2021 Training Camp

[CaliforniaBlues310]

The whole idea of a risky defenseman playing with a responsible guy to cover for him is not something you see much now. It happens, but most pairs are deployed based on match-ups and zone starts. The Blues need Parayko to stifle top opponents. Unless the team, as a whole, dominates puck possession, you don't want Krug trying to defend against the same guys Parayko should be facing. That's why Bouwmeester-Parayko worked so well during the Cup run.

While you aren’t wrong at all…I also see a scenario where Chief runs a fluid top 4, where you’d see the guys flip in certain scenarios.

With how much he likes to switch up the lineup, I honestly think this is the tactic he’s gonna use.

 

[rumrokh]

While you aren’t wrong at all…I also see a scenario where Chief runs a fluid top 4, where you’d see the guys flip in certain scenarios.

With how much he likes to switch up the lineup, I honestly think this is the tactic he’s gonna use.

It's basically a tactic they have to use at this point. Until they find something that works and they stick with it.

 

[BlueMed]

Still going to see plenty of opponents top 6 talent. I’m just not confident in our d group and wish it was addressed differently the last couple yrs.

If you think Krug-Faulk is a bad second pairing, I suggest you and everyone else who thinks that to actually take a look around the league. That's a really solid second pairing.

 

[blueper]

On saturday night, Kostin made a strong move toward the net splitting a couple defensemen. Immediately after that he left the ice banged up from that play. He played another shift right afterward, but was then held out the rest of the game. Glad to see that he practiced today.
I think Kostin is competing for a 4th line role on this team this year.
Neighbours is being viewed as a top 9 candidate this year. I don't think they are actually in any type of head to head competition. It would bode well for our future if they both deservedly earn a spot. If they aren't ready, I trust that they won't make the roster.

 

[Mike Liut]

On saturday night, Kostin made a strong move toward the net splitting a couple defensemen. Immediately after that he left the ice banged up from that play. He played another shift right afterward, but was then held out the rest of the game. Glad to see that he practiced today.
I think Kostin is competing for a 4th line role on this team this year.
Neighbours is being viewed as a top 9 candidate this year. I don't think they are actually in any type of head to head competition. It would bode well for our future if they both deservedly earn a spot. If they aren't ready, I trust that they won't make the roster.

I think Kostin has more upside than a 4th line player. Maybe not top 6 right now, but at least a 3rd line

 

[joe galiba]

ip

On saturday night, Kostin made a strong move toward the net splitting a couple defensemen. Immediately after that he left the ice banged up from that play. He played another shift right afterward, but was then held out the rest of the game. Glad to see that he practiced today.
I think Kostin is competing for a 4th line role on this team this year.
Neighbours is being viewed as a top 9 candidate this year. I don't think they are actually in any type of head to head competition. It would bode well for our future if they both deservedly earn a spot. If they aren't ready, I trust that they won't make the roster.

i think they might view Kostin as a RW and Neighbors as a LW

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

Pretty much agree with everything, except the Tarasenko part. The "belief/faith" aspect of myself leans toward Tarasenko staying long-term, but the "thinking" aspect of myself has begun to lean toward Army et al. starting to like the idea of trading away Tarasenko for LHD help. Perhaps the mere notion that a trade request was made (no matter how clunky) is enough of a transgression to automatically find the best way to jettison said player. I know these thoughts are all virtual machinations of an armchair GM.

Brown? Totally agree there.

How long Neighbours remains with the club will largely depend upon the other players vying for the last 4 spots. Clifford, MacMac, Kostin, Neal, Neighbours and Frolik. We can now eliminate Frolik as he has shown nothing. Kostin's status is up in the air, so he's out for now. That leaves 4 forwards for the final 4 spots.

Am I missing someone? Dakota Joshua appears to still be on the roster, but he's been assigned to the AHL.

I've been excited to see Alexandrov progress, but I may have been wrong about him. I need to see a super solid AHL season from him.

As far as the "rookie thing"...I'm down with that. It's exciting.

I think you're misreading the Tarasenko trade request pretty badly. To be fair, this has become an embraced narrative on this (and other) Blues' boards...but I think its just the way people are processing their hopes and dreams.

He requested a trade, but it isn't a passive thing. Nothing has changed and he still wants out. But he's being grown up about it and realizes Armstrong has been trying. Its best for everyone for Vlad to show up and be ready to play, but this narrative where they've patched things up and he is going to play out the contract, its just wishful thinking by Blues fans. Vlad is saying all the right things to keep the fans from turning on him, and to avoid becoming a bigger distraction in the locker room. But its just a matter of rehabilitating his value until Armstrong finds a deal he is willing to accept.

The fact that next season he is only owed 5.5M with the 7.5M cap hit will make it increasingly easier to trade him, assuming he is healthy and recovers to be a productive player.

Its hard to have a sense of what the market really is, because the main source for scrutiny here has been JR in the role as Vlad's agents spokesman. But I think a couple months into the season if Vladdy is holding his own out there and making a few snipes, the market will warm up.

I think Armstrong would trade him tomorrow if the offer was fair. Its not personal and he's not trying to unload him as a reaction to some slight. He's simply trying to honor the guy's trade request and make his team better. He's not going to hurt the team to facilitate the deal.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I think Kostin has more upside than a 4th line player. Maybe not top 6 right now, but at least a 3rd line

Based on what? He had a nice couple months in Russia earlier this year, but generally if you aren't one of best on team in AHL (or even KHL) you ain't gonna be one of best in NHL. He might eventually be a 3rd liner if he really commits to style of play he needs to play.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

I think you're misreading the Tarasenko trade request pretty badly. To be fair, this has become an embraced narrative on this (and other) Blues' boards...but I think its just the way people are processing their hopes and dreams.

He requested a trade, but it isn't a passive thing. Nothing has changed and he still wants out. But he's being grown up about it and realizes Armstrong has been trying. Its best for everyone for Vlad to show up and be ready to play, but this narrative where they've patched things up and he is going to play out the contract, its just wishful thinking by Blues fans. Vlad is saying all the right things to keep the fans from turning on him, and to avoid becoming a bigger distraction in the locker room. But its just a matter of rehabilitating his value until Armstrong finds a deal he is willing to accept.

The fact that next season he is only owed 5.5M with the 7.5M cap hit will make it increasingly easier to trade him, assuming he is healthy and recovers to be a productive player.

Its hard to have a sense of what the market really is, because the main source for scrutiny here has been JR in the role as Vlad's agents spokesman. But I think a couple months into the season if Vladdy is holding his own out there and making a few snipes, the market will warm up.

I think Armstrong would trade him tomorrow if the offer was fair. Its not personal and he's not trying to unload him as a reaction to some slight. He's simply trying to honor the guy's trade request and make his team better. He's not going to hurt the team to facilitate the deal.

Like I said, it's based on faith, which involves a lot of misreading.

The thinking side of me has a different perspective, which is that Tarasenko crossed a line that cannot be reversed.

What makes you think he still wants out? Perhaps that is a misreading.

I don't think Tarasenko knows.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Like I said, it's based on faith, which involves a lot of misreading.

The thinking side of me has a different perspective, which is that Tarasenko crossed a line that cannot be reversed.

What makes you think he still wants out? Perhaps that is a misreading.

I don't think Tarasenko knows.

This is wishful thinking. Tarasenko was given every opportunity at beginning of camp to say he wanted to stay in St. Louis. He very pointedly did not say that. He is trying not to say anything to alienate fans, but if he no longer wanted to be dealt we would know it.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

Like I said, it's based on faith, which involves a lot of misreading.

The thinking side of me has a different perspective, which is that Tarasenko crossed a line that cannot be reversed.

What makes you think he still wants out? Perhaps that is a misreading.

I don't think Tarasenko knows.

I think he still wants out because he hasn't said that he doesn't. His agent (or whoever it is that feeds JR information/propaganda) hasn't changed his tune. If he had a change of heart, don't you think Tarasenko would want that widely publicized to his fans? All he has said is damage control statements like, "I'm here to work hard." "My family and I love St Louis and the fans here." "I'll work hard as long as I'm in St Louis." etc. If he decided he wanted to say, why wouldn't he say so?

 

[Linkens Mastery]

I sadly don't see Tarasenko and the Blues management mending. But, Tarasenko is too mature, and too proud of a person, to half ass it until he's traded. He'll come out do his best, and make himself a valuable as he can.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

This is wishful thinking. Tarasenko was given every opportunity at beginning of camp to say he wanted to stay in St. Louis. He very pointedly did not say that. He is trying not to say anything to alienate fans, but if he no longer wanted to be dealt we would know it.

Its not wishful thinking; it's faith-based positioning with a combination of rational, logical thinking.
That's all it is.

I think he still wants out because he hasn't said that he doesn't. His agent (or whoever it is that feeds JR information/propaganda) hasn't changed his tune. If he had a change of heart, don't you think Tarasenko would want that widely publicized to his fans? All he has said is damage control statements like, "I'm here to work hard." "My family and I love St Louis and the fans here." "I'll work hard as long as I'm in St Louis." etc. If he decided he wanted to say, why wouldn't he say so?

Not necessarily. For the sake of this post, let's blur the lines between thinking, believing and feeling.

I "think" that Tarasenko is not 100% clear on what he wants to do. I "think" that any decision can and will probably morph over time. I "think" that DA may be the one playing Tarasenko and has every intention of trading Vlad regardless of whether he wants to leave or not.

There's a lot going on with this situation when it comes to fans' feeling, thoughts and beliefs. It's important to discern between the three cuz the result of each is not the same.

The thinking part of me has taken position A.

The believing part of me has taken position B.

Don't even get me started on the feeling part of me.

A fun point of speculation that I'll bring up is that there was an interesting exchange between Binny and Vlad in the video of Binny dressing as Stevens. Tarasenko tried to hug Binny, but was rebuffed as if to say, "f*** off, you're leaving anyway." How's that for (mis)reading something?

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Its not wishful thinking; it's faith-based positioning with a combination of rational, logical thinking.
That's all it is.



Not necessarily. For the sake of this post, let's blur the lines between thinking, believing and feeling.

I "think" that Tarasenko is not 100% clear on what he wants to do. I "think" that any decision can and will probably morph over time. I "think" that DA may be the one playing Tarasenko and has every intention of trading Vlad regardless of whether he wants to leave or not.

There's a lot going on with this situation when it comes to fans' feeling, thoughts and beliefs. It's important to discern between the three cuz the result of each is not the same.

The thinking part of me has taken position A.

The believing part of me has taken position B.

Don't even get me started on the feeling part of me.

This belief is based on no evidence whatsoever. There is no logic behind it. You want it so you believe it. That is a really far out definition of faith. It's like believing that you are going to find a lamp and genie will pop out and give you 3 wishes, because that is what you would like to see happen.

 

[BlueSeal]

At this point I really don't care if Vladi stays or goes, that's on him. He got a Cup and everything at this point is icing. I love and appreciate everything he's done for us but all things do eventually come to an end and he and Army will decide when. There's nothing to speculate, it is what it is and all I can say is thank you ST. LOUIS BLUES STANLEY CUP CHAMPION Vladi Tarasenko. Goodbye, farewell, and good luck. Godspeed.

ANYWAY, I really like what I'm seeing from the kids we have in the pipeline. The future looks bright as hell.

 

[BlueSeal]

This belief is based on no evidence whatsoever. There is no logic behind it. You want it so you believe it. That is a really far out definition of faith. It's like believing that you are going to find a lamp and genie will pop out and give you 3 wishes, because that is what you would like to see happen.

Until it happens, it works both ways. He might go, he might not. Everyone can speculate, everything can throw out theories based on pieces of facts but right now he's a Blue. At some point, he will leave, as is the case with all hockey players and life in general. I don't see the point of this argument; it's all opinions and nothing else, statistically speaking he has a chance of leaving because like I said, eventually he will. Everyone does. It's the circle of life lol.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

This belief is based on no evidence whatsoever. There is no logic behind it. You want it so you believe it. That is a really far out definition of faith. It's like believing that you are going to find a lamp and genie will pop out and give you 3 wishes, because that is what you would like to see happen.

Cool! All I need to do now is come up with 3 wishes!

 

[Ranksu]

I think it makes it pretty obvious that those two slit up means Krug-Parayko. The question is who plays with Faulk? Here is IMO our biggest weakness. I don’t feel we have a left side dman good enough to play top 4 minutes.

Amen.

 

[Ranksu]

It's not that I want to go with a Krug-Faulk pair. I want what will work. And I don't think that includes matching Krug against top lines every night.

You think Scandella can handle top2 minutes with Parayko?

We need better top2 LHD.

Both Krug and Scandella will get eat up by opposite team.

I told you so card is flipping soon.

 

[blueper]

I think Kostin has more upside than a 4th line player. Maybe not top 6 right now, but at least a 3rd line

I think he definitely has more upside, but on this year's roster, I see 6 wingers with more top 9 ability.
Perron, Kyrou, Buch, Saad, Tarasenko, Neighbours or Barby or Neal and if they keep Brown, he can't play 4th line if he doesn't like contact.
Kostin might be moved up to 3rd line this year, but I don't see him starting there many games at the beginning.

 

[rumrokh]

You think Scandella can handle top2 minutes with Parayko?

We need better top2 LHD.

Both Krug and Scandella will get eat up by opposite team.

I told you so card is flipping soon.

Yea, if you read my couple comments before in that conversation, that's basically what I said. Scandella was great the year he arrived, but he wasn't good enough last year. He's basically a passable #4 instead of the guy you really want to roll out there with Parayko.

I was hoping they'd address the need for that role with all the movement around the expansion draft, but it seems like Seattle made that too difficult. With the current lineup, it would be nice if Mikkola could step up or if the Blues, as a whole, could become more dominant with possession so they have to do less defending.

A lot of folks seem to be banking on improving that left side with a Tarasenko trade. No idea if that's realistic, but the team still has a playoff lineup either way, so we'll probably have to wait until a serious injury or the trade deadline, whichever comes first.

 

[BlueSeal]

Yea, if you read my couple comments before in that conversation, that's basically what I said. Scandella was great the year he arrived, but he wasn't good enough last year. He's basically a passable #4 instead of the guy you really want to roll out there with Parayko.

I was hoping they'd address the need for that role with all the movement around the expansion draft, but it seems like Seattle made that too difficult. With the current lineup, it would be nice if Mikkola could step up or if the Blues, as a whole, could become more dominant with possession so they have to do less defending.

A lot of folks seem to be banking on improving that left side with a Tarasenko trade. No idea if that's realistic, but the team still has a playoff lineup either way, so we'll probably have to wait until a serious injury or the trade deadline, whichever comes first.

We have enough pieces to flip to land that D-man. Not worried just curious who Army will target.

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

Its not wishful thinking; it's faith-based positioning with a combination of rational, logical thinking.
That's all it is.



Not necessarily. For the sake of this post, let's blur the lines between thinking, believing and feeling.

I "think" that Tarasenko is not 100% clear on what he wants to do. I "think" that any decision can and will probably morph over time. I "think" that DA may be the one playing Tarasenko and has every intention of trading Vlad regardless of whether he wants to leave or not.

There's a lot going on with this situation when it comes to fans' feeling, thoughts and beliefs. It's important to discern between the three cuz the result of each is not the same.

The thinking part of me has taken position A.

The believing part of me has taken position B.

Don't even get me started on the feeling part of me.

A fun point of speculation that I'll bring up is that there was an interesting exchange between Binny and Vlad in the video of Binny dressing as Stevens. Tarasenko tried to hug Binny, but was rebuffed as if to say, "f*** off, you're leaving anyway." How's that for (mis)reading something?

Okay, I thought I was the only one who noticed the Binner/Vladi exchange. I almost felt bad, because it does seem like Vladi is trying to mend things with the boys, but at the same time, he did cause it to begin with.

 

[Xerloris]

I think you're misreading the Tarasenko trade request pretty badly. To be fair, this has become an embraced narrative on this (and other) Blues' boards...but I think its just the way people are processing their hopes and dreams.

He requested a trade, but it isn't a passive thing. Nothing has changed and he still wants out. But he's being grown up about it and realizes Armstrong has been trying. Its best for everyone for Vlad to show up and be ready to play, but this narrative where they've patched things up and he is going to play out the contract, its just wishful thinking by Blues fans. Vlad is saying all the right things to keep the fans from turning on him, and to avoid becoming a bigger distraction in the locker room. But its just a matter of rehabilitating his value until Armstrong finds a deal he is willing to accept.

The fact that next season he is only owed 5.5M with the 7.5M cap hit will make it increasingly easier to trade him, assuming he is healthy and recovers to be a productive player.

Its hard to have a sense of what the market really is, because the main source for scrutiny here has been JR in the role as Vlad's agents spokesman. But I think a couple months into the season if Vladdy is holding his own out there and making a few snipes, the market will warm up.

I think Armstrong would trade him tomorrow if the offer was fair. Its not personal and he's not trying to unload him as a reaction to some slight. He's simply trying to honor the guy's trade request and make his team better. He's not going to hurt the team to facilitate the deal.

Players request trades all the time and then change their mind. Normally it's not made publicly. There is absolutely no reason for anyone to go public and tell fans Tarasenko wants to stay because frankly, who would actually believe it? Athletes lie to the fans all the time and say what the fans want to hear.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Players request trades all the time and then change their mind. Normally it's not made publicly. There is absolutely no reason for anyone to go public and tell fans Tarasenko wants to stay because frankly, who would actually believe it? Athletes lie to the fans all the time and say what the fans want to hear.

Zackly! If Tarasenko came out right away saying that he changed his mind, not only would we question his honesty, but we would also question his strength.

Flipping so quickly would be viewed as extremely weak.