Speculation: Free Agency Thread

[bleedblue1223]

Who's the other top 6 center now? Army hasn't done a good job replacing players lost. Backes and Brouwer both got paid but that's not the issue. It's the fact that no one has been signed to replace Backes.

JR said Steen is moving to center.

 

[542365]

That's all great but my question to Army is: What are we doing? How does he vision this team?

To be honest, I have no idea, but to think the team is set in stone 30 minutes into free agency is crazy.

Allen just signed for 4 years at 4.35. Whatever. I still don't like him, but I have to accept him.

 

[KingBran]

So much dramatics in here. Are we really upset the team didn't sign these gigantic contracts? Why would we want Backes for 5 years at 6M?! Why would we want Brouwer for even a second at 4.25M?

It's a lose/lose situation for Army. If we hand out huge deals, people ***** that the contract will hamstring us. If we(wisely) stay away, people ***** that we're not doing anything.

Do you think the Blues are a better team right now than they were when the played in the WCF?

 

[LGB51]

I'm not really upset the Blues didn't sign one of the big guys, especially for the money/term they're getting. I guess I just don't see the plan. I don't see a direction. I can handle a re-tooling year, but some pieces for the future need to be brought in, in such a process.

This is my problem exactly.

 

[Freyj]

To be honest, I have no idea, but to think the team is set in stone 30 minutes into free agency is crazy.

Allen just signed for 4 years at 4.35. Whatever. I still don't like him, but I have to accept him.

I mean unless we trade Shattenkirk...?

I doubt we're in on Boedker now.

 

[frostyflo]

ok, glad we avoided DBs and TBs contracts, rally glad!

but replacing Backes and Brouwer with Sobi and Perron?! one step forward, 2 steps back...

 

[BlueOil]

Locked up Shortside Jake for 4 years. #priorities

 

[Freyj]

From the trade boards:

Backes just said on TSN that Boston is planning to play Krejci, Bergeron and Backes. So he's a 3C making 6M.

 

[sbkbghockey]

I'm not really upset the Blues didn't sign one of the big guys, especially for the money/term they're getting. I guess I just don't see the plan. I don't see a direction. I can handle a re-tooling year, but some pieces for the future need to be brought in, in such a process.

I agree, the Backes deal from Boston is nuts, 5-year, 6mil and a no-move for first 3 years with limited no-trade in the final years. Glad the Blues passed on that, he's a third-line centre.

I think the Brouwer deal would have been doable for the Blues.

 

[542365]

Do you think the Blues are a better team right now than they were when the played in the WCF?

Depends on how you look at it. In terms of the roster on the ice, no. Perron for Brouwer is a wash(or possibly a slight gain), but Sobotka for Backes is a severe drop. Allen in for Elliott makes me mad, but Allen has shown he's capable of being a very good goalie, so it's either a wash or a slight drop.

However, had we signed Backes to 5x6 or Brouwer to 4.5x4 we would be in a worse position as a franchise IMO. The team on the ice for next season would be better, but those contracts would've really limited what we do in the future.

I'm not happy Backes is gone, but I'm happy we don't have to pay him 6M for the next 5 seasons. And that Brouwer contract is god-awful.

 

[TK 421]

So much dramatics in here. Are we really upset the team didn't sign these gigantic contracts? Why would we want Backes for 5 years at 6M?! Why would we want Brouwer for even a second at 4.25M?

It's a lose/lose situation for Army. If we hand out huge deals, people ***** that the contract will hamstring us. If we(wisely) stay away, people ***** that we're not doing anything.

Agree with you here. I'm thrilled we weren't the ones handing out the money and term here. I know we need to replace these players but FA isn't even 2 hrs in yet...

Still have Shattenkirk to trade, Sobotka reportedly coming back, Perron is back and we have a decent backup tender in Hutton. Let's try and be cool here and let things play out a bit more. Once Hamhuis and Russell are signed we could see a Shattenkirk trade shortly after. Let these other teams hand out stupid contracts and we'll wait till a team blinks on Shatty.

 

[Old Blueser]

It's okay, we'll make a 'hockey trade' in two years to bring backes back for the end of his contract

 

[Alklha]

I agree, the Backes deal from Boston is nuts, 5-year, 6mil and a no-move for first 3 years with limited no-trade in the final years. Glad the Blues passed on that, he's a third-line centre.

I think the Brouwer deal would have been doable for the Blues.

If you are paying a player that much in UFA, he is almost always getting a NTC/NMC.

 

[KingBran]

Depends on how you look at it. In terms of the roster on the ice, no. Perron for Brouwer is a wash(or possibly a slight gain), but Sobotka for Backes is a severe drop. Allen in for Elliott makes me mad, but Allen has shown he's capable of being a very good goalie, so it's either a wash or a slight drop.

However, had we signed Backes to 5x6 or Brouwer to 4.5x4 we would be in a worse position as a franchise IMO. The team on the ice for next season would be better, but those contracts would've really limited what we do in the future.

I'm not happy Backes is gone, but I'm happy we don't have to pay him 6M for the next 5 seasons. And that Brouwer contract is god-awful.

How so? Blues win another few games and they are cup champs last season. I would gladly overpay Backes for a few season for that.

Just seems like a step back all around right now and we should be going for it. Out in round 1 and 2 we spend money and make big trades. Make it to the WCF and cant get anything for Shatty and let your captain and playoff hero Brouwer walk.

Oh but we got a guy back who said he didn't get along with the current coach and visa-versa. Not to mention we signed that coach for ANOTHER year.

 

[Alklha]

I think we're still trying to do something.

 

[BlueDream]

It's not that. We lost two important players and didn't replace them with anyone as of right now. People's frustration is justified IMO.

They did, though.

 

[Vladdy the Impaler]

It's okay, we'll make a 'hockey trade' in two years to bring backes back for the end of his contract

I laughed way too hard at this

 

[StLHokie]

Do you think the Blues are a better team right now than they were when the played in the WCF?

Do you think Chicago is a better team the year after they win the cup? The price of being a competitor is cap casualties. It happens. This past year was one of our good years, now it'll take a year to get back up to speed with a different team. We had Fabbri, Parayko, Schwartz and Shattenkirk all getting less than 4.5m a year. Those are all guys that will easily be making 5m+ in the nest few years. We were bound to lose some of the bigger roster players.

 

[Vladdy the Impaler]

I think we're still trying to do something.

Shatty trade for Rick Nash incoming

 

[Evocable Manager]

Shatty trade for Rick Nash incoming

I'd kill myself.

 

[Oberyn]

I appreciate a lot of what Backes has done for the Blues, but it was time for him to move on.

 

[Freyj]

Man Boston's Forward cap situation look absurd.

 

[Vladdy the Impaler]

I'd kill myself.

As would the rest of the Blues fan base lol

 

[Dbrownss]

Bringing Backes and Brouwer back doesn't ensure this is a WCF+ team again. Army wasn't willing to gamble 10m a year for the next 4m+ on it. I don't blame him.

There wasn't a clear path to take this offseason. I don't think this is a better team next year, but I wouldn't want last year's team either.

Taylor Hall sure would have been nice..... such a **** tease...

 

[Spektre]

So Stempniak is still a FA looks like but we have no need.. we got Perron.