2021 Blues Regular Season multi-purpose thread

[mw2noobbuster]

When is Saad back?

 

[Renard]

I thought Dunn was our best player for gaining the offensive zone by carrying the puck. But Kyrou seems to be better, and a much better passer once inside the zone.

How long will Kyrou keep this up? He looked like a budding star last year for the first few games and then disappeared.

 

[542365]

I thought Dunn was our best player for gaining the offensive zone by carrying the puck. But Kyrou seems to be better, and a much better passer once inside the zone.

How long will Kyrou keep this up? He looked like a budding star last year for the first few games and then disappeared.

He will fall off even if he keeps playing incredibly well because he doesn’t get the ice time or power play time to stay among the leagues leading scorers. Currently tied with Ovi for 3rd in points per game behind only the Edmonton duo, but Kyrou is averaging just over 14 minutes a night and those guys near the top are over 20. Even McDavid at 14 minutes a night and limited PP time wouldn’t be able to keep up more than maybe a point per game season and he’s far and away the best player in the world. Kyrou won’t be among the league leading scorers much longer, but he can still make an impact in his 14 minutes. Hard to argue with the results at this point considering we’re 4-0, but if Kyrou was given the same deployment as the other top scorers I think he’d probably hang around in the top 15-20. That’s obviously not Chief’s top priority, though. We need wins and the best way to get them is for Kyrou to be a great secondary scoring threat behind ROR and Perron and he’s definitely capable of doing that.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

If Kyrou attracts the top defensive assignments from the opposition, his production will certainly decline, but Tarasenko’s line (among others) should be able to exploit that. I don’t really see a way for other teams to game plan for the Blues without having to take their medicine somewhere in the lineup.

 

[KingsHockey24]

Anyone know if Clifford is expected to be in tonight's line-up again?

 

[bleedblue1223]

If this team can stay healthy, it'll be by far the most dangerous offensive team we've had in a long time. The key will be how do the 2nd/3rd lines perform when injuries and slumps hit. The younger players will have some dips unless this is the season that they really do breakout out and don't fatigue out over the long season, and injuries will inevitably have an impact.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Anyone know if Clifford is expected to be in tonight's line-up again?

Doubtful, Buch's suspension is over.

 

[542365]

Hope Husso brings his game because I think we’re going to see a better Kings performance tonight.

 

[BlueDream]

I thought Dunn was our best player for gaining the offensive zone by carrying the puck. But Kyrou seems to be better, and a much better passer once inside the zone.

How long will Kyrou keep this up? He looked like a budding star last year for the first few games and then disappeared.

I think the talk about Kyrou disappearing is greatly over-exaggerated. He really didn’t disappear, he was just so good through the first 18 games (had 17 points) that it’s tough for anyone to keep up that pace. He still had 18 points in his other 37 games, which isn’t bad at all for a 22 year old. In a full season he finishes at or near 50 points.

What we are seeing from him is normal for players around his age. But he’s the real deal and is a good player, his hot starts aren’t flukes.

 

[Zezel’s Pretzels]

Doubtful, Buch's suspension is over.

Darn, no Saad still. Kostin has quite a chance to show out. Not much to complain about with these lines. Can't wait til Saad's back in and Neal's a healthy scratch.

 

[BlueMed]

I think the talk about Kyrou disappearing is greatly over-exaggerated. He really didn’t disappear, he was just so good through the first 18 games (had 17 points) that it’s tough for anyone to keep up that pace. He still had 18 points in his other 37 games, which isn’t bad at all for a 22 year old. In a full season he finishes at or near 50 points.

What we are seeing from him is normal for players around his age. But he’s the real deal and is a good player, his hot starts aren’t flukes.

Exactly. Remember when Tarasenko first came over? He got off to a hot start with 2 goals on his first 2 shots and a few other nice plays, but as the season went on, he needed to learn how to adjust. That was Kyrou last season, and there's a good chance Kyrou really breaks out this season as a 70+ point player. He probably has the most undiscovered talent in the entire league at this point.

 

[PocketNines]

One of the safest bets right now is overs in Blues games

 

[bleedblue1223]

People have to remember that young players aren't used to playing a full NHL game season. It's a combo of more games in total and less rest between games.

 

[PocketNines]

1 - He's already taken below market value to come to St Louis.
2 - I've heard him say more than once words the effect that "you only need so much money". I think he's a guy who puts value on his personal happiness more than an extra million on a contract. That doesn't mean the team can abuse him with a poor offer, but I think it won't be terribly hard to come to an agreement that works for both sides.

3 x 6.5M is mutually fair and 3 x 6.0M would be team friendly

 

[bleedblue1223]

I think Perron will take a discount, but people have to remember that his value now is a lot higher than last time when he took a discount. When he signed this 4 year deal that he's on, people still would've thought his Vegas year was fluky since it was the only season where he produced at that level. He had other options, but teams weren't lining up for him. If he hits the open market now, teams will be lining up as it's pretty clear he's a ppg or near ppg 1st liner, and he's aging well, so it's not as much of a risk.

With the amount of times that he's come back, I think he definitely wants to retire here or at least as long as he's a top 6 producer, but he's finally earned a solid payday

 

[PocketNines]

I think Perron will take a discount, but people have to remember that his value now is a lot higher than last time when he took a discount. When he signed this 4 year deal that he's on, people still would've thought his Vegas year was fluky since it was the only season where he produced at that level. He had other option, but teams weren't lining up for him. If he hits the open market now, teams will be lining up as it's pretty clear he's a ppg or near ppg 1st liner, and he's aging well, so it's not as much of a risk.

With the amount of times that he's come back, I think he definitely wants to retire here or at least as long as he's a top 6 producer, but he's finally earned a solid payday

He's a guy I could see becoming the next Federko after he retires, a fan favorite mainstay who loves talking hockey.

 

[BadgersandBlues]

I think you under-rate Krug-Faulk as a second pairing that can be strategically deployed. They're already causing headaches for the opposition and have the underlying numbers to support that. I think the key will be how well Scandella can hold up to Parayko's minutes (assuming Parayko himself holds up). Without looking at the minutes, just from my eyes, it looks like Faulk is getting some shifts with Parayko occasionally (and so is Walman). I think the coaching staff is probably going to play with that for a while, but the goal seems to be to not overload Scandella (wise).

I just don't see Krug-Faulk as 2nd pairing as a negative at all. Its more about the problems it forces on the opposition.

Dude what are you talking about? Krug/Faulk have BY FAR the worst metrics of any "regular paring" d-men on our team. They are being buoyed by an incredibly favorable PDO of 111% - which is almost unheard of levels of luck. They are underwater on EVERY advanced metric even with a MASSIVE slant to offensive zone starts. After approx 52 minutes of 5v5 together, Krug/Faulk have the following metrics:

Possession/Expected Ratios:
CF% - 46.23
FF% - 44.15
xGF% - 38.53 (Jeeezus is that bad)
SCF% (Scoring Chances) - 39.13
HDCF% - 48.15

Starts:
Offensive Zone - 66.67%
Offensive Zone Faceoffs - 75% (The highest on the team)

This pairing is getting the most favorable matchups and are SUPER shaky. I don't know what you're smoking or what you're talking about when you mention the underlying metrics b/c they are all Bad with a Capital B. They are getting carried by a crazy shooting percentage of 20. 20! That's better then Tarasenko or Ovechkin's career average. It's not going to continue. I've been the first person to harp on Scandella, but him and Parayko have done the job outside of G1 against the Avs. Unless something changes soon, Krug/Faulk are going to start getting lit up.

 

[PocketNines]

Husso can save this team a huge headache (of having to trade assets to upgrade him) by playing well enough to give this team a chance to win. He doesn't need great numbers but he needs to be good at the outset of games so the team can get leads.

 

[bleedblue1223]

And that's kind of the key for us to keep the cap structure that we have. Not just Husso being good enough this season, but Hofer being able to take the backup up over the next couple seasons. Once the cap starts going up again, we can afford to spend a bit more on a backup, and hopefully it's because Husso/Hofer have earned a raise, but until then, we need a cheap backup.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Dude what are you talking about? Krug/Faulk have BY FAR the worst metrics of any "regular paring" d-men on our team. They are being buoyed by an incredibly favorable PDO of 111% - which is almost unheard of levels of luck. They are underwater on EVERY advanced metric even with a MASSIVE slant to offensive zone starts. After approx 52 minutes of 5v5 together, Krug/Faulk have the following metrics:

Possession/Expected Ratios:
CF% - 46.23
FF% - 44.15
xGF% - 38.53 (Jeeezus is that bad)
SCF% (Scoring Chances) - 39.13
HDCF% - 48.15

Starts:
Offensive Zone - 66.67%
Offensive Zone Faceoffs - 75% (The highest on the team)

This pairing is getting the most favorable matchups and are SUPER shaky. I don't know what you're smoking or what you're talking about when you mention the underlying metrics b/c they are all Bad with a Capital B. They are getting carried by a crazy shooting percentage of 20. 20! That's better then Tarasenko or Ovechkin's career average. It's not going to continue. I've been the first person to harp on Scandella, but him and Parayko have done the job outside of G1 against the Avs. Unless something changes soon, Krug/Faulk are going to start getting lit up.

Small sample size and heavy score effect skew this quite a bit, methinks.

 

[BadgersandBlues]

Small sample size and heavy score effect skew this quite a bit, methinks.

While that's true, I'm responding very directly to a person who made the claim that the Krug/Faulk pairing were doing well so far, and had the underlying numbers to prove it. They very clearly do not. They have been skating by with an incredible shooting %, with a reasonable save %. They have given up 3 goals on an expected 3.97, which is 1 goal saved above average, while scoring 6! goals against an expectation of 2.5.

 

[PocketNines]

There's no route to a Cup without enduring some make-or-break moments while under momentum duress, which is why despite all the fun with the scoring burst ability we cannot kid ourselves we need an additional defenseman already prepared this 21-22 season to handle that pressure. Thinking about the offense comparing to the mid-2000s Sabres reminds me that the value of Perron's 4x4 has balanced out the value of Jay McKee's 4x4.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Oh yeah! Jay McKee used to be a thing.

 

[execwrite1]

Two things -

Berube can coach any style that his players are strong in. He's proving that this year. I thought this team would drive him nuts for not hitting enough but they are playing fast and tough.

Great chemistry between the center and right wing pairs. O'Reilly-Perron, Schenn-Kyrou, Thomas-Tarasenko. Mix and match with the left wings.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Two things -

Berube can coach any style that his players are strong in. He's proving that this year. I thought this team would drive him nuts for not hitting enough but they are playing fast and tough.

Great chemistry between the center and right wing pairs. O'Reilly-Perron, Schenn-Kyrou, Thomas-Tarasenko. Mix and match with the left wings.

Berube demands intensity and work from his players on ice. He isn’t wed to style of play. Assistant coaches seem to be doing most of strategy, Berube holds everyone accountable.