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I Guess That's Why They Call Them The St. Louis Blues

February 24, 2018, 10:48 AM ET [13 Comments]
GARTH'S CORNER
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St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong has some tough decisions to make in the next three days. The once high-flying Blues are an unmitigated wreck right now.

The Blues were jacked up 4-0 on Friday night by the big, tough, skilled Winnipeg Jets. The loss exposed the two fatal flaws on teh Blues roster at the 2018 NHL trade deadline:

1. The Blues cannot out score opponents
2. The St. Louis Blue line has become a turnstile






The once deadly, dominant number one line of Schwartz-Schenn-Tarasenko is now docile and silent. The secondary and tertiary scoring is negligible at best.


The month of February has been brutal to the Blues.

In 10 games played this month, the Blues have been out scored 29-22.

Their defense has suffered two ohuge injuries to two rock solid defenders. Joel Edmundson is out long term with an injury. On Friday, Robert Bortuzzo was parked on the IR with an ailment of his own.





Fortunately for Armstrong, he has NHL-ready prospects in the minors to call up. On Saturday morning, Army recalled his top D prospect Jordan Schmaltz and forward prospect Tage Thompson. Schmaltz, 24, was the 25th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft. Schmaltz (6'2", 200 lbs.) is a slick puck mover and a physical presence. Schmaltz has yet to earn a full time ride in St. Louis. Why? The University of North Dakota products has 5G,18A this season. Last season , he scored 3G,22A. Two seasons ago, he scored 6G,30A.


I've been telling you for the past nine weeks that I believe Armstrong is trying to trade Schmaltz as part of a package for a vetearan scoring forward and defense depth.





Thompson, the 26th overall pick at the 2016 NHL Draft, is a big (6'5" and 200 lbs.), fast, and highly skilled center ice man. The U Conn product has 3G,3A in 24 games with the Blues this. He has scored 8G,10A in 30 games in AHL San Antonio this season.


Armstrong has been scouting several teams lately, including the Buffalo Sabres. Armstrong might be willing to trade Schmaltz and Thompson in exchange for scoring winger Evander Kane and stout defenseman Marco Scandella.







Why would Armstrong trade two "A" prospects for two veteran players? Because his team's playoff chances depend on it. A month ago, the Blues were in fourth place and sitting pretty in the West.

Trading Thompson would allow Armstrong to protect his other two "A" prospect centers Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas (2016 and 2017 first rounders, respectively).

The Blues are not guaranteed a playoff berth. Though Armstrong may not want to trade prospects for veteran performers, he has no other choice. The vultures are circling over the heads of the Blues today.

Today, the Blues are clinging precariously to the second Western wild card spot by one solitary point. The Blues have 72 points. The Ducks have 73 points. The Kings and Flames have 71 points and the Avalanche has 69 points.


Schmaltz, Thompson and a second round pick may do the trick to get Evander Kane and Marco Scandella out of Buffalo. The Blues do not have a 2018 first round pick because they traded it to Philadelphia for Brayden Schenn for Jori Lehterä, 2017 1st round pick (#27-Morgan Frost) and 2018 conditional 1st round pick*

*Condition: If the 2018 draft pick becomes a top 10 pick, Blues have the option to move the pick to 2019. If the pick is moved to 2019, the Flyers will also receive a 2020 3rd round pick





Sabres GM Jason Botterill is a staunch advocate for building his team down the middle of teh ice with three strong center man. Right now, he has Jack Eichel and Ryan O'Reilly at the pivot. Thompson at L3C would give Buffalo three formidable center ice men who can play the 200 by 85 game and offer high scoring output.





Source: CapFriendly



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