Tavares didn’t even hear the Blues’ pitch when he originally hit UFA years ago, right? I know the circumstances of his UFA status are much different this go round - he was the clear prize of that year and in hindsight it seems he was pretty set on Toronto - but I wonder how much of a desire he has to come to STL. Particularly when you can’t really sell him on being the last piece on a team that’s close to winning big.
2024-2025 Blues Trade Proposals Thread.
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PeoriaBlues309
Registered User
Nope. The only teams he was willing to meet with iirc were Toronto, NYI, San Jose, and Tampa Bay?
I know a lot of us were pissed (me included), but us getting ROR instead absolutely worked out in our favor. Maybe we still manage to win the Cup that year, but with his performance in the SCF and playoffs in general, I doubt it.
While I like Tavares, I just dont see the Blues being very active in the UFA market this summer.
IMO they will look at a guy like Chychrun, if he makes it to UFA, possibly look at opportunities with the Islanders defensemen, Notable Romanov and Dobson (RFA), etc.
At the end of the day, I suspect they resign Faska and Suter, possibly check out a guy like Nick Perbix.
I just dont see them pushing Schenn down to the 3rd line just yet. Thomas is not being moved off the top line.
The crazy thing, is you can count on two hands the amount of games that Faulk, CP, Leddy, Broberg, Suter, Tucker have played together as a group, due to injuries etc.
The wild card in this off season is going to be Krug. Last time I heard is he was skating and working out. If that dude comes back, and passes his physical, what then?
Majorityof1
Registered User
I don't see the upside in Chychrun. We have Fowler, Broberg and Leddy signed for next season down the left. Tucker took a step up this season. Suter is supposedly interested in coming back. LHD is good for next year, unless we get a deal too good to be true.
I think we'd focus on a youngish RHD to push Faulk down or push him out.
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Brian39
Registered User
- Apr 24, 2014
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I'd guess a long conversation about the possibility of being waived. Broberg and Fowler have both very clearly passed him on the depth chart and given the already-struggling PK I think we'd want a more defensively-focused LD on the 3rd pair. Cap-implications aside, I think it is reasonable to say that we've moved on from him, would do our best to move him, but that push-come-to-shove his role is no longer available. The reality of trying to make a comeback might be that he has to do it in any of the other 31 NHL markets and potentially in the AHL.
Or maybe we would want to run him on the 3rd pair as a PP specialist.
However it goes, I'm not worried about it. Skating in a coaches track suit to help at practice is miles away from getting back to NHL readiness and there are plenty of incremental steps to start planning along the way if he can keep making progress.
Linkens Mastery
Conductor of the TankTown Express
His NTC becomes Modified (15 team Trade list) this offseason, same with Faulk and Leddy. Push comes to shove The Blues will find a way to off-load Krug this offseason, They have already tried 2 years in a row.
Fez Whatley
Registered User
- Jun 7, 2015
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This is pure optimism, but krug faulk were playing pretty well when Monty was here last time. There is quite a logjam at ld, but maybe they get a chance next year to gitgud again. Lots of variables at play there tho.
BadgersandBlues
Registered User
- Jun 6, 2011
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I'm not too worried about Krug coming back. It might actually work out for the best, as a true PP QB has been lacking this year and with the additions of Fowler and Broberg we are in a much better spot to shelter Krug compared to years past.
Krug-Kessel was a solid pairing at times last year. I wouldn't be opposed to running that or Krug-Tucker as our third pairing next year. It's not like we don't have the cap space for him - We have a little over 8M of projected space with Krug on the roster and we basically only need to resign Hofer and either resign or replace Faksa - plus we might move on from a depth winger to make more space for Dvo/Snuggy (I'm thinking Texier) or Leddy, unless he magically finds the fountain of youth over the next 3-4 weeks. The dude looks cooked, and I'm not sure he's really 100% over his early season injury. Right now with no changes we have:
Fowler-Parayko
Broberg-Faulk
Leddy-???
Tucker/Kessel/Krug
If we move on from Leddy, you slide Krug and then either Tucker or Kessel into that extra slot. We could always bring back Suter, who has played remarkebly well for a 40 year old. Lots of options. I think the #1 focus for our D this off-season is upgrading from Leddy to a top 4 RHD that can displace Faulk and push him down the lineup.
Krug-Kessel was a solid pairing at times last year. I wouldn't be opposed to running that or Krug-Tucker as our third pairing next year. It's not like we don't have the cap space for him - We have a little over 8M of projected space with Krug on the roster and we basically only need to resign Hofer and either resign or replace Faksa - plus we might move on from a depth winger to make more space for Dvo/Snuggy (I'm thinking Texier) or Leddy, unless he magically finds the fountain of youth over the next 3-4 weeks. The dude looks cooked, and I'm not sure he's really 100% over his early season injury. Right now with no changes we have:
Fowler-Parayko
Broberg-Faulk
Leddy-???
Tucker/Kessel/Krug
If we move on from Leddy, you slide Krug and then either Tucker or Kessel into that extra slot. We could always bring back Suter, who has played remarkebly well for a 40 year old. Lots of options. I think the #1 focus for our D this off-season is upgrading from Leddy to a top 4 RHD that can displace Faulk and push him down the lineup.
I think Suter has been a calming effect on players. He's been there. They showed a video of him talking the Devo presumably telling him to just be calm about everything. At least that was the thoughts of the commentators. I wouldn't be surprised if they sign him for another year [if he wants to].
BlueMed
Registered User
- Jul 18, 2019
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I do not want Krug even on the third pairing. We need 3 D pairings that can actually defend. Gone are the days where we shelter one player with the hopes of getting power play opportunities that are never guaranteed in any game, especially in the playoffs.
I don't want Krug back in the lineup under any circumstance. Time to move on.
I would be very open to Suter taking the Steve Ott route if he wants it. Not that I have complaints about Mike Weber, I think he's done a nice job.
Majorityof1
Registered User
I don't know if Suter is that popular in the locker room. Now, this is 100% entirely speculation. I fully admit the rumors from his previous teams may be clouding my judgement. Just one thing from this season struck me as odd. It caused me to look at other interviews and interactions, and made it seem like he is a guy a bit out of place.
We have had 3 X games played ceremonies this season. For Fowler's 1000 game and Schenn's 1000 game, our players gave the honoree a gift in addition to the stick and painting. Fowler got a vacation for his family and Schenn got a Rolex. Fowler got something from the Ducks as well. Suter did not get anything from the team at 1500. I looked back at other 1500 ceremonies. The only video I found, Chara got a gift as well. It seems to be standard for these events (although there have not been many 1500 ceremonies). Thomas especially looked a little cool toward him in the ceremony (handshake no hug, tried to stand away from him for photo before DA motioned him to stand next to Sutes, did not acknowledge him after photo).
Again, I may be projecting due to the rumors, which is why I didn't write my thoughts then. But it definitely stuck out to me when I watched that and some other interviews I've seen. Nobody is saying anything outright, and I doubt it is a big deal. It just seems like a guy who doesn't really fit in <shrug> Basically, given the depth on LD and that pure speculation/vibe, I wouldn't be surprised if we did not offer him another year.
bleedblue1223
Registered User
- Jan 21, 2011
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Maybe the players just didn't make it known what the gift was. They did wear the 1,500 shirts like they did for Fowler and Schenn for their 1,000. And no doubt he's the "dad" of the group being 6-7 years older than the next group of old guys of Leddy, Fowler, Schenn, and Faulk.
Backes had an interview a few years ago reflecting on his time here and how he would've done things differently as a captain, metioning how he would've gone out more with the guys, instead of staying. I think for some leaders, you are right in the mix with the group, and others tend to position themselves between the players and coaches. So, maybe Suter has always been more like Backes, and that's led to some of the rumors about him.
I doubt Suter is close with most of the younger guys off the ice, but I do think he's a good on-ice mentor for them. Funnily enough, Suter's best xGF% pairs are with the younger guys, Broberg, Tucker, and Kessel. Part of that is due to usage on the 3rd pair with Tucker and Kessel, but him and Broberg weren't a 3rd pair.
Backes had an interview a few years ago reflecting on his time here and how he would've done things differently as a captain, metioning how he would've gone out more with the guys, instead of staying. I think for some leaders, you are right in the mix with the group, and others tend to position themselves between the players and coaches. So, maybe Suter has always been more like Backes, and that's led to some of the rumors about him.
I doubt Suter is close with most of the younger guys off the ice, but I do think he's a good on-ice mentor for them. Funnily enough, Suter's best xGF% pairs are with the younger guys, Broberg, Tucker, and Kessel. Part of that is due to usage on the 3rd pair with Tucker and Kessel, but him and Broberg weren't a 3rd pair.
I'm not going to attack your feelings over these comments but just say that I think you're making a mountain out of a mole hill.
Reality Czech
Registered User
- Apr 17, 2017
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Krug isn't as bad as you and many others make him out to be, but I know he makes an easy whipping boy
Majorityof1
Registered User
You could be right they just didn't announce the gift. Leddy also got a Rolex from the team announced and given during the ceremony at 1000 last year. It's commonplace at these things. Why announce the other 3 but not Suter?
I think a more likely explanation is Suter told them not too. He's made over $100m in his career. Maybe he felt bad about guys who won't have his longevity or salary paying out.
It is more than just the 1500 ceremony though. There are other interviews and the youtube puff pieces where I sense an akwardness. You are most likely right about that being an age gap thing. I was just throwing it out there as a counter point to speculation he is a calming influence.
BleedBlue14
UrGeNcY
I’m not really sure a PPQB is necessary for us. Fowler hasn’t been bad on the PP and Thomas seems to be more or less the QB now.
Prior to the break I’d absolutely agree, and I still don’t think it would hurt. I’m just not sure Krug fresh off of missing alot of time would draw into the lineup if we’re trying to win and/or be a positive on the PP. We went down that road for a long time with average results outside of the first season after the bubble
PeoriaBlues309
Registered User
I disagree with this wholeheartedly. There was a YouTube practice video with Kyrou, and him and another player(I think it was Holloway) were laughing on the bench about something Suter said on the ice. With the quote “Sutes is so funny man”.
Not only that, but at the multiple games I’ve been to since I’ve been back in IL, I’ve gone down near the ice for warmups and I always see him laughing it up with the younger players on the team. He was also the main person I saw giving advice to Dvorsky on Sunday down there, and you could tell he was cracking jokes with him as well.
From all accounts given, he’s been a great fit in the room.
Edit: Also forgot the episode of where they have Buch interview players in the room, and he was doing it with Suter for the 1500th game, and Buch was giving it to him about being paid by 3 teams and they were both laughing about it. He may come off as the awkward dad like you said, but I’ve seen zero indications that he isn’t well liked.
Reality Czech
Registered User
- Apr 17, 2017
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Good stuff. In the public sphere, just a few stories or rumors can stick with a person for their entire career/life. There were rumors in the past that he wasn't the best teammate or wasn't well-liked, but that could have just been the opinion of a couple of people. Or maybe he went through a period where he wasn't the best teammate but changed with time. Everything isn't that black and white in the real world. Fans love to throw around the "locker room cancer label" even though it's probably rarely true.
It's the same reason non-Blues fans still see Binnington as some kind of loose cannon headcase even though he's been pretty calm and focused the last couple of years. I feel like ROR was even labeled a bad teammate after his time in Buffalo, which is obviously ridiculous. I've only heard good things about Suter in interviews and podcasts and I'm willing to bet he appreciates every moment as his career winds down. Strickland has also mentioned how he had a different opinion of Suter based on stories he had heard, but his opinion of the guy has totally changed this year. He's been a great addition and better than probably anyone could have imagined.
Snubbed4Vezina
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BadgersandBlues
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Wonder what that does to Dobson's value. I'm still sticking with 9.5 as my ceiling if we're looking to trade for him and sign him to an 8 year deal.
Brian39
Registered User
- Apr 24, 2014
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If we can bring in a quality top 4 defensive RHD AND Krug is about what he was in 2023/24, we could do a hell of a lot worse than a Krug-Faulk 3rd pair. That would be a better 3rd pair than the large majority of the league. Way more cap than you'd like to allocate to a 3rd pair, but we have the space to make it work short term and their remaining term would keep it a short term solution. Now, those two conditions are a large if, but I think that is the scenario we'd be looking at if we're in a situation where Krug is actually coming back.
Krug-Faulk isn't a pair I want to see when they have to be your 2nd pair and play 19+ minutes a night largely against top 6 competition. But they would be a damn effective pair with 3rd pair minutes/usage.
My impression is that Krug's career is over and I'd prefer to use his cap space elsewhere. But in a world where he returns (and we presumably move Leddy to clear the roster log jam), we have plenty of space to work with.
BleedBlue14
UrGeNcY
Can’t see him signing under 9m after this extension.
Can’t see Bouchard under 10.
But I also feel like both parties will try to wait out the other unless they get exactly what they want to see where the market is.
Majorityof1
Registered User
Thank you for the added context. Being out of state, I don't get to go to many games to see practices and the like.
The Buch video was one I thought of as a sign he didn't fit. As I remember it, Suter was not happy with Buch ribbing him about his buy outs. But the other stuff you cited definitely shows I am reading too much into it.
