GDT: Game 65/82 Blues @ Kings 7PM KMOV

[A Real Barn Burner]

Two teams were able to move up from a similar spot last year in SJ and Minny. I want to claim one final top half of the draft stud before we go on a 8 year playoff run. I have my reasons. If we continue to build out through youth we should start peaking in 3-4 seasons and that aligns perfectly when Dallas and Colorado are gonna start aging out. Whomever we get this draft will absolutely be in on our next core when we really start making noise.

So then we could run head first into a rebuilt San Jose or Chicago? Trying to time a peak is never gonna work. Just have to put the best team we can forward. It’s never gonna be easy.

You do you brother! I still eagerly await your eventual redemption arc it’s my favorite!

 

[ChicagoBlues]

go kings go

 

[LetsGoBooze]

So then we could run head first into a rebuilt San Jose or Chicago? Trying to time a peak is never gonna work. Just have to put the best team we can forward. It’s never gonna be easy.

You do you brother! I still eagerly await your eventual redemption arc it’s my favorite!

By any means we can get more elite talent on the team. Currently netting a higher pick is a better overall asset, whether we use it to trade or draft someone, im just targeting an asset that has the most value to best help improve the team by a larger margin. The current team, although playing outstanding, is built to just make the playoffs, im wanting to fully build out a team that not only makes the playoffs but is highly competitive in the playoffs. Going in at the 2-5 seed each season.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Still shitty we got a point. I swear we're destined for no playoffs and picking 15th.

So what? I don’t understand this thinking. We’ll be just fine.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

By any means we can get more elite talent on the team. Currently netting a higher pick is a better overall asset, whether we use it to trade or draft someone, im just targeting an asset that has the most value to best help improve the team by a larger margin. The current team, although playing outstanding, is built to just make the playoffs, im wanting to fully build out a team that not only makes the playoffs but is highly competitive in the playoffs. Going in at the 2-5 seed each season.

It’s understandable, but, at the same time, it’s not.

 

[BadgersandBlues]

Gutsy game by a tired team playing a rested opponent without it's top two D men and the backup goalie in. We took it to the Kings for the first 25-30 minutes, then started to run out of gas, which was especially noticeable in the third.

I was pretty angry at Hofer after that second (Called back) goal, but he stood tall and earned us a point tonight. Sucks the skaters couldn't finish the job in OT, Hofer deserved a better outcome.

We rode Faulk and Broberg HARD in this game, with huge defensive zone deployment, and they both acquitted themselves well.

Time to rest up boys, the stretch run is going to be lit! (Doing my best John Kelly impression here)

 

[A Real Barn Burner]

Gutsy game by a tired team playing a rested opponent without it's top two D men and the backup goalie in. We took it to the Kings for the first 25-30 minutes, then started to run out of gas, which was especially noticeable in the third.

I was pretty angry at Hofer after that second (Called back) goal, but he stood tall and earned us a point tonight. Sucks the skaters couldn't finish the job in OT, Hofer deserved a better outcome.

We rode Faulk and Broberg HARD in this game, with huge defensive zone deployment, and they both acquitted themselves well.

Time to rest up boys, the stretch run is going to be lit! (Doing my best John Kelly impression here)

Good point huge step by Broberg showing this game he can be a 1D. A road game with playoff intensity no less.

 

[BlueSeal]

It’s understandable, but, at the same time, it’s not.

And this folks, is Doug Armstrongs thinking. We should make the playoffs but at the same time we can't get a top ten draft pick because which is understandable but at the same time is not, given whatever is being said on the magic board and the voodoo that Army has sold the front office on. This is how our franchise is being ran.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

And this folks, is Doug Armstrongs thinking. We should make the playoffs but at the same time we can't get a top ten draft pick because which is understandable but at the same time is not, given whatever is being said on the magic board and the voodoo that Army has sold the front office on. This is how our franchise is being ran.

We understand that you want the Blues to tank for a top-10 pick, but I recommend dealing with what is.

Each individual has their own reality and agreements on perceptions are not normal. We can agree, but is that what we really think, believe and feel?

People are quite capable of flexing their positions.

 

[BleedBlue14]

And this folks, is Doug Armstrongs thinking. We should make the playoffs but at the same time we can't get a top ten draft pick because which is understandable but at the same time is not, given whatever is being said on the magic board and the voodoo that Army has sold the front office on. This is how our franchise is being ran.

I don’t know I think it’s pretty safe to assume we can check most boxes with what’s currently in the organization and tracking well mind you.

The only hole I can definitively see we couldn’t fill internally or pretty painlessly via UFA would be #1 D. Now that’s a large hole, but a lot of teams have filled it without getting a top 10 pick to do so. I’m pretty confident Broberg is a pretty good top 4 d man for the future, I’m confident 55 is as well - the injury scares me claiming he has 4 or 5 more high end years in him - but barring any major procedure I’d expect him to be a top 4 guy for 3-4 more years. Lindstein has a pretty good shot at it. We can fill a #4 maybe #3 via UFA if needed.

Forward group wise, a #2C could be an issue depending on when and if Dvorsky can reach that level. But I’m pretty confident aside from that one spot we will not need to look externally for a forward unless we are shooting extremely high, bringing in competition for a young guy, or bridging a gap.

Goaltending is a little more of a dice roll, but amongst any u25 goaltenders I’d bet Hofer has proven more than most if not all.

I know we all want an elite talent to add to the group. Kyrou and Thomas are pretty high end players and they’re signed long term at probably the best time we could’ve. Cap flexibility is not going to be an issue to supplement the core we currently have and the young one that we presumably built in the last 2-3 drafts.

I think the current core you can pretty firmly place as Thomas, Kyrou, Broberg, and Holloway. Parayko and Buch are probably remnants of the last core that have high-end years left in them.

Then we have another core presumably forming with guys like Snuggerud, Dvorsky, Stenberg and Lindstein (excluding Jiricek as I’d like to see a clean bill of health for an extended period of time).

Yes this middling could take another year or two. But would be even more drastic is not giving the current group of 23-26 year olds who have shown well a chance at competing at all and trying to sink the ship to play for another 2-3 years out to hope we can strengthen the next core.

I don’t mind the Blues wanting to be competitive because I think it’s a really good bar of seeing where guys like Bolduc/Holloway/Snuggerud/Dvorsky can fit in.

Tanking isn’t sunshine and rainbows like it looks like without undergoing it. There’s a real chance Chicago drafts a can’t miss prospect and can’t get it together in time and turns into Ottawa, Detroit, Buffalo and those groups until that player is 27-30. That’s not a recipe for success at all and that would really be a drag when the only two days you care about is the draft lottery day and draft day.

 

[BlueSeal]

We understand that you want the Blues to tank for a top-10 pick, but I recommend dealing with what is.

Each individual has their own reality and agreements on perceptions are not normal. We can agree, but is that what we really think, believe and feel?

People are quite capable of flexing their positions.

We being who and if folks are reading what I'm saying, they would know what you're saying what I'm saying is NOT what I'm saying, dong ma?

Yes, I just quoted Firefly.

What I want Army to do is make a decision. Are we building to be a contender or rebuilding? We are pieces short that we will need to trade or sign for and we have big question marks in some of those we have on the roster now and I see no clear plan beyond we have things, let's said and see what'll happen instead of planning and making things happen. Our current strategy is dangerous, it requires luck, chance and everything to go right, which isn't how to run anything, especially if it's the Blues.

The reality is that we're praying what we have downstairs comes up and translates big time to the NHL, well, those we don't trade off to fill the holes we have, so at the end of the day less than you think. Wash, rinse, repeat. Good enough to not make the playoffs but not bad enough to snatch a top 10 pick.

THAT is our reality. Fight me.

 

[MissouriMook]

I can see wishing for a top 5 or 10 pick this draft….but that is why it makes no sense to root against playoffs at this point. Pick 13 or pick 20…neither will make a difference for this club in the next three years. Probably more like four or five. Meanwhile Thomas, Buch, Kyrou, Holloway, Colt, Broberg and Binny all get older. Strike the pig iron in front of you while it is hot instead of wishing for spring steel.

If they get in the playoffs and win a round, they’re probably still drafting at 17. I can’t see rooting to miss and pick 13 or 14 over that.

 

[Reality Czech]

And this folks, is Doug Armstrongs thinking. We should make the playoffs but at the same time we can't get a top ten draft pick because which is understandable but at the same time is not, given whatever is being said on the magic board and the voodoo that Army has sold the front office on. This is how our franchise is being ran.

Yeah we'd be so much better off if they actively tried not to win.

So you really think Armstrong doesn't have a plan? You have to get better in steps, so obviously there is going to be a period where you're a playoff bubble team before you become more than that. Not really sure what more you were expecting this year. If Thomas and Broberg had been healthier this year, we might be in a playoff spot right now.

 

[PJJJP]

This year has been fun to watch even if we do miss the playoffs. Holloway has been so much better than expected. Broberg has blown me away. These past couple of games it seems like he is really using his skating to create in the offensive zone. Bolduc and Neighbors have both frustrated and excited me (more excitement than frustration). Parayko has blossomed and Kyrou has drastically improved his defensive game. Thomas is Thomas. Overall I’m having a good time watching the blues win or lose

 

[LetsGoBooze]

.

 

[LetsGoBooze]

If they get in the playoffs and win a round, they’re probably still drafting at 17. I can’t see rooting to miss and pick 13 or 14 over that.

If you’re sincerely looking for this team to tank, you’re going to be disappointed. I haven’t seen this team playing for each other to this degree in six years. I don’t think they have the talent to make any noise in the playoffs, but they are going to get in.

The bolded is the reason, you stated it yourself. We need the best chance to add elite talent.
Last year we missed out on being able to trade up for Dickinson/Buium by 2-3 positions. I want the more valuable asset of the higher pick. This year's team isnt winning it all. Keep building till our actual window opens up. Delayed gratification, not many have the stomach for it, but it pays off down the road.

 

[sfvega]

So what? I don’t understand this thinking. We’ll be just fine.

You can say 'so what?' to any opinion on here. You don't want to understand the thinking. You disagree, which is fine. But it's not a dialogue, so what's the point?

 

[ChicagoBlues]

You can say 'so what?' to any opinion on here. You don't want to understand the thinking. You disagree, which is fine. But it's not a dialogue, so what's the point?

“So what?” effectively ended the dialogue because there is no dialogue to be had. It’s people entrenched in ideas. We could counter point all day long and get erehwon.

 

[sfvega]

“So what?” effectively ended the dialogue because there is no dialogue to be had. It’s people entrenched in ideas. We could counter point all day long and get erehwon.

So what?

 

[Xerloris]

What I want Army to do is make a decision. Are we building to be a contender or rebuilding?

You don't build to be a contender, you build to be competitive and once you're there you tweak things to become a contender. I know it sounds the same but it's really not. Becoming a contender takes time and patience and a lot of roster tweaking that does not rely on top 5 picks unless you get lucky and get a superstar and even with McDavid, the Oilers took like another 4? years to even make the playoffs and another 4 or 5 to reach the finals and they still have no cup. Draft picks are not a guarantee

 

[ChicagoBlues]

So what?

Zackly!

 

[Reality Czech]

The bolded is the reason, you stated it yourself. We need the best chance to add elite talent.
Last year we missed out on being able to trade up for Dickinson/Buium by 2-3 positions. I want the more valuable asset of the higher pick. This year's team isnt winning it all. Keep building till our actual window opens up. Delayed gratification, not many have the stomach for it, but it pays off down the road.

Why do you assume those teams would have willingly allowed us to trade up to get Buium/Disckinson? Easy to say in retrospect, but there's no way of knowing if it was an actual possibility or not. We also drafted our best player at #20, so it's possible to get good players later in the round.