Thursday, Nov. 05, 2009

Eller set to make NHL debut

Rookie forward gets called up from Peoria

ST. LOUIS -- Once he was recalled from the minors Wednesday under emergency conditions by the St. Louis Blues, the cell phone of rookie forward Lars Eller never stopped ringing.

"I talked to my parents already," Eller said late Wednesday afternoon. "There's a lot of things going on right now, the phone is ringing all the time. It won't slow down."

The first of three Blues' first-round picks in 2007 at 13th overall ahead of Ian Cole (18th) and David Perron (26th), Eller is expected to make his NHL debut tonight at Scottrade Center against the Calgary Flames.

"I want Lars to come up here with the attitude of 'I'm going to play and I'm going to stay,''' Blues President John Davidson said of Eller, who is known for his elite-level offensive skills and playmaking ability. "Even if it doesn't work out this time, you understand a little bit more of that dream that you're chasing -- and why you're chasing that dream.

"This will be a great experience for him. I'm excited about it, too; I love when these young kids come up and get a chance."

The 20-year-old Eller was off to a strong start at Peoria on a line with Nicholas Dravenovic and Yan Stastny, piling up three goals and 11 points in 11 games.

"I might be a little nervous, but I'm going to try to play my own game like I've been doing down here and to enjoy it as much as I can," said Eller, who will become the sixth native of Denmark to skate in an NHL game. "No doubt it's going to be the biggest highlight of my career so far."

Because of a previous wrist injury, shoulder surgery in April and mononucleosis during training camp in 2009, Eller still hasn't even suited up for a preseason home game with the Blues.

He's skipped that and is going right to the real thing. Will he be used in a scoring role instead of on the third or fourth line?

"He's been one of a number of players who have played real well in Peoria," Davidson said. "We look at what he can bring to us, some offense and some speed. He's a young player who's important to our future.

"He's a young man that battles. He's got speed and he's got some skill, but he's not afraid to battle -- and that's the kind of player you want."

Eller is expected to replace injured Blues forward Andy McDonald in the lineup. McDonald crashed headfirst into the boards Saturday against Florida and is listed as day-to-day.

"Andy doesn't have anything serious," Davidson said. "He just needs a little bit more time to get over the aches and pains of what could have been a lot more damaging."

Davidson said the organization decided it was time to give Eller an opportunity.

"This is a guy that has a great attitude," Davidson said. "He could have requested to stay in Europe and play over there for another year, but he wanted to start his trip to the NHL and play in North America.

"Right now we're in a position with Andy (McDonald), and what's going on with our goal-scoring, so we're going to take a look at him."

Eller said news of a callup was about the furthest thing from his mind.

"It's not like I've been waiting for this call, because it would be easy to get disappointed," he said.

Last season, Eller had 12 goals and 29 points in 48 games with Vastra Frolunda in the Swedish Elite League. He later underwent shoulder surgery that sidelined him for several months.

Backes in the Big Apple

Blues forward David Backes traveled to Rockefeller Center in New York City on Wednesday as part of the U.S. Olympic Committee's 100-day countdown to the Winter Olympics.

Other hockey notables on hand were 1980 "Miracle on Ice" teammates Mike Eruzione, Jim Craig and Steve Janaszak along with Bill Cleary, part of Team USA's 1960 gold medal squad.

Backes is expected to be named to Team USA's squad that will compete at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

Backes also got a guest appearance on NBC's Today Show with Meredith Vieira, helping her learn how to shoot some pucks on net.

"Let's start it back here, now just sling it," Backes told the Today Show co-host. "Perfect, look at that. You may have a spot on the team if we're not careful."

To watch the video of Backes' appearance, check it out here:

www.bnd.com/bluesnotes/