Blues lock up McDonald

by James Mirtle on Feb 9, 2009 12:35 PM CST Comment 11 comments

There had been a lot of speculation that Andy McDonald would be used as trade bait by the Blues, but even with him sidelined with a broken leg, they've given him a four-year contract extension:

"The St. Louis Blues realize how integral Andy is to the future of our organization," said Davidson. "He’s a top line center who will play a major role in the development of our team."

"My first priority was to stay in St. Louis and continue my career as a Blue as the organization has treated me great since day one," said McDonald. "I’m excited with the direction that this franchise is going and we have nothing but good things ahead of us."

No word on the terms yet, but I can't imagine he had a ton of bargaining power given he's been out most of the season with that injury. It's rare that players sign on while hurt, but he's nearing a comeback and was having a great year before getting injured back in November.

St. Louis has impressed me with how they've hung in the playoff race. I think they could definitely have something there going into next season.

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Good move...

McDonald is one of those guys that doesn’t seem to get the love he deserves, which might be a reason that its hard to get equal value for him in a trade. The Anaheim/St. Louis trade seemed like a horrible trade at the time and only seems to get worse as more time passes.

Good player, they wouldn’t have received equal value (especially with him coming off an injury), so KEEP the good player! Common sense is so hard to find….

Cheers,
Matt

www.viewfrommyseats.com

by Cheap Seats on Feb 9, 2009 1:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The Anaheim/St. Louis trade seemed like a horrible trade at the time and only seems to get worse as more time passes.

Sure, it’s a horrible trade, so long as you’re willing to ignore context.

The Ducks traded away Andy McDonald for Doug Weight, the tag room to add Scott Niedermayer, the cap room to keep Mathieu Schneider, and the tag room to add Teemu Selanne. Anybody who tells you it was just an Andy-Mac-for-Doug-Weight trade is a liar or a simple-minded thinker.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Feb 9, 2009 4:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Also worth noting, I suppose, that after the Ducks made their McDonald trade and Scott Niedermayer made his debut last season, the Ducks played at a pace in their final 48 that would have won them the President’s Trophy and the Jennings Trophy.

But yes, I’m sure it seemed like a really horrible trade without those pesky considerations.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Feb 9, 2009 4:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Anaheim trade had everything to do with the cap. St. Louis doesn’t have that problem.

Don't be afraid to take a few steps back, but you better keep moving forward.

by wlittle on Feb 9, 2009 2:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

4 years, $18.8 million dollar deal according to Andy Strickland.

Included in the deal is a no trade clause as well.

by HuntsvilleBlues on Feb 9, 2009 2:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Somehow this seems a bit on the steep side of things, considering he’s only had 2 good seasons so far and he’s 31 years old. Especially with an NTC built-in…
Then again, it’s 1st line centers aren’t easy to get these days so maybe the price is right.

by Habs on Feb 9, 2009 2:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I get the feeling he feels a bit more respected in St. Louis then he did in Anaheim…

Blue and Gold (of Buffalo)

by Ebscer on Feb 9, 2009 2:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Good move. If we can do this well without him, he’ll be a valuable asset upon his return and for the next four years. He probably does feel a lot more respect with the Blues, seeing as how he’s one of a few big names, as opposed to when he was with the Ducks, when he… well… wasn’t.

Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand. --Homer Simpson

by hildymac on Feb 9, 2009 4:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I think it's a stretch to say we are in the "playoff race"...

mathematically, yes, the Blues have a chance but they also have a lot of teams to leap over, and with all those teams playing each other most of the next two months, you are going to need an engineering degree to keep up with who needs to win each night and who needs to lose in regulation time for the Blues to make up ground, and that’s IF they keep winning.

That said, I’d still be happy for a strong finish down the stretch, as opposed to the first two Andy Murray seasons.

by tbell61 on Feb 9, 2009 4:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

That dude can skate.

by mattman on Feb 9, 2009 6:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Four years of $4.7m a year for a mediocre first-line pivot unlikely to develop further is treading water. Don’t get me wrong, I think McDonald is a really good player, but this just shows the Blues won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. They seem to be in a perpetual state of “win tomorrow”. They won’t be winning anything with a player like McDonald earning nigh $5m. It’s a great signing only if you’re happy to be a bottom feeding club with the 1st round of playoffs as the great target. Just my opinion.

by bearhunter on Feb 10, 2009 12:48 AM CST reply actions 0 recs