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Blues, John Davidson’s “poker game” heats up

2010 NHL Draft - Round One

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 25: John Davidson of the St. Louis Blues works the draft floor during the 2010 NHL Entry Draft at Staples Center on June 25, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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Andy Strickland has an interestingly fitting phrase to describe the jostling between the St. Louis Blues and team president John Davidson: it seems like a “poker game.”

Earlier today, reports surfaced that Davidson spoke with another Central Division team, the Columbus Blue Jackets. Eric Smith adds an interesting claim that Davidson actually contacted the Blue Jackets, rather than the other way around. Either way, though, Strickland probably cuts to the crux of the wedge between the Blues and the executive who helped to turn them around.

The Blues are waiting to see if Davidson leaves on his own while on the other hand Davidson is probably questioning if the organization even wants him and his hefty contract to remain with the club. Any way you look at it there’s a very sensitive situation brewing.

In reality this isn’t about the Blues not wanting Davidson. It’s whether or not it makes smart business sense to have both JD and GM Doug Armstrong in place atop the hockey department. If Davidson was making $500,000 a year opposed to the $1.6 Million he made this past season then we probably aren’t having this discussion. The $1.6 Million he earned this year was less than he made in the final year of his previous five-year contract.

With Armstrong and still-new head coach Ken Hitchcock in tow, one might argue that the Blues are ready to move on without Davidson. Ideally, the Blues would probably prefer to keep as many strong hockey minds under the same umbrella as possible, but budgetary constraints and ego concerns can make things complicated.

Lou Korac probably captures the mood if Davidson bolts for the Blue Jackets or somewhere else, though.

No matter what John Davidson decides, ‪the Blues‬ are much better off today than the day he stepped in here. His efforts should be applauded.