Pending sale affects team's roster, chances of extending playoff streak

ST. LOUIS -- When St. Louis Blues owners put the team on the market, they felt the best strategy was to present a streamlined franchise for potential buyers.

That likely also means lowered expectations for a team that may be hard-pressed to extend its streak of 25 consecutive playoff berths, the longest streak in professional sports.

The Blues will open the season with a home-and-home series against the Detroit Red Wings tonight and Thursday minus their best defenseman and one of their best offensive threats.

Chris Pronger was traded to Edmonton for defenseman Eric Brewer and two prospects, and Pavol Demitra was allowed to leave as a free agent. That's not to mention the retirement of future Hall of Famer Al MacInnis.

The Blues will be even more short-handed at the start of the season, with defenseman Barret Jackman missing the first few games with a separated shoulder. Center Doug Weight also has a shoulder injury but is expected back tonight for the opener.

In this environment, the team needs forward Keith Tkachuk more than usual. Tkachuk missed the first two weeks of training camp after failing his physical and was rumored to have reported about 25 pounds overweight, but he returned last week.

Tkachuk, perhaps more than any other player on the team, is expected to benefit from the many rules changes designed to spice up offense in the reconstituted NHL following last season's lockout. A crackdown on interference, in Tkachuk's case, is solace for Mike Kitchen, beginning his first full season as coach.

Tkachuk led the Blues with 33 goals in 2003-04. Under the new rules, Kitchen said he could score as many as 50.

"It'll be a big plus for him," Kitchen said. "What happened before with a big guy was he'd get the advantage but then the guys were tugging on his arms, tugging on his waist. Now since they can't interfere, you have more time."

Tkachuk is looking forward to having some space to operate after new captain Dallas Drake kept telling him how much he'd enjoy it.

"It's exciting for the game and it lets the skill people go out and do their job and go hard to the net," Tkachuk said. "It'll be funny not getting cross-checked in front of the net anymore."

Beyond Tkachuk, the Blues might have to scuffle for offense. The team avoided all the high-priced free agents, adding the likes of 38-year-old Scott Young and Dean McAmmond.

The team appears stronger on defense with Jackman and Christian Backman in front of new goalie Patrick Lalime.

"Deals are made and things happen," Weight said. "It's all about chemistry, and it's going to be a league full of parity."