2019-2020 St. Louis Blues - Defending the Cup - Part 3: The Prelude to Playoff Positioning

[Falco Lombardi]

Players we need to protect in Seattle expansion draft?

Do we've to protect Faulk, he has NTC for example.

We are not forced to protect anyone. Nobody has a NMC which is different than a no trade clause.

If it were me, looking ahead to 2021....

O’Reilly
Tarasenko
Thomas
Schwartz
Kyrou
Perron
Sundqvist

Pietrangelo
Parayko
Dunn

Binnington

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

We are not forced to protect anyone. Nobody has a NMC which is different than a no trade clause.

If it were me, looking ahead to 2021....

O’Reilly
Tarasenko
Thomas
Schwartz
Kyrou
Perron
Sundqvist

Pietrangelo
Parayko
Dunn

Binnington

You wouldn’t protect Schenn?

 

[Falco Lombardi]

You wouldn’t protect Schenn?

I’d be willing to gamble.

Schenn will be 30 years old with 7 years left on that contract. I think I can possibly protect an under the radar guy like Sundqvist on a much better contract and then dare Seattle to take one of the long extensions in Faulk or Schenn.

Schenn is a great player....now. I’m thrilled we have him this year and next. But he’s not an automatic keep for me.

In a couple years (if not sooner) the hard truth will be that he shouldn’t be a top 6 center over O’Reilly and Thomas.

Schwartz-Thomas-Tarasenko
Perron-O’Reilly-Kyrou
Blais-Barbashev-Sundqvist

That’s still a really solid top 9 that likely has Kostin in there as well. It’s also 6.5 mil in cap space that can be used to augment whatever we need. Maybe it’s the money needed to extend Dunn and Thomas.

You’re still looking at a defense core that has Petro, Parayko, Dunn, Faulk, maybe Mikkola etc

If they don’t take him, hey that’s great. There’s probably two maybe three more years of solid top 6 production before that contract starts to weigh us down.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I’d be willing to gamble.

Schenn will be 30 years old with 7 years left on that contract. I think I can possibly protect an under the radar guy like Sundqvist on a much better contract and then dare Seattle to take one of the long extensions in Faulk or Schenn.

Schenn is a great player....now. I’m thrilled we have him this year and next. But he’s not an automatic keep for me.

In a couple years (if not sooner) the hard truth will be that he shouldn’t be a top 6 center over O’Reilly and Thomas.

Schwartz-Thomas-Tarasenko
Perron-O’Reilly-Kyrou
Blais-Barbashev-Sundqvist

That’s still a really solid top 9 that likely has Kostin in there as well. It’s also 6.5 mil in cap space that can be used to augment whatever we need. Maybe it’s the money needed to extend Dunn and Thomas.

You’re still looking at a defense core that has Petro, Parayko, Dunn, Faulk, maybe Mikkola etc

If they don’t take him, hey that’s great. There’s probably two maybe three more years of solid top 6 production before that contract starts to weigh us down.

Interesting thought. I’d probably leave Perron unprotected. He will be 33 and only 1 year from UFA. Heck, they take him we can just resign him again the following year.

 

[TaffyPool]

With our win and Caps loss we are in top spot in league.

According to the NHL app, at least, it has Boston as tops in the league presently. Same # of points, same # of games played, assuming they have more Regulation wins then (even though we have two more total wins)?

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

According to the NHL app, at least, it has Boston as tops in the league presently. Same # of points, same # of games played, assuming they have more Regulation wins then (even though we have two more total wins)?

I had bad info. You are correct. ESPN standings just had ROW which we have more but nhl.com has RW and Boston has 1 more.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Kyrou needs to take toe dragging lessons from Pat Mahomes.

 

[542365]

Caps are 30-16
Blues are 29-17
Bruins are 27-19
Lightning are 27-17
Penguins are 27-17
Islanders are 27-16
Hurricanes(a wild card team) are 27-18

A wild card team has a better W/L record than the current Presidents Trophy leader. That’s what I hate so much about NHL standings. To quote Herm Edwards “You play to win the game. Hello?” The object of the game is to win. 6 teams have won games at a better rate than the Bruins, yet the Bruins would have home ice throughout the playoffs. That’s exceptionally stupid.

 

[Eldon Reid]

Which players we've to protect in Seattle expansion draft? If we know Pietro, Dunn and Parayko will re-sign with Blues.

We are not forced to protect anyone. Nobody has a NMC which is different than a no trade clause.

If it were me, looking ahead to 2021....

O’Reilly
Tarasenko
Thomas
Schwartz
Kyrou
Perron
Sundqvist

Pietrangelo
Parayko
Dunn

Binnington

I’d be willing to gamble.

Schenn will be 30 years old with 7 years left on that contract. I think I can possibly protect an under the radar guy like Sundqvist on a much better contract and then dare Seattle to take one of the long extensions in Faulk or Schenn.

Schenn is a great player....now. I’m thrilled we have him this year and next. But he’s not an automatic keep for me.

In a couple years (if not sooner) the hard truth will be that he shouldn’t be a top 6 center over O’Reilly and Thomas.

Schwartz-Thomas-Tarasenko
Perron-O’Reilly-Kyrou
Blais-Barbashev-Sundqvist

That’s still a really solid top 9 that likely has Kostin in there as well. It’s also 6.5 mil in cap space that can be used to augment whatever we need. Maybe it’s the money needed to extend Dunn and Thomas.

You’re still looking at a defense core that has Petro, Parayko, Dunn, Faulk, maybe Mikkola etc

If they don’t take him, hey that’s great. There’s probably two maybe three more years of solid top 6 production before that contract starts to weigh us down.

Interesting thought. I’d probably leave Perron unprotected. He will be 33 and only 1 year from UFA. Heck, they take him we can just resign him again the following year.

Several different ways this can be looked at.

I am thinking that Seattle goal will be similar to Vegas. Try to get as many young players and get a few solid established players and players with a shorter deals and flip them to build stock up on picks.

Let's look at some of Vegas' picks. (Player they picked straight up without trading for)

Younger players on short term deals
C. Miller 25 1 year 1 AAV
B. McNabb 26 1 year 1.7 AAV
J. Merrill 25 1 year 1.13 AAV
T. Noesk 24 1 year 612k AAV
T. Riemsdyk 25 1 year 825k AAV

Established players
C. Eakin 25 4 years 3.85 AAV ( I put him under established since he had longer term contract)
J. Neal 30 1 year 5 AAV
D. Perron 28 1 year 3.75 AAV
N. Schmidt 25 RFA I believe
M Methot 31 2 years 4.9 AAV
A Emelin 30 2 years 4.1 AAV
D Schlemko 29 3 year 2.1 AAV
Edourd Bellemare 31 2 year 1.45 AAV
Sbisa 26 1 year 3.6 AAV

Rough list with rough ages and with their contracts.

As you can see Vegas took the approach of drafting young players or established players with short term left on their deals.

They ended up flipping Van Riemsdyk, Methot, Emelin, & Schlemko on this list.

As you see Vegas didn't take anyone with high AAV or ton of years left.

Now for the Blues a ton of it depends on what happens with Pietrangelo and Seattle draft strategy?

If we sign Pietrangelo, it is #27, #55, & #29 getting protected.
If we don't sign him, put #72 in it.


Forward wise. Thomas, O'Reilly, Tarasenko, Sundqvist, & Kyrou are super obvious ones. Schenn gets protected IMO. That leaves 1 spots between Sanford, Barbashev, Perron, & Schwartz. Schwartz is UFA.

 

[Mike Liut]

We are not forced to protect anyone. Nobody has a NMC which is different than a no trade clause.

If it were me, looking ahead to 2021....

O’Reilly
Tarasenko
Thomas
Schwartz
Kyrou
Perron
Sundqvist

Pietrangelo
Parayko
Dunn

Binnington

Id probably swap Perron for either Kostin or Schenn. Like a poster said, I doubt they take 33 yr old Perron with only 1 yr of contract left. And Schenn in another year and half might showing wear and tear especially after 2 more deep playoff runs we are about to go on. Also, isn’t Schwartz’ contract up after next year? Are we assuming he’s extended?

 

[Eldon Reid]

Id probably swap Perron for either Kostin or Schenn. Like a poster said, I doubt they take 33 yr old Perron with only 1 yr of contract left. And Schenn in another year and half might showing wear and tear especially after 2 more deep playoff runs we are about to go on. Also, isn’t Schwartz’ contract up after next year? Are we assuming he’s extended?

Kostin should be exempt.

 

[simon IC]

I also would protect Schenn over Perron. I might even protect him over Schwartz.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I also would protect Schenn over Perron. I might even protect him over Schwartz.

If we don’t extend him first don’t really need to protect Schwartz as UFA.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

My issue is how quick he'd bench a young player making mistakes while giving Sanford miles of rope to hang himself. Ultimately if this is all we have to ***** about, we're in a good spot. Which is obvious given the state of the team and literally everything we've got going for us. The only thing we're missing is lucking into a trade for a 1st that becomes a top 5 pick.

‘Benching’ is not always just a punishment. I think Kyrou is probably best off right now sitting and watching periodically. It’s a learning process.

We’ve seen that a successful postseason roster needs to have more than 12 forwards and more than 6 defenders. Both Kyrou and Sanford will have their contributions to make.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

Caps are 30-16
Blues are 29-17
Bruins are 27-19
Lightning are 27-17
Penguins are 27-17
Islanders are 27-16
Hurricanes(a wild card team) are 27-18

A wild card team has a better W/L record than the current Presidents Trophy leader. That’s what I hate so much about NHL standings. To quote Herm Edwards “You play to win the game. Hello?” The object of the game is to win. 6 teams have won games at a better rate than the Bruins, yet the Bruins would have home ice throughout the playoffs. That’s exceptionally stupid.

Bruins are 0-6 in shootouts. The two of us are combined 0-9.

 

[TK 421]

Berube was discussing Kyrou not playing in a pre game interview prior to last night's game and was saying he finds it's beneficial for the younger guys to be pulled back out here and there.

He said when it happens they're shown exactly what needs to improve and how to execute it by the coaching staff. Steve Ott handles most of the white board stuff and reviewing shifts with players so I'm guessing Kyrou has been spending a lot of time with Ott when he's pulled out like this. I feel like we are trying to get Kyrou ready for the PO's as a legit option even if we do still intend to pick up a winger via trade. Pulling him out like this is just part of that process.

 

[Dbrownss]

Berube was discussing Kyrou not playing in a pre game interview prior to last night's game and was saying he finds it's beneficial for the younger guys to be pulled back out here and there.

He said when it happens they're shown exactly what needs to improve and how to execute it by the coaching staff. Steve Ott handles most of the white board stuff and reviewing shifts with players so I'm guessing Kyrou has been spending a lot of time with Ott when he's pulled out like this. I feel like we are trying to get Kyrou ready for the PO's as a legit option even if we do still intend to pick up a winger via trade. Pulling him out like this is just part of that process.

I read about that, said it had nothing to do with the offsides. Iirc They needed heavy puck possession over the skill asset that Kyrou delivers.

Its frustrating to watch him sit and I'll probably bitch about it everytime but coaching has earned the wait and see approach. I still love Ott being a coach. Back when he pulled himself apart like a twizzler, he did some guest commentary on a broadcast. He may have been a meh player but his mind was fantastic about the Xs and Os of hockey. Plus he's funny as f***. He has to be a treat to talk hockey with

 

[Dbrownss]

‘Benching’ is not always just a punishment. I think Kyrou is probably best off right now sitting and watching periodically. It’s a learning process.

We’ve seen that a successful postseason roster needs to have more than 12 forwards and more than 6 defenders. Both Kyrou and Sanford will have their contributions to make.

I think its the timing that irks me. It's easy to come to conclusions without the reporting that happens after fans blowing off steam. Without being in the room, we dont know exactly what's said to Kyrou. It may not be viewed as punishment in any way. I think it can be a detriment if players think 1 mistake gets them in the press box. I'd imagine it would have the opposite effect. But again....it seems Kyrou is going to be going through this process no matter what.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

You say this the same week we’re celebrating Perron going to the All-Star game. Guys can still grow their game in their 20s. Sanford can carve out a better, more consistent niche for himself.

I think he probably won’t succeed to the degree we all want, but I don’t think Berube is foolish for working on it.

I completely understand your point, but I also think it’s fair to state that Perron is very much the exception and not the rule. Plus, I think Perron is a much more skilled player than sanford.

 

[TK 421]

I read about that, said it had nothing to do with the offsides. Iirc They needed heavy puck possession over the skill asset that Kyrou delivers.

Its frustrating to watch him sit and I'll probably ***** about it everytime but coaching has earned the wait and see approach. I still love Ott being a coach. Back when he pulled himself apart like a twizzler, he did some guest commentary on a broadcast. He may have been a meh player but his mind was fantastic about the Xs and Os of hockey. Plus he's funny as ****. He has to be a treat to talk hockey with

Yep sounds like you caught the segment I was referring to. Definitely said it was just wanting DLR back in for reasons you said. I was referencing his follow up right after explaining his thought process on young guys sitting out at times and what the staff's routine is regarding going over things they want to see get better.

I want Kyrou in as much as possible so I can't say I blame you. I certainly don't love every decision Chief makes so I get it.

 

[Brockon]

Kostin should be exempt.

When the expansion draft occurs in June 2021, Kostin will have played 4 pro seasons. The rule reads first & second year pros are draft exempt.

I can see Kostin's first pro season not counting, because as an 18 year old he wouldn't have been eligible to play in the AHL if he were North American. But, that still leaves 3 pro seasons accrued I believe.

With the Seattle expansion being pushed back a season from the initially rumoured 2020-21 debut to 2021-22 I'm fairly certain that Kostin, Kyrou and Thomas are eligible to be selected if left exposed. Were the draft to occur in June 2020, all 3 would have been expansion exempt as 2nd year pros.

 

[execwrite1]

I read about that, said it had nothing to do with the offsides. Iirc They needed heavy puck possession over the skill asset that Kyrou delivers.

Its frustrating to watch him sit and I'll probably ***** about it everytime but coaching has earned the wait and see approach. I still love Ott being a coach. Back when he pulled himself apart like a twizzler, he did some guest commentary on a broadcast. He may have been a meh player but his mind was fantastic about the Xs and Os of hockey. Plus he's funny as ****. He has to be a treat to talk hockey with

I think Ott and Van Ryn and now Savard are playing very important roles as assistant coaches. Berube has put together a top shelf staff

 

[Eldon Reid]

When the expansion draft occurs in June 2021, Kostin will have played 4 pro seasons. The rule reads first & second year pros are draft exempt.

I can see Kostin's first pro season not counting, because as an 18 year old he wouldn't have been eligible to play in the AHL if he were North American. But, that still leaves 3 pro seasons accrued I believe.

With the Seattle expansion being pushed back a season from the initially rumoured 2020-21 debut to 2021-22 I'm fairly certain that Kostin, Kyrou and Thomas are eligible to be selected if left exposed. Were the draft to occur in June 2020, all 3 would have been expansion exempt as 2nd year pros.

I believe his first two pro seasons are exempt if I remember right. Because he came over and played in AHL at 18. I think that his first two season are exempt because to count as pro season, you have to be 20 at start of the season. He didn't turn 20 until end of his 2nd season so therefore his first 2 seasons wouldn't count as professional season. This would be his first PRO season. So next season would be his 2nd season and therefore he would be exempt.

 

[Falco Lombardi]

Kostin is exempt according to CapFriendly’s expansion draft tool.

Since we’re talking expansion draft, what is the best case scenario for you guys? I think it obviously involves them just taking a player and is not us paying them to take someone but who is that person for you?

 

[Frenzy31]

Kostin is exempt according to CapFriendly’s expansion draft tool.

Since we’re talking expansion draft, what is the best case scenario for you guys? I think it obviously involves them just taking a player and is not us paying them to take someone but who is that person for you?

I agree with this. We will lose a solid player, we are a team based on depth.

There are a lot of trick, such as not signing Schwartz and having an extra slot......

Let me ask another question. If Faulk continues to play well on his off side, do you keep him and leave Dunn open?