The Blues under Stillman this offseason have invested just under $78M in roster additionsgetty images
To understand Blues Chair Tom Stillman's financial investment in the team, one must "understand his emotional investment," according to Benjamin Hochman of the ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. The Blues have never won a Stanley Cup, putting them among the "fraternity of suffering franchises." Stillman said after the Blues failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since '10-11, "From the moment that we knew we were eliminated, the night of that last game (of the regular season), there was just this unsettled feeling. First, it's the bitter pill type of feeling. Then after a little while what takes over is this: OK, what are we going to do?" Hochman writes what the Blues did was "as impressive as it was creative" in trading for Sabres C Ryan O'Reilly. The move shows "how much Stillman wants to win," as he paid $7.5M to O'Reilly for a "signing bonus that was due on Sunday, the day of the deal." The Blues this offseason have "invested just under" $78M in O'Reilly, C Tyler Bozak, G Chad Johnson and LW David Perron. The rest of the Central Division "spent just over" $54M combined. It is a "staggering disparity," but it is also a reminder that some of those teams "didn't need major additions." Stillman at heart is a "long-suffering Blues fan." Blues President of Hockey Operations & GM Doug Armstrong said of Stillman, "He lives and dies by every shot, every save and the emotions of the highs and lows. He's a passionate fan -- but he can have a little more impact (on the team) as an owner" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 7/5).
