2024-2025 Blues Trade Proposals Thread.

[The Note]

Now that I think it, maybe another offer sheet might be on the table.

Blues don’t own their 2, 3, or 4 this year.

Edit - they don’t have a second until 2028! Yikes!

 

[Mike Liut]

Blues don’t own their 2, 3, or 4 this year.

Edit - they don’t have a second until 2028! Yikes!

We better hope we hit on our current guys like Pekarcik, Stancl, Jecho, Stenberg

 

[bleedblue1223]

In the few games that Norris played with Buffalo, he was primarily with Thompson, so I expect him to be with Thompson as Thompson plays more wing, with McLeod as the #2 C. Maybe there are question if McLeod extends there, but I'm not banking on him being available.

As far as Kyrou being of interest for them, with the rumors of Peterka being available, my assumption is that they are looking for major shake up moves and would probably be interested in any player of a significant talent level. That's also part of their issue where they seem to collect talent as opposed to building a team.

 

[greybush314]

Army just did an interview on KMOX and didn't mention Kyrou or Buchnevich when talking about the core. Seems odd he would just leave them out when he named about a dozen players

 

[simon IC]

The sticking point with going after McLeod is that Buffalo badly needs players just like him: defensively responsible players, regardless of position. If you look at their numbers last year, they could score quite a bit but were utterly disastrous defensively. A whole season of Norris and McLeod in the middle six would likely help. (although my hot take is that Owen Power living up to his potential is the thing that has to happen).

Us getting McLeod is contingent on Buffalo being strapped with too many RFAs and/or McLeod either refusing to stay in Buffalo and/or demanding more than Buffalo can afford.

They have somewhere around 18 million available with McLeod, Byram, Quinn and Peterka up as RFAs and they do not have a backup goalie if Levi plays in the AHL. Unless they bridge them all and face a UFA fire sale next year, you have to think they have to make a trade somewhere. Peterka and Byram combined, if paid market value, should take up most of that 18 million.

Now that I think it, maybe another offer sheet might be on the table.

My understanding was that McLeod can't be offer-sheeted because he is arbitration-eligible. Please correct me if I am wrong on this!

 

[bleedblue1223]

Army just did an interview on KMOX and didn't mention Kyrou or Buchnevich when talking about the core. Seems odd he would just leave them out when he named about a dozen players

I don't think it was meant like that. He was talking how we have the old Schenn core, the young Neighbours/Holloway/Broberg core and a group in the middle, where Thomas was the only one mentioned, but by saying group in the middle, he's meaning Thomas/Kyrou/Buchnevich.

 

[stl76]

Be honest If we get Dobson who do we play him with? Because Broberg and Fowler both need a defensive first partner and Dobson is not that. Are we really that ready to bring back the Krug-Faulk style pairing?

Several times now you've compared Dobson to Krug and called him a 50 point player, and I truly don't understand why. Krug and Dobson are different tiers of players.

Krug's career high in points was 59 in 79 games. He had a few other seasons scoring at high rates but played less games due to injury and ended with less points. At 24, Dobson put up 70 points in 79 games for the offensively inept islanders as the undisputed #1 dman playing over 24 mins a game. Krug has averaged over 22 mins exactly once in his career, Dobson already has twice.

Dobson is 6'4 200lbs, Krug is listed as 5'9 194lbs. Dobson's career ES ozone start % is 55.9 (all situations 62.7). Krug's career ES ozone start % is 61.6 (all situations 68.0). Dobson does not require the same type of sheltering Krug did in order to be sucessful. Frankly, I try not to watch isles games, they are a boring team IMO. However in the games I have watched, Dobson has never seemed to be a liability defensively like you seem to believe.

If the Blues are incredibly luck enough to get Dobson, play him with Broberg and give them more slightly more sheltered offensive minutes. I think that pairing would be fantastic.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Several times now you've compared Dobson to Krug and called him a 50 point player, and I truly don't understand why. Krug and Dobson are different tiers of players.

Krug's career high in points was 59 in 79 games. He had a few other seasons scoring at high rates but played less games due to injury and ended with less points. At 24, Dobson put up 70 points in 79 games for the offensively inept islanders as the undisputed #1 dman playing over 24 mins a game. Krug has averaged over 22 mins exactly once in his career, Dobson already has twice.

Dobson is 6'4 200lbs, Krug is listed as 5'9 194lbs. Dobson's career ES ozone start % is 55.9 (all situations 62.7). Krug's career ES ozone start % is 61.6 (all situations 68.0). Dobson does not require the same type of sheltering Krug did in order to be sucessful. Frankly, I try not to watch isles games, they are a boring team IMO. However in the games I have watched, Dobson has never seemed to be a liability defensively like you seem to believe.

If the Blues are incredibly luck enough to get Dobson, play him with Broberg and give them more slightly more sheltered offensive minutes. I think that pairing would be fantastic.

Why do I call a guy who scored 50 points 2 times and 70 points one time a 50 point player? I don't know probably because he had one good year and then the very next year didn't even hit 40 (a 31 point drop off). It's like going back in time and looking at Berglund and saying "He's a 50 point player" after the 2011-12 Season because he hit 52 points in 2010-11. Spoiler. He never hit 40 again.

Why do I think he is a defensive liability? Maybe because I have watched him play and have seen him repeatedly make dumb ass plays. Passing the puck up ice in the middle of the line change, Poor puck battles in the corners, he's extremely passive and even with his big body he makes Parayko look like Pronger out there at times. A lot of this is even mentioned by Islanders fans themselves on their Dobson thread, Tho some people are being even more critical than me stating that he can't PK well and he can't be relied on to be on the ice at the end of games.

 

[bleedblue1223]

His weaknesses are just completely different though, his size and speed make him a lot easier to shelter than Krug. He played a lot of minutes this season with Isaiah George, so that no doubt hurt his numbers.

Krug and Faulk struggled defensively because neither were great skaters and neither had much size, Krug was small and Faulk is average.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

My understanding was that McLeod can't be offer-sheeted because he is arbitration-eligible. Please correct me if I am wrong on this!

I thought if eligible player doesn't file for arbitration they can be offer sheeted?

 

[TruBlueFan1970]

I thought if eligible player doesn't file for arbitration they can be offer sheeted?

Correct. If the player files, they cannot be offer sheeted. If the team elects arbitration, they can still sign offer sheets, as long as it’s prior to the arbitration decision. Once the decision is final, it’s binding for both team and player.

 

[TruBlueFan1970]

I don't understand the point you're trying to make here. You say that the only reason Buffalo would trade McLeod is because they know they won't re-sign him, i.e. they don't have leverage. Then, you say you want to trade two of our most valuable assets for him straight up. Then your final proposal has Buffalo sending us more value than we're sending them.

I think a bird in hand is worth two in the bush. And below you mention a shallow draft after 10 and we are 19. So how is swapping an unproven prospect whose played one game, or a prospect whose played none, and a pick in a weak draft for an established 20 goal center giving up our most valuable assets. And even if they need to trade him because he won’t sign, we don’t have leverage. 20 other teams would line up to get him, so we have to give to get.

I at least agree with two things you're saying: McLeod would be a good fit here, and the only reason we get him is either we wait until he's a free agent, or Buffalo bails early because they know they can't keep him.

Agreed

I don't agree that he would be such a good fit, that he's worth skimming off the top of the asset pile to get him. I also don't see what good Kyrou would do them, especially not at the expense of dropping 10 spots in the first round of a shallow draft. They overpaid for him in the first place because their center depth is bad. Swapping him (and a high-end center prospect) for a winger (and a winger prospect) puts them right back at square one.

They are stacked at center with Norris, Thompson, and to an extent Krebs. Kyrou is a perennial 30+ goal scorer, who would thrive with those centers, just like he did with Thomas and a speedy winger like Holloway. He’d put up big regular season numbers to help them get wins which get you to the playoffs.

I think the Kyrou is worth McCleod + 10OA or McCleod and Helenius. So the question would be if Stancl and #19 is worth #10 or Helenius. I think the value is pretty even, but maybe swap Stancl for Jiricek.

Either way, they stay in the 1st round, get a former 1st pick in Jiricek (if you go that route) and a perennial 30g, 40a player. Let them figure out he sucks in playoff games. I think it’s fair.

Appreciate the convo though. We just have differing opinions of value. I think Kyrou has quite a bit as a regular season guy, as teams always think they can get more from a guy in the playoffs. He’s also cost controlled the next 6-7 years, which also adds value.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I think a bird in hand is worth two in the bush. And below you mention a shallow draft after 10 and we are 19. So how is swapping an unproven prospect whose played one game, or a prospect whose played none, and a pick in a weak draft for an established 20 goal center giving up our most valuable assets. And even if they need to trade him because he won’t sign, we don’t have leverage. 20 other teams would line up to get him, so we have to give to get.


Agreed



They are stacked at center with Norris, Thompson, and to an extent Krebs. Kyrou is a perennial 30+ goal scorer, who would thrive with those centers, just like he did with Thomas and a speedy winger like Holloway. He’d put up big regular season numbers to help them get wins which get you to the playoffs.

I think the Kyrou is worth McCleod + 10OA or McCleod and Helenius. So the question would be if Stancl and #19 is worth #10 or Helenius. I think the value is pretty even, but maybe swap Stancl for Jiricek.

Either way, they stay in the 1st round, get a former 1st pick in Jiricek (if you go that route) and a perennial 30g, 40a player. Let them figure out he sucks in playoff games. I think it’s fair.

Appreciate the convo though. We just have differing opinions of value. I think Kyrou has quite a bit as a regular season guy, as teams always think they can get more from a guy in the playoffs. He’s always coat contained for the next 6-7 years, which also adds value.

From what I gather, Sabres have soured on Thompson as a center because of defensive responsibility. Krebs is 4th liner. They do have kulich though, so they do have an abundance in a way but not enough that they would likely be looking to move on from McLeod at this point. Not that I really understand what sabres are trying to do, but he seems like kind of guy they want to keep as they turnover roster.

 

[fcpremix88]

Just to throw out a different name, Lightning fans seem to want a change in their lineup/culture. Cirelli checks a lot of boxes for our needs, and his NTC starts 7/1.

The Lightning need cost-controlled depth of any and all positions, especially players with sandpaper. I would think Neighbours and Bolduc would be a starting point, but not sure what would make sense for both parties.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

I just watched a You Tube video suggesting that the Blues have decided to part with Kyrou and the Rangers are frustrated with La Freniere.
Both players are under contract long-term. We don't have to lure a snotty free agent here.

But is this proposed trade one in which two teams are just exchanging problems?

Are you talking about Top Shelf Hockey? That dude has been pumping how we HAVE to/Are going to trade Parayko any moment now for years and anytime any Blues fans disagree with him he get's extremely defensive on how "the Blues have to do something". He's not reliable at all and is constantly only putting out things that he thinks, not actual facts or real rumors.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Just to throw out a different name, Lightning fans seem to want a change in their lineup/culture. Cirelli checks a lot of boxes for our needs, and his NTC starts 7/1.

The Lightning need cost-controlled depth of any and all positions, especially players with sandpaper. I would think Neighbours and Bolduc would be a starting point, but not sure what would make sense for both parties.

If available, he's another that I would pay a lot for.

 

[stl76]

Why do I call a guy who scored 50 points 2 times and 70 points one time a 50 point player? I don't know probably because he had one good year and then the very next year didn't even hit 40 (a 31 point drop off). It's like going back in time and looking at Berglund and saying "He's a 50 point player" after the 2011-12 Season because he hit 52 points in 2010-11. Spoiler. He never hit 40 again.

Why do I think he is a defensive liability? Maybe because I have watched him play and have seen him repeatedly make dumb ass plays. Passing the puck up ice in the middle of the line change, Poor puck battles in the corners, he's extremely passive and even with his big body he makes Parayko look like Pronger out there at times. A lot of this is even mentioned by Islanders fans themselves on their Dobson thread, Tho some people are being even more critical than me stating that he can't PK well and he can't be relied on to be on the ice at the end of games.

Krug vs Dobson is just a poor comparison. And comparing a dman who put up 70 points to Berglund is...a head scratcher. How much do you want to bet Dobson puts up more than 50 points again?

The isles were a f***ing tire fire offensively this year. They tied Boston for the 5th fewest goals scored and had the 2nd worst PP in the league at 12.6%. They also brought in DeAngelo when they were decimated with injuries and I'm sure he got some of the offensive minutes Dobson would've normally gotten. To top it off, Dobson had a PDO of 96.5.

I'd be SHOCKED if Dobson didn't put up 60+ points in a better situation. Guy needs a change of scenery like yesterday.

EDIT:
1 thing I wanted to add - personally I don’t put a ton of stock into what other fanbases post about their players. People have their own biases that often lead to misjudgments. Brayden Schenn was/is not a power play goal specialist. I sure wouldn’t want to judge Kyrou based on what a lot of posts about him in this forum say…

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Just to throw out a different name, Lightning fans seem to want a change in their lineup/culture. Cirelli checks a lot of boxes for our needs, and his NTC starts 7/1.

The Lightning need cost-controlled depth of any and all positions, especially players with sandpaper. I would think Neighbours and Bolduc would be a starting point, but not sure what would make sense for both parties.

But Cirelli has five years left on that contract, although I’m not sure if the NTC modifies later in contract.

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

Cirelli would be a great defensive compliment on a line with Holloway and Kyrou. I could see Neighbours being a popular player on that team too. Curious what TB would want for the full package though.

Let's make a deal!

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Cirelli would be a great defensive compliment on a line with Holloway and Kyrou. I could see Neighbours being a popular player on that team too. Curious what TB would want for the full package though.

Let's make a deal!

Let’s make a deal! I like it. I like Cirelli, just concerned with the NTC vs long-term health and productivity.

 

[TruBlueFan1970]

Cirelli would be a great defensive compliment on a line with Holloway and Kyrou. I could see Neighbours being a popular player on that team too. Curious what TB would want for the full package though.

Let's make a deal!

I agree. Can’t see Army/Steen giving up. Neighbours though. As much as I like him, I think they would deal Bolduc before Jake. My preference would be Buch+ for Cirelli, but I doubt they deal him either.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

I agree. Can’t see Army/Steen giving up. Neighbours though. As much as I like him, I think they would deal Bolduc before Jake. My preference would be Buch+ for Cirelli, but I doubt they deal him either.

I agree. Swap Jake for Zack and we have a solid foundation for a trade. And I love Bolduc. Never doubted him for one second.

 

[STL fan in MN]

But Cirelli has five years left on that contract, although I’m not sure if the NTC modifies later in contract.

It’s a full NTC for 2 years and then a 16 team NTC for the remaining 4 years of the deal. $6.25M AAV. Takes him to age 33.

A little risk with that contract but it’s manageable.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

It’s a full NTC for 2 years and then a 16 team NTC for the remaining 4 years of the deal. $6.25M AAV. Takes him to age 33.

A little risk with that contract but it’s manageable.

Thanks for digging. I figured it was modified at some point. It’s a manageable risk.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

I want to start looking for trade partners that would be great destinations for prospects needing a real NHL opportunity.

Specifically, the Blues prospective winger depth is prolly top-10 in the League. We can’t keep them all, so DA will trade some for what the team needs.

However, it is so Bluesy to trade guys to teams that have an opportunity for them.