wtf is he thinking wanting to return to the blues 
Weight envisions a future back with the Blues
By R.B. FALLSTROM, AP Sports Writer
January 31, 2006
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A few hours after joining the Carolina Hurricanes, Doug Weight already was plotting his return to the St. Louis Blues.
Right now, a Blues' fire sale is in full swing while the owners try to sell the team. So far, they've traded away top scorers Weight and Mike Sillinger in a 24-hour period, and sent star defenseman Chris Pronger packing before the season started.
The Blues are the NHL's worst team, and their 25 consecutive postseason appearances is about to end. More trades are expected.
But while Weight moves to the league's top team, it's clear he wants to come back to St. Louis when new owners take over. Add the fact that he's an unrestricted free agent after the season, and a return is possible.
"I'm not afraid to say I love St. Louis," Weight said before he left for Carolina. "It's a place that's dear to me and it's a place where I'd love to end up. Who knows? Before you turn around I could be back here.
"There's not a place I want to win a Stanley Cup more than here."
Claiming losses of $40 million before the 2004-05 lockout, owners Bill and Nancy Laurie put the franchise on the market last summer. Then they gutted the roster to help speed up the sale, and a group headed by former NBA executive Dave Checketts appears to be the leading contender.
While Weight tries to fit in with Carolina, hockey in St. Louis isn't much fun.
"As tough as this process is, this is what has to be done when a franchise gets to this fork in the road," team president Mark Sauer said. "It's a brutal period we're going through, but the perspective from the potential buyers is very much a forward-looking one."
On Monday night, hours after the Weight deal, the Blues came up with an inspired 3-2 shootout victory over the Calgary Flames. Big games from the likes of Lee Stempniak and Jay McClement, two of the minor leaguers called up, were the difference.
"This was a terrific win," coach Mike Kitchen said. "To go through what we've gone through, the guys really pulled together."
The losses, though, have been testing the patience of the ever-loyal fan base who used to fill the Savvis Center for game but now appears increasingly alienated. There were rows upon rows of empty seats at the Flames game, the norm for this season, along with an inflated announced attendance of 13,310 based on tickets sold.
The Blues' playoff streak is impressive, but their appearance in the 2001 Western Conference finals was the first time since 1986 they made it past the second round.
"Sometimes when you go 25 years making the playoffs, you're accepting mediocrity," general manager Larry Pleau said. "If you look at anybody that's ever won the Stanley Cup in the last 15-20 years, they've gone through something like this before they got there.
"Our goal is still the same and we're taking some tough, tough steps right now."
In return for trading away their best players, the Blues are stockpiling for the future. For example, Weight was dealt for the Hurricanes' first-round pick in this spring's Entry Draft.
Pleau is asking fans to be patient. "What I would tell them is stick with us," he said. "This franchise is going to get healthy again."
By R.B. FALLSTROM, AP Sports Writer
January 31, 2006
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A few hours after joining the Carolina Hurricanes, Doug Weight already was plotting his return to the St. Louis Blues.
Right now, a Blues' fire sale is in full swing while the owners try to sell the team. So far, they've traded away top scorers Weight and Mike Sillinger in a 24-hour period, and sent star defenseman Chris Pronger packing before the season started.
The Blues are the NHL's worst team, and their 25 consecutive postseason appearances is about to end. More trades are expected.
But while Weight moves to the league's top team, it's clear he wants to come back to St. Louis when new owners take over. Add the fact that he's an unrestricted free agent after the season, and a return is possible.
"I'm not afraid to say I love St. Louis," Weight said before he left for Carolina. "It's a place that's dear to me and it's a place where I'd love to end up. Who knows? Before you turn around I could be back here.
"There's not a place I want to win a Stanley Cup more than here."
Claiming losses of $40 million before the 2004-05 lockout, owners Bill and Nancy Laurie put the franchise on the market last summer. Then they gutted the roster to help speed up the sale, and a group headed by former NBA executive Dave Checketts appears to be the leading contender.
While Weight tries to fit in with Carolina, hockey in St. Louis isn't much fun.
"As tough as this process is, this is what has to be done when a franchise gets to this fork in the road," team president Mark Sauer said. "It's a brutal period we're going through, but the perspective from the potential buyers is very much a forward-looking one."
On Monday night, hours after the Weight deal, the Blues came up with an inspired 3-2 shootout victory over the Calgary Flames. Big games from the likes of Lee Stempniak and Jay McClement, two of the minor leaguers called up, were the difference.
"This was a terrific win," coach Mike Kitchen said. "To go through what we've gone through, the guys really pulled together."
The losses, though, have been testing the patience of the ever-loyal fan base who used to fill the Savvis Center for game but now appears increasingly alienated. There were rows upon rows of empty seats at the Flames game, the norm for this season, along with an inflated announced attendance of 13,310 based on tickets sold.
The Blues' playoff streak is impressive, but their appearance in the 2001 Western Conference finals was the first time since 1986 they made it past the second round.
"Sometimes when you go 25 years making the playoffs, you're accepting mediocrity," general manager Larry Pleau said. "If you look at anybody that's ever won the Stanley Cup in the last 15-20 years, they've gone through something like this before they got there.
"Our goal is still the same and we're taking some tough, tough steps right now."
In return for trading away their best players, the Blues are stockpiling for the future. For example, Weight was dealt for the Hurricanes' first-round pick in this spring's Entry Draft.
Pleau is asking fans to be patient. "What I would tell them is stick with us," he said. "This franchise is going to get healthy again."
