2024-2025 Blues Trade Proposals Thread.

[Spektre]

I'd go Saad and Dean but thats about it for me.

Firm no on Snuggerud for me.

That’s honestly not a real offer.

Philly is pretty much retooling on the fly like the Blues.

You want them to trade you a top 6 C, who’s 25, and your best offer is Dean and Saad?

 

[CurrentCS]

That’s honestly not a real offer.

Philly is pretty much retooling on the fly like the Blues.

You want them to trade you a top 6 C, who’s 25, and your best offer is Dean and Saad?

Thats fair but we're talking about a guy that barely got to 40pts and was benched a number of times during the season.

He has clear potential but at the same time I see a clear 2C as someone in the 50-60+pt range and at 25 I'm not paying a premium for potential anymore, especially when offense is what they are known for.

So yeah a guy who's on a solid contract for 2 more years, coming off 27 goals and I'd think easily tradeable for a 2nd+ along with a former 1st rounder that has pretty clear 3C upside isn't terrible.

Maybe that's not enough and thats fine. I wouldn't pay much more than that due to Dvorsky coming soon and I also believe Holloway could become a good 2-way C if his wrist issues aren't a problem where he fits more on the wing moving forward.

I get where you're coming from though.

 

[Memento]

Thoughts on what Saad could get if you retained on his contract? I was thinking a second-round pick, maybe?

 

[CurrentCS]

Thoughts on what Saad could get if you retained on his contract? I was thinking a second-round pick, maybe?

I was thinking a 2nd without retention. $4.5mil is not a lot for a 25 goal scorer who is solid both ways, can pk or pp and still skates well. Especially with 2yrs remaining.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Thoughts on what Saad could get if you retained on his contract? I was thinking a second-round pick, maybe?

2nd round pick and 50% retained. It's a done deal. Place a wager now. And hopefully that 2nd rounder is not @65. If an ultra-top, Cup-contending team wants Saad, then it's a 2nd with 50%, plus a 3rd.

The worse the receiving team is, the lower the cost.

 

[Brian39]

I don't have any interest in moving Saad right now unless a team (that he's willing to waive for) makes an offer that is just way too good to pass up. I don't see his value going down by a meaningful amount in the next 6-18 months, so I'd prefer to pass up any non-absurd trade package and let him support our middle 6 for now.

He's above average defensively and he's a near lock to score at a 20 goal pace with middle 6 and PP2 deployment. He's exactly the type of vet I want out there with guys like Bolduc, Texier, and Holloway as we try to develop them on the NHL roster.

I think the value that he brings as a quality support player for our developing players is worth more than locking in a 2nd rounder now instead of getting a return in the future. His trade protection lessens next summer and his actual salary goes down. I don't think we'll have any issue moving him for a comparable return for what we'd get now if we wait.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Our trade position is a somewhat interesting one. I feel like our range of possibilities this season is pretty wide. I could 100% see us making the playoffs if Broberg continues his play from the playoffs and breaks out, goalies maintain their level, Bolduc has a solid offensive season, and the bottom 6 provides what they need to, solid defense from Faksa line, overall energy, and improved scoring. At the same time, Broberg could flop, bottom 6 could just be a disaster with different pieces, and we are once again out of the playoffs.

If we are out of the playoffs again, let's try to sell some pieces and regain some picks, but if things are going well, I think we will push for the playoffs. Not in a true buying sense, but guys like Saad and Faksa will be kept.

 

[Blanick]

I'll be honest I think regardless of how the Blues do this season I don't want to see us buy. I would only trade our 1st for a prospect drafted in the last few years with upside that matches the draft position were trading away. Even if successful I think that over the next two years, probably summer time moves, we will see the Blues trade away Saad and Faulk as we transition in the next wave of players.

 

[Fez Whatley]

Barring a 82-0 season I don't see army buying anything. He's spent quite a few picks this off-season. However, the only way I see army selling is if they crap the bed and it's a disappointing year.

If they are playoff bound, I think the team stays together as a reward for great play. Next year imo will be when some of the older guys get moved.

 

[bleedblue1223]

I'll be honest I think regardless of how the Blues do this season I don't want to see us buy. I would only trade our 1st for a prospect drafted in the last few years with upside that matches the draft position were trading away. Even if successful I think that over the next two years, probably summer time moves, we will see the Blues trade away Saad and Faulk as we transition in the next wave of players.

I think we only buy in the same scenario that Army has talked about, a player that fits this next core that they are building. Going after a vet rental, don't see it happening. Going after a player that's around 26 or younger and fills a need, I think we are in those discussions.

 

[mk80]

I could see a situation where Army does some minor tweaking on the fly at the deadline. But definitely no major buys if we are playoff position.

 

[Brian39]

Our trade position is a somewhat interesting one. I feel like our range of possibilities this season is pretty wide. I could 100% see us making the playoffs if Broberg continues his play from the playoffs and breaks out, goalies maintain their level, Bolduc has a solid offensive season, and the bottom 6 provides what they need to, solid defense from Faksa line, overall energy, and improved scoring. At the same time, Broberg could flop, bottom 6 could just be a disaster with different pieces, and we are once again out of the playoffs.

If we are out of the playoffs again, let's try to sell some pieces and regain some picks, but if things are going well, I think we will push for the playoffs. Not in a true buying sense, but guys like Saad and Faksa will be kept.

I mostly agree, but I think that our high end is higher than simply 'making the playoffs' if all of the bolded plays out. To be clear, I don't expect all of the bolded to pan out. However, if it does that is a number of large upgrades from last year's team. Adding a 2nd pair D man, a scoring threat to the middle 6, and getting good bottom 6 play would be a tangibly upgrading our 3 biggest weaknesses from last season. If we continue to get top 5 goaltending, that is a team that could make the playoffs with a real chance of doing something. Not winning 4 rounds, but winning 1 and potentially 2 rounds wouldn't be out of the question.

Now, I don't expect Broberg's playoff performance to be his new normal and I expect a number of rough nights as he (hopefully) grows into a legit top 4 guy. I also expect an up and down rookie season from Bolduc. I think that the 4th line is a pretty good bet to do what you describe, but I'm not sure how the 3rd line will look. As we sit here today, I wouldn't bet on us to win a playoff round this year.

But I do think that the top end of our potential outcomes this year is higher than simply squeaking in to the playoffs to get demolished in round 1.

 

[Brockon]

I mostly agree, but I think that our high end is higher than simply 'making the playoffs' if all of the bolded plays out. To be clear, I don't expect all of the bolded to pan out. However, if it does that is a number of large upgrades from last year's team. Adding a 2nd pair D man, a scoring threat to the middle 6, and getting good bottom 6 play would be a tangibly upgrading our 3 biggest weaknesses from last season. If we continue to get top 5 goaltending, that is a team that could make the playoffs with a real chance of doing something. Not winning 4 rounds, but winning 1 and potentially 2 rounds wouldn't be out of the question.

Now, I don't expect Broberg's playoff performance to be his new normal and I expect a number of rough nights as he (hopefully) grows into a legit top 4 guy. I also expect an up and down rookie season from Bolduc. I think that the 4th line is a pretty good bet to do what you describe, but I'm not sure how the 3rd line will look. As we sit here today, I wouldn't bet on us to win a playoff round this year.

But I do think that the top end of our potential outcomes this year is higher than simply squeaking in to the playoffs to get demolished in round 1.

I think that sums it up. Peak season scenario we eek out a round 1 win, and make an unexpected 2nd round exit. I think we realistically finish the season within 2 points of the playoff line in the west (above or below it), if we ourselves aren't the Cut-off.

I expect a margin point improvement this year on our 92 points last season, with a training camp and full season under Bannister, as his familiarity with most of our young players strengths/weaknesses will allow him to draw out their best on ice performance.

As you said previously, there's been some improvement in the bottom 6 forward personnel this year. I believe that Bannister's understanding of our 5-7D will allow him to work with them a little better. Where Broberg fits in that mix is less certain, he could easily be the #3 guy ahead of Faulk in aTOI per game by the end of the season, or he could be the 6/7 guy for the year (I certainly hope not, but it's a possibility he's press box material for 10-20 games). I think it's fairly safe to assume Parayko, Leddy and Faulk get #1-3 mins until the 4 Nations tournament, but I think watching our D and usage thereof will be its own saga to follow this year.

I suspect DAL/COL will win the division, and I don't favor us in a best of 7 against either one, expecting a 1-4 or 2-4 loss in the first round against the division winner.

Things get a tad murkier if we cross over for a Pacific matchup, as I feel we match up a little better against VAN/EDM who I imagine finish 1st/2nd in the Pacific.

 

[Brian39]

I suspect DAL/COL will win the division, and I don't favor us in a best of 7 against either one, expecting a 1-4 or 2-4 loss in the first round against the division winner.

I have no clue what to expect out of Colorado. It very much sounds like Landeskog will be playing at some point this year and who knows what he will be able to bring after 2 years of injury recovery. Nichuskin didn't seek to terminate his NHL deal to sign in the KHL, so it looks like he'll be back on the roster in November when his suspension expires. At the moment, they need to clear $3M-4M in cap space to fit both. Who gets traded to free up that space? They don't have their 1st or 3rd in 2025, so are they able to bring in a rental to address whatever hole is created?

I could see them being one of the shallowest playoff teams in the league this year. The top end talent can be enough to dominate a weaker opponent, but I could also see them being dispatched in round 1 like they were by Seattle a couple years ago. Especially if Landeskog is a shell of himself.

 

[Brockon]

I have no clue what to expect out of Colorado. It very much sounds like Landeskog will be playing at some point this year and who knows what he will be able to bring after 2 years of injury recovery. Nichuskin didn't seek to terminate his NHL deal to sign in the KHL, so it looks like he'll be back on the roster in November when his suspension expires. At the moment, they need to clear $3M-4M in cap space to fit both. Who gets traded to free up that space? They don't have their 1st or 3rd in 2025, so are they able to bring in a rental to address whatever hole is created?

I could see them being one of the shallowest playoff teams in the league this year. The top end talent can be enough to dominate a weaker opponent, but I could also see them being dispatched in round 1 like they were by Seattle a couple years ago. Especially if Landeskog is a shell of himself.

I very much expect the McKinnon, Rantanen, Makar and to a lesser extent Toews core to be very top heavy in scoring through the regular season.

I concur that talent falls off substantially when you look at the next tier of talent/question marks in Drouin, Mittelstadt, Lehkonen, Landeskog, Nichuskin, Girard and Manson.

Then the rest of the roster isn't particularly noteworthy and their goaltending hasn't been outstanding recently either.

But that star caliber top end reminds me alot of the McDavid, Draisaitl, RNH and Nurse core that led Edmonton to finish 2nd in the Pacific for the past 5 years while losing in the 1st, 1st, 3rd, 2nd and 4th rounds respectively.

Colorado lost depth over the last few years, but their top end talent will net them a divisional seed if healthy, with or without Landeskog. I have a difficult time imagining them falling to 3rd in the central and don't forsee them falling into a WC spot for another few years unless McKinnon misses 20+ games in a given year.

Edits 1 & 2: italicized, reworded for clarity

 

[ChicagoBlues]

But I do think that the top end of our potential outcomes this year is higher than simply squeaking in to the playoffs to get demolished in round 1.

I think we get in as the WC2 and get spanked in R1 and, in the end that's ok.

 

[Mike Liut]

I think we get in as the WC2 and get spanked in R1 and, in the end that's ok.

Binny says, jump on my back son

 

[bleedblue1223]

I mostly agree, but I think that our high end is higher than simply 'making the playoffs' if all of the bolded plays out. To be clear, I don't expect all of the bolded to pan out. However, if it does that is a number of large upgrades from last year's team. Adding a 2nd pair D man, a scoring threat to the middle 6, and getting good bottom 6 play would be a tangibly upgrading our 3 biggest weaknesses from last season. If we continue to get top 5 goaltending, that is a team that could make the playoffs with a real chance of doing something. Not winning 4 rounds, but winning 1 and potentially 2 rounds wouldn't be out of the question.

Now, I don't expect Broberg's playoff performance to be his new normal and I expect a number of rough nights as he (hopefully) grows into a legit top 4 guy. I also expect an up and down rookie season from Bolduc. I think that the 4th line is a pretty good bet to do what you describe, but I'm not sure how the 3rd line will look. As we sit here today, I wouldn't bet on us to win a playoff round this year.

But I do think that the top end of our potential outcomes this year is higher than simply squeaking in to the playoffs to get demolished in round 1.

That's probably me just tying to temper overall expecatations because I don't believe all of those things will happen, but I would agree, if everything does go right, they will be more than just a bubble team to squeezes in. And with how tight teams in the 5 or 6 spot through 10 in the West could be, doing more than just squeezing in is definitely plausible.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Evan Rodrigues is signed through 26-27 @ 3 AAV. He didn't play center last season for Florida, but is a legit centerman, has played center a bunch in his career and is at about 45% FOW and has gotten better at FOs as he's aged. I know we sometimes place too much emphasis on FOW%, but his #s there are adequate.

I've tried trade proposals in the past and am generally terrible at them, just like constructing lines, so I'll leave it to the board.

Does it make sense to trade for ERod? I think so. If it does make sense, then what's the cost?

 

[Reality Czech]

Evan Rodrigues is signed through 26-27 @ 3 AAV. He didn't play center last season for Florida, but is a legit centerman, has played center a bunch in his career and is at about 45% FOW and has gotten better at FOs as he's aged. I know we sometimes place too much emphasis on FOW%, but his #s there are adequate.

I've tried trade proposals in the past and am generally terrible at them, just like constructing lines, so I'll leave it to the board.

Does it make sense to trade for ERod? I think so. If it does make sense, then what's the cost?

Does it make sense for Florida to trade him? I'm guessing they have little interest in moving a member of their middle 6 signed to a reasonable deal.

I see why you're interested in acquiring a 3rd line center but I don't see the need to rush. Let's see what Faksa looks like or maybe Texier/Holloway will end up working out well. If the team does well and is making a push for the playoffs, then maybe we seek another middle 6 center midseason but I think it's too early to worry about it. We've got too many bottom 6 forwards as it is and a couple of decent players will probably be sitting in the press box most nights.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Does it make sense for Florida to trade him? I'm guessing they have little interest in moving a member of their middle 6 signed to a reasonable deal.

I see why you're interested in acquiring a 3rd line center but I don't see the need to rush. Let's see what Faksa looks like or maybe Texier/Holloway will end up working out well. If the team does well and is making a push for the playoffs, then maybe we seek another middle 6 center midseason but I think it's too early to worry about it. We've got too many bottom 6 forwards as it is and a couple of decent players will probably be sitting in the press box most nights.

All of this makes sense and has been considered.

There is no rush and I've regularly posted that Holloway and Texier have the golden opportunities to take the 2C and 3C right now. Texier is a wild one. I like it. Having a skilled and creative, but chaotic and unpredictable 3C is great. Texier is a roster luxury.

I've been a ERod fan for about 4 seasons now. He's fun. He's fast. He's smart. But he's got maybe a few good seasons left cuz he's a little slight for his body type. ERod partnering with Texier and Holloway to develop as centers sounds good to me.

But does it make sense from a Florida perspective? I certainly thought about that, but I don't know. I'd have to look deeper to understand if they can resupply. I don't know their needs. ERod is a player I've liked for many years and he's got a few good years left. I want him teaching the Blues' young centers.

 

[Reality Czech]

All of this makes sense and has been considered.

There is no rush and I've regularly posted that Holloway and Texier have the golden opportunities to take the 2C and 3C right now. Texier is a wild one. I like it. Having a skilled and creative, but chaotic and unpredictable 3C is great. Texier is a roster luxury.

I've been a ERod fan for about 4 seasons now. He's fun. He's fast. He's smart. But he's got maybe a few good seasons left cuz he's a little slight for his body type. ERod partnering with Texier and Holloway to develop as centers sounds good to me.

But does it make sense from a Florida perspective? I certainly thought about that, but I don't know. I'd have to look deeper to understand if they can resupply. I don't know their needs. ERod is a player I've liked for many years and he's got a few good years left. I want him teaching the Blues' young centers.

I'm not as familiar with ERod's game as you are but seems like he'd be a good fit in theory. I just think Florida will want to hang onto any reasonably priced vets they have considering their high salary players eat a lot of cap space. Just glancing at their projected lines on Daily Faceoff and they're kind of iffy after their top 8 forwards or so. I know Nosek is injured as well and will be out of the lineup for awhile.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

I'm not as familiar with ERod's game as you are but seems like he'd be a good fit in theory. I just think Florida will want to hang onto any reasonably priced vets they have considering their high salary players eat a lot of cap space. Just glancing at their projected lines on Daily Faceoff and they're kind of iffy after their top 8 forwards or so. I know Nosek is injured as well and will be out of the lineup for awhile.

Zackly! This is way off the cuff. I could be way out there on this. idk But it seems like a good fit in theory.

I'll go a little deeper on the Panthers and see if I can come up with an informed answer.

 

[Brian39]

Evan Rodrigues is signed through 26-27 @ 3 AAV. He didn't play center last season for Florida, but is a legit centerman, has played center a bunch in his career and is at about 45% FOW and has gotten better at FOs as he's aged. I know we sometimes place too much emphasis on FOW%, but his #s there are adequate.

I've tried trade proposals in the past and am generally terrible at them, just like constructing lines, so I'll leave it to the board.

Does it make sense to trade for ERod? I think so. If it does make sense, then what's the cost?

Is he a legit centerman? I can't recall the role he played in Buffalo early in his career, but he was a winger who sometimes slides into center duty as needed for all of Florida, Colorado, and Pittsburgh. I think he can play center at the NHL level (and he did in fact play games at center during the Panthers' Cup run). But I'm not sure that I'd consider him a legit NHL center. IMO, he is the kind of guy who is ideally the "4th" center in your top 9 who you pencil in as a winger when you are fully healthy and slide into the middle 6 center duty when a center gets hurt.

I think he'd absolutely be written in as a center on our current lineup, but I don't think that it makes sense to pay assets to acquire him for that role given his age/term and the current phase of our franchise.

The Panthers aren't in a cap crunch and I think his contribution as a middle 6 Swiss army knife at $3M AAV is pretty valuable to their effort to repeat. I think we'd have to make an offer 'too good to pass up' to convince them to trade him and I'm not really looking to do that for a short term fix to this current roster. I do like the player though.

 

[bleedblue1223]

The only centers that I'd be interested in acquiring are ones that are basically in between the development of Thomas and Dvorsky. If that player becomes available, I'd be somewhat interested, but I still wouldn't want to use the valuable trade pieces required to get them. A player like Mittelstadt or Frost to use as examples. Maybe a vet option is Scott Laughton, he's more of a 3rd line option though.

We are without our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round picks this season, and our 2nd next season. It's not like we have picks to trade. I'm not sure which of our prospects we'd be willing to trade, and that's not an option I'd want to do. You'd probably have difficulty playing musical chairs with vets, a 3-way deal where we get a center, we send Saad somewhere, and that team sends picks/prospects to the team we get the center from might make sense on paper, but that's going to be pretty difficult to make happen.

To me, I see this season giving us the opportunity to know once and for all if Buchnevich has a future at C. I'm as pessimistic as everyone else, but at least we'll know for sure now. Faksa will allow Dvorsky to develop. If Buchnevich doesn't work, hopefully Holloway or Texier plays well enough to earn an opportunity. Next season, Dvorsky should be our 2nd or 3rd line center, so no point in getting someone that will block him.