2023-2024 Blues Multi-Purpose Thread

[Renard]

isn't there a team that is airing games on free tv for in-market fans and selling streaming for out of market games? might be an nba team that adopted it, suns maybe? the blues could go back to channel 11 like the old days.

With Falstaff commercials, featuring Gabe and Walker? Sam Elliott is probably too big a star now to be in a commercial.

 

[Mike Liut]

Jake Neighbors is my break out candidate. If he turns into the 25g 2-way player I think he can be, we are going to be better than most people think. Once we fill our 1LD hole, we’ll be legit contenders in 2-3 years.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

You mean you were annoyed that Pang mentioned the distance control of his 9 iron every 5 minutes? As someone who used to broadcast hockey in another lifetime, having a guy like Pang as my analyst would have annoyed the f*** out of me. Engaging personality and all but he could grate on your nerves for sure. I don’t mind Rivers. He’s funny on 101 when I listen.

I always thought Pang loosened up about golf comments and stuff like that when the game was no longer competitive. That happened a lot more last season, and we heard more about his golfing.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Kevin Hayes with great essay on his late brother: For My Brother, the Immortal Jimmy Hayes | By Kevin Hayes

 

[542365]

Blues sign Ratcliffe to a PTO. Didn't realize he was even a UFA.

 

[Stealth JD]

Blues sign Ratcliffe to a PTO. Didn't realize he was even a UFA.

 

[BlueDream]

For a PTO, I actually like this. Former 2nd round pick, 24 years old. The Flyers only gave him 10 NHL games where he played 4th line minutes on a bad team, but he got 4 points in those games. Played well in the AHL last year.

I prefer this as opposed to a washed veteran like Pitlick or Neal. I am not expecting a lot but if he plays a Berube style game, having two 6’6 giants in Ratcliffe and Toropchenko on the 4th line could be fun.

 

[Majorityof1]

For a PTO, I actually like this. Former 2nd round pick, 24 years old. The Flyers only gave him 10 NHL games where he played 4th line minutes on a bad team, but he got 4 points in those games. Played well in the AHL last year.

I prefer this as opposed to a washed veteran like Pitlick or Neal. I am not expecting a lot but if he plays a Berube style game, having two 6’6 giants in Ratcliffe and Toropchenko on the 4th line could be fun.

It was an early 2nd too. He was projected as a 1st rounder by many. Mackenzie had him 27th. Some had him as high as the teens. His pre-draft scouting reports were high on his skating and D. I haven't followed him post draft, but as a 4th liner...sure why not give him a shot.

 

[Stealth JD]

Can Ratcliffe skate backwards? Is he left-handed? If so - let's make him a defenseman!

 

[Majorityof1]

Can Ratcliffe skate backwards? Is he left-handed? If so - let's make him a defenseman!

He's 6'6", left-handed, skates backwards AND has a mean streak according to future considerations 2017 scouting report. We did it folks. We found the next Chris Pronger.

 

[Brian39]

I doubt he has a real chance of making the team out of camp, but you have to expect that he'd clear waivers if he makes enough of an impression to earn a contract. He produced in the AHL after being shipped away from Lehigh to Milwaukee (16 points in 21 games after 4 points in 26 games in Lehigh). Maybe there is something there that Philly just failed to tap in to.

I really, really like the way Army has approached the bottom of the lineup.

Sunny at league minimum is fantastic. Getting Blais as a throw in and then extending him at $1M when he re-found is offense is awesome. MacMac at league minimum is decent NHL/AHL tweener who cleared waivers last year. We already had him, but I love Walker as a league minimum extra forward. He's not good enough to impact the NHL as a regular, but he has repeatedly brought a spark in 3 game fill-in bursts. That's a good group of veterans that you can slide in and out of the lineup as needed while you try to push Alexandrov and Torpo along in their development.

Bringing in another body to compete with the NHL/AHL depth guys in camp is never a bad thing, but I really like the decision to bring in a younger guy on his last shot instead of another vet given the guys we have.

Berube should have a lot of flexibility to build exactly the type of 4th line he wants OR to rotate guys in and out and change the identity of the 4th line on an opponent-by-opponent basis.

 

[shpongle falls]

Read this about Ratcliffe on the elite prospects site: “Definitely uses his size to his advantage…has a mean streak and loves to throw his weight around setting the games physical tone.”
“He has impressive moves one on one and can beat defenders both with protection ability and with his hands.”

Would love if this kid pans out, Ratcliffe Sunny Torps could be a killer 4th line that can forecheck and cycle.

 

[joe galiba]

Read this about Ratcliffe on the elite prospects site: “Definitely uses his size to his advantage…has a mean streak and loves to throw his weight around setting the games physical tone.”
“He has impressive moves one on one and can beat defenders both with protection ability and with his hands.”

Would love if this kid pans out, Ratcliffe Sunny Torps could be a killer 4th line that can forecheck and cycle.

My question about him is a quote from "Moneyball"
if he is a good hitter, why doesn't he hit good

 

[aceoutdoor]

Can Ratcliffe skate backwards? Is he left-handed? If so - let's make him a defenseman!

Ironically he played defensman as a kid.

 

[Renard]

Ironically he played defensman as a kid.

Will he be better than what we had with Pitlick?

 

[stl76]

Will he be better than what we had with Pitlick?

Can’t be worse…

 

[Thallis]

Can’t be worse…

You say that as if we didn't have Logan brown being actively worse next to pitlick

 

[HighNote]

Berube should have a lot of flexibility to build exactly the type of 4th line he wants OR to rotate guys in and out and change the identity of the 4th line on an opponent-by-opponent basis.

Blais-Sundqvist-Toropchenko

I'm gettin hot 'n bothered just thinkin about it.

 

[Majorityof1]

Blais-Sundqvist-Toropchenko

I'm gettin hot 'n bothered just thinkin about it.

Why did you put a 3rd line, 4th liner press box guy together line that. Is that our bottom 8 RW depth chart?

 

[HighNote]

Why did you put a 3rd line, 4th liner press box guy together line that. Is that our bottom 8 RW depth chart?

I thought it would be fun

No but seriously, it would be a tough line to play against. Blais should be on the 3rd line, though. I could see a Neighbours-Hayes-Blais 3rd line meshing together well. Then you're 4th line would be like Kapanen-Sundqvist-Toropchenko.

But if you mean Toropchenko when you say press box guy, you're in for a surprise this season.

 

[Xerloris]

I thought it would be fun

No but seriously, it would be a tough line to play against. Blais should be on the 3rd line, though. I could see a Neighbours-Hayes-Blais 3rd line meshing together well. Then you're 4th line would be like Kapanen-Sundqvist-Toropchenko.

But if you mean Toropchenko when you say press box guy, you're in for a surprise this season.

Calling anyone on that line a press box guy just proves he's delusional and should be completely taken as a troll.

 

[Majorityof1]

I thought it would be fun

No but seriously, it would be a tough line to play against. Blais should be on the 3rd line, though. I could see a Neighbours-Hayes-Blais 3rd line meshing together well. Then you're 4th line would be like Kapanen-Sundqvist-Toropchenko.

But if you mean Toropchenko when you say press box guy, you're in for a surprise this season.

I do mean Toropchenko. I hope I am surprised. But I doubt it. And yea, I think Blais will be on the 3rd line.

 

[HighNote]

I do mean Toropchenko. I hope I am surprised. But I doubt it. And yea, I think Blais will be on the 3rd line.

Word of advice: keep an eye on your sonar.

 

[mk80]

Blues sign Ratcliffe to a PTO. Didn't realize he was even a UFA.

I doubt he has a real chance of making the team out of camp, but you have to expect that he'd clear waivers if he makes enough of an impression to earn a contract. He produced in the AHL after being shipped away from Lehigh to Milwaukee (16 points in 21 games after 4 points in 26 games in Lehigh). Maybe there is something there that Philly just failed to tap in to.

I really, really like the way Army has approached the bottom of the lineup.

Sunny at league minimum is fantastic. Getting Blais as a throw in and then extending him at $1M when he re-found is offense is awesome. MacMac at league minimum is decent NHL/AHL tweener who cleared waivers last year. We already had him, but I love Walker as a league minimum extra forward. He's not good enough to impact the NHL as a regular, but he has repeatedly brought a spark in 3 game fill-in bursts. That's a good group of veterans that you can slide in and out of the lineup as needed while you try to push Alexandrov and Torpo along in their development.

Bringing in another body to compete with the NHL/AHL depth guys in camp is never a bad thing, but I really like the decision to bring in a younger guy on his last shot instead of another vet given the guys we have.

Berube should have a lot of flexibility to build exactly the type of 4th line he wants OR to rotate guys in and out and change the identity of the 4th line on an opponent-by-opponent basis.

An interesting part of the equation to his PTO is that he signed with the Chicago Wolves in the AHL this summer before signing his PTO with us. So he's the first example I've seen of any sort of player movement with the Wolves going independent.

Wolves Add 5 Players For 2023-24 Season - Chicago Wolves

The Wolves’ roster for the 2023-24 season continues to take shape. On Tuesday, general manager Wendell Young announced that five…

www.chicagowolves.com

Would us signing him to a contract and then sending him through waivers to AHL void his contract with the Wolves and allow him to go to Springfield? Or does that Wolves contract retain his rights in a situation like that?

 

[STL fan in MN]

An interesting part of the equation to his PTO is that he signed with the Chicago Wolves in the AHL this summer before signing his PTO with us. So he's the first example I've seen of any sort of player movement with the Wolves going independent.

Wolves Add 5 Players For 2023-24 Season - Chicago Wolves

The Wolves’ roster for the 2023-24 season continues to take shape. On Tuesday, general manager Wendell Young announced that five…

www.chicagowolves.com

Would us signing him to a contract and then sending him through waivers to AHL void his contract with the Wolves and allow him to go to Springfield? Or does that Wolves contract retain his rights in a situation like that?

He’d have to be signed to an NHL contract to be put on waivers and assigned to the T-Birds.

I would guess his contract with the Wolves has an out-clause in the event he’s able to sign an NHL contract. No idea what the specifics are though.

My guess is he either signs with the Blues or they end his PTO and he goes to the Wolves.