I like this.

Would Edmonton take Lehtera and Shattenkirk and some pick or prospect for the 4th pick? And then you have decide between Tkachuk and organizational needs, the French Canadian kid two-way center. I would lean towards the center even though I think Tkachuk's kid is better than Walt was.

It would be really cool if the Blues could get out from under JayBo. I think he is still esteemed enough and has value. He would not be the worst thing for the Blues other than hitting their heads on the cap. Perhaps he could fit into Buffalo who surely needs some veterans here and there throughout their line up. But I think he said something about a dream to okay for his hometown team.
- BluemanGuruu

You doing this to rid yourself of Lehtera's contract? Steep price for Tkachuk or the lesser Finn.

You doing this to rid yourself of Lehtera's contract? Steep price for Tkachuk or the lesser Finn.
- Jason Millen

To the point that an earlier poster made, Tkachuk may be NHL ready as soon as next year or maybe two years out at a fraction of the price of Lehtera. I would think that it would be a really tough sell to trade with a team that had a high draft pick, unless they thought that they player that they were trading for were a cornerstone piece going forward.

Lehtera ain't that. While Shattenkirk is a nice piece, he's not a cornerstone player.

To the point that an earlier poster made, Tkachuk may be NHL ready as soon as next year or maybe two years out at a fraction of the price of Lehtera. I would think that it would be a really tough sell to trade with a team that had a high draft pick, unless they thought that they player that they were trading for were a cornerstone piece going forward.

Lehtera ain't that. While Shattenkirk is a nice piece, he's not a cornerstone player.
- eggsegan

I think Shattenkirk's market value is higher than other Blues fans it would appear. Also, don't underestimate Edmonton's need for D.

I think Shattenkirk's market value is higher than other Blues fans it would appear. Also, don't underestimate Edmonton's need for D.
- Jason Millen

How high do you think it is? He's an unrestricted free agent after this season. It was speculated that he was passed up for a younger player in a hockey trade with Columbus.

While he's a good player, with his cap hit/ contract uncertainty, he's a tough move. I might see the Blues getting a middle to low first rounder for him IF they can sign him to a deal...

How high do you think it is? He's an unrestricted free agent after this season. It was speculated that he was passed up for a younger player in a hockey trade with Columbus.

While he's a good player, with his cap hit/ contract uncertainty, he's a tough move. I might see the Blues getting a middle to low first rounder for him IF they can sign him to a deal...
- eggsegan

I think they'd get a mid to low first rounder for him as a deadline rental. I also think some GMs may think his game would improve away from Hitch. Maybe they think he could handle more minutes, maybe presume there are some reigns that could be removed, etc.

If you are referring to Jones, Jones being on his ELC made a big difference due to the Blue Jackes own cap issues. Swap Shatty for Jones and they would have been right up to the cap this season, forgetting the future.

I think they'd get a mid to low first rounder for him as a deadline rental. I also think some GMs may think his game would improve away from Hitch. Maybe they think he could handle more minutes, maybe presume there are some reigns that could be removed, etc.

If you are referring to Jones, Jones being on his ELC made a big difference due to the Blue Jackes own cap issues. Swap Shatty for Jones and they would have been right up to the cap this season, forgetting the future.
- Jason Millen

So we agree on his value, I just think cost certainty gets him to that valuation. Based on what I saw this year, the Blues D were very active in all three zones, even playing below the goal line in the offensive zone from time to time. I'm not sure how much more he has to offer unless he's playing as a #1.
Also, teams that would trade for him at the trade deadline would be in the same position as the Blues. If they make a move with him, it makes more sense to do it in the off season.
Would you be comfortable with Shattenkirk as the Blues #1 D?

So we agree on his value, I just think cost certainty gets him to that valuation. Based on what I saw this year, the Blues D were very active in all three zones, even playing below the goal line in the offensive zone from time to time. I'm not sure how much more he has to offer unless he's playing as a #1.
Also, teams that would trade for him at the trade deadline would be in the same position as the Blues. If they make a move with him, it makes more sense to do it in the off season.
Would you be comfortable with Shattenkirk as the Blues #1 D?
- eggsegan

Sorry I think they could get at least a mid 1st rounder as a rental. Probably another lower pick or depth prospect too.

I think some GMs believe his game would approve from Hitch, not saying it would but being the #1 might (minutes).

I would not pick Shatty over Petro. Not even a debate for me.

Sorry I think they could get at least a mid 1st rounder as a rental. Probably another lower pick or depth prospect too.

I think some GMs believe his game would approve from Hitch, not saying it would but being the #1 might (minutes).

I would not pick Shatty over Petro. Not even a debate for me.
- Jason Millen

One last quick question: if the Blues did not have Petro, would you be comfortable with Shattenkirk playing as the Blues #1 D man with no plan to upgrade?

I would not. I don't believe that he is that player.

One last quick question: if the Blues did not have Petro, would you be comfortable with Shattenkirk playing as the Blues #1 D man with no plan to upgrade?

I would not. I don't believe that he is that player.
- eggsegan

He'd be better suited for it than Eric Brewer was.

Look at it differently, how many teams could he step onto right now and be the #1. for example - SJ, LA, Ott, Chicago, Nashville, TB, STL - no; But what about Col, Clb, Edm, Win, Det?

He'd be better suited for it than Eric Brewer was.

Look at it differently, how many teams could he step onto right now and be the #1. for example - SJ, LA, Ott, Chicago, Nashville, TB, STL - no; But what about Col, Clb, Edm, Win, Det?
- Jason Millen

Right! But only one of those teams made the playoffs this year. The only way he's a deadline acquisition is if the team thinks he can help them go deep. The Blues would need a guy like that unless they have a dismal season next year.

If he's traded, he'll go offseason. If he doesn't go offseason, he walks with no compensation a la Backes and Brouwer (unless we get a deal done), IMO.

Right! But only one of those teams made the playoffs this year. The only way he's a deadline acquisition is if the team thinks he can help them go deep. The Blues would need a guy like that unless they have a dismal season next year.

If he's traded, he'll go offseason. If he doesn't go offseason, he walks with no compensation a la Backes and Brouwer (unless we get a deal done), IMO.
- eggsegan

I called a while back that I thought he would be traded in a draft deal.

I called a while back that I thought he would be traded in a draft deal.
- Jason Millen

Thanks for the discussion! It'll be interesting to see how it goes! The ideal world would see Shatty traded for a LHD that compliments Petro, allowing Bouw to play fewer minutes...

Thanks for the discussion! It'll be interesting to see how it goes! The ideal world would see Shatty traded for a LHD that compliments Petro, allowing Bouw to play fewer minutes...
- eggsegan

If I was constructing a team from scratch, my ideal pair would be 2 LD/1 RD or 1 RD/2 LD that were like Petro, Shatty and Parayko; the other three would be opposite handed of those 3 with 1 being a true shut down d-man; 1 being a physical d man and 1 somewhere in the middle.

In games where you are behind, you have two of your top 3 playing natural side (also works for PP). Also, allows you to effective shorten the bench with your top 4 as needed. The Blues 3 being all RD puts them in a less than optima position.

For all of those who are so quick to deal Jaybo, who are your 3 LD next year then?

Edmundson, Gunnarsson, and ?

I'm not saying I am against dealing him but you have to add another LD, maybe 2, imho.
- Jason Millen

I highly doubt J bo gets moved this summer. Eventually yes but now is not the right time. Is he the best number 2 in the league? No. You can't expect him to be perfect. Every top pairing D man has gotten burned in the playoffs repeatedly. Vlassic is probably the most stable, mistake free D of the bunch defensively and even he has had a few minus games.

You move Shattenkirk, you can put Bortuzzo in as the #6 and get Lindbohm or another youngster some minutes here and there. Moving J bo now creates a lot more questions than answers.

If I was constructing a team from scratch, my ideal pair would be 2 LD/1 RD or 1 RD/2 LD that were like Petro, Shatty and Parayko; the other three would be opposite handed of those 3 with 1 being a true shut down d-man; 1 being a physical d man and 1 somewhere in the middle.

In games where you are behind, you have two of your top 3 playing natural side (also works for PP). Also, allows you to effective shorten the bench with your top 4 as needed. The Blues 3 being all RD puts them in a less than optima position.
- Jason Millen

I agree for the most part. I think first and foremost all your D need to be able to skate, make a good first pass, and be able to defend well when needed. The latter is why I have always had Shatty pegged a bit lower than most people. Then you ideally have at least two guys who are above average offensively and one or two guys who are physical.

Looking at the Blues, we have Bortuzzo and Edmundson as the bruisers, and Parayko and Petro as the offensive guys. Gunnarson and J bo are not flashy but they can play in the system effectively for the most part. I would love to see Edmundson eventually play his way onto the top pair.

I am ready to see what happens this off season.

Blues may not be as active as in years past but I think we will see some very interesting moves made.

Question for the group

If someone calls and says we want Statsny and we will offer a decent package, lets say a first and a prospect type deal. Do we take that deal?

I would say yes.

Thoughts?

I am ready to see what happens this off season.

Blues may not be as active as in years past but I think we will see some very interesting moves made.

Question for the group

If someone calls and says we want Statsny and we will offer a decent package, lets say a first and a prospect type deal. Do we take that deal?

I would say yes.

Thoughts?
- sycsam

Sure. I don't think Stastny is untouchable. There's rumblings out of Pittsburgh that Gino wants out. That could be kind of interesting...

As for Tarasenko talking to the media, did anyone see that Dan Boyle interview at the end of the season from earlier this year? How about the @JoshYohe_PGH comment about Logan Couture on Twitter?

This is what Yohe said:

"Logan Couture's postgame comments mark his first notable contribution to this series."

While I agree that Tarasenko needs to man up and talk to the media, I still give him a pass as he is still working through learning english and could easily say something that could be misconstrued. I can't imagine what I would say to a television camera at age 24... He's still a kid figuring all this stuff out. Give him a pass on this one.

Sure. I don't think Stastny is untouchable. There's rumblings out of Pittsburgh that Gino wants out. That could be kind of interesting...

As for Tarasenko talking to the media, did anyone see that Dan Boyle interview at the end of the season from earlier this year? How about the @JoshYohe_PGH comment about Logan Couture on Twitter?

This is what Yohe said:

"Logan Couture's postgame comments mark his first notable contribution to this series."

While I agree that Tarasenko needs to man up and talk to the media, I still give him a pass as he is still working through learning english and could easily say something that could be misconstrued. I can't imagine what I would say to a television camera at age 24... He's still a kid figuring all this stuff out. Give him a pass on this one.
- eggsegan

Statsny plus for Malkin would be nice

Fabbri Malkin Tarasenko look out

For all of those who are so quick to deal Jaybo, who are your 3 LD next year then?

Edmundson, Gunnarsson, and ?

I'm not saying I am against dealing him but you have to add another LD, maybe 2, imho.
- Jason Millen

One of the five or so prospects.

You doing this to rid yourself of Lehtera's contract? Steep price for Tkachuk or the lesser Finn.
- Jason Millen

Huh?

Yes. Besides I see the fourth pic being Pierre-Luc Dubois.

I am ready to see what happens this off season.

Blues may not be as active as in years past but I think we will see some very interesting moves made.

Question for the group

If someone calls and says we want Statsny and we will offer a decent package, lets say a first and a prospect type deal. Do we take that deal?

I would say yes.

Thoughts?
- sycsam

Unlikely.

For what he's paid, another team is going to want him to be more than he probably is. He fits well for what the Blues have, I'd hate to lose him, takes away a lot of your depth.

I'd like more scoring from him, but the Blues don't live or die if he does or does not score on a given night.

But, he's not untouchable.

This is probably old news by now, but:

Muller is gonzo.

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/...ler-is-leaving-the-blues/

This is probably old news by now, but:

Muller is gonzo.

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/...ler-is-leaving-the-blues/
- eggsegan

Nelson Ayote is going too. That will be interesting to see who fills the strength and conditioning role.

Hopefully Macinnis has some insight for someone to fill that role...

This is probably old news by now, but:

Muller is gonzo.

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/...ler-is-leaving-the-blues/
- eggsegan

I had not heard that. I think this is a big loss for the Blues.

I had not heard that. I think this is a big loss for the Blues.
- bcallaway

I hope we hear Ray Bennet is gone too

Start fresh

Bring in Guy Carbeneau or Oates for coach in waiting

What about Jeff Brown?

unless they have a guy in mind that is off the radar