Blues Discussion Thread 2018-2019

[Halak Ness Monster]

Of course Army said Jake Allen will be back next year. He is going to be tough to trade with his poor performance and contract. We may be stuck with him. Thus you have to show confidence in him publicly and work a trade privately. Which is what I expect to happen.

Trashing Jake in public does us and him no good.

 

[BlueDream]

And Armstrong just confirmed the Blues will be busy this summer via free agency/trade.

Good.

Really, I can't say I disagree with a lot of what Armstrong said. Not much to complain about with this one. He will make moves to improve our offense. Relax, folks.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

I don't see a benefit for Army saying what he did about the kids. It wasn't well thought out. It seems like he was only saying it to point out the roster won't consist of 10 forwards under 21. Ok, we already knew that.

How many times was scoring brought up? Maybe it's a news flash for the organization but the most skilled players score the most points. The Blues need more skill. They have 1 top 6 line. It's very possible that Kyrou and Thomas could help fix that. It's not like they have to play on a line together.

It would be silly to think Kyrou couldn't keep up with Schenn and Schwartz. They're all 3 Canadian. Let them talk abuuut hockey stuff ehh.

Ok.... so two young guys then? Like he said?

 

[Halak Ness Monster]

Good press conference from Armstrong. He made it pretty clear that he is not happy and is going to look to make moves.

The Blues have the prospect depth and should have the cap space to be quite active this summer. It will all come down to what the front office can stomach.

And I'm all for just letting 1-2 rookies compete for playing time next year. I think Robert Thomas in the top 9 is just about a given based on his ability and smarts. Injuries will open up more playing time throughout the year for guys to get time.
Overall it just means the Blues are looking for quality, proven solutions in the top 9 rather than relying on unproven rookies. That's fine with me!

 

[Alklha]

I don't see a benefit for Army saying what he did about the kids. It wasn't well thought out. It seems like he was only saying it to point out the roster won't consist of 10 forwards under 21. Ok, we already knew that.

How many times was scoring brought up? Maybe it's a news flash for the organization but the most skilled players score the most points. The Blues need more skill. They have 1 top 6 line. It's very possible that Kyrou and Thomas could help fix that. It's not like they have to play on a line together.

It would be silly to think Kyrou couldn't keep up with Schenn and Schwartz. They're all 3 Canadian. Let them talk abuuut hockey stuff ehh.

There isn't a benefit of saying it, it is simply stating the obvious.

When he says they are fighting it out for 1 or 2 spots, he is saying we're going into next season with 7 or 8 established top-9 players. When the young guys look at our roster in mid-July then it is going to be painfully obvious how many spots are realistically open to play for.

The way Thomas was talked about suggests we see him on the roster next season. Then it'll be a fight for the RW spot. Basically what you are suggesting.

 

[carter333167]

Ok.... so two young guys then? Like he said?

I think the point is that, if taken literally, why would we state in advance that Thomas, Kyrou, Thompson, Kostin, Sanford, Foley, etc, etc. are competing for "1-2 spots?" On a team that desperately needs an infusion of forward skill (and perhaps more consistent effort), why would we not keep an open mind?

In any case, it's just a press conference and perhaps we should just wait to see how they handle it at camp.

There was, however, a failure among our "vets" this year, simply in terms of showing up for games consistently (that seems self evident from the result and from comments of some players) so why give certain of those same vets a long leash next year? I think it's a fair question, considering the fact that a team to which we traded Jori Lehtera and which is "rebuilding" just made the playoffs while the team that gave up two firsts, and had a nice performance from Schenn, missed the playoffs. Something went wrong and it was with some of our vets. There is some serious self-examination required at this point.

 

[Spektre]

Ok.... so two young guys then? Like he said?

He named Blais, Thompson, and others when he made the comment that they'll be fighting for 1 or 2 spots.

I'm not worried about it but he simply isn't thinking about everything. Is Barbashev guaranteed a roster spot? What about Sanford? What about Foley? What about etc...??? He left a lot more unsaid than said. The comments can be taken with a grain of salt because there wasn't close to enough detail given, and those details won't be known till training camp.

There will be some turnover. We already know that. I don't see anyone freaking out thinking none of the kids will get an opportunity.

 

[Ranksu]

Army says coaching staff showed some inexperience and he will talk with Yeo about the future of the assistants. #stlblues

Does this measn Army is searching new assistant coach for powerplay? Did they talk about our bad powerplay?


Btw is there link for presser? Or do I need to wait when its uploaded to st louis blues nhl.com

 

[Alklha]

I think the point is that, if taken literally, why would we state in advance that Thomas, Kyrou, Thompson, Kostin, Sanford, Foley, etc, etc. are competing for "1-2 spots?" On a team that desperately needs an infusion of forward skill (and perhaps more consistent effort), why would we not keep an open mind?

It's not about having an "open mind". It's talking from the perspective of building a roster. You want to give these kids a chance to make the team, you're basically leaving spots open by putting them in competition with the likes of Jaškin or a Bennett type UFA signing. That isn't the plan for more than 1 or 2 spots. The plan is that we'll have 7 or 8 established top-9 players going into camp.

If Thomas, Kyrou and Foley all come into camp and look really great, they'll make the team. They'll push a player down the lineup, maybe waive Thorburn, and shift things around until a trade can be made.

But that situation isn't just a player earning a spot, it's a player forcing a trade. Like what happened in Toronto when Kapanen came up.

 

[Note Worthy]

I actually thought Armstrong had a good press conference and said a lot of things that were encouraging.

 

[Itsnotatrap]

People will get hurt, as always. Opportunities will become available to those that demonstrate they are ready for them.

I’m really bullish on Kyrou but the plan should absolutely be to see how he adapts his game to grown up pros in the AHL, at least for a few months, unless he just takes camp by storm. After seeing Thompson this year, he should be pencilled into AHL too. Blais can’t play 2 minutes without getting hurt.

 

[Spektre]

Does this measn Army is searching new assistant coach for powerplay? Did they talk about our bad powerplay?


Btw is there link for presser? Or do I need to wait when its uploaded to st louis blues nhl.com

Army made reference if the PP was in the top half of the league they wouldn't be having the press conference today. All of these pressers at the end of the year are pretty generic. They're not going to go into great specifics.

 

[The Note]

It’s not like Armstrong seemed complacent or in anyway content with where the teams at right now. That would bug me. In fact, since the TDL I’ve gotten the impression he’s been pretty pissed off about where the team is (he bears some of that responsibility, naturally.) I thought he said the right things. Prospects will have their shot at a middle six spot. Most importantly that he’s going to be aggressive this summer. He’s gotta find a way to infuse this top 6 with some more bonafide talent.

 

[carter333167]

It's not about having an "open mind". It's talking from the perspective of building a roster. You want to give these kids a chance to make the team, you're basically leaving spots open by putting them in competition with the likes of Jaškin or a Bennett type UFA signing. That isn't the plan for more than 1 or 2 spots. The plan is that we'll have 7 or 8 established top-9 players going into camp.

If Thomas, Kyrou and Foley all come into camp and look really great, they'll make the team. They'll push a player down the lineup, maybe waive Thorburn, and shift things around until a trade can be made.

But that situation isn't just a player earning a spot, it's a player forcing a trade. Like what happened in Toronto when Kapanen came up.

Fair enough...thanks for your reply.

 

[shpankey]

I know I'm new and don't know a 10th of what you all know about hockey around here, but just my lowly opinon feels like adding a JT along w/ some of our young talent that's coming up and making Hutton our starting GT would, imo, instantly make us a legit contender. I may be crazy, but I honestly feel like Hutton is a pretty good GT and have thought so most of the year.

 

[Meatball]

I know I'm new and don't know a 10th of what you all know about hockey around here, but just my lowly opinon feels like adding a JT along w/ some of our young talent that's coming up and making Hutton our starting GT would, imo, instantly make us a legit contender. I may be crazy, but I honestly feel like Hutton is a pretty good GT and have thought so most of the year.

Don't feel bad, I've been watching hockey for years and don't have nearly the amount of knowledge as some of the posters here as well (plan on playing hockey soon though).

As to your post, I agree. Keeping Hutton is a good idea and we have plenty of young talent which should take a larger role next season.

JT would be awesome, but I'm not getting my hopes too far up.

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

I’m fine with the 1 or 2 spots approach. It means that we’ll have a lot more depth and I, like everyone else, thinks Sobotka is gone in that scenario.

I do think we’ll be acquiring one forward by trade at the draft, and getting one free agent forward. I hope we could keep all 4 top guys, but I’d be willing to trade Tage if need be. For all we know, we could be able to draft Dahlin, Svechnikov, or Zadina/Tkachuk.

Either way, if our top 6 to start in SA in October is Kostin-Thompson-Kyrou and Foley-Sanford-Blais, it means our forward group in STL is very solid.

 

[izzy]

just imagine winning that draft lotto

something good has to happen to us eventually right

 

[Dbrownss]

just imagine winning that draft lotto

something good has to happen to us eventually right

 

[ezcreepin]

You are starting to come off like that creepy guy who is constantly hinting that he is willing to do things NOBODY wants to see him do, if you just dare him.

C: Dare me to post a pic in dirty diapers and I totally will
Everybody Else: Ugghh, gross. We do NOT want to see that.
C: Yea, so gross, but I will....if you just dare me to
E: No, why would I dare you to do that?!?!?!
C: Or just ask, dare me or ask or even hint that maybe it would be fu.....
E: No, just no. Do not, under any circumstances do that or mention it again

Lol relax, some of you show your age with how little you're willing joke.

 

[Chubbinz]

just imagine winning that draft lotto

something good has to happen to us eventually right

It would be the most blusey thing ever to get another #1OA pick where the d-man is the consensus BPA.

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

It would be the most blusey thing ever to get another #1OA pick where the d-man is the consensus BPA.

Dahlin will be good enough to where it’s okay. It’d also be appealing for players to want to come play for a team with a d-core of Petro, Parayko, Dahlin, Edmundson, and Dunn. So either way he likely tremendously helps the franchise.

 

[kimzey59]

It would be the most blusey thing ever to get another #1OA pick where the d-man is the consensus BPA.

Dahlin would be worth it.

 

[izzy]

It would be the most blusey thing ever to get another #1OA pick where the d-man is the consensus BPA.

i think at that point dunn or eddy would be packaged in a deal at the deadline for a forward which i guess would be nice

 

[mw2noobbuster]

Yeah if Blues win the lottery, you draft Dahlin and you like it.