Berglund has his size and goal scoring to go with but he does not use his size. I would go with Sobotka with his all around team play. may not score the goals but adds way more to his game than Berglund does. Sobotka hits like Berglund should and is better defensive.
- BluesDroogie

I disagree and would prefer Berglund. Berglund is a very solid third line center that can score and is also solid defensively. If they had to go to the open market to replace him, you'd be seeing something similar to a Dave Bolland type signing which is too much money. Also agree with the other posters that referenced Berglund being healthier than Sobotka due Sobotka's style of play.

Sobotka offers valuable skills to the team, but let's face it that a 4th liner with the ability to not look out of place on higher lines is easier to replace. As a matter of fact, the Blues immediately replaced him with Ott and shouldn't see that much of a dropoff from that role.

What nothing on fellow Chaminade alum Butler signing?

He would be the fourth Chaminade alum player to step on the ice for the Blues after Yan Stastny, Ben Bishop and Paul Stastny.

I disagree and would prefer Berglund. Berglund is a very solid third line center that can score and is also solid defensively. If they had to go to the open market to replace him, you'd be seeing something similar to a Dave Bolland type signing which is too much money. Also agree with the other posters that referenced Berglund being healthier than Sobotka due Sobotka's style of play.

Sobotka offers valuable skills to the team, but let's face it that a 4th liner with the ability to not look out of place on higher lines is easier to replace. As a matter of fact, the Blues immediately replaced him with Ott and shouldn't see that much of a dropoff from that role.
- Jackman

Well he is actually not easy to replace. Ott is not considered a bad player. But when you look at advanced stats one would prefer Sobotka over Ott any day.

I think Sobotka realized he was no longer top six and that frustrated him. Though I cannot see why. He has looked good but his one knock would be that he has not scored consistently to warrant a top six role. But the shooting favor he brings to Tarasenko is crazy good.

The question is can we get a guy who not just through winning face offs and corner boards battles can create time and space for Tarasenko to compensate.

I would say Armstrong sees that as a true higher benefit than Sobotka being that guy.

What ultimately cost the Blues last season was a rash of ill timed injuries. And playing Miller so much. I think after a few games and goals you put Elliott in the net.

I am not sure Halak gives you a better chance to win. And while Elliott gave up a softy against LA his numbers and play were very solid.

I still think Allen is going to be a good if not great golatender. One who can play the puck and in a way the players are comfortable with unlike Miller.

If the Blues had the balls they would trade Jackman and sign Del Zotto. They got rid of one of the weak links in Polak who I think plays better and offers more than Jackman. Before Del Zotto hit bottoms he played better all around than Shatty.

Even if we do not go for Del Zotto I would trade Jackman after signing Butler.

Well he is actually not easy to replace. Ott is not considered a bad player. But when you look at advanced stats one would prefer Sobotka over Ott any day.

I think Sobotka realized he was no longer top six and that frustrated him. Though I cannot see why. He has looked good but his one knock would be that he has not scored consistently to warrant a top six role. But the shooting favor he brings to Tarasenko is crazy good.

The question is can we get a guy who not just through winning face offs and corner boards battles can create time and space for Tarasenko to compensate.

I would say Armstrong sees that as a true higher benefit than Sobotka being that guy.

What ultimately cost the Blues last season was a rash of ill timed injuries. And playing Miller so much. I think after a few games and goals you put Elliott in the net.

I am not sure Halak gives you a better chance to win. And while Elliott gave up a softy against LA his numbers and play were very solid.


- BluemanGuruu

I should have specified that his role is easier (and/or cheaper) to replace than Berglund's. The Blues will likely get a little less out of Ott than they do Sobotka, but they do have somebody who will fill that same role without a huge dropoff and he's going to do it for cheaper than Sobotka was willing.

While this is not meant to be a knock on Sobotka, if he is in your top 6 or on your PP (other than to win a draw), then you shouldn't expect to be a cup contender. Same could/should be said of Ott, but it seems like he is willing to accept a lower role when necessary.

I also think Sobotka left because he realized he wasn't going to be playing as much.

If he tries coming back after the KHL season ends for the end of the NHL season, do the Blues have a choice of whether to accept him then to use up his obligatory year of contract or can they make him wait for it to be a full season?

I should have specified that his role is easier (and/or cheaper) to replace than Berglund's. The Blues will likely get a little less out of Ott than they do Sobotka, but they do have somebody who will fill that same role without a huge dropoff and he's going to do it for cheaper than Sobotka was willing.

While this is not meant to be a knock on Sobotka, if he is in your top 6 or on your PP (other than to win a draw), then you shouldn't expect to be a cup contender. Same could/should be said of Ott, but it seems like he is willing to accept a lower role when necessary.

I also think Sobotka left because he realized he wasn't going to be playing as much.

If he tries coming back after the KHL season ends for the end of the NHL season, do the Blues have a choice of whether to accept him then to use up his obligatory year of contract or can they make him wait for it to be a full season?
- Jackman

I wouldnt think the Blues would want to bring him back during the season unless the team gets hit with a rash of injuries.

I wouldnt think the Blues would want to bring him back during the season unless the team gets hit with a rash of injuries.
- fattyboubatty

Firstly, apologies for the mix up on the link. I didn't realize that it was a game of agent musical chairs at the Sobotka household. That dude is as wacky as the the Sobotka with the duck from the Wire...

As for bringing him back for the playoff run, why not? It'd be like making a deadline deal except he already knows the team. Seems like it would be a great opportunity to bring in a great asset. The only thing that I would wonder is whether or not there would be any waiver consequences. I wouldn't think so, considering the arbitration ruling would have been determined as of Monday. It's not like they are signing a free agent.

Hey, I know a lot of people have been asking/interested in what is going on. We had our son on Thursday (at 33 weeks) He is doing great right now, born at 5 lbs even, which its pretty good for how early he is. His back is looking great from the earlier surgery. Well be in the NICU for a while, but he is breathing on his own without any help so they are very happy with that.

Thanks again to everyone for their thoughts/prayers/well wishes. It has been very appreciated.

Hey, I know a lot of people have been asking/interested in what is going on. We had our son on Thursday (at 33 weeks) He is doing great right now, born at 5 lbs even, which its pretty good for how early he is. His back is looking great from the earlier surgery. Well be in the NICU for a while, but he is breathing on his own without any help so they are very happy with that.

Thanks again to everyone for their thoughts/prayers/well wishes. It has been very appreciated.
- carcus

Congratulations and best wishes to the family.

what do you guys think Dmitrij Jaskin is gonna do next year?

Hey, I know a lot of people have been asking/interested in what is going on. We had our son on Thursday (at 33 weeks) He is doing great right now, born at 5 lbs even, which its pretty good for how early he is. His back is looking great from the earlier surgery. Well be in the NICU for a while, but he is breathing on his own without any help so they are very happy with that.

Thanks again to everyone for their thoughts/prayers/well wishes. It has been very appreciated.
- carcus

Congrats I am glad he is doing OK we need more blues fans on this planet!

Hey, I know a lot of people have been asking/interested in what is going on. We had our son on Thursday (at 33 weeks) He is doing great right now, born at 5 lbs even, which its pretty good for how early he is. His back is looking great from the earlier surgery. Well be in the NICU for a while, but he is breathing on his own without any help so they are very happy with that.

Thanks again to everyone for their thoughts/prayers/well wishes. It has been very appreciated.
- carcus

Congrats! And. I am glad to hear your child is doing fine.

Glad the baby is doing OK Carcus! Prayers are being sent your way

Hey, I know a lot of people have been asking/interested in what is going on. We had our son on Thursday (at 33 weeks) He is doing great right now, born at 5 lbs even, which its pretty good for how early he is. His back is looking great from the earlier surgery. Well be in the NICU for a while, but he is breathing on his own without any help so they are very happy with that.

Thanks again to everyone for their thoughts/prayers/well wishes. It has been very appreciated.
- carcus

Congratulations! It's so unnerving when there are complications to a pregnancy. I'm thinking about you and your son! Hopefully, he'll get to come home soon!!!

Arbitrator awards 1 year, $2.7m contract to Sobotka.

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...-play-in-khl-next-season/

I wonder if the arbitrator has some level of bias since Sobie bolted for the KHL? If no, Army looks like a genius with his offer.

Arbitrator awards 1 year, $2.7m contract to Sobotka.

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...-play-in-khl-next-season/

I wonder if the arbitrator has some level of bias since Sobie bolted for the KHL? If no, Army looks like a genius with his offer.
- eggsegan

Not surprising.

He is not worth $3M with his limited offense. And offense is what gets you the $$$ in the NHL.

Good luck in Russia Vladi.

Not surprising.

He is not worth $3M with his limited offense. And offense is what gets you the $$$ in the NHL.

Good luck in Russia Vladi.
- carcus

Now if we could just undo the Ott signing or at least cut the contract in half both in dollars and term, lol.

Hey, I know a lot of people have been asking/interested in what is going on. We had our son on Thursday (at 33 weeks) He is doing great right now, born at 5 lbs even, which its pretty good for how early he is. His back is looking great from the earlier surgery. Well be in the NICU for a while, but he is breathing on his own without any help so they are very happy with that..
- carcus

Great to hear!

And congratulations. Enjoy everyday...because it goes by too fast.