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Blues make minor moves last week

August 6, 2017, 12:34 PM ET [49 Comments]
Jason Millen
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As I predicted weeks ago, the Blues picked up an inexpensive, experienced defenseman that could fill the 7th defenseman role by signing Nate Prosser to two-way contract with a NHL AAV of $650,000. This is the second time in 2nd time three years that the Blues have signed Prosser to a two-way deal, signing him in 2014 before losing him off waivers to the Minnesota Wild before even playing in a game for the organization. Given the Blues history with Prosser as well as head coach Mike Yeo’s experience with him as a player with the Wild, fans shouldn’t be all that surprised.

Prosser is coming of a two year, one-way contract with the Wild that saw him play 93 regular season NHL games and 9 playoff games during the two years. I’m guessing he was attracted to the Blues offer over others because of his familiarity of Yeo, what he perceives as his competition for the 7th defenseman spot (Chris Butler, Petteri Lindbohm who is still unsinged, Jordan Schmaltz, and Jake Walman), and a very strong AHL contract salary at $400,000. The deal he signed was almost exactly the same deal that Butler signed earlier this summer, only with a $25,000 higher AHL salary.

Many Blues fans may not like this signing as they fear it will force players like Schmaltz, Walman, Vince Dunn and Lindbohm further down the depth chart. I’ll offer an alternative theory. Perhaps the Blues feel they are pretty set with their top six defensemen and that they will get the vast majority of the games. If that is the case, they want an experienced defensemen to serve as the 7th man, maybe even someone used to serving in that role.

The Blues may see the either Prosser or Butler as the 7th defenseman with the other of the two serving as a leader for the younger guys in the AHL. Of course, their affiliate situation for next season somewhat foils that plan. Regardless, I can’t imagine the Blues want Walman, Dunn, Schmaltz and to a lesser extent Lindbohm watching from the press box most of the season. Perhaps the signing helps put pressure on Lindbohm to sign? Perhaps the Wolves liked Butler in Chicago and had some influence in the Blues resigning him, maybe a gesture of goodwill for the upcoming season?

Speaking of the Blues AHL affiliates, reports surfaced on Thursday that the Blues have signed an agreement with the San Antonio Rampage. The Rampage have been the Colorado Avalanche’s affiliate since 2015 when they signed a five year agreement. It is believed that the Avalanche will be terminating their agreement in 2018 as it is assumed that they will then associate with the ECHL Colorado Eagles who are expected to be admitted to the AHL in 2018-19.

It is believed that the Blues had interest in partnering with AHL expansion in either Kansas City or Indianapolis though expansion in those cities appears to have failed for the time being with the expansion expected to be awarded to the Eagles.

The Rampage were the third worst team in the AHL last season and 8th worst the year before. They have been rather dismal, making the playoffs only 4 out of last 15 seasons. Is that due to poor prospects from the Avalanche? Poor coaching? Who knows but the Blues won’t have a strong hand in helping to course correct that until 2018-19 when they take sole control of the hockey aspect of the team (coaching staff, players, etc). I bet Doug Armstrong and company can’t wait to get control of an AHL affiliate like they had the last season in Chicago.

The good news is that that San Antonio is owned by a real organization, Spurs Sports & Entertainment, who owns the San Antonio Spurs, the San Antonio Stars (WNBA), San Antonio FC (USL) and more.

It’s a great day for hockey.

Fellow Hockeybuzz blogger Minnesota Wild's Dan Wallace agreed to a 1st round, friendly charity wager. Since the Blues won, Dan will be making a donation to Dream Factory St. Louis (http://dreamfactoryincstl.org/). Dream Factory grants dreams to critically and chronically ill children from the ages of three to eighteen. They have one of the highest program expenditure ratios I have ever seen, an amazing 97% is used for actual program services. Usually, more than 3% is used for administrative and fundraising efforts but not at Dream Factory.

With the Predators win, fellow Hockeybuzz blogger Nashville Predator's Paul McCann won our bet and I made a donation to Best Buddies of Tennessee (https://bestbuddies.org/find-programs/tennessee/). Best Buddies works to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and development capabilities.
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