2024-2025 Blues Multi-Purpose Thread.

[WeWentBlues]

Pretty surprised about that $87.7M calculation. I know we were going into LTIR and not banking space for about half the year, but we were also in the $84-$86.5M range from the end of January until the end of the season. I would have expected 2.5 months of being $1.5-$4M under the cap to bank more than $284k of cap space by the end of the year.

At the end of the day, I'm not really concerned with it. We could have saved more cap space by shuttling Dvorsky/Bolduc up and down on paper while they were up here and/or not signing Snuggy. I guess we also could have put Texier on waivers too. But I'm pretty content rewarding the youngsters with some NHL paychecks and maximizing our depth for a playoff push. Our cap structure is pretty great for next season and even if Krug tries to mount a comeback we have a bigger 'too many guys' problem than we do a 'cap space' problem. This leaves us with $6M in space with a 22 man roster for next season or $6M in space plus $6.5M of potential LTIR relief with 21 guys if Krug is done (which sounds like the reality). We should be able to shed one/some/all of Texier, Joseph, or Leddy if we find ourselves in need of space for an acquisition.

I'd take Puckpedia's stuff with a grain of salt until proven otherwise.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

If puckpedia is correct, we'll go into next season with ~$6 mil in cap space. We don't have any big money contracts to pay this offseason, so we could pretty easily "run it back" next year by re-signing Suter and Faksa to 1-year contracts and still have a little cushion left over.

I doubt that's what we do. I think we send out one of our elderly Dmen, whether that be Faulk or much more likely Leddy. Leddy has just become completely redundant, and I suspect he could be either a buyout or waiver candidate a la Saad. I don't think we will bring back Suter, but I would be completely fine with it if we do. If we do, Leddy basically has to go, imo.

We may or may not bring Faksa back, but I think it would be a good idea for us to do that. Even if we do, I think we play around in the FA market for another center. Somebody like Roslovic on a 2-3 year deal would be ideal, but that term is a pretty hard pitch to UFAs.

But... for someone coming off of a season mostly lost to injury, maybe a short-term "prove it" contract is appealing. Somebody that maybe had the best season of their career under our current head coach. Somebody that was born here, and would be proud to put on the Blue Note. Somebody who was just traded by their draft team, and has no tangible allegiances to their current squad, having played only 1 regular season game for them. I bet somebody like that would be pretty hard to find.

 

[Beauterham]

If puckpedia is correct, we'll go into next season with ~$6 mil in cap space. We don't have any big money contracts to pay this offseason, so we could pretty easily "run it back" next year by re-signing Suter and Faksa to 1-year contracts and still have a little cushion left over.

Is that with or without Krug on LTIR?

 

[MissouriMook]

If puckpedia is correct, we'll go into next season with ~$6 mil in cap space. We don't have any big money contracts to pay this offseason, so we could pretty easily "run it back" next year by re-signing Suter and Faksa to 1-year contracts and still have a little cushion left over.

I doubt that's what we do. I think we send out one of our elderly Dmen, whether that be Faulk or much more likely Leddy. Leddy has just become completely redundant, and I suspect he could be either a buyout or waiver candidate a la Saad. I don't think we will bring back Suter, but I would be completely fine with it if we do. If we do, Leddy basically has to go, imo.

We may or may not bring Faksa back, but I think it would be a good idea for us to do that. Even if we do, I think we play around in the FA market for another center. Somebody like Roslovic on a 2-3 year deal would be ideal, but that term is a pretty hard pitch to UFAs.

But... for someone coming off of a season mostly lost to injury, maybe a short-term "prove it" contract is appealing. Somebody that maybe had the best season of their career under our current head coach. Somebody that was born here, and would be proud to put on the Blue Note. Somebody who was just traded by their draft team, and has no tangible allegiances to their current squad, having played only 1 regular season game for them. I bet somebody like that would be pretty hard to find.

I think bringing Faksa back makes sense unless we spend money in the offseason on a 2C. If we bring in a 2C, the only way I feel like we should sign Faksa is on a sub $1M deal or if Sunny decides to retire.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Is that with or without Krug on LTIR?

Without

 

[Linkens Mastery]

I want to bring Faksa and Suter back and move Leddy. My biggest question is if they circle back to Schenn. And what why are asking for in regards to him.

 

[Beauterham]

Without

So we have around 12.5 million capspace to play with then. If we're able to jettison Faulk (and/or Leddy) that might be enough capspace to upgrade 2C and 2RD.

 

[WeWentBlues]

So we have around 12.5 million capspace to play with then. If we're able to jettison Faulk (and/or Leddy) that might be enough capspace to upgrade 2C and 2RD.

That would be fantastic. Seattle was able to do just that last offseason in free agency at 13.5M with Stephenson and Montour, albeit at max term.

Going exclusively the UFA route, there are options for both.
Duchene, Tavares, Nelson, Bennett for 2C
Ekblad, Fabbro, Perbix for 2RD

Looking at hockey trades,
Pavel Zacha, Ryan McLeod, Sean Monahan, William Karlsson for 2C
Erik Karlsson, Rasmus Andersson, MacKenzie Weegar, Brandt Clarke, Noah Dobson, Braden Schneider for 2RD

I can see Army wanting to push some chips in this offseason. Perhaps a UFA signing and then trading some futures to fill the other spot. The 2019 team was built in the same way. Draft and develop core, add through UFA (Perron, Bozak, Maroon), add pieces via trade (Bouw, Bortz, Sunny, O'Reilly, Schenn, Sanford, Steen)

 

[Beauterham]

I can see Army wanting to push some chips in this offseason. Perhaps a UFA signing and then trading some futures to fill the other spot. The 2019 team was built in the same way. Draft and develop core, add through UFA (Perron, Bozak, Maroon), add pieces via trade (Bouw, Bortz, Sunny, O'Reilly, Schenn, Sanford, Steen)

It's funny you should say this. After the 17/18 season where we missed the playoffs Army did wonders retooling the roster on the fly with O'Reilly, Perron, Bozak, Maroon. We were also lucky that Barbashev, Sundqvist broke out and Thomas made his debut. This all led to the cup in 2019.

If you compare the 17/18 roster to our current day roster, I really think the 2018 roster was further away from being a cup contender than we are now. I'm not saying we should win next season, that would be ridiculous, but if we have an offseason that is at least 50% as effective as the 2018 offseason -our next window of opportunity might open up.

 

[Drubilly]

If puckpedia is correct, we'll go into next season with ~$6 mil in cap space. We don't have any big money contracts to pay this offseason, so we could pretty easily "run it back" next year by re-signing Suter and Faksa to 1-year contracts and still have a little cushion left over.

I doubt that's what we do. I think we send out one of our elderly Dmen, whether that be Faulk or much more likely Leddy. Leddy has just become completely redundant, and I suspect he could be either a buyout or waiver candidate a la Saad. I don't think we will bring back Suter, but I would be completely fine with it if we do. If we do, Leddy basically has to go, imo.

We may or may not bring Faksa back, but I think it would be a good idea for us to do that. Even if we do, I think we play around in the FA market for another center. Somebody like Roslovic on a 2-3 year deal would be ideal, but that term is a pretty hard pitch to UFAs.

But... for someone coming off of a season mostly lost to injury, maybe a short-term "prove it" contract is appealing. Somebody that maybe had the best season of their career under our current head coach. Somebody that was born here, and would be proud to put on the Blue Note. Somebody who was just traded by their draft team, and has no tangible allegiances to their current squad, having played only 1 regular season game for them. I bet somebody like that would be pretty hard to find.

I’m down with signing Frederic this offseason but I dont think he plays center too often anymore. Bruins fans have stated he’s better on the wing.

 

[Memento]

No thanks on Frederic. Just because he's a St. Louisan doesn't mean that he wants to take a sweetheart deal to come here, and like @Drubilly stated, he's possibly better on the wing. We've got plenty of younger, cheaper, and possibly better wingers.

I'd prefer to just go after Perbix if we have limited cap. Should be cheap for now, and could help our RHD woes.

 

[Xerloris]

No thanks on Frederic. Just because he's a St. Louisan doesn't mean that he wants to take a sweetheart deal to come here, and like @Drubilly stated, he's possibly better on the wing. We've got plenty of younger, cheaper, and possibly better wingers.

I'd prefer to just go after Perbix if we have limited cap. Should be cheap for now, and could help our RHD woes.

We have plenty of cap space so it's not like he has to tale a sweet heart deal, could just be a team friendly deal.

 

[Reality Czech]

I want to bring Faksa and Suter back and move Leddy. My biggest question is if they circle back to Schenn. And what why are asking for in regards to him.

Why get rid of Schenn? Seems like in the current market a 50 point center is gonna cost a lot more than what we're paying him now. His teammates love him and we aren't exactly flush with top 6 centers. I can't think of one good reason to trade Schenn this off-season.

 

[Mike Liut]

Why get rid of Schenn? Seems like in the current market a 50 point center is gonna cost a lot more than what we're paying him now. His teammates love him and we aren't exactly flush with top 6 centers. I can't think of one good reason to trade Schenn this off-season.

Even if he’s the 3C or eventually a 4C, he does bring a lot of leadership and intangibles to the team. With the team moving into their younger core, he could bring a lot to the team. Hopefully he ages well.

 

[Reality Czech]

Even it’s he’s the 3C or eventually a 4C, he does bring a lot of leadership and intangibles to the team. With the team moving into their younger core, he could bring a lot to the team. Hopefully he ages well.

I know some people are against him for whatever reason but if we get rid of Schenn then we need to add another top 9 center. If people think Bennett deserves $7 million or more then why isn't Schenn worth his contract now? They have similar production despite Bennett being younger and I suppose meaner.

Friedman mentioned on his podcast around the deadline that the sentiment in the locker room amid trade deadline rumors about Schenn was something like "you can't leave us now, we've still got work to do." Army himself said if a trade was to be made, it needed to be a hockey trade and not for prospects and picks. I just can't see Schenn being moved on the near future. Quality middle six centers aren't that easy to come by.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Why get rid of Schenn? Seems like in the current market a 50 point center is gonna cost a lot more than what we're paying him now. His teammates love him and we aren't exactly flush with top 6 centers. I can't think of one good reason to trade Schenn this off-season.

All I asked was IF THEY CIRCLE BACK TO HIM. I'm not saying we should, just wondering if they actually do.

 

[Reality Czech]

All I asked was IF THEY CIRCLE BACK TO HIM. I'm not saying we should, just wondering if they actually do.

In that case, I doubt it. It was only rumored because the team was playing so badly, but doesn't sound like the team was actively shopping him.

 

[Mike Liut]

How much of a downgrade is it from Holloway to Snuggs?

 

[Xerloris]

How much of a downgrade is it from Holloway to Snuggs?

A lot. Not that Snuggs can't become Holloway because he certainly has the skill but It's not gonna be in his first 20 games of his career.

 

[Mike Liut]

A lot. Not that Snuggs can't become Holloway because he certainly has the skill but It's not gonna be in his first 20 games of his career.

Does the difference between the two affect the outcome of a game?

 

[Xerloris]

Does the difference between the two affect the outcome of a game?

I think they will and do. Holloway and Kyrou make our 2nd line more dangerous than the Thomas line which allows us to have 2 very successful scoring lines and without Holloway we have only one scoring line and that gets shut down far to easily. Now I'm not an advanced stats nerd but this is what I see with my eyes.

 

[Davimir Tarablad]

From a pure skill level, I don't think it's too much of a downgrade from Holloway to Snuggy. But Holloway's speed unlocks another level from Kyrou and is just a nightmare to matchup against, especially in transition.

 

[AyeBah]

From a pure skill level, I don't think it's too much of a downgrade from Holloway to Snuggy. But Holloway's speed unlocks another level from Kyrou and is just a nightmare to matchup against, especially in transition.

Just NHL experience too. Holloway showed flashes last years playoffs but is a completely different animal now. I think Snuggy in 12-24 months will see a similar jump. Just kind of crazy for us to expect a 20 year old who was in a dorm at UM 3 weeks ago to drive play on a top 6 line against the team that won the presidents trophy. Baptism by fire

 

[Thallis]

How much of a downgrade is it from Holloway to Snuggs?

Right now, pretty big. Snuggles has raw skill, but his inexperience against NHL competition has been causing some bad passing decisions that kill plays on entry and cause the puck the other way. Very normal rookie stuff, but you don't see it with Holloway nearly as often.

 

[TheOrganist]

How much of a downgrade is it from Holloway to Snuggs?

I mean is this for real? Enormous. It’s an enormous downgrade considering where both players are at in their respective careers.