2020-2021 St. Louis Blues: Well, ****.

[Linkens Mastery]

I really wish the Blues didn't have the Faulk contract on the books. Even if the Blues couldn't sign Pietro, or Pietro just wanted out. They could have brought in someone like Tanev, Vatanen, or another RHD that would have taken less money and term while still signing Krug.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I really wish the Blues didn't have the Faulk contract on the books. Even if the Blues couldn't sign Pietro, or Pietro just wanted out. They could have brought in someone like Tanev, Vatanen, or another RHD that would have taken less money and term while still signing Krug.

Faulk is better than any of those alternatives.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Faulk is better than any of those alternatives.

To justify the cost and term difference, that part I'm not so sure about.

 

[Ted Hoffman]

I can’t imagine your potential trade scenario in a season where the team is at the top of the conference and defending the Cup. I call shenanigans. There’s no way that would be a realistic path given the circumstances.

Moreover, Armstrong might think, “If we can win another Cup or come close maybe he’ll have a change of heart.”

Maybe. Maybe not. What if I can flip Pietrangelo for another elite-caliber defenseman? What if I can flip him for assets that I can use in another trade to get an elite-caliber defenseman? You asked a hypothetical, I'm having to answer it with obviously incomplete information and doing it with about 7 minutes of thought. Fill in lots more details, give me weeks to think about it, maybe you can get a better answer.

BTW, I'm really not trying to be snarky here. It's typically difficult to answer a hypothetical because there's usually lots of unknowns not specified that influence the answer.

 

[Stlblue50]

This is Pietrangelo's interview with Vegas. He doesn't look happy through out most of it. Something must've happened in regards to his relation to the Blues. Not sure what how or who exactly is the cause but that is the vibe I'm getting from reading his body language. As I said he doesn't look happy. He also said he was happy to play in Vegas and he didn't look happy while saying it. And near the beginning he was talking about St. Louis, I could tell he was getting a little bit emotional but held it together.

Yeah he doesn’t look too excited in a video made by your new team for your new fans. He kept mentioning Stastny as the main person he talked to for advice. The interesting part is that Vegas traded Stastny to help make room for Petro last Friday.

I’m thinking that the Blues gave him all of Friday to make a decision and he still didn’t know what he wanted to do. The fact that Vegas couldn’t offer what he expected and his good friend just got traded because of him didn’t help.

 

[Spektre]

barbashev has to be a regular in the line up, no? he and sundqvist are our motors

With Tarasenko out Barbs for sure is a regular but it's a log jam of forwards. Army talked about Kyrou needing to take the next step in his development and he won't be doing that on the 4th line. Kostin needs to really push for a roster spot and he's going to have to beat out quite a few people to do so. Who knows? Opening night rosters are always a little surprising.

 

[Honeycutt]

With Tarasenko out Barbs for sure is a regular but it's a log jam of forwards. Army talked about Kyrou needing to take the next step in his development and he won't be doing that on the 4th line. Kostin needs to really push for a roster spot and he's going to have to beat out quite a few people to do so. Who knows? Opening night rosters are always a little surprising.

If Barbs is healthy he is in the lineup. Kostin is still a spot player especially with the AHL in doubt and him currently playing in Russia. Would not surprise me if he stays there throughout the KHL season and joins the Blues in March or April once the KHL season is finished. Kyrou will take Tank's spot until Tank gets back then who knows, will depend on how well Kyrou does, and I am 90% sure Bozak will be moved at some point this year, as we are plush with depth centers, and moving him during the season will be easier than moving him now.

 

[Blueline2757]

Yeah he doesn’t look too excited in a video made by your new team for your new fans. He kept mentioning Stastny as the main person he talked to for advice. The interesting part is that Vegas traded Stastny to help make room for Petro last Friday.

I’m thinking that the Blues gave him all of Friday to make a decision and he still didn’t know what he wanted to do. The fact that Vegas couldn’t offer what he expected and his good friend just got traded because of him didn’t help.

Yup. There was definitely an emotional toll going over Petro. He never wanted to leave St. Louis.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

Yeah he doesn’t look too excited in a video made by your new team for your new fans. He kept mentioning Stastny as the main person he talked to for advice. The interesting part is that Vegas traded Stastny to help make room for Petro last Friday.

I’m thinking that the Blues gave him all of Friday to make a decision and he still didn’t know what he wanted to do. The fact that Vegas couldn’t offer what he expected and his good friend just got traded because of him didn’t help.

Have you guys recorded yourselves in your Zoom meetings? I just had a job interview this morning on Zoom and I had to keep reminding myself to smile and quit looking like I’m scowling. I’d look at myself and be surprised at my expresssions. It’s just the nature of the medium. I have to laugh at the break-downs of his “body language” in this format.

It was ironic that Stastny was traded to make room, when their friendship with the Stastnys was one of the connections for his wife.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

A few questions to the gallery:

- Anyone know the status of the AHL season? Have their been any announcements or time lines given?

- I’m still surprised the Blues and Pietro couldn’t get an agreement done. Rather than blaming either side, I’m looking at the cold hard facts. If the bonus money structure was the deal-breaker, it is important to point out the differences with what they were reportedly offering.

There is a tendency to look at the salary cap numbers and assume that equals the paycheck. Well it doesn’t. The players stand to lose a higher percentage of their salary to escrow the next couple years, assuming a return to pre-pandemic crowds, etc, after that. But since player compensation is capped to 50% of revenues, if the teams are not doing as well financially Pietro would not expect to make as much as it looks like on paper. It’s to his advantage to have the bigger dollar years on the contract to come as early as possible from the standpoint of investing his income, but he may want to delay them until the escrow cut is lower. For example, if you look at Krug’s contract, he’s only making 4M the first two years., then 8M the 3rd year.

All of this is a way to point out that the actual checks the team has to cut can be bigger or smaller depending on that structure, beyond the obvious ramifications the NMC and bonus structure have on being able to move him in trade or a buy-out.

So, my question is, are the Blues operating under an internal cap? Yes, they still seem committed to spending to the salary cap, but the fact that the contract structure was such a sticking point leads me to believe the margins are thin. I’m sure every team is hurting financially right now compared to normal. But is this contract dispute a reflection of where the Blues ownership just can’t sustain actual dollars out? They need their contract structure to be more financially efficient?

Krug’s contract structure, in part, argues against this idea. Or maybe it was a reaction to realizing they couldn’t get a good UFA without changing their thinking. Maybe they got burned by the results of the Pietro situation and had a change in approach.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

I think it’s also just as likely that the Blues are only paying Krug 4 million in the first two years because we’re paying Faulk 9 million each of those years.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Faulk is better than any of those alternatives.

Tanev is better defensively, and would be cheaper with a shorter term.

 

[Em etah Eh]

I am just so glad to see so many people here are still working for their first employer. I mean It would be crazy and stupid to take more money in a different city to take on new challenges in life, I mean we should just all take the standard and not try to achieve other things.

Also, i am super mad a Doug because he did not break the obvious policies Tom Stillman implemented and wanted him to follow to ensure financial viability for a mid to small-market team. I mean heck we should just do what ever because there is such a great economic outlook over the next 1-4 years, I mean we are all just livin the merican dream right now.

This Blues fan is happy with how the Blues handled this situation. Good luck to Petro I look forward to 27 rising to the rafters in 2029 the 10 year anniversary of our 1st championship.

This is the confusing part for me right now. I can understand having restrictions as a mid market team but why be so eager to spend 45M the first day UFA opens? There’s a lot of risk in the Krug signing even though there is no bonus money.

 

[Em etah Eh]

I think it’s also just as likely that the Blues are only paying Krug 4 million in the first two years because we’re paying Faulk 9 million each of those years.

I don’t think so. I think just about anybody signing contracts this year and next are going to want the deals mid-loaded, if that’s a word, haha. With fans not in the stands and revenues down its beneficial to lose 25% of 4M instead of 10M.

I haven’t looked at any other contacts just signed but that’s got to be the trend.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

I don’t think so. I think just about anybody signing contracts this year and next are going to want the deals mid-loaded, if that’s a word, haha. With fans not in the stands and revenues down its beneficial to lose 25% of 4M instead of 10M.

I haven’t looked at any other contacts just signed but that’s got to be the trend.

Honestly it’s most likely a combination of both factors.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

I think it’s also just as likely that the Blues are only paying Krug 4 million in the first two years because we’re paying Faulk 9 million each of those years.

If Krug is smart, he requested it this way. No one knew the escrow issue would be this way when Faulk’s contract was signed. He kind of got burned by the pandemic in that way. But Krug’s is structured to his advantage. I think Faulk’s salary had zero impact on Krug’s structure.

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

I really wish the Blues didn't have the Faulk contract on the books. Even if the Blues couldn't sign Pietro, or Pietro just wanted out. They could have brought in someone like Tanev, Vatanen, or another RHD that would have taken less money and term while still signing Krug.

I think we only have Faulk for this next season. I definitely see Army paying Seattle someone like Sanford or Blais(preferably a draft pick) to take him.

At that point, Army would be able to go after someone like Dougie Hamilton, or he could go the rock solid defensive 2RD route with one of Adam Larsson, David Savard, or Brandon Montour. With Perunovich coming, I’d personally expect it to be one of the latter.

We’d also be able to go back to having a top 4 shutdown pairing, with Mikkola-Perunovich on the third line.

Krug-Hamilton
Scandella-Parayko
Mikkola-Perunovich

or

Scandella-Parayko
Krug-Larsson/Savard/Montour
Mikkola-Perunovich
Bortuzzo

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I think we only have Faulk for this next season. I definitely see Army paying Seattle someone like Sanford or Blais to take him.

At that point, Army would be able to go after someone like Dougie Hamilton, or he could go the rock solid defensive 2RD route with one of Adam Larsson, David Savard, or Brandon Montour. With Perunovich coming, I’d personally expect it to be one of the latter.

We’d also be able to go back to having a top 4 shutdown pairing, with Mikkola-Perunovich on the third line.

Krug-Hamilton
Scandella-Parayko
Mikkola-Perunovich

or

Scandella-Parayko
Krug-Larsson/Savard/Montour
Mikkola-Perunovich
Bortuzzo

Not sure why everyone thinks we are going to pay Seattle to take Faulk. Guy is our #2/3 D and Army views him as part of core. Last year was struggle for him at times without defined role or partner but his advanced stats were still decent and he was better in playoffs. This year he will be settled as #2RD and should rebound. He isn't Petro, but is solid player and is someone we are clearly counting on going forward.

 

[Stlblue50]

I was about to say that there is no way the Blues give Seattle Blais or Sanford to take Faulk but it’s crazy to think both will be exposed.

It really isn’t a shock anymore when I think about how good Vegas is after getting a good idea of how this expansion draft works

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

Not sure why everyone thinks we are going to pay Seattle to take Faulk. Guy is our #2/3 D and Army views him as part of core. Last year was struggle for him at times without defined role or partner but his advanced stats were still decent and he was better in playoffs. This year he will be settled as #2RD and should rebound. He isn't Petro, but is solid player and is someone we are clearly counting on going forward.

I mean, JR has already came out and said he was looking for suitors for Faulk. Maybe Sanford or Blais would be a bit much, but it’s still a bad contract whether he bounces back or not.

I don’t hate Faulk or anything, I’m (and I’m sure Army will be) just looking for a way to get our defense to be better, while still adding another offensive guy like Perunovich to the mix. Chief also likes having a true shutdown pair, and we’d be able to do that with one of those four guys.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

First, JR has literally no insight into what Blues are thinking unless he has Petro's agents feeding him one-sided info. Second, when did he say that? And third, if we want shutdown pair have Parayko/Scandella. Fourth, Hamilton is great player but is offensive D who isn't exactly sterling in own end. Fifth, those other 3 guys aren't near as good as Faulk.

 

[joe galiba]

Yeah he doesn’t look too excited in a video made by your new team for your new fans. He kept mentioning Stastny as the main person he talked to for advice. The interesting part is that Vegas traded Stastny to help make room for Petro last Friday.

I’m thinking that the Blues gave him all of Friday to make a decision and he still didn’t know what he wanted to do. The fact that Vegas couldn’t offer what he expected and his good friend just got traded because of him didn’t help.

I don't read anything into whether he is happy or not
to me that is kind of his personality, just kind of bland

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

I mean, JR has already came out and said he was looking for suitors for Faulk. Maybe Sanford or Blais would be a bit much, but it’s still a bad contract whether he bounces back or not.

I don’t hate Faulk or anything, I’m (and I’m sure Army will be) just looking for a way to get our defense to be better, while still adding another offensive guy like Perunovich to the mix. Chief also likes having a true shutdown pair, and we’d be able to do that with one of those four guys.

What did JR say?

 

[Stelmacki]

Yup. There was definitely an emotional toll going over Petro. He never wanted to leave St. Louis.

I’m sorry but I just don’t buy that. Neither the actions of Armstrong and Pietrangelo reflect that this was a belief on either side in the negotiations.

 

[Ranksu]

Jr we went Blues podcast, Pietro is great. Just started to listening...