Bortuzzo has looked 100% better this season than last (and he started looking better late last season). He seems a LOT more mobile than when he first joined The Blues. He seems to have improved his skating, shooting and offensive sense. He's 100% better on offence, joining the rush, making great set-up passes, and even scoring goals. He looks better all around than Edmundson, now. He's making great reads of plays while on defence in his own zone, impeding opponent forwards with his size and strength, and even making great pokechecks. Opponent forwards don't skate around him anymore, making him look like a pylon, as they did when he first joined The Blues. He still blocks a lot of shots, and hustles to keep plays alive, and keep his goalie out of danger.

He's a solid 2-way 3rd shift D man now, who also supplies lots of energy and toughness. He was a weakness, at first, but is now a strength for The Blues.

Edmundson is going to have to up his game to get his spot back, barring any other injuries of course. But yeah, Bortuzzo is looking great this season. Lot more confidence. And he really isn't that 'old' only 27 so just now really getting into his prime IMO. Most games he has played is 54 in one season back in 13-14 with Pit. He's got his chance now, just needs to keep it up.

Kiss of death, this thread, Robb. Now Hitch will call up Tommy Vannelli & Scooter Vaughan, and have them platoon with Borts.

JMC-STL wrote:Kiss of death, this thread, Robb. Now Hitch will call up Tommy Vannelli & Scooter Vaughan, and have them platoon with Borts.

If Bortz got walked like Petro did last night, he'd be pickin' splinters for a month.

Turk Sanderson wrote:

JMC-STL wrote:Kiss of death, this thread, Robb. Now Hitch will call up Tommy Vannelli & Scooter Vaughan, and have them platoon with Borts.

If Bortz got walked like Petro did last night, he'd be pickin' splinters for a month.

Pie has a "C" on his chest for "cant be held accountable"

Seems a trend in stl for a while now

Threw it out there in the gdt. If it's possible Borts seems to be modeling his game after Parayko, the two of them compliment each very well. Whole heartedly agree with your assessment Robb.

I wonder if Gunnar sits when Edmundson comes back. This is a lovely development. I also wonder big picture if this has much effect on trading Shattenkirk. Shatty is putting together a very nice season, which makes him a more valuable trade chip as well as tougher for Armstrong to replace. All good problems in the short term though.

Had another good game last night.

Bort and Parayko were the best pairing last night. I was at the game, and they both stood out to me. Both made plays all over the ice.

Bortuzzo is a myth!!!

#BortuzzoNeverExisted

Hope his injury isn't serious.

Issue with Borts is doing this over a long stretch, which he hasn't done yet. He's been great so far this year, so hopefully he can put it together. Been much improved so far this year though,

Beatoni12 wrote:Hope his injury isn't serious.

Issue with Borts is doing this over a long stretch, which he hasn't done yet. He's been great so far this year, so hopefully he can put it together. Been much improved so far this year though,

I'm more worried about his ability to play like this over a seven game series.

Hey...as long as these d-men can keep rotating injury cycles, Army will be less prone to trading Shatty, and I'm good with that.