Pre-Game Talk: 2024 Blues Training Camp Thread

[Snubbed4Vezina]

Saad is missing from those lines. I wonder what's going on there.

 

[Mike Liut]

Saad is missing from those lines. I wonder what's going on there.

I thought the same thing. I kind of like them without him tbh.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1839711444637544951

Looks like Saad is playing with the kids. I wonder if there is something going on there. Everyone in this group looks like people who will be sent down

 

[Majorityof1]

I thought the same thing. I kind of like them without him tbh.

Really? You'd rather play Walker for 82 games at C than shift Texier to C and play Saad?

 

[Majorityof1]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1839711444637544951

Looks like Saad is playing with the kids. I wonder if there is something going on there. Everyone in this group looks like people who will be sent down

Give Dvorsky a vet to learn from? Idk. I highly doubt we'd bench/send down Saad. Only other thing icould be if we are in trade talks to move him for some reason.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Give Dvorsky a vet to learn from? Idk. I highly doubt we'd bench/send down Saad. Only other thing icould be uf we are in trade talks to move him for some reason.

I'm hoping it's just a Vet for Dvo to play with. But, I wouldn't rule out Trade talks. I just think it's weird. I was expecting both groups to be a little more 50/50 on talent.

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

I wonder if we could be in talks to move Saad+Perunovich+? for a middle six center.

 

[STLegend]

Really? You'd rather play Walker for 82 games at C than shift Texier to C and play Saad?

Walker is a placeholder for Sunny, sounds like they are expecting him back in the lineup within the first 10 games, that'd be our 4c

 

[Majorityof1]

Walker is a placeholder for Sunny, sounds like they are expecting him back in the lineup within the first 10 games, that'd be our 4c

Even so, Saad and Texier at C is better than Sunny and Texier at wing.

 

[BlueDream]

Yeah that’s interesting to see the closest version yet to our opening night lineup. It’s the entire NHL roster except for Saad. I also believe that he’s one of the few guys that has not played in a preseason game yet. So either he’s dealing with a minor injury, or that is a situation worth keeping an eye on.

 

[Majorityof1]

I wonder if we could be in talks to move Saad+Perunovich+? for a middle six center.

That's what I am thinking, or a younger bottom 6 with a little bit of upside. Or even just move him for draft capital if he is not in our long term plans

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

That's what I am thinking, or a younger bottom 6 with a little bit of upside. Or even just move him for draft capital if he is not in our long term plans

Yeah I was thinking a vet C with up to 2-3 years left on his deal so they don’t block Dvorsky. Could also see a younger guy with some upside, especially if it’s a team who could use a vet like Saad.

Draft capital I wouldn’t mind, but I can’t see them just giving up his 20+ goals when they want to make the playoffs.

 

[BlueDream]

I would like to see a trade of some sort just to create some breathing room. We have too many bodies, even at the AHL level it seems.

Although I’m not sure if I’m ready to move Saad right now. Unless we can find a decent Center for him, I’d rather just find a team that needs some depth and give them Perunovich and Kapanen for a 7th.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

I would like to see a trade of some sort just to create some breathing room. We have too many bodies, even at the AHL level it seems.

Although I’m not sure if I’m ready to move Saad right now. Unless we can find a decent Center for him, I’d rather just find a team that needs some depth and give them Perunovich and Kapanen for a 7th.

Agreed and I would add Tucker into that group as well.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

I wonder if Bolduc's play so far is forcing Army's hand into moving Sadd sooner rather than later (if they are going through trade talks)

https://x.com/i/web/status/1839722773284901307

Ok, looks like there's nothing to look into.

 

[Majorityof1]

I would like to see a trade of some sort just to create some breathing room. We have too many bodies, even at the AHL level it seems.

Although I’m not sure if I’m ready to move Saad right now. Unless we can find a decent Center for him, I’d rather just find a team that needs some depth and give them Perunovich and Kapanen for a 7th.

Saad may want out. Neighbours passed him on the depth chart, Bolduc as well if he secures a role. We brought in Texier, Holloway and Joseph to compete for 3rd line roles. Snuggy will be here come playoffs. He is having to compete for a Top line role on a borderline contender. Army honors trades when requested. Not saying it's the case but it wouldn't shock me.

Edit: Nevermind, lol

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Sorry yall for making a mountain out of a mole hill

 

[Mike Liut]

Really? You'd rather play Walker for 82 games at C than shift Texier to C and play Saad?

I prefer that top 6 without Saad

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

Sorry yall for making a mountain out of a mole hill

Gonna need you to settle down, Eklund (E4).

 

[bleedblue1223]

And in addition to Saad's baby, I always take the early lines/pairings with a grain of salt. Usually in camp and pre-season, you mix and match to both see how things work and see how players react to change, you don't want them too comfortable. It's not like we are tied to Buch at center, but they obviously want to see it for at least a stretch. Things probably look different 10-20 games into the season.

 

[Reality Czech]

I wonder if Bolduc's play so far is forcing Army's hand into moving Sadd sooner rather th withan later (if they are going through trade talks)

https://x.com/i/web/status/1839722773284901307

Ok, looks like there's nothing to look into.

Congrats to the Saads! I hope they don't trade him yet, especially with a little Saad on the way. I like the fact that Dvo is playing with two experienced NHL vets. Seems like a good idea to show him what NHL pace feels like.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

I prefer that top 6 without Saad

For me, it's about speedy partners for Saad. He really hasn't slowed down at all. Whether it's the 2nd or the 3rd line, what I care about is Saad having speedy partners. Luckily, our team has tons of speed right now.

But like @BlueDream posted, I agree that a slight thinning needs to happen, but not right now. Maybe during that 2-3 day window between camp and the season. If no moves are made, then wouldn't the Florida Everblades be in line to take on at least 1-2 players? The T-Birds' first game is on 10/12, so there's time.

 

[blueper]

Pre-practice power play units this morning
PP1
Faulk Thomas Buch JakeN Kyrou
PP2
Peru Schenn Bolduc Holloway Texier

Quick observations from this morning ... both Josephs are flashing some skill and of course their skating is at the plus level. Not suggesting anything elite, but a bit more there than I expected.
I think the coaches have to like what they've seen.
Bolduc is on this team. No question. If not, I'll be shocked. His one timer from the half board on the PP is eventually going to be lethal. But, more importantly, he's on the path of being a complete player. He's improved so much in the last year.

 

[Renard]

Yeah I was thinking a vet C with up to 2-3 years left on his deal so they don’t block Dvorsky. Could also see a younger guy with some upside, especially if it’s a team who could use a vet like Saad.

Draft capital I wouldn’t mind, but I can’t see them just giving up his 20+ goals when they want to make the playoffs.

What about Texier? He is a center and I see nothing about him in the training camp news.

 

[bleedblue1223]

What about Texier? He is a center and I see nothing about him in the training camp news.

His career faceoff win rate is 35.5%, he's not really a center.