Yes yes I know and unless the unlikely event of an offer sheet happens Stewart should be re-signable for a normal amount..unless he decides he should make ROR money. Have to see how things play out I guess.

Klefbom and 2014 1st?
- sanfordnson

I can picture Blues going for Klefbom and a 2013 first. Not next years.

I can picture Blues going for Klefbom and a 2013 first. Not next years.
- Antilles

Sad but true. Still, get a helluva good defensive prospect and a 1st next year. We get to replace Klefbom at the draft with someone like Nurse or Pulock or Ristolainen. Meh, Oilers will probably draft another (frank)in forward anyways.

Sad but true. Still, get a helluva good defensive prospect and a 1st next year. We get to replace Klefbom at the draft with someone like Nurse or Pulock or Ristolainen. Meh, Oilers will probably draft another (frank)in forward anyways.
- sanfordnson

Yeah, but Blues can probably get prospects further along elsewhere for Stewart if we are only getting a mid-range first, which Oilers should be next year. It's only getting two top prospects who might develop into what we need with Petro that makes the deal appealing. What Blues really want is to be trading the other way, prospects/picks for a LHD who can handle top minutes now, so they are a lot more likely to deal with a team like Calgary. But if they can't find the right deal, I picture Stewart as the RFA they are most likely to move to keep our prospect pipeline well stocked.

Yeah, but Blues can probably get prospects further along elsewhere for Stewart if we are only getting a mid-range first, which Oilers should be next year. It's only getting two top prospects who might develop into what we need with Petro that makes the deal appealing. What Blues really want is to be trading the other way, prospects/picks for a LHD who can handle top minutes now, so they are a lot more likely to deal with a team like Calgary. But if they can't find the right deal, I picture Stewart as the RFA they are most likely to move to keep our prospect pipeline well stocked.
- Antilles

Its tempting because Stewart is the exact type of guy the Oilers could use.

...how about Whitney instead? Klefbom wont help you this year or even next and Whitney has really picked it up recently. Whitney and 2013 1st and 2nd?
- sanfordnson

For real???? Stewart will play ahead of Eb's and Yak??? This team needs a big physical winger but even with Whitney in this, the trade is messed up. Stewart is another model of inconsistency.
Tried of reading about how the Oilers need guys like Stewart and Horton etc. Most of these guys play the right side!!!! Putting players on their off wing has worked so well for us in the past....
Yes the team needs a phyical top six winger, I get that but if we are over paying; at least get a guy who plays the side we need!

For real???? Stewart will play ahead of Eb's and Yak??? This team needs a big physical winger but even with Whitney in this, the trade is messed up. Stewart is another model of inconsistency.
Tried of reading about how the Oilers need guys like Stewart and Horton etc. Most of these guys play the right side!!!! Putting players on their off wing has worked so well for us in the past....
Yes the team needs a phyical top six winger, I get that but if we are over paying; at least get a guy who plays the side we need!
- Tapdog

That was a mis-print. I meant 2014.

Yeah, but Blues can probably get prospects further along elsewhere for Stewart if we are only getting a mid-range first, which Oilers should be next year. It's only getting two top prospects who might develop into what we need with Petro that makes the deal appealing. What Blues really want is to be trading the other way, prospects/picks for a LHD who can handle top minutes now, so they are a lot more likely to deal with a team like Calgary. But if they can't find the right deal, I picture Stewart as the RFA they are most likely to move to keep our prospect pipeline well stocked.
- Antilles

How would feel about a Sam gagner and a pick (not a first) for berglund? I think he would flourish here. I would rather have berglund going forward than gagner. I think gagner with a big winger like Stewart would work well. Thoughts?

How would feel about a Sam gagner and a pick (not a first) for berglund? I think he would flourish here. I would rather have berglund going forward than gagner. I think gagner with a big winger like Stewart would work well. Thoughts?
- ystoil

I don't see any real benefit in it for the Blues. Hitch likes size up the middle, I don't see us giving that up.

For real???? Stewart will play ahead of Eb's and Yak??? This team needs a big physical winger but even with Whitney in this, the trade is messed up. Stewart is another model of inconsistency.
Tried of reading about how the Oilers need guys like Stewart and Horton etc. Most of these guys play the right side!!!! Putting players on their off wing has worked so well for us in the past....
Yes the team needs a phyical top six winger, I get that but if we are over paying; at least get a guy who plays the side we need!
- Tapdog

Who?

Yak can play either side.

I don't see any real benefit in it for the Blues. Hitch likes size up the middle, I don't see us giving that up.
- Antilles

Please?

I hear you though, makes sense. Berglund had a great playoff last year too. I do think he'd be easier to pry than Stewart at this point and still fills a need.

An agent having one contract to show versus a GM having dozens. Perry is a UFA, UFA's always get insane contracts. Stewart is RFA, they almost never do.

EDIT: Plus, even if Stewart gets what you guys are suggesting, like 1mil more than I am... still, 6mil under the cap.
- Antilles

I think you are low on all of your estimates though. Shat will get more than 4.2 for sure.

I dunno if Gagner has played himself into the 4.5 + million range... he seems like a prime candidate for a hometown discount. Smid maybe not, but I don't think he'll garner a contract higher than 3.5 mil.

Whitney, Belanger, Smyth, and Hemsky can all be traded without significant effect on the team.

Belanger/Smyth at present fulfill the same role, and can be replaced by a guy who does it for 900k.

Hemsky has already essentially been replaced, if not in production, than in type of player. If we re-sign Jones, Paajarvi and Harti than there's no hole in the roster. Trade Hemmer for the best Dman available.

Whitney can then be replaced by the Dman we acquire from Hemsky.

Just because this blog is not positive, doesn't mean its not also exaggerating. We're not really in that much cap trouble. We just might only be able to add either the Top 6 winger with size or the top 4 dman, but not both. Unless we trade Jones, Harti or Paajarvi...

Also, Smid and Hemmer not at practice today. They may still be banged up, but it's interesting in the context of this blog.

Please?

I hear you though, makes sense. Berglund had a great playoff last year too. I do think he'd be easier to pry than Stewart at this point and still fills a need.
- ystoil

Stewart is more likely to be traded than Berglund. Blues don't have other solutions at center. We have Oshie, Tarasenko, Stewart & D'agostini all as top 9 forwards on the right side, with Rattie & Jaskin probably ready for NHL roles by 14-15. It's still most likely the Blues move prospects/picks not a roster player, or they move Dags + Russell or Cole, but Stewart is still more conceivable than Berglund.

Clouts knows as much about hockey as he does about nutrition.
- forbetterorWORSE

I dunno if Gagner has played himself into the 4.5 + million range... he seems like a prime candidate for a hometown discount. Smid maybe not, but I don't think he'll garner a contract higher than 3.5 mil.

Whitney, Belanger, Smyth, and Hemsky can all be traded without significant effect on the team.

Belanger/Smyth at present fulfill the same role, and can be replaced by a guy who does it for 900k.

Hemsky has already essentially been replaced, if not in production, than in type of player. If we re-sign Jones, Paajarvi and Harti than there's no hole in the roster. Trade Hemmer for the best Dman available.

Whitney can then be replaced by the Dman we acquire from Hemsky.

Just because this blog is not positive, doesn't mean its not also exaggerating. We're not really in that much cap trouble. We just might only be able to add either the Top 6 winger with size or the top 4 dman, but not both. Unless we trade Jones, Harti or Paajarvi...
- Morris

Agreed about gagner and smid. Neither player is a good enough two way player to garner contracts higher than 4 IMO. Gagner is having a great offensive season, I'm happy for him, but I think we should trade him at his peak. I do love his compete. Smid is a warrior but provides no offense.

We can't be signing people that will cripple our ability to fill other needs. No more horcoff mistakes.

Who?

Yak can play either side.
- Iggysbff

Sure everyone can but everyone also has a strong side and or preference. With Yak it is the right side. I think you would agree Yak is much better in a game where he plays the right side. The Oil have to start building this team where players can play to their strengths!

Agreed about gagner and smid. Neither player is a good enough two way player to garner contracts higher than 4 IMO. Gagner is having a great offensive season, I'm happy for him, but I think we should trade him at his peak. I do love his compete. Smid is a warrior but provides no offense.

We can't be signing people that will cripple our ability to fill other needs. No more horcoff mistakes.
- ystoil

How many late tying or overtime goals have Smid/Petry been on the ice for. Many. I just dont like the pairing. As much as Petry got undressed by Datsyuk on the OT goal, Smid was right there and made a really weak stick attempt. If that was datsyuk or Hossa on the back check? They would have lifted the stick and taken the puck away. I dislike Smid more and more every game.

Sure everyone can but everyone also has a strong side and or preference. With Yak it is the right side. I think you would agree Yak is much better in a game where he plays the right side. The Oil have to start building this team where players can play to their strengths!
- Tapdog

and they could also use bigger skilled vet presence. Asides from Hall this season should open everyones eyes to the reality of how insulated these players have been and how having rookies NOT in the top 6 is not a bad thing.

Sure everyone can but everyone also has a strong side and or preference. With Yak it is the right side. I think you would agree Yak is much better in a game where he plays the right side. The Oil have to start building this team where players can play to their strengths!
- Tapdog

Who though? Look through the list of available Left wingers. Clowe will be too expensive. Morrow is not a top 6 guy. After that what is left? Nothing that is an upgrade over MPS really.

How many late tying or overtime goals have Smid/Petry been on the ice for. Many. I just dont like the pairing. As much as Petry got undressed by Datsyuk on the OT goal, Smid was right there and made a really weak stick attempt. If that was datsyuk or Hossa on the back check? They would have lifted the stick and taken the puck away. I dislike Smid more and more every game.
- Iggysbff

I think petry has more offensive upside than he's showing now. Too bad petry and j Schultz don't shoot opposite ways otherwise it'd be an interesting pairing.

and they could also use bigger skilled vet presence. Asides from Hall this season should open everyones eyes to the reality of how insulated these players have been and how having rookies NOT in the top 6 is not a bad thing.
- sanfordnson

All outside fans kept putting down hall and saying eberle is the best. While I think eberle is a stud, he was insulated a lot more than hall last year. Hall plays the toughest minutes of the young guys. He keeps thriving. Hall is our best player. Eberle is much smarter tho I still don't see why they don't try the 1st overall line. Gags and ebs always had good chemistry. Throw paajarvi on that line too.

Who though? Look through the list of available Left wingers. Clowe will be too expensive. Morrow is not a top 6 guy. After that what is left? Nothing that is an upgrade over MPS really.
- Iggysbff

Morrow would still be a welcomed addition. He would fit quite nicely on line three.

Hall > ________

Who though? Look through the list of available Left wingers. Clowe will be too expensive. Morrow is not a top 6 guy. After that what is left? Nothing that is an upgrade over MPS really.
- Iggysbff

Exactly then. Why make a trade and move assets for a player who may or may not be successful. Move the assets for defense and move on a Lw'er after.
I am just saying if you are to overpay to get a guy then get a guy who has the better chance to do well. Stewart is not it in this case.