2024-2025 Blues Multi-Purpose Thread.

[ChicagoBlues]

Is there anyone that thinks we can build a Cup contender if Parayko is our best defender? I might have missed it, but I've yet to see anyone say that. I'm pretty sure the overall opinion of the forum is that we need a high-end RD so we can drop Parayko down to the second pairing.

Acquiring a top RD and dealing Parayko in the process represents little improvement to our overall defensive situation. What has to happen for the Blues to contend is that they add to the top 4, not subtract the player who's currently our best piece.

You can't replace Parayko with a Noah Dobson and expect to be any better than we currently are with Justin Faulk as your #2RD. And given what Parayko brings to the team in his current deployment, I would guess that would actually make us even worse. There's not a single obtainable RD out there that makes us a Cup contender with Faulk (or any other current Blues defenseman) as our #4D

No

 

[StlBigFly]

Is there anyone that thinks we can build a Cup contender if Parayko is our best defender? I might have missed it, but I've yet to see anyone say that. I'm pretty sure the overall opinion of the forum is that we need a high-end RD so we can drop Parayko down to the second pairing.

Acquiring a top RD and dealing Parayko in the process represents little improvement to our overall defensive situation. What has to happen for the Blues to contend is that they add to the top 4, not subtract the player who's currently our best piece.

You can't replace Parayko with a Noah Dobson and expect to be any better than we currently are with Justin Faulk as your #2RD. And given what Parayko brings to the team in his current deployment, I would guess that would actually make us even worse. There's not a single obtainable RD out there that makes us a Cup contender with Faulk (or any other current Blues defenseman) as our #4D

I wonder how the rest of the stuff would look if we were sitting here with Justin Faulk above 10 goals and effective defensively. I hate to pick on a dude and just usually keep the comment to myself, but …

I wonder if a Parayko first defense and team could be quite fine if the guy behind Parayko provided just some threat.

I wonder if the point you’re making, which is good imo, is jaded because a dude in our top 4 is washed in Faulk. It’s time to move on I feel. I’m not sure how it got like this. I know there’s been a lot of change on the left side but you’d expect a veteran defenseman to have a sturdy floor of production that we aren’t getting even if his partner is dynamic environment. I can’t say for certain how I feel about things if we’ve got that black hole.

I like these pairs:
Broberg - Parayko
Fowler - Somebody who doesn’t suck
Tucker and whoever we have to pair him with due to some old contract

I think we could contend with that. Maybe.

 

[TruBlueFan1970]

I wonder how the rest of the stuff would look if we were sitting here with Justin Faulk above 10 goals and effective defensively. I hate to pick on a dude and just usually keep the comment to myself, but …

I wonder if a Parayko first defense and team could be quite fine if the guy behind Parayko provided just some threat.

I wonder if the point you’re making, which is good imo, is jaded because a dude in our top 4 is washed in Faulk. It’s time to move on I feel. I’m not sure how it got like this. I know there’s been a lot of change on the left side but you’d expect a veteran defenseman to have a sturdy floor of production that we aren’t getting even if his partner is dynamic environment. I can’t say for certain how I feel about things if we’ve got that black hole.

I like these pairs:
Broberg - Parayko
Fowler - Somebody who doesn’t suck
Tucker and whoever we have to pair him with due to some old contract

I think we could contend with that. Maybe.

I'm 99.99% certain that we aren't acquiring Dobson as some rumors have suggested, but to your point, this team looks massively different if that acquisition (or a similar one) were to take place. I for one, would be very interested in a trade for Brandon Carlo, which makes this look better today, but not quite as good as someone like Dobson. He's not offensive, but he's a solid 4-6 defender with size, grit and good on the PK per my understanding. And a career +130

Fowler/Broberg - Parayko
Fowler/Broberg - Dobson/Carlo?
Tucker - Faulk/Kessel

And in a year or two when Fowler and Faulk's contracts are up, hopefully, someone like Lindstein or one of the other highly drafted LHD are ready, then you pivot to:

Broberg - Parayko
Lindstein/Other - Dobson/Carlo
Tucker/Other - Kessel/Other

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

I will pass on Brandon Carlo. Boston's defense has been a mess this season (partly due to injuries) and Carlo has been contributing to that.

Carlo's on ice expected goals against/60 is 3.51 which ranks 160th amongst NHL defenseman. His expected goal differential this season is -23, that's dead last on the Bruins and 14 points worse than their next defenseman. He ranks 171st amongst NHL defenseman with 74 giveaways. The Bruins PK is 8th worst in the NHL. He's been better the past two seasons but with the Bruins injuries, he's been exposed. I feel like we'd be much better off spending $4M+ elsewhere for a guy who should probably be a third pairing D-man.

 

[Xerloris]

If and I do mean IF that Canucks Hughes brother makes it to FA we better offer him an absolute f*** ton.

 

[BlueMed]

Next season will be Army's last as a GM, and he made a commitment to leave this team better than when he found it despite winning a Stanley Cup here. I'd be shocked if he didn't make major subtractions from the core if this team is in this same position 12 months from now.

 

[TheDizee]

Next season will be Army's last as a GM, and he made a commitment to leave this team better than when he found it despite winning a Stanley Cup here. I'd be shocked if he didn't make major subtractions from the core if this team is in this same position 12 months from now.

As long as the same key cogs are here, the same results will continue to happen.

I don't think Army has the guts to trade Kyrou. I triple dog dare Army to trade him.

 

[LetsGoBooze]

If and I do mean IF that Canucks Hughes brother makes it to FA we better offer him an absolute f*** ton.

I'll take any Hughes brother, but its not realistic.

 

[BlueMed]

As long as the same key cogs are here, the same results will continue to happen.

I don't think Army has the guts to trade Kyrou. I triple dog dare Army to trade him.

Army traded our former first overall pick (EJ) and face of the francise (Oshie). Don't confuse calculated patience for lack of a spine. Kyrou will be traded if Army wants to trade him.

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

Army traded our former first overall pick (EJ) and face of the francise (Oshie). Don't confuse calculated patience for lack of a spine. Kyrou will be traded if Army wants to trade him.

Yes. If it was up to some, Kyrou would have already been traded. Now he's increased his trade value by quite a bit more.

This is why it's foolish to let emotion alter your decision making processes.

 

[BlueSeal]

Next season will be Army's last as a GM, and he made a commitment to leave this team better than when he found it despite winning a Stanley Cup here. I'd be shocked if he didn't make major subtractions from the core if this team is in this same position 12 months from now.

He's been making subtractions since the Cup. He had to throw out an OS to bring in talent and an overachieving Faulk whose come back down to earth earned the right to wear the Note. If we're being pragmatic about it, he's taken the team in the wrong direction since 2019.

 

[Xerloris]

He's been making subtractions since the Cup. He had to throw out an OS to bring in talent and an overachieving Faulk whose come back down to earth earned the right to wear the Note. If we're being pragmatic about it, he's taken the team in the wrong direction since 2019.

You say he had to use offer sheets to bring in talent as if that's a bad thing?

 

[BlueSeal]

You say he had to use offer sheets to bring in talent as if that's a bad thing?

Army has a very 'conservative' approach to things and not one but two OS'S, while being epically savage and we're getting quality players, is pretty batshit, even for him.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Damn Robert, Why you cheesing so hard that Buch got leveled?

 

[BlueDream]

So the only (and I mean only) somewhat interesting tidbit in JR’s latest mailbag is that after a question about who would be the Blues next captain after Schenn, JR said he knows that the organization wants more from Thomas both on and off the ice. He also said the organization has had conversations with him about his body language.

I and a couple others have brought up the body language and leadership stuff recently, only to be told that we are “nitpicking.” We’re not, it’s a real thing.

 

[Majorityof1]

So the only (and I mean only) somewhat interesting tidbit in JR’s latest mailbag is that after a question about who would be the Blues next captain after Schenn, JR said he knows that the organization wants more from Thomas both on and off the ice. He also said the organization has had conversations with him about his body language.

I and a couple others have brought up the body language and leadership stuff recently, only to be told that we are “nitpicking.” We’re not, it’s a real thing.

"I know he’s a player they’ve spoken to about having better body language. This doesn’t mean he’s not respected. He is. But I think the club wants more from him."

He is "a player" they spoke to, which sounds like they spoke to multiple players about it. And JR doesn't say they've spoken to him more than once. He is still respected. He is still JR's pick for the next Captain. So JR doesn't think it was a big deal. We don't know how serious an issue it is for the Blues. But it still sounds like a nitpick.

I think the more interesting thing is JR said he thinks Thomas' ankle isn't at 100%. He did seem to come back quicker than I expected. Might just be JR speculating wildly, but it would explain why Thomas isn't as effective this year. I'll have to watch more closely, but I don't think I have seen him change direction with the puck as much or sharply as usual. But that might just be me projecting. I'll have to watch it more carefully after the break.

 

[BlueDream]

"I know he’s a player they’ve spoken to about having better body language. This doesn’t mean he’s not respected. He is. But I think the club wants more from him."

He is "a player" they spoke to, which sounds like they spoke to multiple players about it. And JR doesn't say they've spoken to him more than once. He is still respected. He is still JR's pick for the next Captain. So JR doesn't think it was a big deal. We don't know how serious and issue it is for the Blues. But it still sounds like a nitpick.

I think the more interesting thing is JR said he thinks Thomas' ankle isn't at 100%. He did seem to come back quicker than I expected. Might just be JR speculating wildly, but it would explain why Thomas isn't as effective this year. I'll have to watch more closely, but I don't think I have seen him change direction with the puck as much or sharply as usual. But that might just be me projecting. I'll have to watch it more carefully after the break.

Well considering the body language hasn’t changed, I am betting there’s been more than one conversation about it. I don’t read JR’s comment as something that says “they spoke to him once and then never brought it up again, even though nothing has changed.” That wouldn’t really make sense.

The ankle thing isn’t surprising to me at all, I’m glad JR brought light to it but it’s something I would have guessed myself. You can’t come back that quickly from an ankle injury, play a rigorous sport like hockey, and be 100%. That’s easy to connect the dots.

Regarding the captaincy, I don’t think anyone is saying Thomas isn’t respected or anything like that. He is still everyone’s pick for next captain because:

1. Who wouldn’t want their #1 center and all around best player to be captain? This makes him the ideal choice to groom for that role from the start.

2. Lack of options. I don’t think anyone could make an argument that this current roster is filled with great captains as of now.

So yeah, of course the hope is that Thomas will grow into the role. But I think it’s clear the Blues don’t think he’s ready, or at least they didn’t a year and a half ago when they picked Schenn. Judging by JR’s comments, it doesn’t sound like a lot has changed since then. So that’s why I think it’s interesting and not a nitpick, he clearly isn’t where they want him to be yet. It’s not an attack on him either since he’s still young, it’s just something to legitimately watch. If Schenn is traded, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them go without a ‘C’ for a season. I also wonder if there are enough vocal leaders in that room to even give Thomas the support he would need if he becomes the guy.

 

[Xerloris]

Can you imagine what would happen if they named Kyrou the next captain? Dizee might die.

 

[Reality Czech]

Yes. If it was up to some, Kyrou would have already been traded. Now he's increased his trade value by quite a bit more.

This is why it's foolish to let emotion alter your decision making processes.

I agree, let's trade him now while his value is high.

Can you imagine what would happen if they named Kyrou the next captain? Dizee might die.

No chance Kyrou ever wears a C in his career. I'm skeptical that he'll even wear an A unless he's here for like 10+ years. Doesn't seem like a guy who wants the attention or pressure of being a C.

 

[StlBigFly]

I know that Thomas needs to improve.

It’s tough rolling up as a 25 year old 1C when you:

1. built a team whereby the leagues best primary assist man has no outlet

2. Are facing literal generational talent in its prime across numerous teams in McDavid, Matthews, Eichel, and MacKinnon. Sometimes you have to face 2 or three of these fellows -in the same week- since 2 of them are in your conference. You also have to face no state tax teams who have an advantage that is larger than if the cap was expanded by 10%.

3. Your goaltending is near league worst which forces Thomas to remove a lot of dynamic play from his toolkit due to risk off approach to 5v5.

He’s allowed to throw fits as far as I’m concerned and every time the team wants to talk to him about it they should have a conversation with a mirror first. The expectations should be high, and Thomas should be encouraged to improve, you have to push great talent, but at the same time you’re really not helping the circumstances at all. You can’t say the blues are putting Thomas in a position to exceed expectations. It’s not like he’s blowing some amazing opportunity….he and Parayko are the two fellows holding everything together.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

I know that Thomas needs to improve.

It’s tough rolling up as a 25 year old 1C when you:

1. built a team whereby the leagues best primary assist man has no outlet

2. Are facing literal generational talent in its prime across numerous teams in McDavid, Matthews, Eichel, and MacKinnon. Sometimes you have to face 2 or three of these fellows -in the same week- since 2 of them are in your conference. You also have to face no state tax teams who have an advantage that is larger than if the cap was expanded by 10%.

3. Your goaltending is near league worst which forces Thomas to remove a lot of dynamic play from his toolkit due to risk off approach to 5v5.

He’s allowed to throw fits as far as I’m concerned and every time the team wants to talk to him about it they should have a conversation with a mirror first. The expectations should be high, that’s how you have to push great talent, but at the same time you’re really not helping the circumstances at all. You can’t say the blues are putting Thomas in a position to exceed expectations. It’s not like he’s blowing some amazing opportunity….he and Parayko are the two fellows holding everything together.

Maybe the Young and the Restless will have a guest opening for RT.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

To no one's surprise. Bolduc Recalled

 

[joe galiba]

To no one's surprise. Bolduc Recalled

wait, what????

clearly Blues management is just jerking him around

bad, bad DA
bad, bad Steen
off with their heads