Honeymoon period is over for Checketts

March 29, 2007 -- Blues owner Dave Checketts (Chris Lee/P-D) Dave Checketts will drop the puck on his third season as owner of the Blues Friday when the Nashville Predators visit Scottrade Center. The honeymoon period for Checketts is over and the Blues remain quite a ways from competing for a Stanley Cup. But there are positives going into the season, most notably the arrival of T.J. Oshie and Patrik Berglund. On the eve of opening night, Checketts gives his perspective on some key issues in a Q&A with the Post-Dispatch: Q: On opening night last year, you told Blues fans: "I will guarantee you in the near-distant future we're going to be carrying a giant silver cup down Market Street." How far off is the dream of winning a Stanley Cup? A: "We'll be a Cup contender in the next three seasons. The way everything is shaking out,... [read full story]