Blues Discussion Thread 2018-2019

[BlueDream]

Man, people really need to calm down. Why is anyone worrying or even predicting we’re going to lose Pietrangelo? Some of you have gone off the rails with this.

STL isn’t an ideal destination for guys like Tavares and Panarin but so what? A lot of teams aren’t. It seems like those guys are interested in just playing on the coasts or in a big market.

All I’m saying is we’re not the only team getting turned down by these guys. Other teams are in our same boat. Yeah it sucks but I’m not losing hope yet. Just forces DA to be more creative.

 

[TruBlu]

One bright spot. The st. Louis area is chock full of young guys breaking into the league. Maybe we'll get lucky enough to get some of those difference makers when they hit free agency.

 

[The Note in MI]

Clayton Keller cmon down!
Trent Frederic come on down!
Tkachuks, come the f on down!

Lol

 

[Mike Liut]

I could totally see the Tkachuk boys wanting to come back and play here

 

[Novacain]

I tend to agree with this. When it comes down to it, if we really believe that Thomas will be viable as a 2C in his 3rd season, I would much rather have Bozak and Kyrou than just ROR.

Bozak is a fine option as a 2C for the next couple of years, but I wouldn’t want to be relying on him in that role beyond the next two seasons.

This is the point I was thinking of regarding me rather pay Bozak then trade foe O'Reilly. I think this team could be competitive for a playoff spot next year but not a true Cup contender either way. I think we have a larger chance to be a cup contender sooner then later going the Bozak and keeping our prospects route then the O'Reilly route.

 

[Mike Liut]

This is the point I was thinking of regarding me rather pay Bozak then trade foe O'Reilly. I think this team could be competitive for a playoff spot next year but not a true Cup contender either way. I think we have a larger chance to be a cup contender sooner then later going the Bozak and keeping our prospects route then the O'Reilly route.

Here’s the problem with Bozak... several teams will be bidding on him. Would you feel comfortable going 5x5 for him? Cuz i think that’s what it’s going to take. If its 3x5, then maybe, but I doubt that will get it done. I’m sticking to 5x5 getting it done.

 

[Novacain]

Here’s the problem with Bozak... several teams will be bidding on him. Would you feel comfortable going 5x5 for him? Cuz i think that’s what it’s going to take. If its 3x5, then maybe, but I doubt that will get it done. I’m sticking to 5x5 getting it done.

If push comes to shove: Yes, I am willing to go to 5x5 in order to get Bozak. Am I in love with it? Nope. But we need a guy who can fill in the top 6 center role foe 1-2 years, and I don't want to move multiple importamt pieces in our future to do it.

It isn't a great option, but its the one I like best of the ones I can see on the table.

 

[Dbrownss]

Man, people really need to calm down. Why is anyone worrying or even predicting we’re going to lose Pietrangelo? Some of you have gone off the rails with this.

STL isn’t an ideal destination for guys like Tavares and Panarin but so what? A lot of teams aren’t. It seems like those guys are interested in just playing on the coasts or in a big market.

All I’m saying is we’re not the only team getting turned down by these guys. Other teams are in our same boat. Yeah it sucks but I’m not losing hope yet. Just forces DA to be more creative.

This is what I was thinking.....Columbus is actually losing Panarin, that absolutely sucks

 

[illinidave]

I don't see any of the top FAs seriously considering coming to STL if Armstrong doesn't do anything to set our goaltending path going forward more than "Jake's our guy". Jake + (insert backup here) does not scream SC contender.

 

[Zamadoo]

If Tavares makes it to UFA, you never know where he will end up. He and Panarin alike just want to hit the open market to get the highest paycheck possible, even if it's just to make their current team up their ante. Army doesn't want to trade the high end prospects being demandes for Panarin without extension, and Panarin doesn't want to talk about extending for 7-8mil when he can get 9+ in UFA next season.

 

[Dbrownss]

I don't see any of the top FAs seriously considering coming to STL if Armstrong doesn't do anything to set our goaltending path going forward more than "Jake's our guy". Jake + (insert backup here) does not scream SC contender.

Well Dallas is on JTs list supposedly. So..mediocre goaltending cant be the end all be all

 

[Captain Creampuff]

This is what I was thinking.....Columbus is actually losing Panarin, that absolutely sucks

I mean he came over from the KHL to play in....Ohio? Gross. I don't blame him. But it does suck for the Blue Jackets.

 

[Dbrownss]

I mean he came over from the KHL to play in....Ohio? Gross. I don't blame him. But it does suck for the Blue Jackets.

Oh, I dont blame him. It's his choice, he played his RFA years and now it's his choice where he wants to go.


On a side note.....can we admit its possible Army wasnt to blame the first time and Panarin never wanted to play in St. Louis. He went to a big market team.

 

[Captain Creampuff]

Oh, I dont blame him. It's his choice, he played his RFA years and now it's his choice where he wants to go.


On a side note.....can we admit its possible Army wasnt to blame the first time and Panarin never wanted to play in St. Louis. He went to a big market team.

He is still partly to blame. Even if Panarin only wanted to play in a big market. Him and Hitch didnt think he would be worth their time so they didnt pitch big to him. Which kinda worries me because that shows our pro scouting isn't very good. Aside from Schenn, who was the last player who REALLY worked out for the Blues that was brought in via trade/FA? Shattenkirk? I guess you could kinda say JBo but it's not like he was a key part to this team.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Here’s the problem with Bozak... several teams will be bidding on him. Would you feel comfortable going 5x5 for him? Cuz i think that’s what it’s going to take. If its 3x5, then maybe, but I doubt that will get it done. I’m sticking to 5x5 getting it done.

No way I commit to 5x5 to him.

 

[tfriede2]

Max I'd offer Bozak is 3 years, $5 per...he'll probably get a 4-5 year deal from some team, though.

 

[Mike Liut]

No way I commit to 5x5 to him.

That’s my point. Its going to take 5x5 to sign him and im not willing to do it.

 

[WeWentBlues]

If the price for O'Reilly is too steep, and Stastny/Bozak want too much money, too much term, or won't sign here, what other options are there in our quest to find help down the middle? Free agents are looking pretty bleak.

Free Agents
Riley Nash?
Derek Ryan?
Valteri Filppula?

Could Armstrong acquire a C from a "rebuilding" team?
Redwings - Zetterberg, Nielsen
Canucks - Gagner
Hurricanes - Rask, Staal
Rangers - Zibanejad, Hayes, Namestnikov
Coyotes - Stepan, Dvorak

Would Ducks consider moving Getzlaf? Is it time to hit the reset button there?
Bruins were reportedly shopping Backes.

Anyone have any ideas? Any of the above make sense?

Zetterberg/Backes at 6M for 3 years vs Bozak/Stastny at 5M for 5 years?
The price on Rask was two seconds at the draft.

 

[Dbrownss]

He is still partly to blame. Even if Panarin only wanted to play in a big market. Him and Hitch didnt think he would be worth their time so they didnt pitch big to him. Which kinda worries me because that shows our pro scouting isn't very good. Aside from Schenn, who was the last player who REALLY worked out for the Blues that was brought in via trade/FA? Shattenkirk? I guess you could kinda say JBo but it's not like he was a key part to this team.

possible, the Blues did make a pitch to him but it sounds like he just wants the big city life. I'm surprised he wants to go back to Chi after they traded him

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

That’s my point. Its going to take 5x5 to sign him and im not willing to do it.

Then we move on to next option. Hayes, Rask, Krecji (if they need to move salary to get JT), etc..

 

[STLBloosiers]

ROR is worth every penny and worth overpaying in trade (not parayko only way i deal him is for Leon). We are young, we aren't going to lure a number 1 center anytime soon (seguin). Therefore get a better version of Stastny in his prime essentially. ROR great on draws, two-way game, doesnt take pims and has way more skill than Paul.

If you can't land ROR. I wouldn't be opposed to bringing back Backes with retention or asking Carolina about Staal/Rask. Other than that the market is pretty weak. I love the idea of having Thomas as a 3C next year to groom him.

Being able to draw free agents is always going to be tough I think for awhile. Keller, Tkachuks, Kunin and Fredrics maybe the only kids willing to comeback here. Crap I have even heard Maroon doesnt even want to play here but that could be more of a hometown ordeal (ticket requests etc). However, the blues have had some luck in the past of bringing stars in via trade like Tkachuk, Weight, Mellanby and them liking the city. I honestly was shocked when i heard Panarin wanted nothing to do with STL considering hes best buds with 91. Oh well not much you can do. Hope Army can pull off some magic.

At the end of the day this team was 1 point out of a playoff spot, with god awful goaltending by Jake for 2 months, a terrible PP and one of the worst center cores in hockey. So with 17 mil cap space its not that bad to be honest.

If you can't land ROR. Get another 2 to help Schenn and bring in a big winger like JVR, Neal or Skinner

 

[Celtic Note]

I get guys not wanting to go to St. Louis. I grew up there and moved away. The only reason I would return is family. If not for them, then I have a whole list of other cities that are of interest before STL. I would love if STL was higher on the list, but that desire is largely family driven. If I hadn’t grown up there, I am not sure it would be on my radar. STL just does not engender a ton of desirable qualities when compared to other cities and I have tried hard to rationalize wanting to move back.

That said, I fully acknowledge that I don’t represent everyone.

 

[Celtic Note]

Then we move on to next option. Hayes, Rask, Krecji (if they need to move salary to get JT), etc..

I wonder if it is worth expending assets for those guys. I never thought much of Rask. Hayes doesn’t seem like a difference maker. Krecji is getting up their in age and injuries are a growing concern.

 

[WeWentBlues]

I wonder if it is worth expending assets for those guys. I never thought much of Rask. Hayes doesn’t seem like a difference maker. Krecji is getting up their in age and injuries are a growing concern.

If the Blues could get Rask for a second and a B prospect, I'd do it.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I wonder if it is worth expending assets for those guys. I never thought much of Rask. Hayes doesn’t seem like a difference maker. Krecji is getting up their in age and injuries are a growing concern.

It of course depends on price. Rask I haven't seen much (don't honestly watch much of crappy Eastern teams) so don't have personal opinion of him. Hayes took big step forward this year. He seems to get better every year, big guy, seems like our type of center. Krecji is older but still very good and only 3 years on contract. Would either want Boston to retain or get him on cheap though.

These were just 3 guys that came to mind. There are others. Point is there remain options.