2024-2025 Blues Multi-Purpose Thread.

[Reality Czech]

Dude he's playing on the 3rd line with Sunny

Yeah, there's a reason for that. He hasn't scored an even strength goal in how long? He's more of an energy guy/PP specialist for now, so the third line is where he should be.

Kinda getting ridiculous at this point how 75% of this forum seems to favor Bolduc over Neighbours despite Neighbours clearly being the more effective player at 5-on-5. If Bolduc can improve next year, then it will be a competition for that spot but seems like most people wanna just hand it to Bolduc right now.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Yeah, there's a reason for that. He hasn't scored an even strength goal in how long? He's more of an energy guy/PP specialist for now, so the third line is where he should be.

Kinda getting ridiculous at this point how 75% of this forum seems to favor Bolduc over Neighbours despite Neighbours clearly being the more effective player at 5-on-5. If Bolduc can improve next year, then it will be a competition for that spot but seems like most people wanna just hand it to Bolduc right now.

While what you say is true I’d say there’s also validity in the thought that he’d be more productive with better linemates. It’s the classic chicken or the egg argument. Snuggy was automatically given top-6 deployment but Bolduc hasn’t had the same opportunities even though he’s been here longer.

That said, there very likely are good reasons for that. Bolduc’s time will come but I do think it’s fair to think he’s deserved at least a shot on one of the top 2 lines to see how he’d look…but a coach also needs to balance lines so I get it.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

Surprised, no. But, cmon...

I can’t really complain about any of those nominations though. All three of them are deserving of consideration. Not that Monty isn’t mind you.

 

[finnishflash13]

Yeah, I mean, I’m sure JR, DeFranks, Korac etc aren’t camped out at Centrene at all hours and it’s possible Holloway has gotten in a skate or two they don’t know about but it seems likely that’d be something that’d get out. Someone would see it. My gut tells me he’s not close. Perhaps not completely ruled out if they can make it far but not close.

there's also this unspoken rule in playoff hockey not to broadcast how injured players look so....

 

[Reality Czech]

While what you say is true I’d say there’s also validity in the thought that he’d be more productive with better linemates. It’s the classic chicken or the egg argument. Snuggy was automatically given top-6 deployment but Bolduc hasn’t had the same opportunities even though he’s been here longer.

That said, there very likely are good reasons for that. Bolduc’s time will come but I do think it’s fair to think he’s deserved at least a shot on one of the top 2 lines to see how he’d look…but a coach also needs to balance lines so I get it.

That's true, but it is what it is. Even the fourth line has produced more offense than the 3rd line. I could also argue that every player would benefit from playing with better linemates but there are only so many top 6 spots available. Considering the fact that Bolduc hasn't generated any offense lately aside from being fed one timers in the slot on the PP, putting him in a 3rd line checking role seems appropriate for now.

I'm sure you could switch him and Snuggerud but Snuggs certainly isn't able to play that 3rd line energy role right now, so it's either top 6 or bust for him. Plus, Thomas and Buch can cover for him defensively. Honestly I'm just tired of people constantly downplaying Neighbours. He's been one of our best forwards in this series.

 

[Xerloris]

Yeah, there's a reason for that. He hasn't scored an even strength goal in how long? He's more of an energy guy/PP specialist for now, so the third line is where he should be.

Kinda getting ridiculous at this point how 75% of this forum seems to favor Bolduc over Neighbours despite Neighbours clearly being the more effective player at 5-on-5. If Bolduc can improve next year, then it will be a competition for that spot but seems like most people wanna just hand it to Bolduc right now.

How is he going to score an even strength goal on the 3rd line with Sunny? Yet you seem fine with Snuggy being gifted his playing time but some how Bolduc has to earn it right? Both Bolduc and Snuggy deserve 1/2 line while Neighbors is the one that absolutely deserves to be 3rd line.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Fowler is tied with Kempe, Drai and Mac for second most playoff points at 10 each.

 

[Beninnola]

Fowler is tied with Kempe, Drai and Mac for second most playoff points at 10 each.

Broberg leads all in +/-.

Interesting outcome considering the two should never be on the ice at the same time.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Broberg leads all in +/-.

Interesting outcome considering the two should never be on the ice at the same time.

Dominance

 

[ChicagoBlues]

The Blues doing what they’re doing without Holloway has to be causing other teams and coaches to take notice.

I can feel the League sort of holding their collective breath until the Blues are eliminated.

Other teams are intimidated by the Blues.

 

[Stealth JD]

The Blues doing what they’re doing without Holloway has to be causing other teams and coaches to take notice.

I can feel the League sort of holding their collective breath until the Blues are eliminated.

Other teams are intimidated by the Blues.

Nobody is intimidated by the Blues, other than maybe Connor Hellebuyck.

 

[TheDizee]

we want connor

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Nobody is intimidated by the Blues, other than maybe Connor Hellebuyck.

Dang it! You’re ruining the fantasy!!

Play along, please. Thank you.

 

[Mike Liut]

The state of the Blues vs the Stars

1G Oettinger 26, 1D Heiskanen 25, 1D Harley 23, 1C Hintz 28, 2C Johnston 21, Robertson 25, Rantanen 28
Top prospects - no clue

1G Binner 32, 1D Parayko 33, 2D Broberg 23, 1C Thomas 26, 2/3 C Schenn 34, 2/3 C Dvorsky 20, Wingers Holloway 22, Kyrou 27, Buchnevich 30, Neighbors 23, Bolduc 22, Snuggerud 20
Top prospects- Dvorsky and Snuggerud (listed above), D Lindstein, F Stenberg,

How do we stack up in the near term and the long term?

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

The state of the Blues vs the Stars

1G Oettinger 26, 1D Heiskanen 25, 1D Harley 23, 1C Hintz 28, 2C Johnston 21, Robertson 25, Rantanen 28
Top prospects - no clue

1G Binner 32, 1D Parayko 33, 2D Broberg 23, 1C Thomas 26, 2/3 C Schenn 34, 2/3 C Dvorsky 20, Wingers Holloway 22, Kyrou 27, Buchnevich 30, Neighbors 23, Bolduc 22, Snuggerud 20
Top prospects- Dvorsky and Snuggerud (listed above), D Lindstein, F Stenberg,

How do we stack up in the near term and the long term?

It depends a lot on how you view their UDFA signings. They've been pretty good at identifying undrafted (or drafted but not signed) talent. Their AHL team was led by Matej Blumel (drafted but not signed by EDM), Justin Hryckowian (college FA), Arttu Hyry (Euro FA), and Chase Wheatcroft (undrafted out of the WHL), all of whom are 24 or younger. Years ago, the Lightning routinely backfilled a top-heavy contender with those kinds of guys, so it's not an unheard of strategy.

The prognosticators aren't convinced though. Wheeler had their prospect pool ranked 31st in January. Pronman had them ranked 18th in August, but he was still including Wyatt Johnston, Logan Stankoven, and Mavrik Bourque. Neither of them included any of the UDFA guys in their rankings.

I like our prospect depth better than theirs, but kinda only because so many of their guys have hit early. They've been really good at drafting for awhile now. All they really have to do is hit on one guy per draft (or get a UDFA guy) and they'll keep the ship afloat for a long time. They're legit contenders.