Jeff Quirin: What are we going to do tonight, Hitch? Try to score more goals! How do the St. Louis Blues plan to score more goals next season? Who stands to benefit from the tweaks in on-ice philosophy? Read on to find out.

With players like Roy, Tara, Schultz the team is looking like it is going towards a more offensive direction. Along with one of the best Dcores in the NHL they should be a very good team to watch.

I also think Miller would be a perfect fit for the team if they could pull it off.

IMO, both Tarasenko & Schwartz are going to have very good years.

With players like Roy, Tara, Schultz the team is looking like it is going towards a more offensive direction. Along with one of the best Dcores in the NHL they should be a very good team to watch.

I also think Miller would be a perfect fit for the team if they could pull it off.
- Meeqsb

Not worth the $$$$.

IMO, both Tarasenko & Schwartz are going to have very good years.
- carcus

How are both of them in the speed department? I only remember seeing glimpses of Tarasenko in the regular season and i only remember Schwartz chasing Voynov on that game winning goal in the playoffs.

Schwartz seems to have some burners but my eyes think EVERYONE is fast as hell in the playoffs.

Not worth the $$$$.
- carcus

Probably, I just really like the fit. If you meet the Kings in the playoffs again I think Miller could beat quick in a goaltending battle behind the blues when Elliot probably couldnt

With players like Roy, Tara, Schultz the team is looking like it is going towards a more offensive direction. Along with one of the best Dcores in the NHL they should be a very good team to watch.

I also think Miller would be a perfect fit for the team if they could pull it off.
- Meeqsb

I really don't understand the Miller fit in SL. They don't need him and they don't have the cash anyways.

Probably, I just really like the fit. If you meet the Kings in the playoffs again I think Miller could beat quick in a goaltending battle behind the blues when Elliot probably couldnt
- Meeqsb

Halak is the one Blues want playing in that situation anyways.

I really don't understand the Miller fit in SL. They don't need him and they don't have the cash anyways.
- Iggysbff

Retaining salary is not out of the question. I would garuntee that would be part of any deal involving Vanek/miller

Halak is the one Blues want playing in that situation anyways.
- Antilles

True but the Blues could win the cup today and Halak is Injury prone, I just see miller as an upgrade. I don't think Elliot is that good, just the D in front of him. The blues are one of the most stacked teams in the NHL with an amazing coach. I see goaltending as your biggest weakness. With Miller I think this team would be favorites.

True but the Blues could win the cup today and Halak is Injury prone, I just see miller as an upgrade. I don't think Elliot is that good, just the D in front of him. The blues are one of the most stacked teams in the NHL with an amazing coach. I see goaltending as your biggest weakness. With Miller I think this team would be favorites.
- Meeqsb

as a longtime Miller supporter, I completely agree. The blues have the makings for a very powerful team but if they're going to be playing more run and gun they need the goalie to do that. Look at Boston, not a whole lot different from the year they went to the cup but without Thomas, Rask was able to only do so much. I think the difference here for the blues is that much of a difference between halak and Miller. You don't have to trade Miller but it would probably only cost you a low 1st and a good prospect and that's a damn good reason to trade for somebody if you're more likely to win your first cup with the guy. It's worth the chance.

as a longtime Miller supporter, I completely agree. The blues have the makings for a very powerful team but if they're going to be playing more run and gun they need the goalie to do that. Look at Boston, not a whole lot different from the year they went to the cup but without Thomas, Rask was able to only do so much. I think the difference here for the blues is that much of a difference between halak and Miller. You don't have to trade Miller but it would probably only cost you a low 1st and a good prospect and that's a damn good reason to trade for somebody if you're more likely to win your first cup with the guy. It's worth the chance.
- FIREonICE

Its not so much that I think they have to, but if they are trying to win a cup now then I think the possibility to upgrade is certainly there. Buffalo would need to take some money back in the deal though as the cap is somewhat of a concern.

Wasn't the biggest fan of the Roy signing for them either.

as a longtime Miller supporter, I completely agree. The blues have the makings for a very powerful team but if they're going to be playing more run and gun they need the goalie to do that. Look at Boston, not a whole lot different from the year they went to the cup but without Thomas, Rask was able to only do so much. I think the difference here for the blues is that much of a difference between halak and Miller. You don't have to trade Miller but it would probably only cost you a low 1st and a good prospect and that's a damn good reason to trade for somebody if you're more likely to win your first cup with the guy. It's worth the chance.
- FIREonICE

I think the Blues would be willing to do something like Halak, 2nd round pick, mid-tiered prospect for Miller, 2nd becomes first if he resigns. But the rumors all seem to point towards Sabres wanting a roster player like Oshie. And that just doesn't make sense for the Blues.

Blues are one of the youngest teams in the league with a lot of guys who should improve over the next 3-4 years, and basically no one important who should start declining from age over that same period. Trading away one of our roster pieces, or blue-chip prospects, for one shot at the cup with Miller just isn't smart, when we can go after him in the off-season and arguably have a better chance at a cup in 14-15 than we would with him now. For me, at least, I agree Miller is an upgrade over Halak/Elliott/Allen options we have currently. But he isn't so huge of an upgrade for our chances this year to make it worth lowering our chances in the following years.

I think the Blues would be willing to do something like Halak, 2nd round pick, mid-tiered prospect for Miller, 2nd becomes first if he resigns. But the rumors all seem to point towards Sabres wanting a roster player like Oshie. And that just doesn't make sense for the Blues.

Blues are one of the youngest teams in the league with a lot of guys who should improve over the next 3-4 years, and basically no one important who should start declining from age over that same period. Trading away one of our roster pieces, or blue-chip prospects, for one shot at the cup with Miller just isn't smart, when we can go after him in the off-season and arguably have a better chance at a cup in 14-15 than we would with him now. For me, at least, I agree Miller is an upgrade over Halak/Elliott/Allen options we have currently. But he isn't so huge of an upgrade for our chances this year to make it worth lowering our chances in the following years.
- Antilles

All of this.

Hitch got bounced from CBus becuase of his defense first mentality. I get why it works and gets teams to the playoffs, however it isn't flashy and more importantly, the players don't like it.

Need more scoring isn't a new issue with Hitch.

Hitch got bounced from CBus becuase of his defense first mentality. I get why it works and gets teams to the playoffs, however it isn't flashy and more importantly, the players don't like it.

Need more scoring isn't a new issue with Hitch.
- shawno

He has stated throughout the years that he has learned the importance to taking a more offensive approach. You still can't argue with the results he has gotten in Stl however. The past 2 years the blues could have won the cup if not for LA, and those were often one of the best match ups of the whole playoffs

Probably, I just really like the fit. If you meet the Kings in the playoffs again I think Miller could beat quick in a goaltending battle behind the blues when Elliot probably couldnt
- Meeqsb

What's wrong with Halak? He had an off year. He'll take the reigns from Elliot and perform.

For me, at least, I agree Miller is an upgrade over Halak/Elliott/Allen options we have currently. But he isn't so huge of an upgrade for our chances this year to make it worth lowering our chances in the following years.
- Antilles

Marginal upgrade, at this point in time.

True but the Blues could win the cup today and Halak is Injury prone, I just see miller as an upgrade. I don't think Elliot is that good, just the D in front of him. The blues are one of the most stacked teams in the NHL with an amazing coach. I see goaltending as your biggest weakness. With Miller I think this team would be favorites.
- Meeqsb

Well, I don't really agree with the Halak is injury prone.

He has been in St Louis for 3 years.

He had a cracked bone in his hand his first year that had him miss a handful of games. Not something to worry about going forward.

In his second year he didn't have issues during the regular season, then was run into by Jackman in our 2nd playoff game and had a high ankle sprain from the hit. Freak accident, and hasn't had issues with his ankle since.

This past season, in a shortened season, he had a groin injury and ended up re-injuring it when he tried to come back too soon because Elliott was stinking it up while he was out. IMO, the Blues made a mistake not getting him back in during the playoffs as he was back and able to play, but they just rode Elliott.

So, in 3 years he has had a minor hand injury, ankle sprain due to his own player running into him, and a groin injury. I guess if you consider injury prone to be a guy who has had injuries, then yes. But Miller would also be injury prone if that is your definition.

Halak is in a contract year. He has a lot to prove. To win another contract and the job with the Blues, or with another team if the Blues can't afford him after a stellar year. Don't see Miller being a $2M upgrade over Halak. I really think this is going to be a really good year for the Blues, and Halak. If we still have Elliott, he will be playing for a new contract as well. It really wouldn't surprise me at all if these two are sharing the Jennings again with the defense we have.

Probably, I just really like the fit. If you meet the Kings in the playoffs again I think Miller could beat quick in a goaltending battle behind the blues when Elliot probably couldnt
- Meeqsb

Ok, but Elliott is, and should be our backup. Quick should beat a backup in a goaltending battle. Really, Quick should beat just about every goalie in a goaltending battle. He is that good.

The Blues didn't need Elliott to beat Quick in a goaltending battle. They just needed him to play well. He did at the start of the series. Not so much the last few games.

He has stated throughout the years that he has learned the importance to taking a more offensive approach. You still can't argue with the results he has gotten in Stl however. The past 2 years the blues could have won the cup if not for LA, and those were often one of the best match ups of the whole playoffs
- Meeqsb

Yes, the way the team is set up is great for success. The fact that Halak hasn't played in either series against the Kings has been the difference IMO.

Stewart signs an extension for just north of 8mil, 4.15mil per year cap hit.

So, 9mil+ in cap space left to sign Pietro... where is everyone talking about there being no way for us to afford all our RFA's again?

Stewart signs an extension for just north of 8mil, 4.15mil per year cap hit.

So, 9mil+ in cap space left to sign Pietro... where is everyone talking about there being no way for us to afford all our RFA's again?
- Antilles

You guys did end up trading Perron because of cap issues and lucked out Stew signed for what he did, he could have gotten more.

You guys did end up trading Perron because of cap issues and lucked out Stew signed for what he did, he could have gotten more.
- Meeqsb

Yeah, but that deal made at least me really happy, regardless of the cap savings.

Stewart signs an extension for just north of 8mil, 4.15mil per year cap hit.

So, 9mil+ in cap space left to sign Pietro... where is everyone talking about there being no way for us to afford all our RFA's again?
- Antilles