It’s much easier said than done to try and discover NHL news this time of year.
The Blues did re-sign Steve Wagner to a two-way deal this week, not exactly earth shattering news but certainly worth mentioning.
Wagner accepted slightly less NHL money in exchange for a larger AHL salary.
Blues fans should be encouraged to know the club is actively trying to put a deal together in an effort to bring another defenseman on board.
In order for this to happen the Blues must first find a dance partner which isn’t always easy to do.
Obviously the player coming to St. Louis will largely dictate what the Blues will need to give up in return. If we’re talking a top four D-man the price will be higher as opposed to a player who provides a little depth.
I’m told the Blues are willing to package a forward or two in an effort to get a desirable D-man. Sources say the Blues could be looking to move a D.J. King or a Cam Janssen as part of a package in an effort to improve the back end.
With the return of Brad Winchester and B.J. Crombeen to go along with guys like David Backes, the Blues are in decent shape when it comes to the toughness department and may not have a strong need to hang on to both King and Janssen.
Not many teams would be willing to mess with a team carrying both King and Janssen but whether or not you can play both guys on the same night is a valid question.
One player who could turn some heads in training camp is newly acquired Barry Tallackson. He’s a big kid (6’5) who can flat out pound it. Last season Doctors discovered a genetic heart problem which forced the former 2nd round pick to miss some of training camp and ultimately landed him in the minors. Because of waivers, the Devils were forced to keep him down in the American League for the entire season but sources say if he didn’t suffer the heart ailment he probably would have made the roster out of camp. He will have to clear waivers to be sent to Peoria out of camp but he signed a nice deal paying him $105,000 in the AHL.
One player on the Blues radar is Ryan Bayda who played in 70 NHL games last season with Carolina. St. Louis has expressed very serious interest although they appear reluctant to sign him to a one way NHL contract.
Bayda remains hopeful he’ll get a one deal but St. Louis will have a strong chance to sign him if a two way deal becomes his only option. As of now he doesn’t have any one-way offers. There’s a good chance he could stick with the big club as a 13th forward.
Rink Rats!
Former Vancouver D-man Rob Davison could end up signing a deal with the New Jersey Devils very soon. The Devils would be a great fit for a high character player who brings plenty of toughness to the table. In the summer Davison trains in Kingston, Ontario with several NHL players including Blues forward Jay McClement.
An initial report claiming that Kings D-man Jack Johnson was looking for contract that would pay him $5 million a season wasn’t all that far off. I’m told Johnson was originally looking for a long-term deal worth $4 million a season.
Look for Janne Pesonen to sign in Europe sometime soon if a one way NHL deal doesn’t fall in his lap.
Blues Clues!
You didn’t hear any complaints coming from the Blues following the signing’s of Kings D-man Jack Johnson and Coyotes D-man Keith Yandle. These two may not be direct comparables but are certainly close. Both players provide slightly more offense but it’s Polak’s minutes that brings his number up. Yandle’s deal will pay him $1.2 average while Johnson’s cap number is slightly over $1.4
More to come,
Andy Strickland
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St Louis Blues Blogger •1380 ESPN • 
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