Wednesday, Sep. 09, 2009

Davidson ready for Blues to start camp

St. Louis adds veteran center in Armstrong

Even though he's in Traverse City, Mich., watching some of the St. Louis Blues top prospects, team president John Davidson couldn't help but think of a brand new cruise ship on Tuesday.

Especially with the start of Blues training camp just four days away.

"This is it, this is like christening the boat," Davidson said as he took time out from a scouting meeting. "This is a champagne bottle over the side of the boat, and that means a new boat for a new season."

Davidson isn't the only one excited about the Blues, whose only negative is the uncertainty surrounding the health of veteran defenseman Eric Brewer.

There's also the return of injured stars Erik Johnson and Paul Kariya, both of whom were out for all or nearly all of last season.

Players having been working out on their own regularly at the St. Louis Mills training facility, with youngsters and veterans in a healthy mix of conditioning, skating and scrimmaging.

Players report for physicals and testing on Saturday, before training camp begins in earnest the following day. But Davidson and coach Andy Murray have been pleased to see the highly populated voluntary workouts.

"We don't have fear going into the season that players aren't ready to play," Davidson said. "They've committed themselves and they really have a belief in our trainers and our system with Ray (trainer Ray Barile) and Nelson (strength and conditioning coach Nelson Ayotte) -- and what we're trying to create as an organization."

The Blues added some depth and insurance at center Tuesday by signing former Los Angeles Kings center Derek Armstrong to a two-way contract.

The 36-year-old Armstrong had five goals and nine points in 56 games with the Los Angeles Kings last season. He also had 63 penalty minutes and a plus-minus rating of minus-11.

Armstrong, who projects as a third or fourth-line center as well as potential help at minor-league Peoria, has 72 goals and 221 points in 471 NHL games.

"He's healthy and he played pretty darned well last year," Davidson said of Armstrong, who has played previously under Murray in Los Angeles. "He's a character guy and if he earns a spot, he earns a spot. If not, he'll play in Peoria and we're in even better position if there' s injuries. Plus, it provides leadership for our young players there."

Armstrong could be seen as a replacement for popular Peoria veteran forward Trent Whitfield, who left the Rivermen and signed with Providence of the American Hockey League.

"(Armstrong) does a little bit of everything, just about anything that you need," Davidson said.

Davidson said knowing many of the team's top young players have a full NHL season under their belts should lead to plenty of optimism.

Impressive young forward David Perron will be in his third season, while Johnson is healthy and ready to roll after missing all of last season because of a knee injury.

Last season's rookie stars, T.J. Oshie and Patrik Berglund, now have the knowledge of a full NHL season in their memory banks. Roman Polak, who blossomed in his first full NHL season, should be one of the team's top defensemen.

"We know some of these players now," Davidson said. "It's a process when you have young players learning the game, learning the league, learning how to play a full season. Then they're taking the summer and appreciating what you have to do you to our body to get bigger and stronger.

"They've done that, all these guys. It gives us the satisfaction of knowing that these kids are learning."

Notes

The Blues are 1-1 at the Traverse City Prospects Tournament following a 5-4 loss to Columbus on Tuesday. Former University of Michigan star forward Aaron Palushaj continued his torrid tournament with another goal and he has three goals and an assists in two games.

Anthony Peluso, Philip McRae and Combs are tied for second in scoring with three points each.

Palushaj had two goals in the third period Sunday as the Blues defeated Dallas 9-6. He also had an assist in the game.

Anthony Peluso, Philip McRae and Jack Combs are tied for second in scoring with three points each.

The Blues prospects take on Minnesota at 5:30 p.m. today.

Contact reporter Norm Sanders at nsanders@bnd.com or 239-2454.