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Like it or not the Blues roster is likely full

September 9, 2016, 12:41 AM ET [57 Comments]
Jason Millen
St Louis Blues Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT


Whether Blues fans like it or not, the Blues roster is essentially set for the upcoming season. Even without considering Vladimir Sobotka, the Blues have 21 one-way contracts. If you assume, and you should, that Robby Fabbri and Colton Parayko will be in the NHL this upcoming season, the Blues have 14 forwards, 7 defensemen, and 2 goalies slotted for the NHL. If you add Sobotka, someone has to go and the early favorites to attempt to pass through waivers would be Magnus Paajarvi or Ty Rattie.

Of course, trading a depth forward is always a possibility. The team continues to talk about getting younger and faster. Would someone take Ryan Reaves in a Brandon Bollig type trade? Armstrong isn’t working on a trade of Sobotka is he?

Regardless, the Blues will have to make some trades as they appear to be over the 50 contract limit. According to General Fanager, the Blues have 52 contracts, an amount that will go up to 53 if Sobotka crosses back over to the NHL. I expect most of the moves will be of the minor league variety but will be necessary to become contract compliant.

Unfortunately, the contract totals and Sobotka situation lessen the chance of the Blues bringing in some potential impact PTO players even though the Blues track record with PTO players makes them more attractive than many teams. To date, the only player the Blues have announced will be coming in on a PTO is in left-handed defenseman Mike Weber. Don’t expect Weber to sign with the Blues unless he does reasonable well and is willing to take a two-way deal like the one Chris Butler signed. I would rather have had the Blues offer a PTO to Nicklas Grossman but I expect Grossman thinks he has or does have better contract offers.

As to the forward mix, I would like the Blues to consider bringing in Kris Versteeg, RJ Umberger, or Tuomo Ruutu (if Sobotka doesn’t come back) as PTO players though I think all three are unlikely. Are there any players you would like to see the Blues bring in on a PTO basis? Let me know who and why in the comment section.

Unless I missed something or someone, the Blues seem very short at right wing. My quick looks suggests that the Blues only have four natural right wingers out of all of their one-way contract forwards and three of those four a bit to be desired. The four right wingers are Vladimir Tarasenko, Dmitri Jaskin, Ty Rattie and Ryan Reaves. Remember, the Blues lost 2 of their top three possible right wings in losing Brouwer and Backes. I’m guessing a forward will likely be playing their off wing a number of nights this season. Of course, all of the PTO forwards that I mentioned are either center or left wingers so they wouldn’t help either.

What do you see as the final roster and lines for the start of the season?

It’s a great day for hockey.
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