Blues Taxi Squad

[Stupendous Yappi]

I figure this topic will deserve some attention throughout the season.

Full details have not been released yet. What we think we know is:
Teams are allowed 4-6 players on a taxi squad, paid their full AHL salary, and travel/practice with the NHL team.

Unknowns include if there are any special rules modifications for call-ups (waivers ramifications, etc) which I presume will be the case.

As I understand it, if you have a player on the taxi squad making over the usual amount (was nearly 1M last season) that is legally buried in the AHL the excess salary counts against the salary cap (just like normal AHL rules). So, you COULD stash a veteran player on the taxi squad, but the salary could be an issue.

I expect details of how this will work should be released pretty soon. I wanted to start by speculating who will be on the Blues taxi squad. I think there must be one goalie, which is probably the main reason to even have such a thing.

I’m going to assume a Blues full 23 man roster (which I think Vegas is not going to do), of the following (don’t be distracted by the lines/pairings):
Perron / ROR / Hoffman
Schwartz / Thomas/Schenn
Sanford / Bozak / Kyrou
Sundqvist / Barbashev / Blais
Clifford / MacEachern

Krug / Parayko
Scandella / Faulk
Dunn / Bortuzzo
Gunnarrson

Binnington
Husso

taxi squad:
1 - Gillies (goal)
2 - De La Rose
3 - Mikkola
4 - Nolan Stevens?
5 - Walkman?
6?

There are some interesting considerations. You don’t want priority prospects wasting away on the taxi squad. This is why Kostin won’t be there. You may also see teams rotating players to allow guys to get some games in the AHL or something (although I bet Berube tries to get guys into NHL games, if the rules allow easy call-ups).

The point of the taxi squad is to provide some buffer for teams that may be affected by Covid or contact tracing. But I fear we will see teams abuse it as a way to be cap compliant. Imagine Vegas running a 2o man roster and populating their taxi squad with what would otherwise have been NHL scratch players. It’s dicey, because if the team does have Covid/injury problems, they’ve depleted their depth already. But a couple teams may be desperate enough to try something like that.

If Mikkola is on the taxi squad, I wouldn’t take that as necessarily a good thing for his career outlook. It would tell me the team probably prioritize Perunovich (but maybe that’s obvious). Berube would try to get him into some games, but there is no guarantee those opportunities develop. You could lose most of a season of development by not playing games.

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[simon IC]

Great topic! I disagree with you a bit about Mikkola. I don't think that being on the taxi squad will be that detrimental to his development. The reason I say that, is because he is at a different stage of his development as compared to someone like Perunovich. Scott is right out of college and absolutely needs to play a lot of hockey at the professional level. Mikkola, on the other hand, has already spent a lot of time in the AHL and has got a few games in with the Blues. I think practising with the team and being part of the dressing room will be just as beneficial for him as eating up minutes in Springfield. Yes, he will not be as game-ready, but it will only take two injuries at the same time to get him some ice time. I really think he will be playing this season. He did not look out of place, IMO, when he played for the Blues last season, so I think he will fit right in.

 

[simon IC]

My top four:

1. Gillies.
2. Mikkola
3. De La Rose
4. Poganski

 

[Zezel’s Pretzels]

I figure this topic will deserve some attention throughout the season.

Full details have not been released yet. What we think we know is:
Teams are allowed 4-6 players on a taxi squad, paid their full AHL salary, and travel/practice with the NHL team.

Unknowns include if there are any special rules modifications for call-ups (waivers ramifications, etc) which I presume will be the case.

As I understand it, if you have a player on the taxi squad making over the usual amount (was nearly 1M last season) that is legally buried in the AHL the excess salary counts against the salary cap (just like normal AHL rules). So, you COULD stash a veteran player on the taxi squad, but the salary could be an issue.

I expect details of how this will work should be released pretty soon. I wanted to start by speculating who will be on the Blues taxi squad. I think there must be one goalie, which is probably the main reason to even have such a thing.

I’m going to assume a Blues full 23 man roster (which I think Vegas is not going to do), of the following (don’t be distracted by the lines/pairings):
Perron / ROR / Hoffman
Schwartz / Thomas/Schenn
Sanford / Bozak / Kyrou
Sundqvist / Barbashev / Blais
Clifford / MacEachern

Krug / Parayko
Scandella / Faulk
Dunn / Bortuzzo
Gunnarrson

Binnington
Husso

taxi squad:
1 - Gillies (goal)
2 - De La Rose
3 - Mikkola
4 - Nolan Stevens?
5 - Walkman?
6?

There are some interesting considerations. You don’t want priority prospects wasting away on the taxi squad. This is why Kostin won’t be there. You may also see teams rotating players to allow guys to get some games in the AHL or something (although I bet Berube tries to get guys into NHL games, if the rules allow easy call-ups).

The point of the taxi squad is to provide some buffer for teams that may be affected by Covid or contact tracing. But I fear we will see teams abuse it as a way to be cap compliant. Imagine Vegas running a 2o man roster and populating their taxi squad with what would otherwise have been NHL scratch players. It’s dicey, because if the team does have Covid/injury problems, they’ve depleted their depth already. But a couple teams may be desperate enough to try something like that.

If Mikkola is on the taxi squad, I wouldn’t take that as necessarily a good thing for his career outlook. It would tell me the team probably prioritize Perunovich (but maybe that’s obvious). Berube would try to get him into some games, but there is no guarantee those opportunities develop. You could lose most of a season of development by not playing games.

Thought I saw Mouser or someone else say that our path to cap compliance once Vladi returns is waiving DLR and MacMac outright and going with a less than 23 person roster...not sure if that factors into the planning...

 

[Renard]

I am hoping that de la Rose learned from Sundqvist, took his conditioning to a higher level, and surprizes the fans the way Sunny did.

We should expect surprizes from a Swede with a French name.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

WHL season is up in air and AHL season doesn’t start until Feb 5 so may see Neighbors and Perunovich on it even if they aren’t ready to aid in their development.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I figure this topic will deserve some attention throughout the season.

Full details have not been released yet. What we think we know is:
Teams are allowed 4-6 players on a taxi squad, paid their full AHL salary, and travel/practice with the NHL team.

Unknowns include if there are any special rules modifications for call-ups (waivers ramifications, etc) which I presume will be the case.

As I understand it, if you have a player on the taxi squad making over the usual amount (was nearly 1M last season) that is legally buried in the AHL the excess salary counts against the salary cap (just like normal AHL rules). So, you COULD stash a veteran player on the taxi squad, but the salary could be an issue.

I expect details of how this will work should be released pretty soon. I wanted to start by speculating who will be on the Blues taxi squad. I think there must be one goalie, which is probably the main reason to even have such a thing.

I’m going to assume a Blues full 23 man roster (which I think Vegas is not going to do), of the following (don’t be distracted by the lines/pairings):
Perron / ROR / Hoffman
Schwartz / Thomas/Schenn
Sanford / Bozak / Kyrou
Sundqvist / Barbashev / Blais
Clifford / MacEachern

Krug / Parayko
Scandella / Faulk
Dunn / Bortuzzo
Gunnarrson

Binnington
Husso

taxi squad:
1 - Gillies (goal)
2 - De La Rose
3 - Mikkola
4 - Nolan Stevens?
5 - Walkman?
6?

There are some interesting considerations. You don’t want priority prospects wasting away on the taxi squad. This is why Kostin won’t be there. You may also see teams rotating players to allow guys to get some games in the AHL or something (although I bet Berube tries to get guys into NHL games, if the rules allow easy call-ups).

The point of the taxi squad is to provide some buffer for teams that may be affected by Covid or contact tracing. But I fear we will see teams abuse it as a way to be cap compliant. Imagine Vegas running a 2o man roster and populating their taxi squad with what would otherwise have been NHL scratch players. It’s dicey, because if the team does have Covid/injury problems, they’ve depleted their depth already. But a couple teams may be desperate enough to try something like that.

If Mikkola is on the taxi squad, I wouldn’t take that as necessarily a good thing for his career outlook. It would tell me the team probably prioritize Perunovich (but maybe that’s obvious). Berube would try to get him into some games, but there is no guarantee those opportunities develop. You could lose most of a season of development by not playing games.

We may also carry smaller roster for cap reasons and have someone like Mac Mac or dlr or even Kyrou (if he is waiver exempt) shuttle between roster and taxi.

 

[Beauterham]

I'd rather have Perunovich, McGing, Hofer, Tucker, Laferriere and Kostin (if he doesn't stay in the KHL) full time in the AHL for their development.

That leaves these players to choose from:
Goal: Gillies
Defense: Mikkola, Walman, Santini, Reinke
Forward: De La Rose, Poganski, Anas, Walker, Kaspick, Polei, McKenzie, Stevens

In that case I'd go for:
Goalie: Gillies
Defense: Mikkola
Defense: Walman
Forward: De La Rose
Forward: Poganski
Forward: Anas/Walker

WHL season is up in air and AHL season doesn’t start until Feb 5 so may see Neighbors and Perunovich on it even if they aren’t ready to aid in their development.

Neighbours has already been loaned to the Brooks Bandits in the AJHL for this reason. If the AJHL also doesn't start, it's probably better to get him in as much as possible AHL games. Wouldn't surprise me if it's been the plan all along to get him into the AHL, seeing he's the only CHL-prospect in our training camp.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

We may also carry smaller roster for cap reasons and have someone like Mac Mac or dlr or even Kyrou (if he is waiver exempt) shuttle between roster and taxi.

I think that kind of sucks a little for the 23rd and 22nd guy who are now on the taxi squad, still with the team, and getting paid less.

I assume the NHLPA has to sign off on this plan. I would be totally fine with a stipulation that teams can’t assign players to the taxi squad unless their 23 roster spots are full. That might stop some unintended shenanigans.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Neighbours has already been loaned to the Brooks Bandits in the AJHL for this reason. If the AJHL also doesn't start, it's probably better to get him in as much as possible AHL games. Wouldn't surprise me if it's been the plan all along to get him into the AHL, seeing he's the only CHL-prospect in our training camp.

He is in camp bc he had nowhere else. Not clear if those will restart and he isn’t eligible for AHL. Wonder if they will make exception for guys like him this year.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I think that kind of sucks a little for the 23rd and 22nd guy who are now on the taxi squad, still with the team, and getting paid less.

I assume the NHLPA has to sign off on this plan. I would be totally fine with a stipulation that teams can’t assign players to the taxi squad unless their 23 roster spots are full. That might stop some unintended shenanigans.

They signed off. And guys like dlr and Macmac are on one way deals so will get paid the same.

 

[Beauterham]

He is in camp bc he had nowhere else. Not clear if those will restart and he isn’t eligible for AHL. Wonder if they will make exception for guys like him this year.

Are you sure about this? I thought the rule was that when a CHL-team's season is over, a prospect could sign an AHL-contract and play in the AHL? For example, Tyler Tucker played for the Rampage 2 seasons ago after the Barrie Colts ended their regular season and didn't qualify for the playoffs while going back to the Colts the next season. So I'd imagine that if the WHL cancels it entire season that would mean that Neighbours is eligible? Or am I seeing this wrong?

 

[Beauterham]

They signed off. And guys like dlr and Macmac are on one way deals so will get paid the same.

Same goes for Mikkola.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Are you sure about this? I thought the rule was that when a CHL-team's season is over, a prospect could sign an AHL-contract and play in the AHL? For example, Tyler Tucker played for the Rampage 2 seasons ago after the Barrie Colts ended their regular season and didn't qualify for the playoffs while going back to the Colts the next season. So I'd imagine that if the WHL cancels it entire season that would mean that Neighbours is eligible? Or am I seeing this wrong?

You are right that after season is complete they can play in AHL. Not sure how will handle this year since CHL is in limbo.

 

[MissouriMook]

Thought I saw Mouser or someone else say that our path to cap compliance once Vladi returns is waiving DLR and MacMac outright and going with a less than 23 person roster...not sure if that factors into the planning...

That is certainly a possibility when and if Tarasenko returns from LTIR in the regular season, but with both Tarasenko and Steen on LTIR we will have plenty of space to fill a 23-man roster. My guess is that the impact of Hoffman's deal requires us to 13 forwards (22 players) on the active roster when and if Tarasenko returns in the regular season.

 

[WATTAGE4451]

I think that kind of sucks a little for the 23rd and 22nd guy who are now on the taxi squad, still with the team, and getting paid less.

I assume the NHLPA has to sign off on this plan. I would be totally fine with a stipulation that teams can’t assign players to the taxi squad unless their 23 roster spots are full. That might stop some unintended shenanigans.

It depends, if the person has a 2 way comtract(like macmac does) they would still get their full nhl salary. Macmac however isnt waiver exempt.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

It depends, if the person has a 2 way comtract(like macmac does) they would still get their full nhl salary. Macmac however isnt waiver exempt.

I have not heard how waivers would be handled. It seems counter to the idea of a taxi squad traveling with the team if guys are just getting claimed by a team in Canada or whatever. Maybe it just puts pressure on teams to pick guys waiver exempt, but those are largely young guys you wouldn’t ideally want to have missing their usual minor league seasons.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I have not heard how waivers would be handled. It seems counter to the idea of a taxi squad traveling with the team if guys are just getting claimed by a team in Canada or whatever. Maybe it just puts pressure on teams to pick guys waiver exempt, but those are largely young guys you wouldn’t ideally want to have missing their usual minor league seasons.

Believe they are treating taxi squad like AHL; guys on 2-way contract get minor league money on taxi squad and guys who require waivers to go down need waivers to go to taxi squad.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

Believe they are treating taxi squad like AHL; guys on 2-way contract get minor league money on taxi squad and guys who require waivers to go down need waivers to go to taxi squad.

Then what is the point of the taxi squad? It’s just 4 AHL guys staying in town?

I think I’m probably remembering the old waivers where they had to clear when they were called up. Guys would only be at risk when being reassigned back down. Ok, that’s more useful then.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Then what is the point of the taxi squad? It’s just 4 AHL guys staying in town?

I think I’m probably remembering the old waivers where they had to clear when they were called up. Guys would only be at risk when being reassigned back down. Ok, that’s more useful then.

That is basically it. The guys are with the team if needed to play. And as you say, only waivers on way down so can call guys up from taxi and they play same night.

I also expect teams to use it to game the cap, sending down guys who are waiver exempt on nights they aren't playing so they can bank more cap space for deadline.

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

Barring a camp injury, this is what I’ve got

Schwartz-O’Reilly-Perron
Schenn-Thomas-Hoffman
Sanford-Bozak-Kyrou
Blais-Barbashev-Sundqvist
Clifford, MacEachern

Krug-Parayko
Scandella-Faulk
Dunn-Bortuzzo
Gunnarsson

Binnington
Husso


Taxi-
C- de la Rose
LW- Walker
RW- Poganski
LD- Mikkola
RD- Santini
G- Gillies


I’m curious about what happens when Kostin gets back, but who knows when that will even be.

 

[BlueDream]

Barring a camp injury, this is what I’ve got

Schwartz-O’Reilly-Perron
Schenn-Thomas-Hoffman
Sanford-Bozak-Kyrou
Blais-Barbashev-Sundqvist
Clifford, MacEachern

Krug-Parayko
Scandella-Faulk
Dunn-Bortuzzo
Gunnarsson

Binnington
Husso


Taxi-
C- de la Rose
LW- Walker
RW- Poganski
LD- Mikkola
RD- Santini
G- Gillies


I’m curious about what happens when Kostin gets back, but who knows when that will even be.

Only change I’d make is replacing Santini with Walman. But other than that, I agree on everything.

Our taxi squad in that sense will be nice because it should be guys in their mid-20s that no longer need seasoning in the AHL, and should further benefit from practicing with the NHL squad. And they should be able to fill in on the bottom lines if need be.

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

Only change I’d make is replacing Santini with Walman. But other than that, I agree on everything.

Our taxi squad in that sense will be nice because it should be guys in their mid-20s that no longer need seasoning in the AHL, and should further benefit from practicing with the NHL squad. And they should be able to fill in on the bottom lines if need be.

That’s totally fair! I figured they’d want Walman to get more AHL time as Santini fits your agenda for what you want on the taxi squad. Also gives them another RHD option.

 

[simon IC]

I like Santini over Walman, as he is a RHD and has NHL experience.

 

[Brian39]

Our AHL affiliate has opted out of the season, so that means our taxi squad will likely have all of our top pro-prospects on it. We are faced with the reality that our only option to develop our own prospects is to have them on the taxi squad to practice with the NHL team or go to Utica. I'd wager that our prospects will get 2nd tier usage compared to Vancouver's, so this leaves us in a bit of a pickle.

This is a major development that impacts decision making about the taxi squad.