Confirmed with Link: Tarasenko 50% & Mikkola to NYR for 1st RP, 4th RP, F S. Blais, and D H. Skinner

[Brian39]

The Blais we used to have, sure. That Blais never played for the Rangers.

Blais has 3 hits a game this year. I for one got quite a bit of enjoyment watching him cleanly light up Lucic and trigger a major scrum 2 days ago.

 

[Oberyn]

It's a fine return when considering that Tarasenko has a full NTC with a history of injuries and lackluster performance this season. It sucks that the Blues will get the later of NYR's 1sts but the spread between them likely is only going to be a few picks. This definitely sets the bar for ROR to get at least a 1st round pick considering he has no NTC, stellar playoff performer, and can play up and down the lineup.

Tarasenko was a hell of a Blue and I'll miss him.

 

[STL fan in MN]

All in all, a decent return. Maybe a bit underwhelming with Mikkola also included but Vladi also has a full NTC.

We got an extra 1st in a deep draft. Will just have to root against both the Rangers and Stars now so the later of the 2 picks is as early as possible.

 

[BadgersandBlues]

This sucks. Not the return, b/c it's fine. I would have liked to see the 1st be the higher of the two, but whatever. Tarasenko is a pending UFA who asked for a trade over a year ago and has a full NTC. Getting a 1st for him is amazing value, full stop. Getting anything at all for Mikkola is highway robbery, that dude is f***ing trash and I can't wait to never see him in a Blues uniform ever again giving the puck away to the other team or pretending like he has physicality b/c he kinda sorta pushes a few guys after the whistle. I've never seen him lay a hit on anyone ever. He's paper tiger soft, he just looks big and has a goofy face, so people think he's "tough."

No, what sucks is that Tarasenko is gone. Our Tarasenko. A guy we drafted, instead of traded for, like most historic Blues stars. A guy we all watched with bated breath in the KHL, hoping he would come over to America and give us hope after the darkness that was the mid 2000's. Who showed up after the horrific, soul-draining half-season lockout ended, and in the most dramatic fashion scored two goals in his debut against Detroit, absolutely undressing Kyle f***ing Quincy on his second one - making us think, for the very first time, that we might have finally drafted a legit superstar. The Forsberg goal against NY early in 2014 that showed he was ready for primetime, propelling him to the second most even strength goals in the NHL (Behind the guy who's probably going to have the all-time record when all is said and done) over a 5 or 6 year stretch. The guy who just WOULDN'T STOP SCORING in the playoffs - carrying us offensively with Schwartz and Schenn (At least through rounds 1-3) on the way to eventually helping us capture our one and only Stanley Cup.

This is the right move for the franchise now. But man it sucks that it came to this point. Goodbye 91, I hope to see your name in the rafters some day.

 

[Allens Five Hole]

I'm more of a Mikkola fan than most. He is a big LHD who is actually a good skater. He likes to pinch and can create plays while also getting back, but he has very little finish so not much comes of it.

He may have very little finish but he has a substantial amount of Finnish.






Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Blais has 3 hits a game this year. I for one got quite a bit of enjoyment watching him cleanly light up Lucic and trigger a major scrum 2 days ago.

Yep. Blues can certainly use his grit and physicality.

I see this as an audition for Blais. The Blues can see how he looks with his reconstructed ACL and how he fits in their bottom-6 going forward. He could be a good 4th liner to have next season at the right price.

Or if they don’t see a fit, then maybe there’s a team out there that’d give a 5th-7th rd pick for him. Teams are always looking to add cheap depth forwards for the playoffs, especially ones that are physical.

There’s still another 3 weeks before the trade deadline so plenty of time for the Blues to make this evaluation on Blais

 

[Ranksu]

Sort of hilarious the Blues get Blais back in the deal. 0 goals in his 2 seasons with the Rags. I’m calling it now - Blais will score at least 1 goal within his first 5 game back in the Bluenote.

It’d also be funny if the Blues claimed Hajek off waivers.

Welp, most likely he Will Be injured in 5 games.

 

[Mike Liut]

All in all, a decent return. Maybe a bit underwhelming with Mikkola also included but Vladi also has a full NTC.

We got an extra 1st in a deep draft. Will just have to root against both the Rangers and Stars now so the later of the 2 picks is as early as possible.

a 3rd + Blais for Mikkola is pretty good imo. And a 1st for Tarasenko is really good.

 

[Ranksu]

But good thing is we got something out of Tarasenko. He didn't walk for nothing.

 

[Xerloris]

If this is the best that we got for Tarasenko, Armstrong needs to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Come on man. Tarasenko requested a trade, he makes 7.5m in a dead cap league, we were NOT going to resign him and everyone knew it and to top it off he had a NTC and he could have decided not to waive it at all leaving us with nothing in return. How can you say getting a 1st for him from what very well could have been the only team he would accept a trade to be bad? You really need to chill on this anti Armstrong shit.

NYR fan here. I come in peace. I know nothing about Niko outside of stats. Can you guys tell me about him? Is he a legit dman or just a throw in?

He's a good 3rd pairing Dman but he handles a puck like it's a hand grenade.



I'm going to miss Tarasenko and I'm kind of pissed off that the last time we saw him wearing the Blues logo was at the All star game.

 

[Frenzy31]

Yep. Blues can certainly use his grit and physicality.

I see this as an audition for Blais. The Blues can see how he looks with his reconstructed ACL and how he fits in their bottom-6 going forward. He could be a good 4th liner to have next season at the right price.

Or if they don’t see a fit, then maybe there’s a team out there that’d give a 5th-7th rd pick for him. Teams are always looking to add cheap depth forwards for the playoffs, especially ones that are physical.

There’s still another 3 weeks before the trade deadline so plenty of time for the Blues to make this evaluation on Blais

We need players for next season. With ROR, Tarasenko, and likely Barby gone, Blais could fit in well. He will be 27 this summer and would be a solid cheap player for us. We know what we have with him so it isn't like fit is an issue.

Replaces Barbashev physicality.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Welp, most likely he Will Be injured in 5 games.

I bet it’s at least 6 games before he’s injured again.

Come on. Give the guy some credit.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

a 3rd + Blais for Mikkola is pretty good imo. And a 1st for Tarasenko is really good.

Agree. I didn't expect anything more than a single 1st for Vladi.

I did not want DA to trade Mikkola unless we got a 2nd straight up (wishful, ik) or a 3rd + and we got a 4th ++. Not bad.

I'm not thrilled, but I'm satisfied that this Tarasenko saga is over.

 

[joe galiba]

a 3rd + Blais for Mikkola is pretty good imo. And a 1st for Tarasenko is really good.

I see it more as a 1st & 3rd for Vlad and Blais + Skinner for Mikkola

 

[Bobby Orrtuzzo]

This sucks. Not the return, b/c it's fine. I would have liked to see the 1st be the higher of the two, but whatever. Tarasenko is a pending UFA who asked for a trade over a year ago and has a full NTC. Getting a 1st for him is amazing value, full stop. Getting anything at all for Mikkola is highway robbery, that dude is f***ing trash and I can't wait to never see him in a Blues uniform ever again giving the puck away to the other team or pretending like he has physicality b/c he kinda sorta pushes a few guys after the whistle. I've never seen him lay a hit on anyone ever. He's paper tiger soft, he just looks big and has a goofy face, so people think he's "tough."

No, what sucks is that Tarasenko is gone. Our Tarasenko. A guy we drafted, instead of traded for, like most historic Blues stars. A guy we all watched with bated breath in the KHL, hoping he would come over to America and give us hope after the darkness that was the mid 2000's. Who showed up after the horrific, soul-draining half-season lockout ended, and in the most dramatic fashion scored two goals in his debut against Detroit, absolutely undressing Kyle f***ing Quincy on his second one - making us think, for the very first time, that we might have finally drafted a legit superstar. The Forsberg goal against NY early in 2014 that showed he was ready for primetime, propelling him to the second most even strength goals in the NHL (Behind the guy who's probably going to have the all-time record when all is said and done) over a 5 or 6 year stretch. The guy who just WOULDN'T STOP SCORING in the playoffs - carrying us offensively with Schwartz and Schenn (At least through rounds 1-3) on the way to eventually helping us capture our one and only Stanley Cup.

This is the right move for the franchise now. But man it sucks that it came to this point. Goodbye 91, I hope to see your name in the rafters some day.

Couldn’t have said it better myself. Vlad and I are the same age, and I feel like my childhood best friend just told me he was moving away for college lol

 

[Xerloris]

We need players for next season. With ROR, Tarasenko, and likely Barby gone, Blais could fit in well. He will be 27 this summer and would be a solid cheap player for us. We know what we have with him so it isn't like fit is an issue.

Replaces Barbashev physicality.

Wow lol I thought Blais was still like 22 or 23.

 

[mab894]

Seems like a fair trade for both teams.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

We're about to get MacMac back in a trade with Carolina for RoR aren't we.

 

[Mike Liut]

I see it more as a 1st & 3rd for Vlad and Blais + Skinner for Mikkola

nah, we could have got more than that for Mikkola. A 3rd is fair

 

[TurgPavs]

Remember that time when Seattle could have Tarasenko for nothing and the Blues would have gotten nothing in return.........
And know we are complaining because we got a 1st in a super talented and deep draft.

Tarasenko was easily my favorite player on the Blues for the past 10 years, this one is tough.

 

[542365]

Regardless the return, which I’m happy with, I’m happy for Vladi and hope he tears it up with Panarin. He’s been a great Blue and I think he still has some more good years in him. I think he’ll be rejuvenated playing for a good team and battling for another Cup.

 

[Mike Liut]

Agree. I didn't expect anything more than a single 1st for Vladi.

I did not want DA to trade Mikkola unless we got a 2nd straight up (wishful, ik) or a 3rd + and we got a 4th ++. Not bad.

I'm not thrilled, but I'm satisfied that this Tarasenko saga is over.

it’s actually a 3rd for Mikkola. No way the Rangers miss the playoffs.

 

[TurgPavs]

By the time the Rangers come to town in April, the Blues might be one of the 5 worst teams in the NHL.

 

[shpongle falls]

Going to miss Vladdy, so glad he won a cup with us.

So we basically got a first for Vlad and a 3rd for Mikkola, even got Blais back too. I dig it.

I’m going to have to tune in to some Rangers games cause I always wanted to see the Breadman and Tank play together in the NHL, should be an incredible duo.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

it’s actually a 3rd for Mikkola. No way the Rangers miss the playoffs.

Just saw that. I was confused there for a bit. Thanks!

I got what I wanted. NYR will not miss the playoffs, so a 3rd ++ is great for Mikkola.