation between him and Mason weighed on his mind, and once Mason started outplaying him, Legace took a turn for the worse. The fact that they’re waiving him now rather than waiting for him to walk in July says management wanted him removed immediately. Must have been a bad influence on the kids…
"Sweet Zarley Zalapski, Batman!"
by ZarleyZalapski on Feb 6, 2009 3:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, the idea that he was upset they brought Mason and his higher salary in is bewildering. It’s not like they signed a free agent at higher price; they bought a contract on an adequate backup/1A starter, because last year their backup stunk and Legace’s body didn’t hold up under the extra workload.
Lighthouse Hockey: an SB Nation New York Islanders blog with hip issues.
by Dominik on Feb 6, 2009 3:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
is there a good answer to this poll?
Don't be afraid to take a few steps back, but you better keep moving forward.
by wlittle on Feb 6, 2009 4:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
If he’s picked up on waivers this move takes less than a $1M off St. Louis’ books. Are they really that tight money wise that they wouldn’t want to hold onto him until the deadline and try and get a pick for him? Or this intended to open up a spot for a youngster to get a few starts down the stretch?
by ryanbatty on Feb 6, 2009 5:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
They’re not trying to free up cap space here. They don’t need it.
by James Mirtle on Feb 6, 2009 5:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I appreciate what Manny has done for the Blues, but this is not the time or place to work out his “confidence” problems…I didn’t think there was a chance that he would be back with the Blues next year, this pretty much assures it. Probably Chris Holt will back him up, so Ben Bishop can play a lot at Peoria…even then, some folks don’t think Bishop will be ready in 09-10, so the Blues may be looking for a backup to Mason.
by tbell61 on Feb 6, 2009 5:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
All of this malarkey underscores the fact that the Blues haven’t been able to draft and develop a starting goaltender (or even a backup) in the decade since Grant Fuhr left the team.
The last Blues draftee to eventually become an NHL starter? Try Guy Hebert, 1987. (Technically, Curtis Joseph was a free-agent signing). Good luck, Ben Bishop and Jake Allen.
"Sweet Zarley Zalapski, Batman!"
by ZarleyZalapski on Feb 6, 2009 6:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Legace
He played well for most of his time in St Louis, but to stay a number one you must always play like a number one. He still has the talent and until the Detroit game looked to be getting better, but it doesnt seem like he has completely gotten the mental part back yet.
If he gets in a few good starts in the AHL the Blues will probably call him back up as Mason hasn’t shown he can do it without help, and the Blues think they have an outside shot at the playoffs. The also play on average a game every other day for the next month.
by sltest on Feb 6, 2009 7:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Bishop really hasn’t been very good in the NHL or the AHL this year.
by James Mirtle on Feb 6, 2009 8:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
But at least he’s very tall. Doesn’t that count for anything? :)
"A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with." -- Tennessee Williams
by Baroque on Feb 7, 2009 7:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You are right, 14-14-1 record, .899SV, 2.82GAA in 29 games with Peoria, 1-1-1 , .890SV, 3.18GAA in 5 games with St Louis. He looked very good against San Jose, but it is hard to make any calls on him until he has at least 1 full season of professional hockey under his belt.
The Blues were so banged up during a couple of his NHL starts, one reporter called them the Peoria RiverBlues. Anyways, it is amazing to see a goaltender go down in the butterfly and still block the top half of the net. If you have a veteran defense than can clear bodies and rebounds, that could be a good combination down the line.
by pj48 on Feb 7, 2009 2:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You are right, 14-14-1 record, .899SV, 2.82GAA in 29 games with Peoria, 1-1-1 , .890SV, 3.18GAA in 5 games with St Louis. He looked very good against San Jose, but it is hard to make any calls on him until he has at least 1 full season of professional hockey under his belt.
Exactly…that’s why I don’t want to have to count on him this year or next…he’s just not ready…I’ve heard from some that Allen might be the better long range prospect of the two…but Zarley is correct that among all the problems the Blues have had the last 10-15 years, a reliable home grown goalie is one of them.
by tbell61 on Feb 7, 2009 2:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
LOL that is MY HAND holding out my ticket you can see above Legace’s shoulder in that picture!
by The Falconer on Feb 7, 2009 12:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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