2022-2023 Blues Multi-Purpose Thread

[Linkens Mastery]

Perhaps, but his intensity level tends to wane. Can be lazy.

Isn't that all players tho? Could be loads of things other than just calling him lazy. Nagging injuries is a big thing. Just look what those do to Schenn.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Isn't that all players tho? Could be loads of things other than just calling him lazy. Nagging injuries is a big thing. Just look what those do to Schenn.

Perhaps. But guy like Schenn is always noticeable. When he has nagging injury he has harder time handling puck or passing but still tries to influence game. Saad can just disappear.

 

[TheOrganist]

Saad is one of the weirdest players out there. Thanks to his recent hot streak, he's at his 2nd highest goals/game pace in his career, but I just don't get why he hasn't been at that type of level more consistently. He should be a slightly knock off version of Steen, but while still good, he's a much more knock off version of Steen. Good player, good defensively, just confused at why his offense has never been more consistent or why he's never been more of a driver offensively because he obviously has that ability.

If Saad had say, TJ Oshie’s motor, you’d have a pretty special player. As it is, he’s carved out a career as a productive and solid if unspectacular player.

 

[PocketNines]

Pittsburgh native Brandon Saad?

 

[bleedblue1223]

I wouldn't even say it's a laziness issue though, he's always been pretty steady as a player to me, even when he disappears offensively, he's still as good as he always is defensively. Wonder if it's one of those things in his head where he never knows how assertive to be offensively. Now that our backs are up against the wall with the standings and injuries, it's sort of forced that thing in his head to be more assertive offensively.

 

[Brian39]

Saad is one of the weirdest players out there. Thanks to his recent hot streak, he's at his 2nd highest goals/game pace in his career, but I just don't get why he hasn't been at that type of level more consistently. He should be a slightly knock off version of Steen, but while still good, he's a much more knock off version of Steen. Good player, good defensively, just confused at why his offense has never been more consistent or why he's never been more of a driver offensively because he obviously has that ability.

His foot speed makes it difficult for him to contribute at both ends of the ice when the play is moving back and forth. There is a noticeably bigger gap in speed between him and the average NHL player than there was between Steen and the average NHL player (before Steen lost a couple steps and became a true bottom 6 guy).

When he gets pulled down below the top of the circles in the defensive end, he's not going to be part of the first or second wave of attackers in the offensive zone. His biggest strengths offensively are in the dirty area in front of the net and ripping shots off the rush, so he needs our offense to get established for a bit in order to catch up and then get into position to use his best assets. Berube uses him in the most defensive role in the top 9, which limits the number of times he gets himself to the offensive zone in position to use his shot.

He's always been a finisher and not a driver. He's not all that great of a passer and he's never had 30 assists in a season. He's had more goals than assists over his last 536 games (8 seasons) and that is true at even strength, on the PP and in all situations.

I don't think it is a laziness or lack of engagement issue with Saad. I can't recall too many times where I've gotten frustrated about him making lazy plays or being unengaged defensively. I think that his offense is always dependent on linemates doing the heavy lifting because he is generally the guy who is finishing a play rather than making the plays. And when he isn't getting into scoring areas I think it is based on a lack of skating ability and reading the play just slightly too late to get himself into good position.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Plan on reading these later, and could've put this in the prospect thread, but my post is less about Hofer and Snuggerud, and more about how DeFranks looks really promising to have as a writer around the team. We'd occasionally get some pieces like this from Rutherford, but this guy just started and I feel like these 2 pieces are better than anything we've had from previous Blues journalists. Including clips of minors/juniors/college, what even is this?

“I was a little more of a dangle guy growing up because it came a lot easier to me,” Snuggerud said. “Once I realized, what, 60 or 70% of NHL goals are scored at the net-front, or in college hockey, it’s get to that area.”

He watched former Gophers forward Thomas Vanek be successful at the net-front (“He would go to the net and stand there,” Snuggerud said) and then in the NHL. In the summer, he’ll work on his hands in tight spaces, and do some 1 on 1 battle drills with players.
“It’s not always the best thing you want to do in the summer is work on battling and 1 on 1,” Snuggerud said. “It comes to a point in the season right now where it’s really needed. Being a net-front presence, you can’t really work on it, I think it’s just something you train game by game.”

 

[PocketNines]

Oh, Snugglets ... "Being a net-front presence, you can’t really work on it, I think it’s just something you train game by game.”

Please let this guy be a Yogi Berra.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Oh, Snugglets ... "Being a net-front presence, you can’t really work on it, I think it’s just something you train game by game.”

Please let this guy be a Yogi Berra.

I get what he's getting at that it's very hard to replicate game scenarios in practice for that stuff. A teammate isn't going to cross check the crap out of you like an opponent will in a game, but yes, that is very much a Yogi Berra type quote.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Jimmy the midnight Snuggler is gonna be good. Good mindset.

 

[PocketNines]

Jimmy the midnight Snuggler is gonna be good. Good mindset.

This is my favorite long-form version so far

 

[LGB]

Plan on reading this later, and could've put this in the prospect thread, but my post is less about Hofer and Snuggerud, and about how DeFranks looks really promising to have as a writer around the team. We'd occasionally get some pieces like this from Rutherford, but this guy just started and I feel like these 2 pieces are better than anything we've had from previous Blues journalists. Including clips of minors/juniors/college, what even is this?

I like what I've seen from this guy. Finally a Blues reporter worth a follow on Twitter.

 

[PocketNines]

Snuggles was so dominant against Finland in the last group game. It was a great performance throughout the WJC.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Snuggs feels like a perfect future linemate for guys like Thomas and Kyrou. The skill to play with those types of guys, but he has the ability and willingness to go to the net and play that role too. Might not ever happen since we have Buchnevich who fits that role perfectly too, but always good to have those types of players along with the more pure skill type guys.

 

[bleedblue1223]

The Hofer article highlighted how he's gotten stronger, and how he's taken that extra step as a pro with his overall approach to the game and that's made him more consistent. And not that he had a bad approach, they just emphasized how he's taken that extra step. Hofer even mentioned how being more comfortable with off-ice stuff like cooking and paying bills has helped lol.

Here's a quote I'll highlight. I think they definitely have faith in him being ready next season.

Many evaluators say that young goalies need more experience to be able to read the game well enough to thrive in the NHL. How is Hofer in that department?
“That area with Joel has always been very strong,” Stewart said. “He has a very good brain, and his hockey IQ is through the roof. For him there, it’s just a matter of playing more professional hockey, playing more in the American League as well as his time in the NHL. It’s helped him naturally adjust to the level, given the hockey IQ he already has.”

 

[PocketNines]

Snuggs feels like a perfect future linemate for guys like Thomas and Kyrou. The skill to play with those types of guys, but he has the ability and willingness to go to the net and play that role too. Might not ever happen since we have Buchnevich who fits that role perfectly too, but always good to have those types of players along with the more pure skill type guys.

Either Snuggerud or Buchnevich can be on that line and the other can be on the line with Schenn and Bedard, is my plan

 

[PocketNines]

The Hofer article highlighted how he's gotten stronger, and how he's taken that extra step as a pro with his overall approach to the game and that's made him more consistent. And not that he had a bad approach, they just emphasized how he's taken that extra step. Hofer even mentioned how being more comfortable with off-ice stuff like cooking and paying bills has helped lol.

Here's a quote I'll highlight. I think they definitely have faith in him being ready next season.

I wait until the last second to get excited about the most mercurial position but he has the development trajectory of a #1 NHL netminder thus far and could well be the ideal Binnington backup next season. I wouldn't be shocked if Greiss played himself into a deadline deal for a 3d or something and they got Hofer up for a few games at the end of the year.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Jimmy the midnight Snuggler is gonna be good. Good mindset.

That article makes it sound like there is decent chance he turns pro after season. i had expected he would most likely return for sophomore season but he didn't express any desire for that, just for what would make him better player.

 

[bleedblue1223]

That article makes it sound like there is decent chance he turns pro after season. i had expected he would most likely return for sophomore season but he didn't express any desire for that, just for what would make him better player.

It's definitely vague, but that's what I'd expect in an article like this. And with most players, they can probably argue themselves into thinking they always need to work on something. I imagine there will be some sort of dialogue between him, his camp, and the Blues down the stretch trying to determine what he and the Blues are comfortable with. Wouldn't be surprised if he signs a contract when his season is over, but could also see another season where the Blues highlight a specific area or 2 to really focus on.

 

[oPlaiD]

Either Snuggerud or Buchnevich can be on that line and the other can be on the line with Schenn and Bedard, is my plan

Then we'd better start losing some games, right now we're outside of Bedardville even if we win the lottery, based off teams' current point per game paces.

 

[PocketNines]

Then we'd better start losing some games, right now we're outside of Bedardville even if we win the lottery, based off teams' current point per game paces.

The AHL defensemen the Blues have are trying to scuttle my plans

 

[Frenzy31]

I think Tucker has been playing pretty well. I like his game better than Mikkola at this point. Alexandrov is also playing himself into the lineup full time. Neighbors is playing well with limited ice time and limited linemates.

But yeah, they are completely f***ing up the tank.

 

[tfriede2]

So, is the tank over…again? The Blues are getting exciting to watch, but I still want them to pursue trades of Tarasenko and ROR…just not sure if DA will do so if we stay in the playoff race.

 

[Renard]

Can the Blues really a better team without O'Reilly, Tarasenko and Krug? I seems to be so, at least in the short term.

 

[TheOrganist]

So, is the tank over…again? The Blues are getting exciting to watch, but I still want them to pursue trades of Tarasenko and ROR…just not sure if DA will do so if we stay in the playoff race.

Being a bubble team in a s*** conference shouldn't have any impact on the long term...this trade deadline will greatly impact how quickly the Blues return to legit contender status and w/ all the rumors out there about our deadline assets it's pretty clear Armstrong understands that notion.