The Blues have to move some money out abd take a shot at an RFA or two.

There are good ones out there to be had. There are too many aging roster spots, kids coming in etc.

I'd trade Bozak. I'd consider moving Schenn. For the right prospect package and real player I'd consider moving Petro. I'm not yet quite willing to move Allen. His numbers should rebound splitting time with Binnington, which historically pushes Allen's play. That increases his numbers. It also increases his value while adding a good candidate for being taken by Seattle. With a few teams needing goaltenders you could squeeze Seattle to offer more to keep him for expansion. Or say say tell them to pick a player you want make a trade with future considerations and agree on a player to be picked versus trade Allen befote the expansion draft. As a fall back, even if Binnington has say a poor season, he won a Cup and that will always be enough for the next three years for teams willing to gamble on him--that's the brilliance of Armstrong's position as it stands.

Everything Armstrong is doing now is geared towards expansion draft and the possibility of a lockout. He probably has more information on this stuff than us.

If you traded away $8million you could make a play on Tkachuk and force Calgary's hand.

The Rangers, Tampa and Leafs are all prime candidates to pick a good player. Some low risk reward players on the Rangers where their salary would be just slightly higher than current value without costing high picks. That's straight money.
- BluemanGuruu

Allen isn't under contract long enough to be eligible for the expansion draft.

Signing an RFA essentially means it's open season on all Blues RFA's, and doesn't actually add a player, just slightly annoys another team's cap situation. That's why it's done so seldomly.

I disagree with the idea of trading away some of the Blues best players. This team has proven it is good enough to win a Cup right now. You keep them together as long as possible, to try and do it again. There is no prize for being the youngest team with the most potential.

Allen isn't under contract long enough to be eligible for the expansion draft.

Signing an RFA essentially means it's open season on all Blues RFA's, and doesn't actually add a player, just slightly annoys another team's cap situation. That's why it's done so seldomly.

I disagree with the idea of trading away some of the Blues best players. This team has proven it is good enough to win a Cup right now. You keep them together as long as possible, to try and do it again. There is no prize for being the youngest team with the most potential.
- Antilles

Bozak is not one of the Blues best players. Petro is and I love Petro. Schenn is passing out of his prime years as a forward and there's a salary cap.

The salary cap dictates what moves are smart. I'm not for trading all players, I am for trading for value in regards to the cap so that the Blues have the best possible chance of continuing to compete. They have the players coming up now.

Schenn for instance is going to get pushed to the wing if you have Bozak on the team. According to Dom L. who went through every team and valued the player's contract based on game score the Blues have only four contracts of negative value at this point(he did not score goaltenders or players on ELCs). Bozak's contract according to him is valued at -1.3 million and Steen's is the worst at -$5.5million. The Blues ranked third on the list.

I'm not saying the job is easy. I'm saying the Blues can't sustain the same team as last year and compete as well. Bozak's value is perceptibly at it's likely highest. Unless this team wins back to back and it is highly unlikely to accomplish that feat. The game is increasing in speed and skill. Older players lose speed, you hope gain enough wisdom and skill does not deteroriate as quickly.

Blues players capable of being centers--Schenn, Bozak, ROR, Sundqvist, Thomas and Barbashev.
One should be removed. The question is not just who do you move but who can you move and receive the highest value for while improving your team?

The top two names are the likeliest to go.

If you don't like that then say you have a team willing to part with a highend rd prospect, you save cap space, open the captain spot to ROR. I think the Blues showed Parayko is now the true #1dman. His numbers were so good he got JayBo a new contract that is still higher than his value. I think Petro is better than he showed most of last year and I'll bet having new born triplets was hard on him.
So essentially say next year you lock up Petro, essentially JayBo's cap hit goes to him.

Now you have a few options to get Schenn signed. But term is the monster here in an aging forward, which is more pronounced than a dman, but as JayBo demonstrated his last two seasons made that contract a bit harsh and hip injury has to be included bc we expect with age more likely injuries. Dead or value losing money in the cap world can destroy teams.

It's interesting to me to consider these things. If you look at teams with real chances to win the Cup over the years the Blues rank up there since the 07-08 season. The best team in those years is the Bruins. But most teams fade or come back due to a mix of drafting and their core.

To put it another way Toews looked worth the money, now his cap hit is full of dead money. Seabrook is destroying the Hawks. It is taking them a few years to reload and reconfigure. If Seabrook's contract is gone they probably can keep Panarin or right now could have added a good player.

The cap makes it all the more difficult bc you have to have some predictive elements to your plan. Then you end up with a Fabbri getting severely injured and missing important developmental time. Or you think Steen is going to be close enough to the value of his contract and you want him apart of your team. Then his value plummets and his game regresses.

Bozak is not one of the Blues best players. Petro is and I love Petro. Schenn is passing out of his prime years as a forward and there's a salary cap.

The salary cap dictates what moves are smart. I'm not for trading all players, I am for trading for value in regards to the cap so that the Blues have the best possible chance of continuing to compete. They have the players coming up now.

Schenn for instance is going to get pushed to the wing if you have Bozak on the team. According to Dom L. who went through every team and valued the player's contract based on game score the Blues have only four contracts of negative value at this point(he did not score goaltenders or players on ELCs). Bozak's contract according to him is valued at -1.3 million and Steen's is the worst at -$5.5million. The Blues ranked third on the list.

I'm not saying the job is easy. I'm saying the Blues can't sustain the same team as last year and compete as well. Bozak's value is perceptibly at it's likely highest. Unless this team wins back to back and it is highly unlikely to accomplish that feat. The game is increasing in speed and skill. Older players lose speed, you hope gain enough wisdom and skill does not deteroriate as quickly.

Blues players capable of being centers--Schenn, Bozak, ROR, Sundqvist, Thomas and Barbashev.
One should be removed. The question is not just who do you move but who can you move and receive the highest value for while improving your team?

The top two names are the likeliest to go.

If you don't like that then say you have a team willing to part with a highend rd prospect, you save cap space, open the captain spot to ROR. I think the Blues showed Parayko is now the true #1dman. His numbers were so good he got JayBo a new contract that is still higher than his value. I think Petro is better than he showed most of last year and I'll bet having new born triplets was hard on him.
So essentially say next year you lock up Petro, essentially JayBo's cap hit goes to him.

Now you have a few options to get Schenn signed. But term is the monster here in an aging forward, which is more pronounced than a dman, but as JayBo demonstrated his last two seasons made that contract a bit harsh and hip injury has to be included bc we expect with age more likely injuries. Dead or value losing money in the cap world can destroy teams.

It's interesting to me to consider these things. If you look at teams with real chances to win the Cup over the years the Blues rank up there since the 07-08 season. The best team in those years is the Bruins. But most teams fade or come back due to a mix of drafting and their core.

To put it another way Toews looked worth the money, now his cap hit is full of dead money. Seabrook is destroying the Hawks. It is taking them a few years to reload and reconfigure. If Seabrook's contract is gone they probably can keep Panarin or right now could have added a good player.

The cap makes it all the more difficult bc you have to have some predictive elements to your plan. Then you end up with a Fabbri getting severely injured and missing important developmental time. Or you think Steen is going to be close enough to the value of his contract and you want him apart of your team. Then his value plummets and his game regresses.
- BluemanGuruu

The Blues just won the Cup. We can bring them all back next year. You want to tear down a team that is capable of winning championships now and start a rebuild because you are worried about Petro & Schenn slowing down at the end of contracts that don't actually exist yet?

The point of rebuilds is to have the team that we have right now. If Petro & Schenn want too much money or too long of a term, let them walk in a year. Hypothetical problem solved, only now we get a chance to win a second Cup.

If we trade away Petro, we'll get the equivalent of what Buffalo got for ROR. Less for Schenn. Nothing but cap space for Bozak. Teams don't give up sure-fire prospects. So we'll have Bortuzzo on the second pairing, and only 1 player who's proven capable of playing C in the top 9; for sake of a couple lottery tickets that best case get you back to the exact same spot Blues are already in right now.

You talked about the Blues having kept their window open for so long. Look at how they've done it. Trading away players for picks and prospects when they have no chance at winning a Cup. (Shattenkirk in 17, Statsny in 18) but keeping the team together when you do have a chance at winning the Cup, and accepting that might mean losing players to UFA to avoid bad contracts (Backes in 16). The window is open now. The fact Blues won the Cup a month ago isn't a reason to think they can't win it a 11 months from now.

If we apply you logic this summer to the Blues last summer, they would have traded away pieces like JBo & Gunnarson, and never won the Cup.

Sunny: 4 years, $11 million. What is that? $2.75/ year? Not bad for a guy that can basically replace Steen...

Sunny: 4 years, $11 million. What is that? $2.75/ year? Not bad for a guy that can basically replace Steen...
- eggsegan

I like the deal. Surprised they went 4 years to be honest, but like it for Sunny. He is a legit 3rd line player and can play up if injuries happen.

I like the deal. Surprised they went 4 years to be honest, but like it for Sunny. He is a legit 3rd line player and can play up if injuries happen.


- carcus

I agree. I'm a little surprised they went beyond three years but he proved himself invaluable.

That leaves Edmundson, Barbashev and DA has said he wants to have a small $$$ cushion, so the numbers might not add up for someone.

Personally, I think I value Barbashev's importance over Joel Edmundson.

What are the odds we get Maroon back on a similar deal to his last one? It doesn't look like teams are exactly fighting over him.

I like the addition of Marc Savard to the coaching staff. It really can only help the power play. Not sure how it could get any worse ha ha[/img]

What are the odds we get Maroon back on a similar deal to his last one? It doesn't look like teams are exactly fighting over him.
- Yeah Boyes

If he signs a PTO I'll let him back in the building........

If he signs a PTO I'll let him back in the building........
- bcallaway

What are the odds we get Maroon back on a similar deal to his last one? It doesn't look like teams are exactly fighting over him.
- Yeah Boyes

I don't think he is going to get a big enough deal from somewhere else. He would have got it by now if he was going to get a multi year deal from somewhere.

Or he has an offer but a location he doesn't really want.....

I can see him coming back. But with our depth, it might keep some prospects from getting a chance. I want to see Kostin get at least a shot at some point this year. As well as Kyrou. Not sure how they get a chance without several injuries if Maroon is brought back.

I don't think he is going to get a big enough deal from somewhere else. He would have got it by now if he was going to get a multi year deal from somewhere.

Or he has an offer but a location he doesn't really want.....

I can see him coming back. But with our depth, it might keep some prospects from getting a chance. I want to see Kostin get at least a shot at some point this year. As well as Kyrou. Not sure how they get a chance without several injuries if Maroon is brought back.
- carcus

What are the rules for the expansion draft? Maybe army is working around that shielding some players by keeping them in the minors?

Blues traded Schmaltz to the Leafs for Andreas Borgman. I know nothing of him basically an ahl swap. He is younger than Schmaltz and has put up a few more points in the nhl

Blues traded Schmaltz to the Leafs for Andreas Borgman. I know nothing of him basically an ahl swap. He is younger than Schmaltz and has put up a few more points in the nhl
- BluesDroogie

It says to me that they are shopping Eddy...

It says to me that they are shopping Eddy...
- eggsegan

Army wants some cap flexibility to enter the season with. If Eddy wants to come back it seems he may need to take a pay cut

Army wants some cap flexibility to enter the season with. If Eddy wants to come back it seems he may need to take a pay cut
- BluesDroogie

Borgman is a $700k cap hit for the year. Seems like Eddy may be gone but it may make room for Maroon to come back...

If Barbashev gets $1m to $1.5m, and they play Borgman @ $700k, that leaves just south of $3m for Maroon with a small cap cushion.

Who knows. I want to see Kostin too, but from what I’ve read he’s underperformed and been relatively undisciplined in his decisions.

Seems like Kyrou and Kostin’s best chance to make the roster at some point during the season is to replace Sanford and Blais.

Borgman is a $700k cap hit for the year. Seems like Eddy may be gone but it may make room for Maroon to come back...

If Barbashev gets $1m to $1.5m, and they play Borgman @ $700k, that leaves just south of $3m for Maroon with a small cap cushion.

Who knows. I want to see Kostin too, but from what I’ve read he’s underperformed and been relatively undisciplined in his decisions.

Seems like Kyrou and Kostin’s best chance to make the roster at some point during the season is to replace Sanford and Blais.
- eggsegan

Borgman will be in the AHL with no NHL cap hit and they will only be paying him 200k. Schmaltz would have been claimed by another team or in the AHL with no NHL cap hit but they would have been paying him 700k. Borgman doesn't have to go through waivers.

I found video of Jonathan Toews press conference on Thursday -

https://media3.giphy.com/...45859596aee&rid=giphy.mp4

Ridiculous quote - "There was no part of me that was happy, let's make that clear. To me them tanking at the start of the year was a huge underachievement. I'm not ready to give them as much credit as everyone else was."
- Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews on the Blues winning the Stanley Cup

I hope he keeps some focus on the Blues, maybe the Blackhawks will lose a point this year and finish dead last in the division.

The other good quote was that a few said - "I kind of like the direction the team's heading." Hard to go any other direction than up after their prior season.

It says to me that they are shopping Eddy...
- eggsegan

I think he has at least let people know that offers will be strongly considered.

I found video of Jonathan Toews press conference on Thursday -

https://media3.giphy.com/...45859596aee&rid=giphy.mp4

Ridiculous quote - "There was no part of me that was happy, let's make that clear. To me them tanking at the start of the year was a huge underachievement. I'm not ready to give them as much credit as everyone else was."
- Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews on the Blues winning the Stanley Cup

I hope he keeps some focus on the Blues, maybe the Blackhawks will lose a point this year and finish dead last in the division.

The other good quote was that a few said - "I kind of like the direction the team's heading." Hard to go any other direction than up after their prior season.
- Jason Millen

Wah wah call him a wambulance. We got the cup don't care what the most overrated player in the NHL thinks about it.

Tanner calling Jay Bo one of the worst players of the NHL is hysterical. I wonder how many Blues games he watched in 2019

With the limited money the Blues have, they still have Barbashev and Eddy as RFAs. Not sure about Eddy (though I like his style and play). But what are they waiting for with Barbashev? Do they go to arbitration and maybe let him walk in order to bring up Kyrou? With Eddy, he completes our defense unless they plan to bring someone up. Butler is retired. If they let Eddy walk who fills in That spot and our 7th d spot?

With the limited money the Blues have, they still have Barbashev and Eddy as RFAs. Not sure about Eddy (though I like his style and play). But what are they waiting for with Barbashev? Do they go to arbitration and maybe let him walk in order to bring up Kyrou? With Eddy, he completes our defense unless they plan to bring someone up. Butler is retired. If they let Eddy walk who fills in That spot and our 7th d spot?
- BluesDroogie

They are waiting on Barbashev until they figure out what Edmundson gets (most likely will be decided by arbitrator) , he's not arbitration eligible.

I just took a minute to admire the Blues cap situation compared to the Wild. Yeah, the Steen contract isn’t great. Yeah, the Bozak contract might be high...

Parise at $7.5?
Zuccarello at $6?
Spurgeon at $5.1?

It’s no wonder the GM was fired.

OReilly and Tarasenko > Parise and Zuccarello.

Wondering what the Wild’s pipeline looks like...

I just took a minute to admire the Blues cap situation compared to the Wild. Yeah, the Steen contract isn’t great. Yeah, the Bozak contract might be high...

Parise at $7.5?
Zuccarello at $6?
Spurgeon at $5.1?

It’s no wonder the GM was fired.

OReilly and Tarasenko > Parise and Zuccarello.

Wondering what the Wild’s pipeline looks like...
- eggsegan

Those O'Reilly and Tarasenko deals look fabulous right now