Does that change your thinking at all with how Doug handled the negotiations?
- carcus

Yes, it does.

I thought he was a UFA. Completely different from what I thought Sobotka was.

Still think Blues make a trade.
- gobluenotes

I kind of do as well. After they get Schwartz signed they're going to be up near the cap ceiling again.

I think there's a forward or two that can be moved still........=coughberglundcough*

Pardon me.

Yes, it does.

I thought he was a UFA. Completely different from what I thought Sobotka was.
- Trust In Jarmo

I expected more from a guy who learned from the best, Chip Mcleary.

Actually, you have learned well. You are making yourself out to be every bit the tool he is.

I kind of do as well. After they get Schwartz signed they're going to be up near the cap ceiling again.

I think there's a forward or two that can be moved still........=coughberglundcough*

Pardon me.
- bcallaway

I dont know, I think they like Bergy's defensive game, which has definitely improved the last year or two. It seems to me like Jackman's days are numbered. As it sits, either he or Leoplold will be the number 7, and thats a lot of money to have as a healthy scratch. Of course they would have to bring in a reliable D to have as back up. Not sure if they feel a guy like Hakaanpa is ready.

Also not sure where Paajarvi fits. They could easily cut ties with him.

I expected more from a guy who learned from the best, Chip Mcleary.
- fattyboubatty

I love how you keep bashing Chip.

The man that created the same site you all flock to for hockey cap numbers. The same man that is an Actuary. The same man that called this...


Chip McCleary
St Louis Blues
Location: Madison, WI
Joined: 06.28.2008

May 11, 2013 @ 2:14 AM ET

Out of curiosity what do you guys think the blues need to do to improve?
- Meeqsb

Offense. We have a bunch of guys with skill who just don't fit together; we have no real playmaker, we have no true scorer. It would also help if some of them (Berglund, Stewart) would play with consistency, and others (Perron) would play team-first hockey instead of getting selfish. We have guys who can score 25-30 goals, but they'll all combine for 8 goals one night and then struggle to score 8 goals in the next 6 games.

Also from an Avs point of view, I would love to see Ian Cole in an avs jersey, do you think there would be a trade there?
- Meeqsb

Figure out pieces involving Paul Stastny. Of the Avs players there, I think he's the most expendable / fills the needs the Blues have the best.


Yeah, that Chip knows nothing.

I love how you keep bashing Chip.

The man that created the same site you all flock to for hockey cap numbers. The same man that is an Actuary. The same man that called this...


Chip McCleary
St Louis Blues
Location: Madison, WI
Joined: 06.28.2008

May 11, 2013 @ 2:14 AM ET



Offense. We have a bunch of guys with skill who just don't fit together; we have no real playmaker, we have no true scorer. It would also help if some of them (Berglund, Stewart) would play with consistency, and others (Perron) would play team-first hockey instead of getting selfish. We have guys who can score 25-30 goals, but they'll all combine for 8 goals one night and then struggle to score 8 goals in the next 6 games.




Figure out pieces involving Paul Stastny. Of the Avs players there, I think he's the most expendable / fills the needs the Blues have the best.


Yeah, that Chip knows nothing.
- Trust In Jarmo

What a genius.

I dont know whats worse, the fact that he just stated obvious facts that anyone paying attention already knows, and you consider it a revelation, or the fact that you still come over here to berate every move Armstrong makes even when they coincide with what your captain says.

So when's the goaltending elephant in the room going to be addressed?

In my opinion, that statement alone speaks volumes of Armstrong's negotiation tactics.
- Trust In Jarmo

'Tis a shame you don't know the dynamics of a negotiation. I've read some of your postings for awhile, and found many controversial, others uninformed, but this is pure drivel. Sounds like Army is doing exactly what he should--get his player back into the fold for the lowest acceptable amount. I've read nothing of him belittling the player; in fact, he's said VS'd be welcome back in the organization. Sounds like it could be a Jori Lehtera-type conversation, despite the heat of the moment now. Of course, your grandiose statements about our GM doesn't take into account the player has gone schizo with his agent-of-the-week antics, which is a huge factor in this breakdown.

But maybe you should adhere to the old adage of remaining silent and being thought a fool than speaking up and removing all doubt, since you can't be bothered to know what type of FA the player was. Speaking out your arse may be prized in La-La Land, but it has no place in intelligent conversation on another team's forum.

And, crazy me, Army's negotiating tactics haven't led to derisive bitterness, holdouts or other contentious issues for any other Blues' player in his time as GM. I rather get the impression the players think he's very fair. The closest was the Petro contract, and that drama ended with barely a whimper.

So when's the goaltending elephant in the room going to be addressed?
- Only_A_Ladd

Jake Allen = Second coming of Roy, what elephant

Yes, it does.

I thought he was a UFA. Completely different from what I thought Sobotka was.
- Trust In Jarmo

I rarely post on this site because it's mostly just garbage arguments and you are the leader of all of them on every Blues thread. You do nothing but troll around constantly and make little sense in doing so. All you do is bash every move Army makes and act like you have the ultimate knowledge/ability that would have brought the Blues a Stanley Cup with your massive amount of hockey knowledge (which is also not extensive enough to know the key part in our negotiations with Sobi). If he was a UFA then why wouldn't another team have signed him for the amount you think he's worth you dippoop? Has Army made all the right moves? No. But I think he's put a damn good team on the ice for quite a few years now. It's not easy winning the cup so if you could do better I suggest you turn in your resume. I find it pretty comical that dumbasses like you find the need to ruin a decent conversation on random websites and have nothing better to do with your lives. Long story short...go play tag with traffic you tool.

Armstrong is the best GM ever!

All his trades and signings have been spot pn!

No one better question anything BLUES HOCKEY!

There....now I'm a Blues fan.

Thanks for helping me see the light.

Armstrong is the best GM ever!

All his trades and signings have been spot pn!

No one better question anything BLUES HOCKEY!

There....now I'm a Blues fan.

Thanks for helping me see the light.
- Trust In Jarmo

you're just being the anti-"trust in jarmo" now.

we're not happy with everything DA does but it's obvious you troll everything DA does.

Armstrong is the best GM ever!

All his trades and signings have been spot pn!

No one better question anything BLUES HOCKEY!

There....now I'm a Blues fan.

Thanks for helping me see the light.
- Trust In Jarmo

Maybe instead of a troll, I should just call you an extremist or terrorist, whichever you prefer.

There are plenty of spots between your two extremes.

Armstrong is the best GM ever!

All his trades and signings have been spot pn!

No one better question anything BLUES HOCKEY!

There....now I'm a Blues fan.

Thanks for helping me see the light.
- Trust In Jarmo

Nobody is saying this. That seems to be your attitude about Jarmo though.

Speaking of whom, how about that Dubinsky contract buddy? Cant wait to see how badly Johansen's agent bends him over.

Armstrong is the best GM ever!

All his trades and signings have been spot pn!

No one better question anything BLUES HOCKEY!

There....now I'm a Blues fan.

Thanks for helping me see the light.
- Trust In Jarmo

No one says this but you.

No one better question anything BLUES HOCKEY!

There..I'm a. Blues fan.

.
- Trust In Jarmo

The Armstrong comment was extreme. Obviously.

But this quote is spot on.

Interesting turn of events.....

Per SI article - http://www.si.com/nhl/201...7/11/vladimir-sobotka-khl

It was easy for the player to draw a line in the sand considering that he had the KHL option in his back pocket all along. But it turns out the multi-year Russian offer was nowhere near as lucrative as the $4 million per season that was originally reported. Instead, an agent says it pays Sobotka just $8.5 million over three years, with $2.5 million coming in 2014-15. Taking state and federal taxes into consideration, he's still making more in Russia despite the lower dollar amount, but the minimal difference paints a picture of a principled stand rather than a cash grab.

The $4mm number is more like a comparable number once you tax effect things. Interesting. I'd rather be in the NHL for that kind of comparison but of course I was born in the US.

Interesting turn of events.....

Per SI article - http://www.si.com/nhl/201...7/11/vladimir-sobotka-khl

It was easy for the player to draw a line in the sand considering that he had the KHL option in his back pocket all along. But it turns out the multi-year Russian offer was nowhere near as lucrative as the $4 million per season that was originally reported. Instead, an agent says it pays Sobotka just $8.5 million over three years, with $2.5 million coming in 2014-15. Taking state and federal taxes into consideration, he's still making more in Russia despite the lower dollar amount, but the minimal difference paints a picture of a principled stand rather than a cash grab.

The $4mm number is more like a comparable number once you tax effect things. Interesting. I'd rather be in the NHL for that kind of comparison but of course I was born in the US.
- stljam

There's something a little squirrely about Sobotka. I read over the weekend that he's on his third agent in just a very short period of time. He keeps firing them.

I think he may have overplayed his hand a bit.

I also think he may have taken a few shots to the head.

There's something a little squirrely about Sobotka. I read over the weekend that he's on his third agent in just a very short period of time. He keeps firing them.

I think he may have overplayed his hand a bit.

I also think he may have taken a few shots to the head.
- bcallaway

Yeah, I agree. None of this makes sense on his part if he really just wanted to get to free agency. Why would you not just take a 1 year, 2.7M deal? If he is really not making more than $2.5 per for the next two years, is that worth it even if it is tax free when he will still be under contract for 1 year if he wants to return? Why not play out the year and see what you can get in UFA, then go to Russia if there aren't offers that are big enough?

Doesn't make sense at all.

Anyone see Roy's comments about getting in shape for the season with Nashville? What a laffer. If they haven't figured out fitness until they're in their 30s they are done.

Anyone see Roy's comments about getting in shape for the season with Nashville? What a laffer. If they haven't figured out fitness until they're in their 30s they are done.
- eggsegan