so this move was a salary dump?

then why did hey acquire J Bo & his fat contract?

dumb move, they still have their top 6 forwards (after Stewart's re up), paid much less than anyone else's

Great deal for the blues. MP needed a change of scenery and the likely 29th-34th overall pick next year is great to keep the prospects stocked. Perron will take some bad penalties to help that pick stay early
- 10in_soft

the oilers are gonna be SOOOOOO bad, that they're 2nd rd pick is actually going to end up in the 1st rd.

That's too much.
- gobluenotes

I meant Miller+, but it's not my trade idea

the oilers are gonna be SOOOOOO bad, that they're 2nd rd pick is actually going to end up in the 1st rd.
- sensarmy_11

To be fair, he is only off by one pick, since New Jersey forfeits their first rounder because of the Kovulchuk deal. First pick of the second round is 30th overall.

The point of getting Perron is to finally make a push for the playoffs.. To get better now. With that being said, the 2nd will be somewhere around 45th
- Zinner

I think a goalie and another D-man are much more important to that effort than Perron would ever be.

I don't get the love affair with Miller.

I really hope they don't trade for him.
- carcus

I think Miller could be an upgrade for the Blues... More consistent than Elliott, less injury prone than Halak, more experience than Allen... but he is no where near the level of upgrade to justify us giving the sort of return Buffalo fans and their GM is rumored to want.

MY Take

Who came out ahead in the trade? EDM

What's Stewart worth? 4m for 4yr or 4.5 for 3yr

Should the Blues bring in Miller or stand pat in net? Miller

this trade was about waking up the core and making money available for the next move.
- bird diggler

And also about how Perron is not really as good as everyone thinks he is. Great hands, poor Hockey IQ.

I think a goalie and another D-man are much more important to that effort than Perron would ever be.
- BerglundsGrundle

half-right.

Defense would be a good get (we've got okay depth but no top end guys) but goaltending is lower on the list than consistent top-to-bottom scoring.

Perhaps we throw in Stafford too and we eat salary. I disagree on just prospects. Darcy has said he wants Vanek and Miller trades to be like Carter and Richards trades before. Millers value maybe considered low but not low enough not to get a top six forward in exchange even if there is some picks exchanged. Stewart's arbitration may help decide things
- Mathwil3

In addition to the patience of Job, one of Army's defining characteristics is not to take back someone else's table scraps, unless he believes that there is underlying value and that player fills a specific need. I don't see anyway Stafford is coming to the Blues as a part of any deal for Miller or Vanek. We've got more talented RWs in our system than we have roster spots, which is the only reason a deal involving Stewart would even be considered.

Apparently Pääjärvi had some pretty good chemistry with Berglund when they played on the same line in the World Championships a couple years ago. Maybe he could be the perfect winger for him?

Apparently Pääjärvi had some pretty good chemistry with Berglund when they played on the same line in the World Championships a couple years ago. Maybe he could be the perfect winger for him?
- cuethenoise

Agreed. I expect line combo's to be something like:

Schwartz - Backes - Oshie
PRV - Berglund - Tarasenko
Steen - Roy - Stewart
Sobotka - Lappierre - Reaves

Cracknell/Porter


Really no line is first, second, or third. Backes will be matched up against other teams top lines, but all 3 top lines will get equal even strength playing time.

Agreed. I expect line combo's to be something like:

Schwartz - Backes - Oshie
PRV - Berglund - Tarasenko
Steen - Roy - Stewart
Sobotka - Lappierre - Reaves

Cracknell/Porter


Really no line is first, second, or third. Backes will be matched up against other teams top lines, but all 3 top lines will get equal even strength playing time.
- Antilles

Agreed. I expect line combo's to be something like:

Schwartz - Backes - Oshie
PRV - Berglund - Tarasenko
Steen - Roy - Stewart
Sobotka - Lappierre - Reaves

Cracknell/Porter


Really no line is first, second, or third. Backes will be matched up against other teams top lines, but all 3 top lines will get equal even strength playing time.
- Antilles

A very Hitchcock like team ,the grit and clutch goal potential is enormous.

Agreed. I expect line combo's to be something like:

Schwartz - Backes - Oshie
PRV - Berglund - Tarasenko
Steen - Roy - Stewart
Sobotka - Lappierre - Reaves

Cracknell/Porter


Really no line is first, second, or third. Backes will be matched up against other teams top lines, but all 3 top lines will get equal even strength playing time.
- Antilles

That team is freaking incredible

That team is freaking incredible
- Morris

I agree, especially since the defense is as good as it is. Goaltenders as well.

The Oilers got the better player (right now), but I still don't like this trade as an Oil fan. PRV will thrive under a coach who preaches being tough.

PS. He loves to cross the blue line and take a high shot to get a faceoff. That's going to drive you mental.

The Oilers got the better player (right now), but I still don't like this trade as an Oil fan. PRV will thrive under a coach who preaches being tough.

PS. He loves to cross the blue line and take a high shot to get a faceoff. That's going to drive you mental.
- BigDre

Perron will drive you mental with his fancy stickwork that ends up producing nothing. Oh, and the offensive zone penalties. Did I mention that he will be hot for a week, and then not produce for weeks at a time?

P.S. I was never a Perron fan.

Perron will drive you mental with his fancy stickwork that ends up producing nothing. Oh, and the offensive zone penalties. Did I mention that he will be hot for a week, and then not produce for weeks at a time?

P.S. I was never a Perron fan.
- carcus

We're used to these issues;
Hemsky can dangle around 1 or 2 guys, but often loses it at the end.
Gagner is as streaky as they come.

Does Perron take penalties in the offensive zone because he lost the puck and is trying to get it back (takes a hooking or tripping call) or is he taking really stupid penalties away from the puck?

We're used to these issues;
Hemsky can dangle around 1 or 2 guys, but often loses it at the end.
Gagner is as streaky as they come.

Does Perron take penalties in the offensive zone because he lost the puck and is trying to get it back (takes a hooking or tripping call) or is he taking really stupid penalties away from the puck?
- BigDre

Both

I am not thrilled with the Perron trade but I am ok with it. I think Oilers definitely won the deal in the short term. Perron will put up 50-60 points this coming year and be a valuable 2nd liner. Hopefully MPS continues to develop and finds his game under Hitchcock.

Long term, the trade really hinges on MPS's development and who we take with that 2nd rounder. If the Blues end up winning long term I wouldn't be greatly surprised.

Concerning Stewart, I'd be fine going up to nearly 5 million. He's had one bad season and he seems extremely motivated. I'm banking on him scoring 25-30 goals and Power Forwards who can do that are extremely valuable. He's worth more than Clarkson and would get very similar dollars on the open market.

4 million is a low-ball offer for Stewart. I don't think you can get him signed for less than 4.5 mil. If Army is not comfortable signing him for what it will take then I would not be too upset if he is traded - as long as the return is on par with a young 25 goal Power Forward. I'm expecting another good talent or very good prospect. Maybe a good prospect and a 1st rounder. Prefer to get Stewart signed though.

Miller? I wouldn't be offering much for him. He's had one good year and no way I'm overpaying for a guy with that contract and his stats. Additionally, you risk losing him after 1 year. Honestly, I'd roll with Halak and keep an ear to the ground during the season to see if any goaltenders become available. We still have not seen what Halak can do in the playoffs (which is why we acquired him in the first place).

I would keep Halak, have Elliott back him up, and send Allen to the minors. Allen is ready to be in the NHL and I would cautiously dump Elliott on another team early on in the season if Halak remains healthy (around the 20-30 game mark). I would think someone would be interested in Elliott as a backup considering what he has done the past two years.

I don't get the love affair with Miller.

I really hope they don't trade for him.
- carcus

Agreed.

Overrated, overpaid.

Hemsky can dangle around 1 or 2 guys, but often loses it at the end.

- BigDre

Perron will be a perfect hemsky replacement

If the blues want to win the cup they have to go all in soon.

I am rootin for them! But the Win now window may come to a close due to cap restraints.

If the blues want to win the cup they have to go all in soon.

I am rootin for them! But the Win now window may come to a close due to cap restraints.
- Danformo

Disagree entirely. Blues cap crunch came this year. They have it pretty easy after this year... no players have earned massive raises. Blues being built on depth with no all-star means they aren't going to face massice cap problems the way other top heavy teams do. And they are very young... the window will be open for quite some time.

Glad to have you back Jeff.

So what is the thought here? Stewie and Halak for Miller? Both those guys have to go to fit Miller's deal in I believe
- BerglundsGrundle

I'd do that. Halak and Miller are evensies in terms of their current happiness, so their issues with their current teams won't be a factor after they move. Stewart's an enigma that frankly did well against the Blues when they sucked. His lack of consistency is Boyes-like and frustrating.

Speaking of seeing how things turned out...

Miller is an instant upgrade. Halak and Stewart is an enticing package for Buffalo. I doubt that would also net us Vanek, but when you're trying to trade problem children stranger things can happen.