Thursday, Jun. 18, 2009

Blues coach Andy Murray in running for top accolade

He led Blues to first playoff berth in five seasons

In typical Andy Murray fashion, the St. Louis Blues coach believes any honor that comes his way can only do so if the entire organization shares in the glory.

Murray is a finalist for the Adams Trophy, which will be awarded tonight in Las Vegas to the NHL's Coach of the Year as part of the league's annual awards show at the Palms Hotel.

The other finalists are Boston coach Claude Julien and San Jose coach Todd McLellan.

"It's recognition for our organization accomplishing," Murray said Wednesday when asked about being a finalist. "For a team that was predicted to be 30th and to face the adversity we faced with the injuries. I'm just happy our team and organization and players are being recognized.

"It's really not an individual award, it's a team award."

The NHL Awards show will be broadcast at 6:30 p.m. today on Versus.

"I think to win this award you should finish first," Murray said. "Claude Julien and Todd McLellan finishing first are very worthy candidates.

"If I was voting, I probably wouldn't give it to myself."

Julien guided the Bruins to the top spot in the Eastern Conference with 53 wins and 116 points. That's a 22-point improvement over last season and the third-highest point total in franchise history.

Making his NHL head coaching debut, McLellan helped push the Sharks to a franchise-record 53 wins and an overall 53-18-11 record with 117 points to win the Presidents Trophy for best regular-season record.

Making his inaugural NHL Awards Show appearance, Murray was pleased to learn he would not have to wear a tuxedo.

"My wife made me wear one at our wedding and that was about it," he said. "I'm not really a tux kind of guy."

The same Murray that some fans wanted fired during the season's first half brought home the franchise's first playoff qualifier in five years with a 25-9-7 second-half run.

"The points were a direct result of the work ethic standards we had in the first half," said Murray, whose entire coaching staff is with him in Las Vegas along with front office personnel. "We sustained that and were able to get our points."

Only the 1999-2000 Blues team's 27-9-5 record in the second half was better than the sizzling second act turned in by the 2008-09 squad.

Murray's club made a giant leap from last place in the Western Conference (15th) to finish sixth and did it without three of their top players --injured forward Paul Kariya and defensemen Erik Johnson and Eric Brewer.

They also sent former all-star goalie Manny Legace to the minors and rolled the dice on former backup Chris Mason, who responded with one of the best stretches of his career once handed the keys to the starter's job.

The Blues were 9-2-1 in their final 12 games, including an emotional 3-1 playoff-clinching victory over the Blue Jackets on April 10 before a sellout crowd of 19,250 at Scottrade Center.

Though they were ousted in four straight by Vancouver in the playoffs, the Blues' second-half run was one of the NHL's biggest stories.

It also helped silence some of Murray's critics since he relied heavily on young talent and rookies like T.J. Oshie, Roman Polak and Patrik Berglund.

"They don't realize how tough this league is," Murray said of his detractors. "They don't know where people had us predicted to finish and the adversity with our injuries. I've never, ever used injuries as an excuse and that's one of the reasons we kept pushing."

Murray also discussed a few other Blues-related issues:

* Defenseman Brewer has endured two back surgeries -- the second one in mid-April -- to repair a herniated disc and sciatic nerve problems.

While he still does not have full use of his right leg and foot, Brewer has told the Blues he expects to be ready for training camp.

The Blues are cautiously hoping he will be ready for the start of the regular season. Brewer has two years left on a four-year deal worth $17 million.

"He continues to get better and we're optimistic that he'll be ready for the start of the season," Murray said. "We're hoping by the start of the regular season, but it's too early to tell."

* Murray said the Blues and free-agent forward Keith Tkachuk have held preliminary talks about a potential return.

Murray said the Blues also have interest in re-signing Brad Winchester, Roman Polak and B.J. Crombeen.

"We're hoping that they commit to staying with us," said Murray, who feels the scoring (25 goals, 49 points) and leadership provided by Tkachuk are definitely worthwhile.

"I think it's the way he plays, his leadership by example on the ice," Murray said. "We're going to be an awfully tough team next year and our veterans are the guys that are going to be the key.

"Our rookies will only be able to contribute if our veterans set the example."

Murray said other organizational priorities are finding more offense from the defensemen and a solid second goaltender behind Mason.

Johnson's return after missing the entire season because of knee surgery will help pick up the defense scoring slack. Other options include promoting former first-round pick Alex Pietrangelo and looking for outside help.