Blues Trade Proposals Part 4

[2 Minute Minor]

With 6 games before the trade deadline, Blues lead the field chasing Chicago and Anaheim. What do the Blues do at the deadline? What's your prediction of what will happen?

Its tough. I do think they still need a LHD, but the market seems so nebulous I really am not sure what the options are. Its conceivable there STILL isn't a deal to be made for Armstrong in that department.

I could also see him picking up an older center with playoff experience for depth (ironically, someone about like Arnott but with a bit more tread on the tires) for a draft pick. Not sure who is out there, and again, not sure which teams think of themselves as 'sellers'. (For example, Columbus has a legit shot to catch the 8th seed. If I were them I would probably try and make it, and enjoy my draft with the picks I've already got.)

 

[BlueDream]

The only way I see Cole getting moved is for the mythical partner for Pietrangelo. Blues defense is simply too thin to allow movement without getting a proper return.

Oh I totally agree. but with Russell's improved play, and Cole still being young and I'm assuming having some trade value his spot isn't safe if we do try to get that LHD. That's what I meant.

It should be interesting. If we do add, some guys are going to have to go with the limited roster spots.

 

[Alklha]

With 6 games before the trade deadline, Blues lead the field chasing Chicago and Anaheim. What do the Blues do at the deadline? What's your prediction of what will happen?

Doing nothing wouldn't surprise me. Then again, moving Perron/Stewart/Cole wouldn't surprise me either, but the return would have to be good.

Šmíd for our 2 seconds?

 

[Frenzy31]

Doing nothing wouldn't surprise me. Then again, moving Perron/Stewart/Cole wouldn't surprise me either, but the return would have to be good.

Šmíd for our 2 seconds?

I think the Oilers will keep smid. They have no d without him. Maybe pick up Whitney for a 5th rounder. There are a lot of teams with in shooting distance of the playoffs and I don't see much movement. Calgary and Columbus have pulled themselves up a little.

Someone mentioned Grossman from Dallas?

I am on board with standing pat. We will add a couple of top 6 players when everyone gets healthy. And Jackman has been very good with Pie.

In the summer, I would expect us to ship out a winger for a young dman.

 

[Oberyn]

I think the Oilers will keep smid. They have no d without him. Maybe pick up Whitney for a 5th rounder. There are a lot of teams with in shooting distance of the playoffs and I don't see much movement. Calgary and Columbus have pulled themselves up a little.

Someone mentioned Grossman from Dallas?

I am on board with standing pat. We will add a couple of top 6 players when everyone gets healthy. And Jackman has been very good with Pie.

In the summer, I would expect us to ship out a winger for a young dman.

Grossman was traded to Philly and signed an extension there.

 

[PocketNines]

To answer my own question, I still expect Armstrong will add a defenseman or do nothing. He won't overpay because he's waited too long and if he were going to overpay there have always been opportunities to do that. Either a Hainsey type of rental or a legitimate bigger trade. I don't see them disrupting the locker room by moving a major roster piece though. If they acquire a Giordano caliber player, Cole is probably the biggest roster piece leaving.

That sturdy, top pairing LHD is a bigger hole than we could've anticipated — even with a healthy line-up, I'm not sure we're poised for a run until the hole is solved. There's a blueprint on how to kill our transition game, and it involves large forwards.

My guess is that we attempt to put a package of a roster player + prospect together in an effort to land our #2...And send off a pick + B-prospect for a forward vet that still has some production left.

If part 1 can't be accomplished, part 2 won't happen and we'll simply stay-pat.

Has your stance on Stewart changed, PN?

Before the season I said I thought losing 20 lbs wouldn't make the difference in being successful in Hitchcock's system, which is clearly wrong. For what I saw out of Stewart last year, particularly his lack of both success and effort in board battles, I didn't think weight loss would take care of it. I really didn't anticipate Stewart getting as many chances off the rush as he has. Obviously, the improved conditioning has helped, but it's fed into his confidence and he's just on the puck much, much stronger this year. I said innumerable times I'd be happy to be wrong about Stewart and I am.

What I really hope happens over this next 20 games to close the season is other guys take over the scoring bursts and he tapers off a bit. Obviously winning is most important but the other concern I had coming into this season was IF he had a big rebound year, would it cause him to end up with a contract that only looks decent when he's on a hot streak and horrible otherwise? That's still a concern I have and we'll have to wait and see. I can see both the argument that the Blues must keep him and the argument that if they can get a big time LHD out of some trade then pull the trigger. As for what I expect, I expect him to not be traded and sign a 4/5 year deal around 4.5M AAV. Of course if he finishes the season with a stats line at 24-24-48 or above that might be tough, it might require 5M. Hopefully his stats line at the end of the season looks more like 19-21-40 while other guys are picking up the slack.

Stewart has put himself in a lightning rod position with fans. By playing so wildly night and day last year to this year, when his inevitable streaks continue (he was always streaky, even with Colorado) he's going to inspire a lot of heated debate on into the future. When his scoring dries up for 4-5 games, fans are going to be on him (especially if he rings up a huge deal in the offseason). The reason more so than other players who are streaky is now the clear perception is that HE has the control whether to be in excellent condition or not, so if he's not producing, it must be something he's doing or not doing that he could change if the desire were there. People aren't going to forget how prolific a scorer he can be, and they're also not going to forget how terrible he can look out there. As soon as one or the other seems to be in evidence, he's going to be a well-paid lightning rod. The best thing he can do is to get hot during a playoff run either this year or next, because being a playoff stud will buy a LOT of breathing room.

 

[Alklha]

The game Stewart plays is great, and I hope he stays. But I would be hesitant to be paying him much more than Oshie. I hope he sees what the other guys have taken and feels a big enough part of the team to want the contract Oshie got. If he really pushes for $5m+, I don't mind trading him.

Talk of the Sabres blowing it up. Sekera is another guy who has the skillset to really compliment Pietrangelo, and he only earns $1.75m for the following 2 seasons. Probably wouldn't like the asking price though!

I think the Oilers will keep smid. They have no d without him. Maybe pick up Whitney for a 5th rounder. There are a lot of teams with in shooting distance of the playoffs and I don't see much movement. Calgary and Columbus have pulled themselves up a little.

I don't doubt the Oilers will want to keep Šmíd, but if he hasn't signed an extension by the deadline they are going to have to make a decision. I don't think they can afford to risk getting nothing in return, but I'd imagine they would want Cole in return.

 

[bleedblue1223]

It would be fantastic if we can lure Sekera out of Buffalo. I'm a big fan of his, but I'd prefer more size. We need size and speed when we go against LA and Chicago.

 

[RandallRitchey]

I think Klesla is the ideal defensemen we need to match up with Petro.

 

[stlweir]

I think Armstrong has shown patience is a big part of his make up and with a limited budget he is going to error on the side of keeping the team together. With Bernie and Karraker both saying a trade was needed the team turned it around.(thanks in large part to Allen) For the right deal Dags and Maybe AMac could I be dealt for an overpayment but with this condenced schedule depth will be more important than ever.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

To answer my own question, I still expect Armstrong will add a defenseman or do nothing. He won't overpay because he's waited too long and if he were going to overpay there have always been opportunities to do that. Either a Hainsey type of rental or a legitimate bigger trade. I don't see them disrupting the locker room by moving a major roster piece though. If they acquire a Giordano caliber player, Cole is probably the biggest roster piece leaving.



Before the season I said I thought losing 20 lbs wouldn't make the difference in being successful in Hitchcock's system, which is clearly wrong. For what I saw out of Stewart last year, particularly his lack of both success and effort in board battles, I didn't think weight loss would take care of it. I really didn't anticipate Stewart getting as many chances off the rush as he has. Obviously, the improved conditioning has helped, but it's fed into his confidence and he's just on the puck much, much stronger this year. I said innumerable times I'd be happy to be wrong about Stewart and I am.

What I really hope happens over this next 20 games to close the season is other guys take over the scoring bursts and he tapers off a bit. Obviously winning is most important but the other concern I had coming into this season was IF he had a big rebound year, would it cause him to end up with a contract that only looks decent when he's on a hot streak and horrible otherwise? That's still a concern I have and we'll have to wait and see. I can see both the argument that the Blues must keep him and the argument that if they can get a big time LHD out of some trade then pull the trigger. As for what I expect, I expect him to not be traded and sign a 4/5 year deal around 4.5M AAV. Of course if he finishes the season with a stats line at 24-24-48 or above that might be tough, it might require 5M. Hopefully his stats line at the end of the season looks more like 19-21-40 while other guys are picking up the slack.

Stewart has put himself in a lightning rod position with fans. By playing so wildly night and day last year to this year, when his inevitable streaks continue (he was always streaky, even with Colorado) he's going to inspire a lot of heated debate on into the future. When his scoring dries up for 4-5 games, fans are going to be on him (especially if he rings up a huge deal in the offseason). The reason more so than other players who are streaky is now the clear perception is that HE has the control whether to be in excellent condition or not, so if he's not producing, it must be something he's doing or not doing that he could change if the desire were there. People aren't going to forget how prolific a scorer he can be, and they're also not going to forget how terrible he can look out there. As soon as one or the other seems to be in evidence, he's going to be a well-paid lightning rod. The best thing he can do is to get hot during a playoff run either this year or next, because being a playoff stud will buy a LOT of breathing room.

Well said. He is definitely the Jim Edmonds of hockey. He can be really bad or really awesome and dominate.

 

[Blue Goose]

To answer my own question, I still expect Armstrong will add a defenseman or do nothing. He won't overpay because he's waited too long and if he were going to overpay there have always been opportunities to do that. Either a Hainsey type of rental or a legitimate bigger trade. I don't see them disrupting the locker room by moving a major roster piece though. If they acquire a Giordano caliber player, Cole is probably the biggest roster piece leaving.

I get the feeling Army will go after a veteran "rental" LHD. Wouldn't surprise me if he sent a couple of picks to BUF to get Leopold. Or Hainsey, but it looks like WPG might be buyers at the deadline. I just hope it's not Ryan Whitney.

My dream scenario: Trade Dags to PHX for Klesla. They're loaded on D, and it wouldn't surprise me if they shed some salary before their possible(?) relocation.

I think Klesla is the ideal defensemen we need to match up with Petro.

So it's not just me.

 

[2 Minute Minor]

I think Stewart may get a bit less than Pocket Nines' projection, or at least toward the low end of it (assuming steady production at this pace all year). The reason is that I think Armstrong showed a lot of confidence in him and did him the professional courtesy of the 1-year contract last season after his crappy year. I guess what I'm trying to say is that listening to Stewart talk, I think he wants to be here (St Louis). I believe he'll be willing to go a bit lower to stay in this good situation for him.

If he doesn't, I could see another Nashville/Philly situation where someone offer sheets him, but hopefully Armstrong is ahead of this situation so it never gets to that point.

 

[BlueDream]

Agreed. Stewart seems to be a lot more involved this year, in every single aspect. He seems like more of a leader on the team so far, he seems pretty vocal, he's leading by example on the ice, and seems to be a pretty energetic player too. He seems like a popular teammate to me, and he looks like he's really enjoying it here. I think he likes being on this team. Now that he knows he can succeed under Hitchcock while the team is winning, it's really a nice place for him to be. Armstrong traded for him, and gave him a prove-it contract, so he should know that he's valued here and hopefully stays.

The one thing that has stuck out to me about Stewart is he's always doing something. He's involved in the play no matter if it's scoring, making some nice passes, fighting/sticking up for teammates in scrums, using his speed to forecheck and disrupt the opposition, etc. That's what I think is a huge difference from this season, and last year, and even at the end of the 2011 season when we first got him. He did great when he first came over, but that was mainly just from scoring like crazy. This season I think he looks even better than he did in 2011. Obviously leading the team in points helps that, but even when he's not scoring he's simply a much better all-around player. We know he has soft hands while scoring goals, but he's now showing those with his passing too. His forecheck is much better, as is his defensive game which is now adequate. His cycling is much improved, and all the sudden he is starting to be a guy that forms the chemistry, instead of ruining it. He's looked very good with Backes so far, and that was after he got on a roll with Berglund. Overall his effort level is just extremely high, he's all over the place.

If Stewart is smart and wants to continue dominating like this, then he should do the exact same thing every summer that he did last summer, which is work with a high-regarded trainer named Matt Nichol of Team BioSteel (up in Toronto I believe). Gary Roberts is also involved with them and lots of players go to a camp of theirs during the summer to get in top shape (Seguin and Stamkos were two of many others that went). If I'm the Blues, I would make sure he's back at that place this summer. Because then if he uses that program consistently, then I would have absolutely no worries of him just playing for a contract. I think he has dedicated himself to be a great player throughout his future, which is why I'm not really worried about it. I want to keep him no doubt. It's great to see the weight loss and improved conditioning; he can be a real force if he stays like this.

 

[Captain Creampuff]

There was a clip during the game of Stewy talking and laughing with Tarasenko which is also a nice thing to see the guys are getting along quite well in the locker room.

 

[letmesleep]

I don't think they're gonna have a problem getting Stewy to sign at around 4.3x4 unless he keeps up his unreal stat line through the season and shows up as a real playoff performer.

I'm really curious to see Armstrong work his contract magic this off-season. What do you guys think about D'Agostini's odds of testing the RFA market, seeing if he can get a good offer sheet? I can't see Armstrong offering more than the lowest possible qualifying offer.

 

[bleedblue1223]

We won't even bother with D'Agostini. We will probably let him go to save money. He simply doesn't have a spot here.

 

[Robb_K]

Agreed. Stewart seems to be a lot more involved this year, in every single aspect. He seems like more of a leader on the team so far, he seems pretty vocal, he's leading by example on the ice, and seems to be a pretty energetic player too. He seems like a popular teammate to me, and he looks like he's really enjoying it here. I think he likes being on this team. Now that he knows he can succeed under Hitchcock while the team is winning, it's really a nice place for him to be. Armstrong traded for him, and gave him a prove-it contract, so he should know that he's valued here and hopefully stays.

The one thing that has stuck out to me about Stewart is he's always doing something. He's involved in the play no matter if it's scoring, making some nice passes, fighting/sticking up for teammates in scrums, using his speed to forecheck and disrupt the opposition, etc. That's what I think is a huge difference from this season, and last year, and even at the end of the 2011 season when we first got him. He did great when he first came over, but that was mainly just from scoring like crazy. This season I think he looks even better than he did in 2011. Obviously leading the team in points helps that, but even when he's not scoring he's simply a much better all-around player. We know he has soft hands while scoring goals, but he's now showing those with his passing too. His forecheck is much better, as is his defensive game which is now adequate. His cycling is much improved, and all the sudden he is starting to be a guy that forms the chemistry, instead of ruining it. He's looked very good with Backes so far, and that was after he got on a roll with Berglund. Overall his effort level is just extremely high, he's all over the place.

If Stewart is smart and wants to continue dominating like this, then he should do the exact same thing every summer that he did last summer, which is work with a high-regarded trainer named Matt Nichol of Team BioSteel (up in Toronto I believe). Gary Roberts is also involved with them and lots of players go to a camp of theirs during the summer to get in top shape (Seguin and Stamkos were two of many others that went). If I'm the Blues, I would make sure he's back at that place this summer. Because then if he uses that program consistently, then I would have absolutely no worries of him just playing for a contract. I think he has dedicated himself to be a great player throughout his future, which is why I'm not really worried about it. I want to keep him no doubt. It's great to see the weight loss and improved conditioning; he can be a real force if he stays like this.

I agree with this 100%. I'm not worried about him reverting to "playing well only in short streaks and in contract years". He got out of shape last season. He's seen the results. He's not irrational. He should enjoy his current success and want to keep it.

 

[PocketNines]

I would be surprised if D'Agostini were qualified at 1.8M.

 

[Alklha]

I think Klesla is the ideal defensemen we need to match up with Petro.

I'd prefer Šmíd, but Klesla is a good option. What would it cost though? 1st? More?

I would be surprised if D'Agostini were qualified at 1.8M.

Yeah, there is no way that D'Agostini is coming back. We can't afford to bring him back to be an extra forward. With injuries next season we can move Sobotka up or call Jaškin/Rattie up.

The question is whether we move him for a late pick now or just let him walk as an UFA in the summer.

 

[rumrokh]

Yeah, there is no way that D'Agostini is coming back. We can't afford to bring him back to be an extra forward. With injuries next season we can move Sobotka up or call Jaškin/Rattie up.

The question is whether we move him for a late pick now or just let him walk as an UFA in the summer.

Unless somebody offers something that really pleases the Blues, I think they'll hang onto him for injury depth. He doesn't pinch their budget now and you can't have too much NHL-quality depth when the playoffs come around.

 

[PocketNines]

"I'm gonna pop some D'Ags, only got 20 dollars in my pocket ..."

 

[JustOneB4IDie]

"I'm gonna pop some D'Ags, only got 20 dollars in my pocket ..."

That's all I carry since I work where the Ghetto starts in Midtown

D'Ags will be moved at the deadline for whatever they can get for him, and it won't be much.

Any other deals? C'mon, patience! LOL That will depend on how bubble teams play in the next 2 weeks. Then we will know for sure on who is buying or selling.

 

[TheOrganist]

I think the most important thing with Stewart is that he finally has an excellent coach to teach him about the nuances of the game. Playing away away from the puck. Playing in a detailed system. How competing creates offense. Unlike Andy Murray, Hitch has a Stanley Cup Ring and an Olympic Gold Medal to back up his words. Stewart's story about being the anti-Jonathan Toews and not taking hockey seriously until later in life is well known. I'm sure he never had to play anything remotely akin to a structured game in his formative years because he was such a physical specimen. And then from 2007 - February of 2011 the only two professional coaches he ever knew were Tony Granato and Joe Sacco, two of the worst NHL coaches in the last decade.

So I think fans last year and earlier this year had every right to question whether Stewart could play in Hitchcock's system. I made a post as recently as Feb 28th after the Hawks game I went to saying how brutal he looked. But I also think in hindsight (and reading Dan O'Neil's nice article today), it was unrealistic to think the Stewart/Hitchcock dynamic wasn't going to take a good deal of time to gel.

Rumrokh the other day made a good post in comparing Halak and Allen when he said Jaro looks like he stops pucks and Allen looks a goaltender. I think the same is becoming true for Stewart who is starting to look like a hockey player and not someone who just plays hockey. He will never be the smartest player on the ice, but all his shifts lately have a sense of purpose which is the biggest 180 from his game last year when he was aimless on the ice. I think a huge part of that is just good ole fashioned coaching. And props to Stewball for taking Hitch's message to heart.

 

[RangersChamps2417]

Gaborik

I was wondering if you guys think the Blues could be interested in him, and what they would be willing to give up if they were