2024-2025 Blues Trade Proposals Thread.

[Brian39]

ROR situation is a bit unique. Bozak was signed to lower the acquisition cost, but at that time, we only had 1 real need - 1st line center.

Now, we have holes in 2 separate areas - RHD and 2nd line Center. 2nd line center upgrades are in high demand through out the NHL. More teams seem to be looking for those if you read the trade boards.

I would like to try Holloway at center or find a similar deal for Zegras type.

As we entered the summer of 2018, we had 4 forwards in the organization who topped the 35 point mark in 2017/18 (Schenn, Tarasenko, Schwartz, and Steen). Berglund was the only other one of our forwards who had ever hit the 35 point mark and he was 7 years removed from that accomplishment. We finished 24th in goals in 2017/18 and that included the 60+ games we got from Stastny before trading him at the deadline. No 1C was going to turn that offense around on his own.

The middle 6 forward group wasn't remotely close to contending, which is why signed three of the top 10 UFAs that summer in addition to trading for that 1C. We completely rebuilt the top 9 in the summer of 2018. It is completely disingenuous to act like upgrading Faulk is a need, but that we weren't in need of any upgrades other than a 1C in 2018.

Top 6 centers are in no higher demand now than they were in 2018. Like then, most teams seem to be looking for those. With the RHD conversation, we're talking about needing a #4 defensively oriented D man, not a top pair all-situations workhorse. I very much disagree that filling those two needs is more difficult than the needs to fill a legit 1C and multiple pieces of scoring depth in 2018.

 

[TheDizee]

With Army mentioning a couple times that he would like to add a "200ft offensive player", any speculation on who is potentially available this summer that would fit the bill and be in our core age range?

Brady Tkachuk

 

[Allens Five Hole]

Based on some of the comments today, I’d say Thomas’s peak and Binnington’s age curve are bigger drivers of what comes next than whatever Dvorský does or doesn’t become.

The comment about how quickly they want to accelerate out of the re-whatever phase was framed with the condition that we won’t trade a high-end prospect or first-round pick for a band-aid or a player well outside our core age group—but that still leaves a lot of wiggle room.

I’m someone who’s more conservative with high-end assets and tend to prioritize reinforcing RD over adding a 2C. Army clearly leans toward upgrading the forward group first, but I’d be shocked if we push a large portion of the chips in without also addressing longer-term solutions and puck poise on the blue line. That's where I get stuck in the "wait and see what we have with Dvorsky" camp. That said, if the right opportunity presents itself, he clearly won’t hesitate to go big.

Yeah, just taking into account what was said at the presser, both Armstrong and Montgomery seem to believe 2C is clearly the most important piece to get this offseason.

I believe Monty even said he was happy with our defense but thought we could get “harder” on offense. And then Army followed that up saying he’s looking for a forward who can play 200 ft.

I think we will try and make a significant push to fill the 2C and I wouldn’t be surprised if we go into the year with the same top 4 in Fowler-Parayko and Broberg-Faulk and look for a similar vet like Suter was for this team to play on the 3rd pair with Leddy/Tucker.

 

[SirPaste]

Brady Tkachuk

Brady is not good defensively so that would leave him out

 

[Brian39]

Faulk had a rough series with a number of very noticeable gaffes and I really don't like him playing 22+ minutes a night. But I think his negative impact on the team is becoming way overblown.

He had 27 points and was a -1 in 56 games under Monty, which includes putting up 10 points and a +2 while logging almost 23 minutes a night when Parayko went down. He genuinely played like a top pair D man while Parayko was out and we don't make the playoffs without that. In the playoffs, we outscored the Jets 6-1 over Faulk's 133 minutes played at 5 on 5. Those 133 minutes were 2nd most on the team behind Parayko. Now, the underlying numbers are far uglier and I think that Binner bailed him out. But the 2nd pair is pretty far down the list of reasons we lost to the Jets.

I think the RHD hole is closer to needing a #4/5 guy than a #2/3 guy. I'm also more eager to get rid of Leddy's money than Faulk's. Obviously I'd be more than happy to find a great, long-term true 2nd pair shutdown RHD. But I also think that we could ice a contender-level blue line with a 17-18 minute a night RHD who gets Faulk off the PK and can go over the boards for 3rd period defensive situations when Parayko is gassed and needs a breather.

I think the lack of a 3RHD was a bigger problem than Faulk as the 2RHD.

 

[Beninnola]

With Army mentioning a couple times that he would like to add a "200ft offensive player", any speculation on who is potentially available this summer that would fit the bill and be in our core age range?

Mitchell Daniel Marner

 

[Itsnotatrap]

Does feel like we are going big game hunting for a forward. A 200 foot offensive player, which I'd also assume is a top 6 guy. That fits with us pursuing Norris at the deadline.

And I think I saw he's open to free agency as well. My ideal scenario is probably a major forward trade and a Fabbro signing.

Only a tangent to the points being made, but it’s baffling and pretty hilarious that Nashville waived Fabbro and did it this season in particular.

They are not in good hands, and I am here for it.

 

[Majorityof1]

Does feel like we are going big game hunting for a forward. A 200 foot offensive player, which I'd also assume is a top 6 guy. That fits with us pursuing Norris at the deadline.

And I think I saw he's open to free agency as well. My ideal scenario is probably a major forward trade and a Fabbro signing.

Did he mean forward? I still have to watch the pressers. But when I read that, I thought he meant a D who could transition the puck and start the breakout then pinch at the other end. Makar not Mackinnon although obviously not as good as either. I have not seen forward specified by anyone.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Did he mean forward? I still have to watch the pressers. But when I read that, I thought he meant a D who could transition the puck and start the breakout then pinch at the other end. Makar not Mackinnon although obviously not as good as either. I have not seen forward specified by anyone.

Felt like he was talking about a center. He tried to sign Stephenson last summer, tried to deal for Norris. That is level of guy he wants. He said he was happy with top 4 d.

 

[Quaz]

Enough with 10 in the top 6 for the love of god

I would be OK with Bolduc replacing Schenn in the top 6 and moving Schenn down to the 3rd line.

 

[TheDizee]

Mitchell Daniel Marner

He is a bigger playoff noshow than Kyrou. I don't want a team with 2 of those types of players. Plus his numbers in the reg season are inflated by playing with Matthews. Kyrou is not even close to Matthews goal scoring level, whoever pays for him is paying for him knowing he will never touch those sort of offensive numbers again.

Tavares is the better short term option and would not cost nearly as much. You can even do a short 1/2yr deal and overpay for him, the cap space is there.

 

[Majorityof1]

Felt like he was talking about a center. He tried to sign Stephenson last summer, tried to deal for Norris. That is level of guy he wants. He said he was happy with top 4 d.

Thank you. I am just listening now. But since everyone was saying 200 foot "player" I wasn't sure. With the rumours about guys, we were in on, it makes sense. But we also were wanting to move Schenn then. I'm not sure we still want to do that with the culture change. Maybe knock him down a line. But I don't think Army wants to move him now.

 

[WeWentBlues]

Thank you. I am just listening now. But since everyone was saying 200 foot "player" I wasn't sure. With the rumours about guys, we were in on, it makes sense. But we also were wanting to move Schenn then. I'm not sure we still want to do that with the culture change. Maybe knock him down a line. But I don't think Army wants to move him now.

If they can upgrade 2C, moving Schenn to 3C or 3LW with Dvo makes alot of sense to me.

 

[Majorityof1]

If they can upgrade 2C, moving Schenn to 3C or 3LW with Dvo makes alot of sense to me.

Absolutely, I agree. Adding a RH puck-moving D to balance the pairs, push Faulk's minutes down and help us avoid getting hemmed in our zone also makes sense to me. Both make sense. I wasn't sure which one Army wanted.

 

[Beninnola]

He is a bigger playoff noshow than Kyrou. I don't want a team with 2 of those types of players. Plus his numbers in the reg season are inflated by playing with Matthews. Kyrou is not even close to Matthews goal scoring level, whoever pays for him is paying for him knowing he will never touch those sort of offensive numbers again.

Tavares is the better short term option and would not cost nearly as much. You can even do a short 1/2yr deal and overpay for him, the cap space is there.

I do believe if we brought in Mitch it would mean we’ve sent out Kyrou. I doubt we’d have 3 wingers take 1/3 of the cap.

I feel marner’s the best 200 foot winger in the game. I think you can only downgrade from Marner. You’re gonna see a top 10 selke list this year in a few days: probably with 9 centers and 1 winger. Either you’ve got the best the role can be or you don’t have Marner imo.

 

[TheDizee]

I do believe if we brought in Mitch it would mean we’ve sent out Kyrou. I doubt we’d have 3 wingers take 1/3 of the cap.

I feel marner’s the best 200 foot winger in the game. I think you can only downgrade from Marner. You’re gonna see a top 10 selke list this year in a few days: probably with 9 centers and 1 winger. Either you’ve got the best the role can be or you don’t have Marner imo.

If that is the case, then I am 100% on board.

 

[bleedblue1223]

I think we are correct that #2 C and #2 RD are the holes that we need to fill, but like Army I think they are on different timelines. For C, we have a short-term need, likely a medium term need, but not as much of a long-term need. We have Dvorsky for long-term, we don't know when he will be top 6 ready, and we've already shown that we would rather not have Schenn as the #2 C in an ideal world. We started the season with Buchnevich, on some level Schenn was available for trade, and at the deadline, we pursued a #2 C in Norris to some degree. For #2 RD, I think Faulk is still good enough to play that role in the short-term, medium is questionable, and long-term is a much bigger need depending on Jiricek, but even if he makes it, you still have Parayko that will age out too.

If Army views us as exiting the re-whatever, then I think it's reasonable that a #2 C should be the primary focus and possibly only major move. It's also easier to replace Faulk in-season. We have the #1 PP QB in Fowler, Faulk isn't on a shutdown pair, and he isn't on the top PK unit. While I don't think he'll be as easy as some think to replace, but we can acquire a stopgap if he truly falls off. The #2 C would be more heavily relied upon than Faulk will be.

 

[TheOrganist]

Felt like he was talking about a center. He tried to sign Stephenson last summer, tried to deal for Norris. That is level of guy he wants. He said he was happy with top 4 d.

He did add “for now”…

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Sign Marner this summer.

 

[kimzey59]

Does feel like we are going big game hunting for a forward. A 200 foot offensive player, which I'd also assume is a top 6 guy. That fits with us pursuing Norris at the deadline.

And I think I saw he's open to free agency as well. My ideal scenario is probably a major forward trade and a Fabbro signing.

Listening to the presser, it actually sounded like he's more open to the FA market than he is to the trade market.

My translation: if Sam Bennett actually gets to market, Army's going to go stupid for him.

 

[Eldon Reid]

Going to be an interesting off season IMO.

To me, the 1st big decision is going to be with Faska. I think Blues like having 4th line with solid identity. Do we resign him or move on and have say Sunny/Walker as 4th center combo, or do we go UFA?

Personally if I was targeting any FA for the couple of positions they mention (I don't have too much that I like personally), we are looking into, I would target these guys:

Dman
Fabbro (about only one that fits age wise)
All big names

Fwd
OBVIOUSLY big names
Marner 200ft player (Expensive)
Ehlers (some interest)
Boeser (not as interested in him)
Smith (some interest)


Let's say Dvorsky isn't ready next season they feel. Couple of centers that are older that will get shorter term.
Giroux
Roslovic (not as much interest but don't see him getting long term deal)
Eller


Trade wise:

Personally I would love to make deal with Kings. Think they may decide it is time for a change and especially if Blues think Dvorsky isn't going to be ready for this upcoming season.

Danault (solid 2 way player and has good playoff history) 2 years left at 5.5
Clarke (prospect that may need change)

Devils could be another interesting team.
Mercer
Glass


That's just a few but there could be a lot more.

 

[Reality Czech]

Where did Blanick insult you? It didn’t happen.

As for the bolded, yes it quite literally is happening.

I can't believe you guys still let Dizee rile you up so much. By taking him seriously it kind of ruins the whole discussion.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Listening to the presser, it actually sounded like he's more open to the FA market than he is to the trade market.

My translation: if Sam Bennett actually gets to market, Army's going to go stupid for him.

My takeaway after watching was that he's equally open to both and doesn't really care where a player comes from, kind of pushing back of Trotz's comments that a rising cap will mean more trades.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Does feel like we are going big game hunting for a forward. A 200 foot offensive player, which I'd also assume is a top 6 guy. That fits with us pursuing Norris at the deadline.

And I think I saw he's open to free agency as well. My ideal scenario is probably a major forward trade and a Fabbro signing.

Possibly big game hunting but “200 ft offensive player” is still pretty darn vague. Purposely vague in fact. He wants to leave himself some wiggle room as he has no idea as of today what all players will actually be available this summer or which might be willing to sign here.

Like most, I translate what he said as most likely going after a guy that should slot in as the 2C. But it could be more of a 3C. Could be a winger. Heck, maybe it’ll be a superstar that pushes Thommer to 2C. Logic would suggest a C as we’re short those and busting at the seams at wing but he just said offensive player with a good two-way game. Purposely vague.

I could see him kicking the tires on the upper echelon guys like Tavares, Bennett, Giroux etc or wingers like Marner (although I’m personally not a fan of spending the amount it would take to get Marner) but it might also mean going after someone like Granlund, Nelson or Gourde. Or other wingers like Ehlers, Marchand or Boeser.

Or he could go the trade route. But with 7-800 players in the league, I’m not ready to start scouring rosters for who the might be. But as others have noted, he went after Josh Norris recently so that caliber of player seems to be the likely target.

 

[Stealth JD]

McDavid is going to refuse to extend in Edmonton this summer, and Army will swoop in with an excellent trade package to land the most potent 2C avaialble!