2023-2024 Blues Multi-Purpose Thread

[Majorityof1]

I slid Ratcliffe in there for the fun of it, but the rest of those guys are are going to be in the lineup regardless, so I'm not just putting them together because of their size. If we want to have our best 6 forwards in the top 6, then that is simply how the bottom 6 shakes out with who's left (minus Ratcliffe). So those are certainly realistic lines.

And it's not as if all of those guys are just big grinders. Hayes is good for at least 40 points, Blais was on pace for 50 with us last season, Sundqvist is strong defensively as you mentioned, but also a very smart player in general. Toropchenko might surprise this season. Neighbours is the big question mark, it will be interesting to see if he can take that next step. But he has shown flashes of his skill. He's still only 21 after all.

But yeah, Ratcliffe would just be a fun experiment, Kapanen would more than likely be in the lineup.


Toropchenko is my player to watch.

True, those guys outside of radcliffe will get PT. I just don't know if I like the direction we are going bringing in size. Sure our 4th line was our identity line in the cup run, but it had Barbashev who is 6 ft 190 and played with Eichel on the Vegas cup run. He is not some big scrub. And it had Steen who was also 6 ft. I'd prefer guys who can play a physical game but have skill and aren't just big.

I like Blais, I like Sunny(although he is slowing as he ages). But Hayes is a defensive black hole, Torpchenko just sucks, and Neighbours is a work in progress. That is not a successful bottom 6. Its fine for now, since I don't think we are in a place to be super competitive. But it is not a strong bottom 6 for a teamthat wants to contend without a super strong top 6 . When we won the cup, we had a 4th line that was a super good possession 3rd line. If we want to be competitive again with our current forwards, we need the same..

I don't get what anyone sees in Torop. Looking outside the stats, he is not good offensively. He had some goals off breakaway last year, but it had to be his speed that startled goalies. Because his shot isn't great and he didn't even try to deke. He just skated real fast, shot it and beat the goalie. I don't see it as sustainable offense. And his D is just bad. Talk about chasing hits. He never seperate anyone from the puck with it. They are useless. His positioning isn't good. On the cycle, he isn't good at holding onto the puck. 6th in the team last year in turnovers/60 (100+minutes). What is there to like about him and his stone hands?

 

[Moose and Squirrel]

True, those guys outside of radcliffe will get PT. I just don't know if I like the direction we are going bringing in size. Sure our 4th line was our identity line in the cup run, but it had Barbashev who is 6 ft 190 and played with Eichel on the Vegas cup run. He is not some big scrub. And it had Steen who was also 6 ft. I'd prefer guys who can play a physical game but have skill and aren't just big.

I like Blais, I like Sunny(although he is slowing as he ages). But Hayes is a defensive black hole, Torpchenko just sucks, and Neighbours is a work in progress. That is not a successful bottom 6. Its fine for now, since I don't think we are in a place to be super competitive. But it is not a strong bottom 6 for a teamthat wants to contend without a super strong top 6 . When we won the cup, we had a 4th line that was a super good possession 3rd line. If we want to be competitive again with our current forwards, we need the same..

I don't get what anyone sees in Torop. Looking outside the stats, he is not good offensively. He had some goals off breakaway last year, but it had to be his speed that startled goalies. Because his shot isn't great and he didn't even try to deke. He just skated real fast, shot it and beat the goalie. I don't see it as sustainable offense. And his D is just bad. Talk about chasing hits. He never seperate anyone from the puck with it. They are useless. His positioning isn't good. On the cycle, he isn't good at holding onto the puck. 6th in the team last year in turnovers/60 (100+minutes). What is there to like about him and his stone hands?

Toro has good size, speed and a willingness to play in the crease and forechecks well.
His downside is def his hands.

the guy I don't get is Alexandrov. I just don't see anything in that one

 

[Quaz]

Toro has good size, speed and a willingness to play in the crease and forechecks well.
His downside is def his hands.

the guy I don't get is Alexandrov. I just don't see anything in that one

As a young player Alexandrov put up good numbers in the AHL. Maybe he will be better at the NHL level once he gets more experience. Maybe a Bozak type of player?

 

[Majorityof1]

Toro has good size, speed and a willingness to play in the crease and forechecks well.
His downside is def his hands.

the guy I don't get is Alexandrov. I just don't see anything in that one

His hands and his head. Speed isn't an advantage when you don't know where to go and can't do anything when you get there.

 

[Moose and Squirrel]

As a young player Alexandrov put up good numbers in the AHL. Maybe he will be better at the NHL level once he gets more experience. Maybe a Bozak type of player?

he'll have to get a WHOLE lot better at FO's to even come close to Bozak

I miss Bozak

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Looks like Sam and Will Bitten, Kalynuk, Washkurak, Pecan, McGing, and Lööf sent down.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Looks like Sam and Will Bitten, Kalynuk, Washkurak, Pecan, McGing, and Lööf sent down.

Corrections.

Sam Bitten, Lööf, Ellis, and Washkurak sent down

Will Bitten, Kalynuk, Peca, and McGing on waivers to be sent down.

Peca autocorrected to Pecan earlier. Lol

 

[Majorityof1]

With the latest cuts, that leaves:

Forwards - 18/14(13) - 4-5 to be cut
Guaranteed top 9: (1) Buchnevich, (2)Hayes, (3) Kapanenen, (4) Kyrou, (5) Saad, (6) Schenn, (7) Thomas, (8) Vrana

probably on team - Bottom 6 (1) Blais (2) Neighbours, (3) Sundqvist, (4) Toropchenko

SlimTop 9/First call ups: (1) Bolduc (2) Dean

Fighting for 4th line/Extra forwards: (1) Alexandrov, (2) Laferriere, (3) MacEachern, (4) Walker

Injured: Ratcliffe

Defense - 10/7(8) - 2-3 to be cut
Guaranteed Top 4: (1) Faulk, (2) LEddy (3) Parayko

Making team: (1) Krug, (2) Scandella

Fighting 6th, 7th, 8th? D: (1) Bortuzzo, (2) Kessel, (3) Perunovich, (4) Rosen, (5) Tucker

Injured: Jacobs and MAlstrom

Goalie - 3/2 - 1 to be cut
Starter: (1) Binnington

Backup Fight: (2) Hofer, (3) Subban

Predictions: Let's start with the easy one. Subban will be cut. He looked good in the game I was able to watch of him, but he gave up goals in the other. Hofer has also looked good and had the inside track.

On Forwards, Laferriere would be the "surprise" to make the team I think he has done the little thing right, but his stats aren't impressive. I think he is next cut. Dean and Bolduc are just getting time with the coaches. They will be cut. Alexandrov needs to pick it up. But he can still make the team. Walker and Machern are the other cuts. Both if Alexandrov makes it. Just Waler if he doesn't.

On D, Kessel is the "surprise" I still don't give him a great chance, so he is a cut. That leaves 1 more as I think we will roll 8 D. I am going Rosen. I don't think they want to lose Perunovich or Tucker to waivers. They have been talking Perunovich up in pre-season. Botuzzo is too much of a locker room guy. Tucker is young and has untapped potential (maybe). That leaves Rosen as the odd man out (assuming Krug is back).

What are everyone else's thoughts on final cuts?

 

[simon IC]

With the latest cuts, that leaves:

Forwards - 18/14(13) - 4-5 to be cut
Guaranteed top 9: (1) Buchnevich, (2)Hayes, (3) Kapanenen, (4) Kyrou, (5) Saad, (6) Schenn, (7) Thomas, (8) Vrana

probably on team - Bottom 6 (1) Blais (2) Neighbours, (3) Sundqvist, (4) Toropchenko

SlimTop 9/First call ups: (1) Bolduc (2) Dean

Fighting for 4th line/Extra forwards: (1) Alexandrov, (2) Laferriere, (3) MacEachern, (4) Walker

Injured: Ratcliffe

Defense - 10/7(8) - 2-3 to be cut
Guaranteed Top 4: (1) Faulk, (2) LEddy (3) Parayko

Making team: (1) Krug, (2) Scandella

Fighting 6th, 7th, 8th? D: (1) Bortuzzo, (2) Kessel, (3) Perunovich, (4) Rosen, (5) Tucker

Injured: Jacobs and MAlstrom

Goalie - 3/2 - 1 to be cut
Starter: (1) Binnington

Backup Fight: (2) Hofer, (3) Subban

Predictions: Let's start with the easy one. Subban will be cut. He looked good in the game I was able to watch of him, but he gave up goals in the other. Hofer has also looked good and had the inside track.

On Forwards, Laferriere would be the "surprise" to make the team I think he has done the little thing right, but his stats aren't impressive. I think he is next cut. Dean and Bolduc are just getting time with the coaches. They will be cut. Alexandrov needs to pick it up. But he can still make the team. Walker and Machern are the other cuts. Both if Alexandrov makes it. Just Waler if he doesn't.

On D, Kessel is the "surprise" I still don't give him a great chance, so he is a cut. That leaves 1 more as I think we will roll 8 D. I am going Rosen. I don't think they want to lose Perunovich or Tucker to waivers. They have been talking Perunovich up in pre-season. Botuzzo is too much of a locker room guy. Tucker is young and has untapped potential (maybe). That leaves Rosen as the odd man out (assuming Krug is back).

What are everyone else's thoughts on final cuts?

I thought Perunovich was exempt?

 

[Linkens Mastery]

With the latest cuts, that leaves:

Forwards - 18/14(13) - 4-5 to be cut
Guaranteed top 9: (1) Buchnevich, (2)Hayes, (3) Kapanenen, (4) Kyrou, (5) Saad, (6) Schenn, (7) Thomas, (8) Vrana

probably on team - Bottom 6 (1) Blais (2) Neighbours, (3) Sundqvist, (4) Toropchenko

SlimTop 9/First call ups: (1) Bolduc (2) Dean

Fighting for 4th line/Extra forwards: (1) Alexandrov, (2) Laferriere, (3) MacEachern, (4) Walker

Injured: Ratcliffe

Defense - 10/7(8) - 2-3 to be cut
Guaranteed Top 4: (1) Faulk, (2) LEddy (3) Parayko

Making team: (1) Krug, (2) Scandella

Fighting 6th, 7th, 8th? D: (1) Bortuzzo, (2) Kessel, (3) Perunovich, (4) Rosen, (5) Tucker

Injured: Jacobs and MAlstrom

Goalie - 3/2 - 1 to be cut
Starter: (1) Binnington

Backup Fight: (2) Hofer, (3) Subban

Predictions: Let's start with the easy one. Subban will be cut. He looked good in the game I was able to watch of him, but he gave up goals in the other. Hofer has also looked good and had the inside track.

On Forwards, Laferriere would be the "surprise" to make the team I think he has done the little thing right, but his stats aren't impressive. I think he is next cut. Dean and Bolduc are just getting time with the coaches. They will be cut. Alexandrov needs to pick it up. But he can still make the team. Walker and Machern are the other cuts. Both if Alexandrov makes it. Just Waler if he doesn't.

On D, Kessel is the "surprise" I still don't give him a great chance, so he is a cut. That leaves 1 more as I think we will roll 8 D. I am going Rosen. I don't think they want to lose Perunovich or Tucker to waivers. They have been talking Perunovich up in pre-season. Botuzzo is too much of a locker room guy. Tucker is young and has untapped potential (maybe). That leaves Rosen as the odd man out (assuming Krug is back).

What are everyone else's thoughts on final cuts?

Perunovich is exempt from waivers this season. But, I still think he makes the team out of camp.

Unless something changed. That is.

Edit: Looked it up. Peru does have waivers now. I could have sworn it showed him waiver exempt a few weeks ago when I looked it up. I was wrong.

 

[Majorityof1]

I thought Perunovich was exempt?

Cap friendly may be wrong, but it doesn't list him as Waivers exempt. Neighbours, Bolduc, Dean, Hofer and Kessel ae the only waivers exempt still up with the club on cap friendly.

 

[simon IC]

I am still nervous about having both Krug and Perunovich in the lineup.

 

[LGB]

I have high expectations for Perunovich this year given he stays healthy. I think there is a world where we’re looking at him as our best defenseman after this season. His offensive ability looks like it can be difference making I think. I really like the way he can control the play and activate in the offensive zone which can lead to long OZ possession sequences, something we were sorely lacking last year. I also think his defensive woes are overblown. He isn’t strong obviously and he has been overly aggressive at times, but his defensive skating is very good and I think he’s a smart defender whose reads will improve with reps. Hopefully Army can still find a way to move Krug, but if not we can’t get caught up in a sunk cost, if he needs his ice time significantly reduced or be benched for Peru we need to be willing to do that.

 

[BlueDream]

Perunovich is exempt from waivers this season. But, I still think he makes the team out of camp.

Unless something changed. That is.

Edit: Looked it up. Peru does have waivers now. I could have sworn it showed him waiver exempt a few weeks ago when I looked it up. I was wrong.

Capfriendly definitely had it listed the other way a couple weeks ago and then changed it. So their fault.

I have high expectations for Perunovich this year given he stays healthy. I think there is a world where we’re looking at him as our best defenseman after this season. His offensive ability looks like it can be difference making I think. I really like the way he can control the play and activate in the offensive zone which can lead to long OZ possession sequences, something we were sorely lacking last year. I also think his defensive woes are overblown. He isn’t strong obviously and he has been overly aggressive at times, but his defensive skating is very good and I think he’s a smart defender whose reads will improve with reps. Hopefully Army can still find a way to move Krug, but if not we can’t get caught up in a sunk cost, if he needs his ice time significantly reduced or be benched for Peru we need to be willing to do that.

Talk about a bold prediction, wow. I’d say the chances of Perunovich being our best defenseman by season’s end are lower than the Blues winning the Cup. I don’t think there’s any way he’ll be that good. He hasn’t even been that impressive in preseason. I think he’s a bottom pair guy.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Capfriendly definitely had it listed the other way a couple weeks ago and then changed it. So their fault.

Thanks for making me feel less crazy. I was questioning my memory.

 

[LGB]

Talk about a bold prediction, wow. I’d say the chances of Perunovich being our best defenseman by season’s end are lower than the Blues winning the Cup. I don’t think there’s any way he’ll be that good. He hasn’t even been that impressive in preseason. I think he’s a bottom pair guy.

Not a prediction. I don't think it's the most likely outcome, but I think it's a lot more likely than us winning the cup. I will predict that he is better than Krug, especially defensively. His mobility is levels above Krug's right now which is essential to have as a smaller defenseman. I've been pretty impressed with Perunovich's performances during the World Championships early in the summer and this preseason. I think he is definitely our best playmaking defenseman. Also unfortunately it isn't all that difficult to be our best defenseman. Parayko I think can be a valuable matchup defenseman that hopefully suppresses chances from the opponents best players, but I expect very little offensive contribution. Faulk I like, but he had a worse season last year than the one before and it's possible that trend continues.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Thanks for making me feel less crazy. I was questioning my memory.

Same. I definitely remember capfriendly saying he was waiver exempt many times. But assuming their website is now correct and he’s waiver eligible, that changes things. No way would I risk Perunovich on waivers. It’d be one of Tucker or Rosen. Or maybe even Borts but probably not him as he’s a righty.

 

[Spektre]

The Athletic projects the Blues to finish 7th worst in the league.

By and large the national media is extremely pessimistic about the Blues for this year. It seems like the majority of Blues fans are way more optimistic.

It’s a curious gap of expectations.

 

[ezcreepin]

I mostly agree with this but I still have some questions about who will take that next step. I love that we brought back Blais and Sundqvist too, but due to their style of play, I think we know they will inevitably get hurt at some point. So who else can bring what they do when they’re missing? MacEachern and Walker are depth pieces to fill in for a few games here and there, but they can’t be counted on for much more than that.

We really need Neighbours, Alexandrov and Toro to show improvement and become reliable players. And to be honest, I’m not seeing it so far in preseason as I think they’ve looked largely invisible. Of course we have to take preseason with a grain of salt because it doesn’t mean much and maybe they’ll turn it on when the real games start, but my confidence level in them being better than last season is currently kinda low. We will be in trouble if our young players don’t produce.

Hopefully Ratcliffe can get healthy and get a spot so we can see what he’s made of. It will be interesting to see how the lineup shakes out. Maybe there’s someone off our radar that gets a look too, or a young player in Springfield earns an early callup and doesn’t look back. I don’t know, but one of these things needs to happen to shore up our depth.

I used to really focus on preseason, but the older I get, the less I care. Obviously it's important for the NHL players to play well, but if we know anything it's that they aren't going full tilt. They're playing probably 70-80% effort which is fine. Younger guys are there to prove themselves and try to get a roster spot but most won't. This preseason is a bit different from seasons past because we have some young guys who will likely make the club (Neighbours and Alexandrov) and some who aren't seasoned enough to make it (Dean and Bolduc). I'm not overly concerned about the offense of any of those guys but focused more so on the defense of these players.

I think Neighbours is going to get a spot just outright. I don't care how his preseason is as long as he's responsible and being dangerous when he has chances. Alexandrov I think may take more time to ramp up, but I know he's going to be a good bottom 6 piece who will chip in 30 points at some point in the next couple of years. I've seen talk about Toropchenko being bad or whatever, but he's exactly what I thought he would be and the lot of us should be fine with that. 20 points, penalty killer, and good forechecker. His hands may not be amazing, but he's made massive strides from what we thought we'd see. As long as he continues on that path this year, I'll be pleased with 20-25 points and decent-good penalty killing.

I haven't had time to listen to all of the games, but I haven't heard Dean's name too much. I've heard him make some decent plays, solid forechecker, being responsible. That's really all I can ask for, though he's for sure going to the AHL and that's ok. Bolduc I've been surprised about. He may not have the point totals, but every time I've heard his name he is finishing checks, winning board battles, he had a good goal (assisted by Dean). Seems like the work last year has really improved his game. He's likely AHL bound, but this is good news and hopefully he'll get confidence from this and score 50 ish points in the A this year. Hoping for a 25-25 split in goals and assists, but if he hits 20 then that'll be great.

Everyone else is just whatever. I'm not too high or too low on anyone and I think the roster has been set since the end of the season last year. Curious to see how some of these younger guys play in the AHL, but I looking forward to see the development of the guys up in the NHL. Also holy shit Hofer looks really polished. Excited for his future.

 

[ezcreepin]

The Athletic projects the Blues to finish 7th worst in the league.

By and large the national media is extremely pessimistic about the Blues for this year. It seems like the majority of Blues fans are way more optimistic.

It’s a curious gap of expectations.

Yea I never put stock into these projections. There's only a few teams that will obviously be dumpster fires and idk if the Blues will be one of them. Not that they wont be bad, but you can't predict the team like you could Buffalo, Philly, Edmonton, Vancouver, Panthers, etc of years past. Everything is so fluid in this league and it's hard to say where teams will end up. If I were a betting man I think the Blues probably end up in the same position as last year. Lots of young players, worse defense in totality, but I think we end up around 10th because the offense is lacking rather than the defense being atrocious. I'll honestly be shocked if Hofer and Binnington are below a .900 sv% but we saw how last year played out.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

The Athletic projects the Blues to finish 7th worst in the league.

By and large the national media is extremely pessimistic about the Blues for this year. It seems like the majority of Blues fans are way more optimistic.

It’s a curious gap of expectations.

I project them 4th worse. GIVE ME A TOP 5 PICK BAYBAY

 

[Majorityof1]

The Athletic projects the Blues to finish 7th worst in the league.

By and large the national media is extremely pessimistic about the Blues for this year. It seems like the majority of Blues fans are way more optimistic.

It’s a curious gap of expectations.

Why are you suprised? We finished bottom 10 and we made no major changes. We changed our assistant coaches with complete unknowns. One has 5 years experience as an assistant at lower levels, with no NHL coaching experience. The other has 1-year experience outside of a acouple years working for his daddy. Those changes might pay dividends but aren't moving the needle on projections.

On the player front, we only added Hayes, a 2nd/3rd line C who has never been part of a winner. And we have no young guys who are expected to step up and make a major impact this year. Maybe Neigbours, but he isn't lighting camp up right now. Why should we be expected to do better this year?

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

The Athletic projects the Blues to finish 7th worst in the league.

By and large the national media is extremely pessimistic about the Blues for this year. It seems like the majority of Blues fans are way more optimistic.

It’s a curious gap of expectations.

It was interesting that Armstrong was quoted telling (was it Heim?) that the team was rebuilding right now. I don’t recall the exact quote and don’t scrutinize the word ‘rebuild’ too specifically.

The point is that he acknowledged the Blues probably won’t be good this year. I think they could be worse than last season. I think the national media are more likely to be correct here. Need to get these young players out there so there is something compelling to watch if the team isn’t competitive.

Why are you suprised? We finished bottom 10 and we made no major changes. We changed our assistant coaches with complete unknowns. One has 5 years experience as an assistant at lower levels, with no NHL coaching experience. The other has 1-year experience outside of a acouple years working for his daddy. Those changes might pay dividends but aren't moving the needle on projections.

)n the player front, we only added Hayes, a 2nd/3rd line C who has never been part of a winner. And we have no young guys who are expected to step up and make a major impact this year. Maybe Neigbours, but he isn't lighting camp up right now. Why should we be expected to do better this year?

If they can acquire a couple more 1sts somehow, finish on the bottom 5, and move Krug, that would be a successful season in really moving the rebuild/retool along.

 

[Spektre]

Why are you suprised? We finished bottom 10 and we made no major changes. We changed our assistant coaches with complete unknowns. One has 5 years experience as an assistant at lower levels, with no NHL coaching experience. The other has 1-year experience outside of a acouple years working for his daddy. Those changes might pay dividends but aren't moving the needle on projections.

On the player front, we only added Hayes, a 2nd/3rd line C who has never been part of a winner. And we have no young guys who are expected to step up and make a major impact this year. Maybe Neigbours, but he isn't lighting camp up right now. Why should we be expected to do better this year?

I think you may have misread my post.

I’m surprised so many fans are optimistic vs what the national projections are.

I’m not surprised at the national projections being pessimistic.

 

[Majorityof1]

I think you may have misread my post.

I’m surprised so many fans are optimistic vs what the national projections are.

I’m not surprised at the national projections being pessimistic.

Ah, I see. I did misread. I thought you were in the camp of the optimistic fans. Still either way its not a surprise. Hope springs eternal for fans of teams outside the few "cursed" teams. And national media are very sticky in their projections, relying heavily on past data.