Pre-Game Talk: 2024 Blues Training Camp Thread

[Stupendous Yappi]

it all depends on Bolduc. he has to show his true NHL identity - what he can be relied on to do. that is why I am uncomfortable placing him higher on my prospect chart. he has strong potential but it would be very reasonable for him to go either way in the NHL.

This is why this season is so much more engaging than last year. We will have more than one young player with promise getting a chance to grow and seize their destiny. A lot more compelling than the hodge podge roster we had last year.

 

[stl76]

I think most people really underestimate how much defensive responsibility Thomas had last year compared to other point-producing 1Cs.

Thomas was 1 of 17 centers who was on the ice for 60+ goals for at 5 on 5 last year. Thomas was the only one of them with an O-zone start rate below 50%. 11 of the other 16 guys were at 60% or higher and 14 of 16 were above 55%. If you expand that list to the 36 centers who were on the ice for 55+ goals for (which includes Kyrou, lol), Thomas is one of just two guys with an O-zone start rate under 50% at 5 on 5. 26 of the 36 were at 55% or higher.

I very much share your optimism that Faksa playing middle 6 minutes should free up Thomas to be deployed like a normal top line center instead of a shutdown top line center. We don't need to start him in the O-zone 60%-65% of the time like the guys who push for scoring titles, but approaching 55% would create a lot more opportunities for him.

Exactly.

I think a lot of people also really underestimate the defensive role Faksa has played in the past. The zone starts and quality of competition prior to 2022 were eye popping.

Now, his role did diminish the past couple years, so maybe he doesn’t have what it takes anymore and won’t have the impact I’m predicting. But I think it had more to do with the team/coach situation and roster construction in Dallas that it had to do with his play declining. Faksa had a similar defensive deployment under both Montgomery and Bowness, and he thrived in that role. Once DeBoer came on board tho, he saw less and less ice time while Hintz and then Johnston took on larger roles.

We’ll see, I could be wrong. But I’m optimistic that Faksa can still handle a substantial defensive load and that it will open up opportunities for Robert Thomas and the rest of the Blues’ top 6 this year.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

If we’re going to make the playoffs this season — which I’m slightly bearish on — Faksa is going to have to have a return-to-form season. With all of the other uncertainty at the center position, he and Thomas are really the only two “natural” centers we have right now. Schenn was a converted winger. Buch would be the same. Sunny has been most successful on the wing. We’ve got Dean and Dvorsky, both of whom might be ready for a role at some point this season, but injuries notwithstanding they won’t be helping us get into a playoff position by Thanksgiving. It’s a shame that Alexandrov hasn’t taken enough steps forward at this point, he’d be really valuable right about now.

 

[blueper]

Lines 3, 4, and 5 were centered by Faksa, Walker, and Dean in that order this morning. So, at the moment, it looks like Walker is ahead of Dean to start the season. Walker had Texier and Toro on his wings same as saturday night I think. Dean had Kapanen and Saad. So whenever Saad is actually inserted into the lineup there will be a ripple effect. That ripple effect will be interesting.
Neighbours - Thomas - Kyrou
Bolduc - Buch - Schenn
Holloway - Faksa - Joseph

 

[TheOrganist]

Exactly.

I think a lot of people also really underestimate the defensive role Faksa has played in the past. The zone starts and quality of competition prior to 2022 were eye popping.

Now, his role did diminish the past couple years, so maybe he doesn’t have what it takes anymore and won’t have the impact I’m predicting. But I think it had more to do with the team/coach situation and roster construction in Dallas that it had to do with his play declining. Faksa had a similar defensive deployment under both Montgomery and Bowness, and he thrived in that role. Once DeBoer came on board tho, he saw less and less ice time while Hintz and then Johnston took on larger roles.

We’ll see, I could be wrong. But I’m optimistic that Faksa can still handle a substantial defensive load and that it will open up opportunities for Robert Thomas and the rest of the Blues’ top 6 this year.

15-17 hard minutes is probably pushing it for Faksa at this stage of his career (most Stars have said he's not the same player) but if he can give you 12-14 minutes of really solid defensive hockey to take the onus off Thomas it would be huge. Faksa has finished top 20 in Selke voting three times since 2018.

 

[blueper]

15-17 hard minutes is probably pushing it for Faksa at this stage of his career (most Stars have said he's not the same player) but if he can give you 12-14 minutes of really solid defensive hockey to take the onus off Thomas it would be huge. Faksa has finished top 20 in Selke voting three times since 2018.

It seems like he's been around forever. But he's still only 30 ... younger than Parayko.

 

[Davimir Tarablad]

Lines 3, 4, and 5 were centered by Faksa, Walker, and Dean in that order this morning. So, at the moment, it looks like Walker is ahead of Dean to start the season. Walker had Texier and Toro on his wings same as saturday night I think. Dean had Kapanen and Saad. So whenever Saad is actually inserted into the lineup there will be a ripple effect. That ripple effect will be interesting.
Neighbours - Thomas - Kyrou
Bolduc - Buch - Schenn
Holloway - Faksa - Joseph

I'd much rather have Walker playing 4C and Dean getting top6 minutes in Springfield. I'd ideally want Dean to get a shot in the top9 during any call ups

 

[LogosBlue]

Who are the natural centers on our team? It would appear to me that Thomas is our go to 1C and Faksa is our go to 4C now. That leaves 2C & 3C up for grabs. I've not been a fan of Buchy playing center. I think he's much more dynamic on a wing. Our options are between Schenn, Dean, Holloway, Alexandrov and Sundqvist for those accustomed to playing the position right? In my opinion, Dean needs to marinate a little more and Sundqvist may be cooked. It appears Alexandrov is also headed down to the AHL and used in emergency callup type role. That leaves Holloway and Schenn to fill the vacant spots. I would be much more comfortable with Schenn in a lower minute roll on the 3rd line and giving Holloway the opportunity to see if he can handle the 2C spot. Opinions.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Who are the natural centers on our team? It would appear to me that Thomas is our go to 1C and Faksa is our go to 4C now. That leaves 2C & 3C up for grabs. I've not been a fan of Buchy playing center. I think he's much more dynamic on a wing. Our options are between Schenn, Dean, Holloway, Alexandrov and Sundqvist for those accustomed to playing the position right? In my opinion, Dean needs to marinate a little more and Sundqvist may be cooked. It appears Alexandrov is also headed down to the AHL and used in emergency callup type role. That leaves Holloway and Schenn to fill the vacant spots. I would be much more comfortable with Schenn in a lower minute roll on the 3rd line and giving Holloway the opportunity to see if he can handle the 2C spot. Opinions.

You pretty much nailed it, bro. We've been trying to figure out 2/3C for several weeks and still don't have an answer. Either the players will answer that question by the end of TC or DA/Bannister will have to make a command decision by default.

 

[blueper]

You pretty much nailed it, bro. We've been trying to figure out 2/3C for several weeks and still don't have an answer. Either the players will answer that question by the end of TC or DA/Bannister will have to make a command decision by default.

It appears that Faksa is the 3C for the foreseeable future. I want Holloway to play with a better play maker, but no votes for me. As of this morning and tonight Walker is the 4C. Things will get moved around at the latest when Saad joins the team after the baby is born. Not sure what the ripple effect will be, but there will be movement in the top 9.

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

Lines 3, 4, and 5 were centered by Faksa, Walker, and Dean in that order this morning. So, at the moment, it looks like Walker is ahead of Dean to start the season. Walker had Texier and Toro on his wings same as saturday night I think. Dean had Kapanen and Saad. So whenever Saad is actually inserted into the lineup there will be a ripple effect. That ripple effect will be interesting.
Neighbours - Thomas - Kyrou
Bolduc - Buch - Schenn
Holloway - Faksa - Joseph

My guess is this

Neighbours-Thomas-Kyrou
Saad-Buchnevich-Bolduc
Holloway-Schenn-Joseph
Texier-Faksa-Toropchenko

 

[stl76]

15-17 hard minutes is probably pushing it for Faksa at this stage of his career (most Stars have said he's not the same player) but if he can give you 12-14 minutes of really solid defensive hockey to take the onus off Thomas it would be huge. Faksa has finished top 20 in Selke voting three times since 2018.

For sure, you may be right. He’s only 30, but he’s got a lot of hard miles on his body.

Personally, I think his decreasing role in Dallas probably had more to do with the ascension of Hintz/Johnston and a change in coaching philosophy than it did with a sudden decline in Faksa’s then late 20s.

We’ll get to see soon enough tho!

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

My guess is this

Neighbours-Thomas-Kyrou
Saad-Buchnevich-Bolduc
Holloway-Schenn-Joseph
Texier-Faksa-Toropchenko

I feel like Texier will be a waste on that line. I'd much rather see him with Holloway and Schenn.

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

I feel like Texier will be a waste on that line. I'd much rather see him with Holloway and Schenn.

I’m just going with the fact that they’ve had Holloway/Joseph and Texier/Torpo together for the entirety of camp.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

I’m just going with the fact that they’ve had Holloway/Joseph and Texier/Torpo together for the entirety of camp.

A Texier/Torpo pair is legit havoc.

 

[Robb_K]

Who are the natural centers on our team? It would appear to me that Thomas is our go to 1C and Faksa is our go to 4C now. That leaves 2C & 3C up for grabs. I've not been a fan of Buchy playing center. I think he's much more dynamic on a wing. Our options are between Schenn, Dean, Holloway, Alexandrov and Sundqvist for those accustomed to playing the position right? In my opinion, Dean needs to marinate a little more and Sundqvist may be cooked. It appears Alexandrov is also headed down to the AHL and used in emergency callup type role. That leaves Holloway and Schenn to fill the vacant spots. I would be much more comfortable with Schenn in a lower minute roll on the 3rd line and giving Holloway the opportunity to see if he can handle the 2C spot. Opinions.

I think a surprising semi-major trade is soon coming to fill The Blues' 2nd Line centre position. I don't think they are going to install Holloway in that position from the beginning of this season. I also don't think they're going to play Schenn there. He's a much better fit on Line 3.

You heard it here, first!!! (Has Robb_K gone Bonkers??? Or has his creeping senility broken out, big-time???? Film at 11!)

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

I think a surprising semi-major trade is soon coming to fill The Blues' 2nd Line centre position. I don't think they are going to install Holloway in that position from the beginning of this season. I also don't think they're going to play Schenn there. He's a much better fit on Line 3.

You heard it here, first!!! (Has Robb_K gone Bonkers??? Or has his creeping senility broken out, big-time???? Film at 11!)

I agree with this.

After looking across the league at team’s lineups, it seems like all of our options would be in the Pacific Division.

ANA- Zegras/Strome
LA- Danault/Turcotte
SEA- McCann/Gourde/Wright(doubt it)
VGK- Karlsson