2024-2025 Blues Multi-Purpose Thread.

[Stelmacki]

Since it’s an off day, I was reading through the start of the Broberg/Holloway gripe thread on Edmontons board. Is there a way for us to keep that thread in case they ever delete it?

 

[The Note]

Question for those that wanted more of a tear-down approach, and I want to stress that this isn't about calling anyone out or saying that either side was wrong, I'm genuinely curious on opinions after some of our acquisitions have exceeded expectations. How do you currently feel about the state of the team moving forward with the approach that Army took?

Holloway, Broberg, and Fowler have all very much exceeded my expectations. Holloway is a legitimate 1st line play driver, Broberg is at worst a really good #3, but I'd say top pair quality, and Fowler looks like he used to now that he's out of Anaheim. As a team we are top 10 in both goals and goals against since Monty took over.

One of my biggest concerns was scoring. Long-term I wasn't too worried with all the prospects we have, but with how Holloway has broken out and what Bolduc has been doing, I really don't have any concerns there anymore, even in the short-term. With defense, it's now about adding young pieces, so that we can transition away from the older guys, but the older guys are still playing quality hockey, so that's less of an immediate need, and Broberg helps lead that transition now. I went from cautiously optimistic with some concern that we'd lack a true #1 D, to now very optimistic about our future.

I’ve certainly been skeptical of this needle they’re trying to thread. I was never a true tear-it-down person, largely because it never seemed on the table and not worth getting worked up over, but was definitely more on the side of considering last year and this year a wash. I didn’t want them to extend Buch. I thought the offer sheets over the summer were worth the gamble and they’ve paid off spectacularly. I’ve at least understood the thinking on a lot of the moves even if I didn’t necessarily agree with some of them at the time.

In the immediate, I think it’s great that the team actually has a pulse and is playing a good brand of hockey. The past few years have been some of the most forgettable teams in my lifetime. So, I’m glad to see some reason to actually tune in. I hope they give someone a scare in the first round.

In the longer term I still think they’ve got plenty to figure out. This year, regardless of how they finish, has been worthwhile if for no other reason it’s shown the organization has real building blocks in Thomas, Kyrou, Holloway and Broberg that can lead you into this next period. They still need the top prospects to become contributors, and really need Dvorsky to develop into a top 6 center to feel good down the middle. I think Stenberg is a real nice piece. They’ve got guys coming up to feel good about to make a nice forward group.

The defense still gives me some pause long term. Broberg is a great guy to have back there. Parayko looked completely rejuvenated before the injury. I wonder about the guys coming up, and considere Jiricek a major wildcard at this point. I still think they should explore moving on from Faulk and/or Krug this summer. I don’t love that they only have 3 picks this draft (I understand that’s part of the offer sheets) or that they don’t have a second round pick over the next three drafts. In all, I think it’s hard not to be encouraged by this year while acknowledging they still have a ways to go.

And hiring Montgomery made more of an impact than I could’ve guessed. I never doubted he was a very good coach, but he’s made a world of difference.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

The Blues are not going to be an easy out this year. It’s a young team playing with house money in a lot of ways, but you also have Binnington and guys like Suter and Fowler. You also have some Cup veterans with Parayko, Subdqvist and Thomas. Finally, Broberg and Holloway were part of a team that just made it through the conference finals.

There’s a tremendous amount of postseason savvy and experience on this team, for a young team that is rising. If I were Edmonton and got matched with the Blues I’d be a little frustrated we didn’t get a better first round draw. Especially if Minnesota is slotted at 7 (although I’m starting to think we’ll pass them).

This year’s team reminds me a lot of those Hitch teams of the early 2010s. Maybe not as much depth or high end talent as other teams. But we play very good defense and compete hard at both ends of the ice. Definitely get a “greater than the sum of its parts” vibe this year. We aren’t good enough to be true cup contenders, but I agree that we’ll be a tough out because of the above.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

This year’s team reminds me a lot of those Hitch teams of the early 2010s. Maybe not as much depth or high end talent as other teams. But we play very good defense and compete hard at both ends of the ice. Definitely get a “greater than the sum of its parts” vibe this year. We aren’t good enough to be true cup contenders, but I agree that we’ll be a tough out because of the above.

Yes!!!!! Stingy af.

 

[Mike Liut]

I’m probably the Lone Ranger here, but I’d take Holloway over Tarasenko all day long. I just like his style better. Holloway, Neighbors and Bolduc are adding an element of grit we havenr had in a while. This team is really adopting an identity now.

 

[bleedblue1223]

I’m probably the Lone Ranger here, but I’d take Holloway over Tarasenko all day long. I just like his style better. Holloway, Neighbors and Bolduc are adding an element or grit we have had in a while. This team is really adopting an identity now.

It's not a crazy take, and really depends on where Holloway's production ends up being. If he's a 30+ goal scorer with 70+ points, Holloway is the easy choice over Tarasenko.

 

[Stealth JD]

Yeah, it will be interesting if Steen sort of keeps the ship moving in the exact same way, or if he's going to have a pretty distinct style compared to Army's.

Just gotta hope he’s better than Briere, Blake, Drury and some of the other player-turned GM types.

 

[Beninnola]

Sounds like Torts is unemployed.

I wonder if we would have went after him if we didn’t already solve that situation.

 

[TheOrganist]

Sounds like Torts is unemployed.

I wonder if we would have went after him if we didn’t already solve that situation.

I don’t think you’re giving Armstrong enough credit for how he understands the modern game if you think Torts would’ve been any sort of option. He belongs in a condo in del Boca Vista. Nice career but it’s over.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

Just gotta hope he’s better than Briere, Blake, Drury and some of the other player-turned GM types.

What do you not like about what Rob Blake has done?

 

[Beninnola]

I don’t think you’re giving Armstrong enough credit for how he understands the modern game if you think Torts would’ve been any sort of option. He belongs in a condo in del Boca Vista. Nice career but it’s over.

I think even if he belongs there - he’s going to be unemployed as long as he wants to be. Quite a few contending teams have guys on short term deals and it feels like they’ve been recycling through the same group of guys forever. Kinda feels like nyr would pivot, for example. Tocchet is maybe done with Vancouver, maybe not. Etc. Adding a new face to the mix must feel like Christmas morning to some of them.

 

[TheOrganist]

I think even if he belongs there - he’s going to be unemployed as long as he wants to be. Quite a few contending teams have guys on short term deals and it feels like they’ve been recycling through the same group of guys forever. Kinda feels like nyr would pivot, for example. Tocchet is maybe done with Vancouver, maybe not. Etc. Adding a new face to the mix must feel like Christmas morning to some of them.

This convo prob belongs in the Around the NHL thread, but I would bet my inheritance that he doesn’t step foot behind an NHL bench ever again. He’s like Ken Hitchcock at the end of his career (Hitch was 68 when he last coached…Torts 67). Even in the insular world of pro hockey, it’s pretty clear when the game has passed a coach by.

 

[bleedblue1223]

I don’t think you’re giving Armstrong enough credit for how he understands the modern game if you think Torts would’ve been any sort of option. He belongs in a condo in del Boca Vista. Nice career but it’s over.

Yeah, all indications are preferred choices were Monty and Carle and we had to wait on both, so we went with Bannister.

 

[Stealth JD]

What do you not like about what Rob Blake has done?

He’s pissed away a LOT value in trades; giving away a lot of good RHD and young forwards. He course-corrected and sold low on PLD after seeing he wasn’t a fit, but the trade for PLD and the contract he proceeded to give him was an expensive transaction in terms of depth and cap.

He’s got a good team over there, but they’re going to be hard-pressed to take that next step seeing as how most of his tradable assets have already been depleted.

 

[AyeBah]

It's not a crazy take, and really depends on where Holloway's production ends up being. If he's a 30+ goal scorer with 70+ points, Holloway is the easy choice over Tarasenko.

Especially when their play away from the puck is on opposite ends of the spectrum

 

[GoBluz24]

Armstrong was on NHL Radio this morning and mentioned that he and Steen were about to board a plane for Fargo, ND. I assume that he is bringing the ELC for Snuggy to sign if MN were to lose. At least I'm hoping so.
Also, the MN/UMass game is on ESPN2 and ESPN+ @7:30 tonight. Not sure if that's Eastern or Central.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Armstrong was on NHL Radio this morning and mentioned that he and Steen were about to board a plane for Fargo, ND. I assume that he is bringing the ELC for Snuggy to sign if MN were to lose. At least I'm hoping so.
Also, the MN/UMass game is on ESPN2 and ESPN+ @7:30 tonight. Not sure if that's Eastern or Central.

7:30 central. So I’m conflicted on what to watch tonight. Will probably start with Blues game as it starts 30 min sooner but will probably switch over to the Gophers game unless the Blues game is bonkers good.

Good to hear that Army/Steen will be there in person. I’m sure they’re rooting for a win but totes obvies they have an ELC with them.

Ohio St and BU are on right now - ESPNU or ESPN+. Ohio St currently up 1-0 early in the 2nd.

 

[Brian39]

I’m probably the Lone Ranger here, but I’d take Holloway over Tarasenko all day long. I just like his style better. Holloway, Neighbors and Bolduc are adding an element of grit we havenr had in a while. This team is really adopting an identity now.

It's not a crazy take, and really depends on where Holloway's production ends up being. If he's a 30+ goal scorer with 70+ points, Holloway is the easy choice over Tarasenko.

I think it is absolutely a crazy take.

Tarasenko was 3rd in goals and 17th in points leaguewide in the 5 year stretch from 2014/15 through 2018/19. In the same window, he was 3rd in playoff goals too. Narrow the sample to his best 3 years and he was 2nd in goals and 6th in points leaguewide. Tarasenko had back-to-back-to-back seasons where he finished top 15 in both goals and points. He was top 5 in goals all three seasons.

Last year there were 47 players who scored 30+ goals and 52 players who scored 70+ points. 27 guys did both. 18 guys had 30+ goals and 80+ points. I love Holloway's motor, but the 'rest' of his game doesn't bridge the gap between being a 30g/70p guy in today's NHL and being the legit elite scorer Tarasenko was. I think the injury-riddled Tarasenko we saw post-Cup that no longer had the elite shot has made people not quite remember just how good he was in his prime.

Realistically, the best comp for Tarasenko in today's game is Kaprizov. Over the last 5 years Kaprizov is 8th in goals and 15th in points. 6th in goals and 12th in points in his best 3 year stretch. He's finished 6th and 9th in goals as well as finishing 11th and 5th in points. Pretty damn comparable to Tarasenko's rankings. Money/term aside, it would be absolutely crazy to take Holloway over Kaprizov.

I'm extremely happy with Holloway. I think/hope he's going to be here a long time and I think he can be a key player for a winner. He's broken out like crazy in his age 23 season, which is the same age of Tarasenko's huge breakout where he was 5th in goals and 10th in points. Holloway is currently 59th in goals and 51st in points. Let's be real here. The intangibles/style don't bridge that gap, especially since one of Tarasenko's intangibles was that he was money in the playoffs.

 

[bleedblue1223]

I think it is absolutely a crazy take.

Tarasenko was 3rd in goals and 17th in points leaguewide in the 5 year stretch from 2014/15 through 2018/19. In the same window, he was 3rd in playoff goals too. Narrow the sample to his best 3 years and he was 2nd in goals and 6th in points leaguewide. Tarasenko had back-to-back-to-back seasons where he finished top 15 in both goals and points. He was top 5 in goals all three seasons.

Last year there were 47 players who scored 30+ goals and 52 players who scored 70+ points. 27 guys did both. 18 guys had 30+ goals and 80+ points. I love Holloway's motor, but the 'rest' of his game doesn't bridge the gap between being a 30g/70p guy in today's NHL and being the legit elite scorer Tarasenko was. I think the injury-riddled Tarasenko we saw post-Cup that no longer had the elite shot has made people not quite remember just how good he was in his prime.

Realistically, the best comp for Tarasenko in today's game is Kaprizov. Over the last 5 years Kaprizov is 8th in goals and 15th in points. 6th in goals and 12th in points in his best 3 year stretch. He's finished 6th and 9th in goals as well as finishing 11th and 5th in points. Pretty damn comparable to Tarasenko's rankings. Money/term aside, it would be absolutely crazy to take Holloway over Kaprizov.

I'm extremely happy with Holloway. I think/hope he's going to be here a long time and I think he can be a key player for a winner. He's broken out like crazy in his age 23 season, which is the same age of Tarasenko's huge breakout where he was 5th in goals and 10th in points. Holloway is currently 59th in goals and 51st in points. Let's be real here. The intangibles/style don't bridge that gap, especially since one of Tarasenko's intangibles was that he was money in the playoffs.

Maybe I'm more off on the adjusted numbers between Tarasenko's prime years and Kaprizov's. That comp feels off, but if it's right, I'd agree with you.

 

[wiscrev]

Armstrong was on NHL Radio this morning and mentioned that he and Steen were about to board a plane for Fargo, ND. I assume that he is bringing the ELC for Snuggy to sign if MN were to lose. At least I'm hoping so.
Also, the MN/UMass game is on ESPN2 and ESPN+ @7:30 tonight. Not sure if that's Eastern or Central.

Shows ESPNU @ 4PM for the Minnesota game.

 

[GoBluz24]

Shows ESPNU @ 4PM for the Minnesota game.

from ESPN Scoreboard site.

 

[wiscrev]

View attachment 1000586

from ESPN Scoreboard site.

My bad! Dyslexia got in the way. Saw Minn and it was really Minn State.

 

[Carolina Blues]

one of Tarasenko's intangibles was that he was money in the playoffs.

He was money... the only time I can remember him disappearing was against the Sharks in 2016 WC finals

 

[bleedblue1223]

Looking at their adjusted stats on hockeyreference, Tarasenko and Kaprizov is still very much a crazy comp. Tarasenko's peak has never come close to a peak that Kaprizov has had. Kaprizov only works on raw numbers because he's been hurt and missed a ton of games in his 5 year stretch.

If we look at Kaprizov last 5 seasons including this one and Tarasenko from 14/15 - 18/19, Kaprizov was top 10 in points/game, Tarasenko was just outside top 20. That would put Tarasenko's comps more around Connor, Guentzel, Forsberg, Nylander. Now we are getting closer to a debate if Holloway's production ends up a bit below Tarasenko.

 

[Zezel’s Pretzels]

Vladi was amazing and should be remembered as amazing. Excited about Holloway though!