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Seeing our boy in a Seattle Kraken jersey on Tuesday was really tough. I think I subconsciously denied that Seattle grabbed the unprotected left winger over the summer. Let’s take a few minutes to reflect on the stud he was for the St. Louis Blues.
Like I said—it was just weird seeing him in that Kraken jersey... And it has nothing to do with the fact that I still don’t understand what a Kraken is. Schwartz always seemed like one of those players who would be a Blue for his entire career. Fans loved him. Coaches and teammates loved him. Panger and JK loved him. It just doesn’t feel right to see him anywhere other than our city. This one hurts a little bit more than 2017, when we (sort of) lost David Perron to the Las Vegas Golden Knights. We’ve been through a lot with Schwartzy. Jaden was picked 14th overall by the Blues in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Let me refresh you on what was happening back then. The St. Louis Blues had Ben Bishop. Apple released their first iPad. Uber’s company had just launched. The BP oil spill was the only thing on TV. Haiti was suffering from the 7.2 earthquake. The Swine Flu was peaking, but it was going to be the last pandemic we’d ever worry about. And the Lost series finale left everybody upset (still my favorite show, sue me). 
At that same 2010 draft, two picks after Schwartz, the Blues selected Vladimir Tarasenko. It's kind of crazy to think about those two being added to the organization at the same time. We’ll talk more about Vlad in another article.
Schwartzy gave 560 games to the St. Louis Blues. 385 points total (154 goals, 231 assists). Sure, he had a handful of highlight goals such as this gem...
But it’s the relentless hustling, grinding, and playmaking that the Blues and their fans are going to miss. I know we'll be able to feel his absence this season, which is such a bummer. I’ve been watching Schwartz for a decade now. That’s nuts. Schwartz lived through a few Blues eras. I remember the first few years when Andy McDonald and him were showing us Blues fans speed—something we weren’t really used to seeing. Early on, he played with Shatty, Sobotka (where is that man?), Polak, Jax, Steener, Stewart, Reavo and Begie. He fought in front of Halak, Mason, Allen, Elliott, Miller, Brodeur, and Hutton. It’s hard to see him elsewhere after he dedicated a decade to the team we love. The best part about him departing is knowing that he finally got that Stanley Cup. Here’s my favorite goal:
Good luck in Seattle, Schwartzy. 
PJ Cox
@bluesbuzzblog |