2022-2023 Blues Multi-Purpose Thread

[Bobby Orrtuzzo]

Not being negative, and I realized Greiss was always a one-year stop-gap…which is why Lindgren wasn’t brought back. It still seems unconventional to basically dump your back-up in advance of dumping your back-up. Guess it could help the tank to let your 2G know there’s no upside (here) in playing hard; but I’m sure he’ll be a pro and play his best in hopes of staying in the league. It’s still odd to see it play out as it has if you ask me, even if the events are unsurprising.

At least he didn’t get Chad Johnson’d

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

The injuries to O’Reilly and Tarasenko kind of provide A sense of relief for me. OK, it’s over now. We can commit to development for the rest of the season and hopefully make some strong trades to build a better team going forward. The draft will be more fun and hopeful. This season has been the hardest to watch since I became a regular fan. I‘d say that sweet comeback vs Edmonton was the high point.

 

[Reality Czech]

What exactly would be the point of waiting until later when the deal could be done today at league minimum? Pretty sure it was around this time last year that the Blues signed Toropchenko to an extension as well.

There isn't really a reason other than the situation might change somehow between now and then, although that isn't likely. I guess they just wanted to reward Hofer for his efforts and didn't wanna wait to do it. It's a bit different for a goalie than a roster player because they're basically naming their backup for next year half a season early. Toropchenko's contract was a two-way deal, not one-way like Hofer.

 

[Beauterham]

The injuries to O’Reilly and Tarasenko kind of provide A sense of relief for me. OK, it’s over now. We can commit to development for the rest of the season and hopefully make some strong trades to build a better team going forward. The draft will be more fun and hopeful. This season has been the hardest to watch since I became a regular fan. I‘d say that sweet comeback vs Edmonton was the high point.

Agree.

Trade away a couple of the UFA's (if they're healthy in time) for futures and hope Army pulls another rabbit out of his hat in Free Agency or via trades so we're hopefully just looking at a short term retool.

BTW, It's a shame Perunovich isn't healthy yet as this would've been the perfect time to play him in a more expanded role. Hoping he's back quickly.

 

[Xerloris]

You know who is a upgrade over both of them? Chuckie Sideburns. And Army let him go because he did not want to give him multiple years. Funny thing is he could have signed Chuckie to a 2 or 3 year deal and aslong as it did not have a NTC it would be a easily moveable contract that could yield assets seeing as how good of a goaltender and teammate he is.

Oh well, we don't need a goalie who wins #1 star of the week or anything. We have Greiss, Hoefer and Binner afterall.

FIRE ARMSTRONG.

The way this team has played would have tanked Lindgrens value completely.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

The injuries to O’Reilly and Tarasenko kind of provide A sense of relief for me. OK, it’s over now. We can commit to development for the rest of the season and hopefully make some strong trades to build a better team going forward. The draft will be more fun and hopeful. This season has been the hardest to watch since I became a regular fan. I‘d say that sweet comeback vs Edmonton was the high point.

Relief. Yes.

 

[PJJJP]

The injuries to O’Reilly and Tarasenko kind of provide A sense of relief for me. OK, it’s over now. We can commit to development for the rest of the season and hopefully make some strong trades to build a better team going forward. The draft will be more fun and hopeful. This season has been the hardest to watch since I became a regular fan. I‘d say that sweet comeback vs Edmonton was the high point.

I feel the same. If we still lose then it helps our tank. However if we start winning and we get improvement from Alexandrov, Neighbors, Parayko, etc.... I'll see it as a win for the next few years. It would be great if both Alexandrov and Neighbors can show us something

 

[Linkens Mastery]

There isn't really a reason other than the situation might change somehow between now and then, although that isn't likely. I guess they just wanted to reward Hofer for his efforts and didn't wanna wait to do it. It's a bit different for a goalie than a roster player because they're basically naming their backup for next year half a season early. Toropchenko's contract was a two-way deal, not one-way like Hofer.

How have they named the backup already? All a one-way contract does is get him paid the same salary in the AHL as the NHL. He still has two years of being Waiver Exempt unless he plays 73 NHL more games between now and 2024-25.

And even if they did name him backup that was probably a conversation that Armstrong and Griess had when they were in contract negotiations. I don't see how this would effect Griess at all.

 

[Reality Czech]

How have they named the backup already? All a one-way contract does is get him paid the same salary in the AHL as the NHL. He still has two years of being Waiver Exempt unless he plays 73 NHL more games between now and 2024-25.

And even if they did name him backup that was probably a conversation that Armstrong and Griess had when they were in contract negotiations. I don't see how this would effect Griess at all.

Thay haven't officially named him the backup, but giving him a one-way deal suggests that the job is his to lose. Seems like most young up-and-coming players get two-way deals until they are ready for the NHL and even fringe vets have two-way deals paying them less money in the minors. So while it's not certain, it seems like they don't expect him to play in the minors much following this season.

 

[MissouriMook]

Thay haven't officially named him the backup, but giving him a one-way deal suggests that the job is his to lose. Seems like most young up-and-coming players get two-way deals until they are ready for the NHL and even fringe vets have two-way deals paying them less money in the minors. So while it's not certain, it seems like they don't expect him to play in the minors much following this season.

I suspect the one-way deal for the first year of the deal was likely an enticement for him to commit for two years at league minimum. That second year give us extra flexibility to commit cap dollars in other places while waiting for the cap ceiling to increase.

 

[Reality Czech]

I suspect the one-way deal for the first year of the deal was likely an enticement for him to commit for two years at league minimum. That second year give us extra flexibility to commit cap dollars in other places while waiting for the cap ceiling to increase.

Good point, that makes sense. Just in general I would imagine teams don't want guys in the AHL making NHL money if they can avoid it. But it's probably just a natural step in his development since he's been on a 2-way deal the past few years and is excelling at the AHL level.

 

[bleedblue1223]

I suspect the one-way deal for the first year of the deal was likely an enticement for him to commit for two years at league minimum. That second year give us extra flexibility to commit cap dollars in other places while waiting for the cap ceiling to increase.

Yeah, it's kind of a sign of good faith. We are telling him we want you to have a future here, and we are willing to guarantee you NHL level pay for the next 2 seasons. Ownership has been willing to have 1-way or expensive minor league salaries, so it's not out of the question that he could still be down there another year if he doesn't earn his spot.

 

[Renard]

How have they named the backup already? All a one-way contract does is get him paid the same salary in the AHL as the NHL. He still has two years of being Waiver Exempt unless he plays 73 NHL more games between now and 2024-25.

And even if they did name him backup that was probably a conversation that Armstrong and Griess had when they were in contract negotiations. I don't see how this would effect Griess at all.

 

[Renard]

I like what Greiss has done for the Blues this season, but Hofer is a terrific prospect at the most important position in hockey.

Greiss is a 36 year-old journeyman. I'll bet he is greatful for having one more season (this season) in the NHL and his paycheck .

 

[Brian39]

Thay haven't officially named him the backup, but giving him a one-way deal suggests that the job is his to lose. Seems like most young up-and-coming players get two-way deals until they are ready for the NHL and even fringe vets have two-way deals paying them less money in the minors. So while it's not certain, it seems like they don't expect him to play in the minors much following this season.

His hockeydb page makes the same suggestion.

He'll be 23 next season and the organization spent a draft pick on him. He's been a well-regarded prospect (5th goalie drafted in 2018 and Canada's World Junior starter in 2020). He's a .920 goalie in the AHL while handling a true starter's workload and he was good in the AHL playoffs last year. Beyond the stuff that you can learn by reading his hockeydb page, he is a strong puck handler. That is a skill that gives him an immediate leg up on competition in our organization since our team is used to the starter handling the puck well.

The 2023/24 backup job has been his to lose for a while now. that's why we wouldn't give Lindgren the term he got from Washington and it's why we limited our backup search this year to guys who would accept a 1 year deal.

With that said, our organization has demonstrated a willingness to spend money on the AHL roster to ensure depth. Most our league minimum signings this summer were either 1 way deals or were 2 ways deals paying $300-$400k AHL salaries. Pitlick is on a 1 way deal and has been in the AHL most the season. MacMac was on a 1 way deal in each of his final 3 seasons with the Blues. For our organization, offering guys 1 way deals or lucrative AHL salaries has been consistently used to get guys to take NHL minimum salaries, but has not been a guarantee of an NHL roster spot. This contract simply reflects what his performance has dictated so far this season: he is a legit NHL goalie prospect who looks poised to make the leap form the AHL to the NHL.

 

[STL fan in MN]

His hockeydb page makes the same suggestion.

He'll be 23 next season and the organization spent a draft pick on him. He's been a well-regarded prospect (5th goalie drafted in 2018 and Canada's World Junior starter in 2020). He's a .920 goalie in the AHL while handling a true starter's workload and he was good in the AHL playoffs last year. Beyond the stuff that you can learn by reading his hockeydb page, he is a strong puck handler. That is a skill that gives him an immediate leg up on competition in our organization since our team is used to the starter handling the puck well.

The 2023/24 backup job has been his to lose for a while now. that's why we wouldn't give Lindgren the term he got from Washington and it's why we limited our backup search this year to guys who would accept a 1 year deal.

With that said, our organization has demonstrated a willingness to spend money on the AHL roster to ensure depth. Most our league minimum signings this summer were either 1 way deals or were 2 ways deals paying $300-$400k AHL salaries. Pitlick is on a 1 way deal and has been in the AHL most the season. MacMac was on a 1 way deal in each of his final 3 seasons with the Blues. For our organization, offering guys 1 way deals or lucrative AHL salaries has been consistently used to get guys to take NHL minimum salaries, but has not been a guarantee of an NHL roster spot. This contract simply reflects what his performance has dictated so far this season: he is a legit NHL goalie prospect who looks poised to make the leap form the AHL to the NHL.

I 100% agree with the premise of your post but Pitlick has played 0 games in the AHL this season.

Maybe your brain was thinking Highmore or Frk and your fingers thought differently?

 

[Brian39]

I 100% agree with the premise of your post but Pitlick has played 0 games in the AHL this season.

Maybe your brain was thinking Highmore or Frk and your fingers thought differently?

Pretty confident my brain was just turned off when thinking about Pitlick.

But speaking of Highmore and Frk, those guys are guaranteed $425k and $560k this year even though they are on 2 way deals. Maybe I was subconsciously thinking of those 2 when I completely misstated Pitlick's season

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Tucker to AHL Santini to NHL

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Glad to see Acciari not being a total bitch with the Blues.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Initial Rosters for the All Star Games will be announced tonight. Who do we expect to be picked from the Blues? I'm expecting one of Kyrou, Buchnevich, or Thomas.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Thomas or Buchnevich are the only decent picks. Kyrou could since he's points and goals leader, but his disaster of a start could be too much of a negative.

 

[tfriede2]

Initial Rosters for the All Star Games will be announced tonight. Who do we expect to be picked from the Blues? I'm expecting one of Kyrou, Buchnevich, or Thomas.

I think it’ll be Kyrou.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Judging by the horribly rendered picture the Blues posted on Twitter. It's Thomas or Kyrou. Most likely Thomas.

 

[Majorityof1]

Judging by the horribly rendered picture the Blues posted on Twitter. It's Thomas or Kyrou. Most likely Thomas.

Do you think the picture hints at Thomas? If you follow the clues, it just says the All-star will be announced tonight, but doesn't hint at who. At least not that I saw. I mean, it is most likely Thomas or Kyrou, but I don't think the picture indicates either way.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Do you think the picture hints at Thomas? If you follow the clues, it just says the All-star will be announced tonight, but doesn't hint at who. At least not that I saw. I mean, it is most likely Thomas or Kyrou, but I don't think the picture indicates either way.

I think I read something wrong. My eyes don't work like they use to anymore.