2024-2025 Blues Multi-Purpose Thread.

[bleedblue1223]

Also heavily depends on if our goalies can turn it around.

It's kind of the opposite of last season, where they had no where to go, but down. I'd expect some level of improvement in that area.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

The amount of sulking Thomas has been doing lately is alarming to me. He's letting it get to him way too damn much.

 

[BlueMed]

Bolduc needs to manage the puck better in high leverage situations. It’s part of acclimating to the NHL, and I have zero doubt he will given his IQ and work ethic. That’s what I see with him anyway.

Other than that, I see TONS of upside for Bolduc. I see his name thrown around by Blues fans here as a throw in for trades and I think that would be a big mistake. He has the tools to be a very valuable player.

Where is the upside that you're seeing? I'm watching most games, but I'd like to see actual highlights of his potential. Bolduc has played 65+ games in the NHL so far, and we aren't even seeing flashes of high-end skill. I understand that he doesn't have the best linemates, but he has only scored in 4 different games out of 42 this season. When Schwartz and Tarasenko entered the league, they had moments of brilliance almost instantly. They could generate high-danger chances on their own but struggled with consistency their first couple of years. I'm not counting Bolduc out yet, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him traded next year.

 

[Xerloris]

Where is the upside that you're seeing? I'm watching most games, but I'd like to see actual highlights of his potential. Bolduc has played 65+ games in the NHL so far, and we aren't even seeing flashes of high-end skill. I understand that doesn't have the best linemates, but he has only scored in 4 different games out of 42 this season. When Schwartz and Tarasenko entered the league, they had moments of brilliance almost instantly. They could generate high-danger chances on their own but struggled with consistency their first couple of years. I'm not counting Bolduc out yet, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him traded next year.

And he knows that if he makes one single mistake he's benched and scratched. Talk about players gripping their sticks to tight.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Where is the upside that you're seeing? I'm watching most games, but I'd like to see actual highlights of his potential. Bolduc has played 65+ games in the NHL so far, and we aren't even seeing flashes of high-end skill. I understand that doesn't have the best linemates, but he has only scored in 4 different games out of 42 this season. When Schwartz and Tarasenko entered the league, they had moments of brilliance almost instantly. They could generate high-danger chances on their own but struggled with consistency their first couple of years. I'm not counting Bolduc out yet, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him traded next year.

My confidence toward Bolduc has waned a little. My gut tells me that he is way too up in his head.

 

[BlueMed]

And he knows that if he makes one single mistake he's benched and scratched. Talk about players gripping their sticks to tight.

I totally acknowledge that he has a shorter leash as a younger player, but Schwartz and Tarasenko also had limited ice time at that age too (roughly 12ish minutes per minute), and they were playing with a much more defensive-minded Ken Hitchcock.

 

[STLegend]

The amount of sulking Thomas has been doing lately is alarming to me. He's letting it get to him way too damn much.

This has always bugged me about Thomas, even when he is playing well and putting up points, if he shoots and doesn't score you can count on him to be looking straight up and act like he's going to slam his stick. He is hard on himself and shows frustration very openly.

 

[LGB]

I definitely don't see Bolduc as a future star, but I think he can be a really valuable player. He has a combination of speed and checking ability that is only rivaled by Holloway among scoring line players on our roster and in our prospect pool.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

This has always bugged me about Thomas, even when he is playing well and putting up points, if he shoots and doesn't score you can count on him to be looking straight up and act like he's going to slam his stick. He is hard on himself and shows frustration very openly.

Kyrou use to do the same thing before this year. For both of them it was the constant look up in the sky, or slam their stick, or just look defeated, or the look of being on the verge of tears when things were not going their way. This year it seems like Thomas is still doing the same thing.

Kyrou's body language on the other hand has taken a complete 180 where he just gets right back into the play and keeps pushing. I'm hoping Thomas can do a 180 in how he reacts to adversity next season as well. We really need Thomas and Buch to pull themselves out of their slump.

 

[Stealth JD]

I definitely don't see Bolduc as a future star, but I think he can be a really valuable player. He has a combination of speed and checking ability that is only rivaled by Holloway among scoring line players on our roster and in our prospect pool.

Bolduc’s first 67-games in STL (ages 20-21): 10-14-24
Holloway’s first 89-games in EDM (ages 21-22): 9-9-18

Maybe the Blues ought to give him time to develop before they do something silly and move him before he breaks out elsewhere like Holloway did.

 

[PJJJP]

Ngl I thought Toropchenko would take a small step forward or at the very least replicated his last 2 years. He went from scoring 10 and 14 goals to only having 1 goal in 50 games.

 

[BlueMed]

Bolduc’s first 67-games in STL (ages 20-21): 10-14-24
Holloway’s first 89-games in EDM (ages 21-22): 9-9-18

Maybe the Blues ought to give him time to develop before they do something silly and move him before he breaks out elsewhere like Holloway did.

Bolduc is turning 22 this month. By next year's trade deadline, he will be 23 years old (same age as Holloway and Broberg are now), so I'll give him one more year to figure it out. And even if he does show improvement, if a team like NJ is asking for a former first round pick in exchange for a guy like Nemec, then Bolduc would likely be my first offer.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Looks like whatever illness Parayko had is running through the team now. Thomas left practice early.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Looks like whatever illness Parayko had is running through the team now. Thomas left practice early.

That sounds like a dadgum conspurracy!!!

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Bolduc is turning 22 this month. By next year's trade deadline, he will be 23 years old (same age as Holloway and Broberg are now), so I'll give him one more year to figure it out. And even if he does show improvement, if a team like NJ is asking for a former first round pick in exchange for a guy like Nemec, then Bolduc would likely be my first offer.

Yes, Bolduc is the offer for Nemec, with the understanding that you've added the qualifier of "improvement".

 

[Stealth JD]

I wonder what the mood in the locker-room is after Army waived Saad. Veteran guy, respected and (probably) well-liked by his teammates. A guy who’s proven capable of scoring in this league and he’s told to hit the road, so less proven guys like Texier (LOL) can get a better opportunity. That’s the opposite of bringing in reinforcements…that’s essentially punishing the roster. It’s not the club’s fault Army built a lousy team.

I mean, whatever. The club is inadequately staffed with or without Saad…but I can’t imagine the players are pumped about seeing a buddy get jettisoned, nor does this seem like an effective maneuver to get the club to perform better. They just got blanked after a bag-skate…and now they’re weakened with illness. The circumstances are right for a prolonged tumble down the standings. Which ultimately may be exactly what the club needs.

(That and a reason to dump some of the remaining overpaid vets)

 

[ChicagoBlues]

I wonder what the mood in the locker-room is after Army waived Saad. Veteran guy, respected and (probably) well-liked by his teammates. A guy who’s proven capable of scoring in this league and he’s told to hit the road, so less proven guys like Texier (LOL) can get a better opportunity. That’s the opposite of bringing in reinforcements…that’s essentially punishing the roster. It’s not the club’s fault Army built a lousy team.

I mean, whatever. The club is inadequately staffed with or without Saad…but I can’t imagine the players are pumped about seeing a buddy get jettisoned, nor does this seem like an effective maneuver to get the club to perform better. They just got blanked after a bag-skate…and now they’re weakened with illness. The circumstances are right for a prolonged tumble down the standings. Which ultimately may be exactly what the club needs.

(That and a reason to dump some of the remaining overpaid vets)

They're prolly like, Thank Gawd! That dude was draggin us down!! All mopey and complainy. To hell with your baby.

Something like this.

 

[Majorityof1]

I wonder what the mood in the locker-room is after Army waived Saad. Veteran guy, respected and (probably) well-liked by his teammates. A guy who’s proven capable of scoring in this league and he’s told to hit the road, so less proven guys like Texier (LOL) can get a better opportunity. That’s the opposite of bringing in reinforcements…that’s essentially punishing the roster. It’s not the club’s fault Army built a lousy team.

I mean, whatever. The club is inadequately staffed with or without Saad…but I can’t imagine the players are pumped about seeing a buddy get jettisoned, nor does this seem like an effective maneuver to get the club to perform better. They just got blanked after a bag-skate…and now they’re weakened with illness. The circumstances are right for a prolonged tumble down the standings. Which ultimately may be exactly what the club needs.

(That and a reason to dump some of the remaining overpaid vets)

I asked the same earlier. I find it kind of funny how Armstrong said he needed to learn how to motivate younger players and then said he did learn. Then he pulls the same old shit he's always pulled. Go to locker room, threaten movement, jettison a random vet from the core for nothing (ala Oshie). Same ole, same ole.

 

[BlueMed]

Yes, Bolduc is the offer for Nemec, with the understanding that you've added the qualifier of "improvement".

Yes, as I've stated in prior posts, it would be Bolduc +

 

[bleedblue1223]

I wonder what the mood in the locker-room is after Army waived Saad. Veteran guy, respected and (probably) well-liked by his teammates. A guy who’s proven capable of scoring in this league and he’s told to hit the road, so less proven guys like Texier (LOL) can get a better opportunity. That’s the opposite of bringing in reinforcements…that’s essentially punishing the roster. It’s not the club’s fault Army built a lousy team.

I mean, whatever. The club is inadequately staffed with or without Saad…but I can’t imagine the players are pumped about seeing a buddy get jettisoned, nor does this seem like an effective maneuver to get the club to perform better. They just got blanked after a bag-skate…and now they’re weakened with illness. The circumstances are right for a prolonged tumble down the standings. Which ultimately may be exactly what the club needs.

(That and a reason to dump some of the remaining overpaid vets)

They understand it's a business and you have to perform. The situation didn't even go bad for Saad, he immediately signed with a contender, so I'm sure he's happy about that.

As bad as Texier has been, he's scored at the same points/60 as Saad, so let's not pretend that Army removed a productive player to insert an unproductive player as punishment to the roster.

 

[Majorityof1]

They understand it's a business and you have to perform. The situation didn't even go bad for Saad, he immediately signed with a contender, so I'm sure he's happy about that.

As bad as Texier has been, he's scored at the same points/60 as Saad, so let's not pretend that Army removed a productive player to insert an unproductive player as punishment to the roster.

Saad lost out on a lot of money. Let's use 2/3 of season on Blues and 1/3 on Vegas. So he lost out of 1/3 of $4.5M and got 1/3 of $1.5M. He lost $1M this season. Then next year, he is not getting $4.5M. He may get $2M max, let's say $2.5. That's another $2M. So he;s lost $3M. And he is most likely not going to move without knowing he is going to sign in Vegas next year. So he will be away from his family, including his newborn child for the rest of the year. It could have gone worse for Saad, but I think he'd have preferred the extra money and coming back to St. Louis for home games to see his fam.

There is a defensive component to differentiate between Saad and Texier. And P/60 does not exactly translate 1 to 1 for increased ice time per game. There was a reason Saad was still playing Texier was in the press box. "Hey team, we are playing the best players. Saad is in, Texier to the press box"...<terminate contract>... "Just kidding team Texier was really the better option!!!!"

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

Saad lost out on a lot of money. Let's use 2/3 of season on Blues and 1/3 on Vegas. So he lost out of 1/3 of $4.5M and got 1/3 of $1.5M. He lost $1M this season. Then next year, he is not getting $4.5M. He may get $2M max, let's say $2.5. That's another $2M. So he;s lost $3M. And he is most likely not going to move without knowing he is going to sign in Vegas next year. So he will be away from his family, including his newborn child for the rest of the year. It could have gone worse for Saad, but I think he'd have preferred the extra money and coming back to St. Louis for home games to see his fam.

There is a defensive component to differentiate between Saad and Texier. And P/60 does not exactly translate 1 to 1 for increased ice time per game. There was a reason Saad was still playing Texier was in the press box. "Hey team, we are playing the best players. Saad is in, Texier to the press box"...<terminate contract>... "Just kidding team Texier was really the better option!!!!"

Saad chose to do this.

 

[Majorityof1]

Saad chose to do this.

Agreed, but that's because his choices were to cancel the contract or ride the bus in Springdale and still be away from his family for the rest of this year and likely next. Saad didn't go to management and say, "Hey, can you waive me and then cancel my contract, I really want to play in Vegas for 33% as much money," I'm just saying, let's not act like he didn't lose anything. He was asked to pick the lesser of two negative outcomes because the Blues wanted someone to make an example out of. He was not the most deserving of being waived, he just made the money and was a big message.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Where did anyone say he didn't lose anything, obviously he lost money, and obviously the money wasn't that important to him, mainly because of his career earnings. I think we are splitting hairs on who was the most deserving of being waived. In his 43 games, he only scored goals in 3 of them. He's no longer someone that can be relied on in a shutdown role. And assuming Army knew a contract termination was likely or a possibility, his higher cap compared to guys like Joseph or Texier made him a more attractive option to cut bait from. Seems like we are forgetting that Saad was also healthy scratched at points and had games with reduced minutes.

Is Saad currently better than Texier, sure, but we are at the point where we know we want to dump Saad, and we at least want to find out if we should dump Texier or not. Most likely, we'll still want to dump Texier, but might as well find out.

At the end of the day, a good portion of the bottom 6 could be waived for all I care, few of them have been good enough.

 

[Majorityof1]

Where did anyone say he didn't lose anything, obviously he lost money, and obviously the money wasn't that important to him, mainly because of his career earnings. I think we are splitting hairs on who was the most deserving of being waived. In his 43 games, he only scored goals in 3 of them. He's no longer someone that can be relied on in a shutdown role. And assuming Army knew a contract termination was likely or a possibility, his higher cap compared to guys like Joseph or Texier made him a more attractive option to cut bait from. Seems like we are forgetting that Saad was also healthy scratched at points and had games with reduced minutes.

Is Saad currently better than Texier, sure, but we are at the point where we know we want to dump Saad, and we at least want to find out if we should dump Texier or not. Most likely, we'll still want to dump Texier, but might as well find out.

At the end of the day, a good portion of the bottom 6 could be waived for all I care, few of them have been good enough.

I'm not complaining. I don't weep when Millionaires only who still make millions make less millions. I am just saying that people in the room could very easily be pissed about the team putting their friend in a bad situation just to make a point, when the reason we suck is because the one doing the waiving built a shitty team and entered the season without a C a single middle 6 C.