Confirmed with Link: STL/ANA Cam Fowler, 2027 4th for 2027 2nd, Jeremie Biakabatuka

[CaliforniaBlues310]

The game card matched the eye test today. I thought he looked excellent.

 

[Xerloris]

He’ll fit right in with our other non physical dman

Do you have any idea what I would give for a prime Pronger or Stevens?

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Do you have any idea what I would give for a prime Pronger or Stevens?

They were awesome, but so were Lidstrom and Niedermayer. Would you rather have Heiskanen or Lindell? Makar or Manson? Physicality on D doesn't feel like our biggest need.

 

[simon IC]

They were awesome, but so were Lidstrom and Niedermayer. Would you rather have Heiskanen or Lindell? Makar or Manson? Physicality on D doesn't feel like our biggest need.

Respectfully, there is a difference there. Lidstrom and Niedermayer weren't bangers, but they never shied away from physical contact. They went to the dirty areas. That is what made them effective two-way defencemen. But I do get your point.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Respectfully, there is a difference there. Lidstrom and Niedermayer weren't bangers, but they never shied away from physical contact. They went to the dirty areas. That is what made them effective two-way defencemen. But I do get your point.

Absolutely. And I love physical defensemen. I wanted us to draft the Norwegian kid who was blowing everyone up at WC rather than Jiricek even. I'm just saying that we need to add high-end talent more than we need to add bangers. Tyler Tucker ain't the answer.

 

[shpongle falls]

Fowler has been better than I expected he can really skate and is solid defensively, he looks great considering the amount of games he’s played.

 

[Louie the Blue]

What the definition of not being able to handle it? If it’s that they haven’t been good enough to be a team with a backend capable of doing anything in the playoffs or even making them the yes, I agree. But that IMO should not be our goal this year.

I do not think there are alternatives on the roster that are capable of playing 20 + minutes a night of top 4 average ice time on this roster. Asking Suter, Parayko, Faulk, Broberg to make up the difference with additional playing time risks them to injury, which can exacerbate the flaws of the roster, and ask Binnington/Hofer to face a greater volume of shots on a nightly basis leading them more prone to injury as well.

I don’t care if the Blues make the POs or not this year. Fowler allows the D to be passable without risking injuries to others and stunted development.

 

[simon IC]

I still want to know what happens when Leddy comes back. We will have,
down the left side:
Broberg
Leddy
Fowler
Suter
I don't accept an answer that involves one playing their "off" side. Something will have to give.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I still want to know what happens when Leddy comes back. We will have,
down the left side:
Broberg
Leddy
Fowler
Suter
I don't accept an answer that involves one playing their "off" side. Something will have to give.

Since Kessel shat the bed this year, we only have 2 right handed D. Somebody has to play their offside regardless.

 

[simon IC]

Since Kessel shat the bed this year, we only have 2 right handed D. Somebody has to play their offside regardless.

Yeah.
I hope a stint in the minors will rectify that. I am really bullish on Kessel, and I still have high hopes for him.

 

[Xerloris]

They were awesome, but so were Lidstrom and Niedermayer. Would you rather have Heiskanen or Lindell? Makar or Manson? Physicality on D doesn't feel like our biggest need.

I prefer Stevens and Pronger because they forced other teams to plan around them out of fear.