Pre-Game Talk: 2024 Blues Training Camp Thread

[Linkens Mastery]

Looks like they are sticking with Broberg-Parayko in practices.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Looks like Faulk is with Tucker now. Leddy with POJ. I'm wondering if Leddy-Faulk is going to be our 2nd pair at the start since they are playing with the guys fighting for 7th D

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1838642233861378529

 

[Linkens Mastery]

St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced today the team has assigned eight players to their juniors teams.

Players assigned are defensemen Quinton Burns (Kingston – OHL), Lukas Fischer (Sarnia – OHL), Matthew Mayich (Ottawa – OHL), and Will McIsaac (Spokane – WHL), as well as forwards Adam Jecho (Edmonton – WHL), Tomas Mrsic (Prince Albert – WHL), Juraj Pekarcik (Moncton – QMJHL), and Jakub Stancl (Kelowna – WHL).

In addition, the team released goaltender David Tendeck and forward Jake Gudelj from their tryouts.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced today the team has assigned eight players to their juniors teams.

Players assigned are defensemen Quinton Burns (Kingston – OHL), Lukas Fischer (Sarnia – OHL), Matthew Mayich (Ottawa – OHL), and Will McIsaac (Spokane – WHL), as well as forwards Adam Jecho (Edmonton – WHL), Tomas Mrsic (Prince Albert – WHL), Juraj Pekarcik (Moncton – QMJHL), and Jakub Stancl (Kelowna – WHL).

In addition, the team released goaltender David Tendeck and forward Jake Gudelj from their tryouts.

Not surprising. Looks like the only junior players left are the 2 not healthy enough to play, Jiricek and Dorion. Dvo will be presumably going to Springfield if he doesn't make Blues.

I assume we see another bunch of cuts ahead of Springfield training camp, whenever that is.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Not surprising. Looks like the only junior players left are the 2 not healthy enough to play, Jiricek and Dorion. Dvo will be presumably going to Springfield if he doesn't make Blues.

I assume we see another bunch of cuts ahead of Springfield training camp, whenever that is.

Oct 1st

 

[Brian39]

St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced today the team has assigned eight players to their juniors teams.

Players assigned are defensemen Quinton Burns (Kingston – OHL), Lukas Fischer (Sarnia – OHL), Matthew Mayich (Ottawa – OHL), and Will McIsaac (Spokane – WHL), as well as forwards Adam Jecho (Edmonton – WHL), Tomas Mrsic (Prince Albert – WHL), Juraj Pekarcik (Moncton – QMJHL), and Jakub Stancl (Kelowna – WHL).

In addition, the team released goaltender David Tendeck and forward Jake Gudelj from their tryouts.

Gets them all back in time to get 1-2 practices in before games this Friday.

 

[blueper]

I don't like Holloway being on Faksa's line. I think Faksa should be the 4th line center with Toropchenko and Joseph on his wings. Holloway needs a center who can play with pace and has some offensive skill in his game.
Putting DH with Faksa and Joseph sets him up for a slow start. But, I will trust their judgement.
Sidenote: After practice, I have seen Schenn working one on one with DH. I'd like to see those two on a line with Texier at the least (as far as playing DH in the top 9).

 

[Majorityof1]

I don't like Holloway being on Faksa's line. I think Faksa should be the 4th line center with Toropchenko and Joseph on his wings. Holloway needs a center who can play with pace and has some offensive skill in his game.
Putting DH with Faksa and Joseph sets him up for a slow start. But, I will trust their judgement.
Sidenote: After practice, I have seen Schenn working one on one with DH. I'd like to see those two on a line with Texier at the least (as far as playing DH in the top 9).

We don't have a Center who can play with pace outside of Thomas and ....Holloway. I want Holloway to center his own line.

XXXX - Thomas - XXXX
XXXX - Buchy/Schenn - XXXX
XXXX - Holloway - XXXX
XXXX - Faska - XXXX

And before you say it, Buchnevich is not a center who can play with pace. He can play with pace, he just aint a center.

 

[Mike Liut]

I won’t be happy if Bolduc doesn’t play 82 games in the top 6. Let this kid play and he’ll score 25 this year and will keep getting better and better.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

I won’t be happy if Bolduc doesn’t play 82 games in the top 6. Let this kid play and he’ll score 25 this year and will keep getting better and better.

7 players last year played all 82 games on the Blues. And the year before that only 2 players played all 82. Saying your going to be upset if a player doesn't play all 82 games is weird.

 

[blueper]

We don't have a Center who can play with pace outside of Thomas and ....Holloway. I want Holloway to center his own line.

XXXX - Thomas - XXXX
XXXX - Buchy/Schenn - XXXX
XXXX - Holloway - XXXX
XXXX - Faska - XXXX

And before you say it, Buchnevich is not a center who can play with pace. He can play with pace, he just aint a center.

I want Holloway to play center too. But that seems unrealistic with how they are starting him out. It seems like they want to slowly ease him into this lineup for whatever reason. I think the kid can flat out play. When I watch him, I see a guy who has a high ceiling but hasn't been given any opportunity except in the AHL (where he proved he was too good to stay there with 17 goals in his last 30 games).
I'm advocating playing him as high as they will allow. I think he will step up ... especially if he gets to play with better players. I only suggested a line with Schenn and Texier because that would be a step up from where they are starting him right now. Yes, they need a center and DH can do that as well as anyone on this roster except RT. But, sticking him on Faksa's wing will really limit his production. Pegging him as a grinder would be a huge disservice to DH.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I want Holloway to play center too. But that seems unrealistic with how they are starting him out. It seems like they want to slowly ease him into this lineup for whatever reason. I think the kid can flat out play. When I watch him, I see a guy who has a high ceiling but hasn't been given any opportunity except in the AHL (where he proved he was too good to stay there with 17 goals in his last 30 games).
I'm advocating playing him as high as they will allow. I think he will step up ... especially if he gets to play with better players. I only suggested a line with Schenn and Texier because that would be a step up from where they are starting him right now. Yes, they need a center and DH can do that as well as anyone on this roster except RT. But, sticking him on Faksa's wing will really limit his production. Pegging him as a grinder would be a huge disservice to DH.

It seems apparent that they brought in so many new players they don't really know where many fit. They seem to want DH with Faksa as part of an identity line, but I agree that seems to sell him short. put Faksa between Joseph and Torpo on 4th line for identity. DH needs to play with better players to allow his offense to shine. I'm intrigued by him at center, but he gives out Kreider vibes on the wing which is hard for me to ignore.

At this point our top 9 feels like it should be Thomas, Kyrou, Buchy, Neighbours, Schenn, Saad, DH, Tex, and Bolduc. Figuring out lines is still a challenge because 8 of the 9 seem better suited on the wing.

 

[blueper]

It seems apparent that they brought in so many new players they don't really know where many fit. They seem to want DH with Faksa as part of an identity line, but I agree that seems to sell him short. put Faksa between Joseph and Torpo on 4th line for identity. DH needs to play with better players to allow his offense to shine. I'm intrigued by him at center, but he gives out Kreider vibes on the wing which is hard for me to ignore.

At this point our top 9 feels like it should be Thomas, Kyrou, Buchy, Neighbours, Schenn, Saad, DH, Tex, and Bolduc. Figuring out lines is still a challenge because 8 of the 9 seem better suited on the wing.

I agree with all of that. And I think DH could score 20+ if he is on the wing with a decent center, but this team only has a 1st and 4th line center at the moment ... if DH is on the wing. From every report they are definitely going with Buch at 2C though, so that probably forces DH to the 3rd or 4th line. Ugh. That's why I am advocating 3rd line even if it's Schenn at C. My point is, "get DH away from Faksa." What a waste of his ability.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I agree with all of that. And I think DH could score 20+ if he is on the wing with a decent center, but this team only has a 1st and 4th line center at the moment ... if DH is on the wing. From every report they are definitely going with Buch at 2C though, so that probably forces DH to the 3rd or 4th line. Ugh. That's why I am advocating 3rd line even if it's Schenn at C. My point is, "get DH away from Faksa." What a waste of his ability.

I expect lines will be fluid for a while. It feels like only matter of time until DH moves into top 6.

 

[Mike Liut]

7 players last year played all 82 games on the Blues. And the year before that only 2 players played all 82. Saying your going to be upset if a player doesn't play all 82 games is weird.

Should I have said barring injury?

Should I have said barring injury?

I should have elaborated better. I don’t want him on the bench, in Springfield or in the bottom
6. Better?

 

[Reality Czech]

I don't like Holloway being on Faksa's line. I think Faksa should be the 4th line center with Toropchenko and Joseph on his wings. Holloway needs a center who can play with pace and has some offensive skill in his game.
Putting DH with Faksa and Joseph sets him up for a slow start. But, I will trust their judgement.
Sidenote: After practice, I have seen Schenn working one on one with DH. I'd like to see those two on a line with Texier at the least (as far as playing DH in the top 9).

Pretty sure training camp lines have little to do with what the lines will actually look like during the regular season.

 

[Reality Czech]

Should I have said barring injury?




I should have elaborated better. I don’t want him on the bench, in Springfield or in the bottom
6. Better?

I'm a proponent of letting guys grow into their roles rather than rushing them into it prematurely. If he continues to progress, then he'll get there sooner or later. I have faith in Bolduc but training camp can be misleading. Remember when Sammy Blais was the best player in Blues camp a few years back?

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

I don't like Holloway being on Faksa's line. I think Faksa should be the 4th line center with Toropchenko and Joseph on his wings. Holloway needs a center who can play with pace and has some offensive skill in his game.
Putting DH with Faksa and Joseph sets him up for a slow start. But, I will trust their judgement.
Sidenote: After practice, I have seen Schenn working one on one with DH. I'd like to see those two on a line with Texier at the least (as far as playing DH in the top 9).

Little short on centers and Buch isn’t one either

 

[GlizzyGobbler]

I want Holloway to play center too. But that seems unrealistic with how they are starting him out. It seems like they want to slowly ease him into this lineup for whatever reason. I think the kid can flat out play. When I watch him, I see a guy who has a high ceiling but hasn't been given any opportunity except in the AHL (where he proved he was too good to stay there with 17 goals in his last 30 games).
I'm advocating playing him as high as they will allow. I think he will step up ... especially if he gets to play with better players. I only suggested a line with Schenn and Texier because that would be a step up from where they are starting him right now. Yes, they need a center and DH can do that as well as anyone on this roster except RT. But, sticking him on Faksa's wing will really limit his production. Pegging him as a grinder would be a huge disservice to DH.

Sounds great in theory, but could blow up in a coaches face later in the season.

He is new and cool and there was a lot of drama around his acquisition. I get wanting to give the guy a ton of minutes to get his sea legs underneath him, but there is probably some sports psychology at play here.

The way I see it, there are two ways to go about this...

Option 1: Sink or Swim
Say Holloway gets throw into the deep end and the put him in the top six playing tough minutes throughout the game. He just uprooted his life and moved from a system he's been in for the last four years. Coaches, teammates, trainers, facilities, and expectations are all novel and nuanced.

He's basically already a household name...one that is known for, by many people, as being overpaid for where he is at in his development as a 23 year old 2020 first round draft pick. If he doesn't come out the gates to open the season like he's being shot out of a cannon, it could mess with his confidence dramatically if/when Bannister has to sit him out or drop him down in the lineup.

Now, look at from the other side.

Option 2: Compound Interest Investment
We got him locked down for two years. We literally cannot trade him or send him down to the minors for the first year. He's an investment. Start him out slow. Get him used to playing BLUES hockey. It's like Oiler hockey, but instead of "give the puck to that one guy", it emphasizes the importance of defensive reliability in all three zones. (lolol hold the snide comments. I'm talking about what we're historically known for. Not what we're recently known for).

Once he's mastering the basics and is executing flawlessly on the fundamentals, that's your cornerstone in the foundation. Then we slowly ramp up the intensity, give him assignments that put him in a place to succeed, and build his confidence over time. Any hiccups he might have along the way are viewed as learning opportunities and aren't highlighted with a spotlight. If he's already playing sheltered minutes on the 3rd and 4th line, it's okay if there are speedbumps for a while. It's better to give him sheltered minutes for a longer period of time than it would be to move him up and down the line up every time he messes up.

Phase I: Show us you can handle the fourth line defensive assignments
Phase II: Move to the third line, stay defensive and see if you can contribute offensively here
Phase III: Training wheels are off. Here's top 6 mins. Don't mess up, bc we're counting on you

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

Edit: I probably could have saved the 30 minutes it took for me to write this and just added a link to this article that was published a couple days ago where Army basically says the same thing. It's a marathon, not a sprint. We're in it for the long haul.

 

[Reality Czech]

Sounds great in theory, but could blow up in a coaches face later in the season.

He is new and cool and there was a lot of drama around his acquisition. I get wanting to give the guy a ton of minutes to get his sea legs underneath him, but there is probably some sports psychology at play here.

The way I see it, there are two ways to go about this...

Option 1: Sink or Swim
Say Holloway gets throw into the deep end and the put him in the top six playing tough minutes throughout the game. He just uprooted his life and moved from a system he's been in for the last four years. Coaches, teammates, trainers, facilities, and expectations are all novel and nuanced.

He's basically already a household name...one that is known for, by many people, as being overpaid for where he is at in his development as a 23 year old 2020 first round draft pick. If he doesn't come out the gates to open the season like he's being shot out of a cannon, it could mess with his confidence dramatically if/when Bannister has to sit him out or drop him down in the lineup.

Now, look at from the other side.

Option 2: Compound Interest Investment
We got him locked down for two years. We literally cannot trade him or send him down to the minors for the first year. He's an investment. Start him out slow. Get him used to playing BLUES hockey. It's like Oiler hockey, but instead of "give the puck to that one guy", it emphasizes the importance of defensive reliability in all three zones. (lolol hold the snide comments. I'm talking about what we're historically known for. Not what we're recently known for).

Once he's mastering the basics and is executing flawlessly on the fundamentals, that's your cornerstone in the foundation. Then we slowly ramp up the intensity, give him assignments that put him in a place to succeed, and build his confidence over time. Any hiccups he might have along the way are viewed as learning opportunities and aren't highlighted with a spotlight. If he's already playing sheltered minutes on the 3rd and 4th line, it's okay if there are speedbumps for a while. It's better to give him sheltered minutes for a longer period of time than it would be to move him up and down the line up every time he messes up.

Phase I: Show us you can handle the fourth line defensive assignments
Phase II: Move to the third line, stay defensive and see if you can contribute offensively here
Phase III: Training wheels are off. Here's top 6 mins. Don't mess up, bc we're counting on you

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

Edit: I probably could have saved the 30 minutes it took for me to write this and just added a link to this article that was published a couple days ago where Army basically says the same thing. It's a marathon, not a sprint. We're in it for the long haul.

Yeah, seems like some fans are being impatient with Holloway and Bolduc but I don't get the need to rush these guys. You laid it out perfectly. Rushing them into roles they may not be ready for is risky and there is little downside to easing them in.

 

[Majorityof1]

Sounds great in theory, but could blow up in a coaches face later in the season.

He is new and cool and there was a lot of drama around his acquisition. I get wanting to give the guy a ton of minutes to get his sea legs underneath him, but there is probably some sports psychology at play here.

The way I see it, there are two ways to go about this...

Option 1: Sink or Swim
Say Holloway gets throw into the deep end and the put him in the top six playing tough minutes throughout the game. He just uprooted his life and moved from a system he's been in for the last four years. Coaches, teammates, trainers, facilities, and expectations are all novel and nuanced.

He's basically already a household name...one that is known for, by many people, as being overpaid for where he is at in his development as a 23 year old 2020 first round draft pick. If he doesn't come out the gates to open the season like he's being shot out of a cannon, it could mess with his confidence dramatically if/when Bannister has to sit him out or drop him down in the lineup.

Now, look at from the other side.

Option 2: Compound Interest Investment
We got him locked down for two years. We literally cannot trade him or send him down to the minors for the first year. He's an investment. Start him out slow. Get him used to playing BLUES hockey. It's like Oiler hockey, but instead of "give the puck to that one guy", it emphasizes the importance of defensive reliability in all three zones. (lolol hold the snide comments. I'm talking about what we're historically known for. Not what we're recently known for).

Once he's mastering the basics and is executing flawlessly on the fundamentals, that's your cornerstone in the foundation. Then we slowly ramp up the intensity, give him assignments that put him in a place to succeed, and build his confidence over time. Any hiccups he might have along the way are viewed as learning opportunities and aren't highlighted with a spotlight. If he's already playing sheltered minutes on the 3rd and 4th line, it's okay if there are speedbumps for a while. It's better to give him sheltered minutes for a longer period of time than it would be to move him up and down the line up every time he messes up.

Phase I: Show us you can handle the fourth line defensive assignments
Phase II: Move to the third line, stay defensive and see if you can contribute offensively here
Phase III: Training wheels are off. Here's top 6 mins. Don't mess up, bc we're counting on you

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

Edit: I probably could have saved the 30 minutes it took for me to write this and just added a link to this article that was published a couple days ago where Army basically says the same thing. It's a marathon, not a sprint. We're in it for the long haul.

Playing Devil's advocate a bit here, you have several flawed assumptions underpinning your argument.

You discount his age and experience. Start him on the 4th line? He isn't starting. He has 89 NHL games, many playing with Draisaitl. He's not a teenager. He's 23 years old. Thomas who had a lesser draft pedigree was a ppg at 22. He's at an age he should absolutely be stepping into a bigger role not busted down to start over and prove himself.

You think the pressure will relent by starting him slow? All the pressures you laid out in scenario 1 are still there if you start him on the 4th line. Fans won't care we are starting him slow.

He's still a household name we overpaid for his production so far, only now he's overpaid for his role as well. And he is not put in a position to suceed playing with players who don't match his skill set. So he has no chance to justify the hype.

His own desire to show what he can do won't lessen. How do you think he will feel when coaches tell him he needs to prove he's defensively responsible when Schenn and Neighbours are out there being atrocious on D and getting better minutes and linemates but he's told he has to prove he has mastered executing defensive fundamentals flawlessly before he can see the 3rd line?

Starting him as 3C and moving him up to 2nd wing at times isn't throwing him in the deep end. It's giving him room to grow into a role. Have you seen goldfish who live in a pond as opposed to a tiny fish bowl? They are bigger. You got to give players room to grow and put them in a position to suceed at some point. He's 23 with 89 NHL games under his belt. This is that point

 

[SirPaste]

Playing Devil's advocate a bit here, you have several flawed assumptions underpinning your argument.

You discount his age and experience. Start him on the 4th line? He isn't starting. He has 89 NHL games, many playing with Draisaitl. He's not a teenager. He's 23 years old. Thomas who had a lesser draft pedigree was a ppg at 22. He's at an age he should absolutely be stepping into a bigger role not busted down to start over and prove himself.

You think the pressure will relent by starting him slow? All the pressures you laid out in scenario 1 are still there if you start him on the 4th line. Fans won't care we are starting him slow.

He's still a household name we overpaid for his production so far, only now he's overpaid for his role as well. And he is not put in a position to suceed playing with players who don't match his skill set. So he has no chance to justify the hype.

His own desire to show what he can do won't lessen. How do you think he will feel when coaches tell him he needs to prove he's defensively responsible when Schenn and Neighbours are out there being atrocious on D and getting better minutes and linemates but he's told he has to prove he has mastered executing defensive fundamentals flawlessly before he can see the 3rd line?

Starting him as 3C and moving him up to 2nd wing at times isn't throwing him in the deep end. It's giving him room to grow into a role. Have you seen goldfish who live in a pond as opposed to a tiny fish bowl? They are bigger. You got to give players room to grow and put them in a position to suceed at some point. He's 23 with 89 NHL games under his belt. This is that point

I agree with this, I don't think starting him off on the third line is throwing him in the deep end at all. If they dont envision him as a center by all means he can play on the wing instead but the third line is where he should be playing IMO. As you mentioned he is already 23 and already has experience in the league including a recent trip to the SCF where he didn't look out of place at all, third line minutes on a team that isn't expected to compete isn't really asking a whole lot. We have 4th line guys who should be lined up there, I am more concerned that the team looks to be thinking of Faksa as 3C when he should clearly be the 4C.

 

[Reality Czech]

I agree with this, I don't think starting him off on the third line is throwing him in the deep end at all. If they dont envision him as a center by all means he can play on the wing instead but the third line is where he should be playing IMO. As you mentioned he is already 23 and already has experience in the league including a recent trip to the SCF where he didn't look out of place at all, third line minutes on a team that isn't expected to compete isn't really asking a whole lot. We have 4th line guys who should be lined up there, I am more concerned that the team looks to be thinking of Faksa as 3C when he should clearly be the 4C.

Whoops, I missed that detail in the previous post. I agree, the third line seems like the right place to start him off. Putting him on the fourth line, especially if he continues to impress in preseason, wouldn't make sense. Then he'll have a chance to move into the top six sometime during the season if he keeps trending up.

Holloway had a really good interview on Hockey Sense recently. I would recommend Blues fans check it out. He seems like a good kid and said all the right things. Said he played center in college but it's willing to play anywhere. I know Broberg gets a bit more attention but I'm equally excited to see what Holloway can do.

 

[blueper]

By the way, Holloway was LW with McGing and Saad as linemates at practice today. Texier took his place on the line with Faksa and Joseph.
Yes, I still advocate for 3rd line DH. He should play more minutes than 4th liners typically get, and he needs to be put in position to have some offensive success right out of the gate. Those were my main points.