Comments on Galley Slaves: The NBA's Most Profitable Franchise: The St. Louis...

Since entering the NHL, the St. Louis Blues have e...

2008-10-03T13:13:00.000-05:00

Since entering the NHL, the St. Louis Blues have employed some of the greatest players in history. Such old-time hockey heroes as Dickie Moore, Doug Harvey, Glenn Hall and Jacques Plante helped give the team its start. Later, stars such as Brett Hull, Wayne Gretzky, Dale Hawerchuk and Peter Stastny also would spend time in St. Louis. Legendary architects Lynn Patrick and Emile Francis once ran the Blues, and championship team builders Cliff Fletcher and Jimmy Devellano had stints on the St. Louis hockey staff. Coaches include Stanley Cup champions Scotty Bowman, Al Arbour and Jacques Demers.

The Blues enjoyed some team success, too, reaching the Cup finals in the first three seasons out of the expansion bracket. From 1979-80 through 2003-04, the club has reached the playoffs 25 consecutive times yet the team still seeks its first Stanley Cup title after 39 seasons. The franchise has also been scarred by tragedies. Young defenseman Bobby Gassoff was killed in a motorcycle crash after attending a team function. Broadcaster Dan Kelly lost his battle with cancer while still in his prime. Barclay Plager succumbed to brain tumors while serving as an assistant coach.

Very interesting story:) Any business franchise in...

2007-08-26T09:26:00.000-05:00

Very interesting story:) Any business franchise information is very interesting to me.

Great story. I needed a chuckle today.MM

2006-08-10T20:49:00.000-05:00

Great story. I needed a chuckle today.
MM

You didn't quote the best part: In 1982, after sev...

2006-08-09T11:33:00.000-05:00

You didn't quote the best part:

In 1982, after several years of cashing TV checks, the Silnas came close to accepting a new buyout. The NBA offered them $5 million over eight years, but the Silnas countered with a demand of $8 million over five.

The league balked at that number, so the Silnas have kept cashing in.