Randall Ritchey: Sobotka To Skate, Leopold Out, Jaskin Recalled, And More With the Blues catching a flight to Vancouver tonight to gear up for their game against the Canucks on Wednesday night, there is some news to catch up on.

Vladimir Sobotka is expected to start doing light skating this week, but he is still expected to be out for quite some time.

Max Lapierre and his wife welcomed a new baby into the world on Saturday. He will be on the trip with the team to Vancouver.

The Blues have recalled Dmitrij Jaskin from the Chicago Wolves of the AHL.

Randall
Ritchey: Sobotka To Skate, Leopold Out, Jaskin Recalled, And More
With the Blues catching a flight to Vancouver tonight to gear up for their game against the Canucks on Wednesday night, there is some news to catch up on.

Vladimir Sobotka is expected to start doing light skating this week, but he is still expected to be out for quite some time.

Max Lapierre and his wife welcomed a new baby into the world on Saturday. He will be on the trip with the team to Vancouver.

The Blues have recalled Dmitrij Jaskin from the Chicago Wolves of the AHL.
- Randall_Ritchey

What's the potential on that Jaskin kid ? Know very little about him other then he has quite a bit of value in NHL 14

Nice update Randall.

As for Jaskin, glad to see him get another call-up. He is perfect for the Blues system. Looking forward to seeing him get some more ice time.

have you heard anything regarding the chris stewart to ottawa rumours that surfaced prior to the olympics......or was that simply ottawa media talking out of their asses?

What's the potential on that Jaskin kid ? Know very little about him other then he has quite a bit of value in NHL 14
- blizzzard

He's expected to develop into what Chris Stewart should have developed into. A hard working top six player. Think Backes on the wing. He's been praised by Hitchcock as a "Forsberg-lite". A top six winger for sure.

have you heard anything regarding the chris stewart to ottawa rumours that surfaced prior to the olympics......or was that simply ottawa media talking out of their asses?
- sensarmy_11

I expect the Blues to make a move or two at or before the deadline. Anyone who knows me, knows how I feel about Stewart. Many expect him to be moved, but with Armstrong, moves are secretive. You'll never know when a deal is made.

I expect the Blues to make a move or two at or before the deadline. Anyone who knows me, knows how I feel about Stewart. Many expect him to be moved, but with Armstrong, moves are secretive. You'll never know when a deal is made.
- Randall_Ritchey

fair enough. what are your thoughts on what a potential return for him would have to be?

I expect the Blues to make a move or two at or before the deadline. Anyone who knows me, knows how I feel about Stewart. Many expect him to be moved, but with Armstrong, moves are secretive. You'll never know when a deal is made.
- Randall_Ritchey

Is Stewart that bad ? He was a guy I thought I would love on my team but he seems to be a guy who shows up every other year. What would you gauge is value to be at and I would assume if he was being dealt you would want to get him out of the west.

fair enough. what are your thoughts on what a potential return for him would have to be?
- sensarmy_11

Should of read your comment before I posted my last one I asked the same question as you did lol

Should of read your comment before I posted my last one I asked the same question as you did lol
- blizzzard

I asked first, so sens have dibs.

fair enough. what are your thoughts on what a potential return for him would have to be?
- sensarmy_11

For Stewart to be moved before the trade deadline, it would need to be either an overpayment, or something that helped the team right now. Team needs are a big, defensively responsible top 6 center, or a goalie clearly an upgrade on Halak. If it doesn't help us now, better to keep him for the playoffs and leave the chemistry in the room intact.

This summer, that changes, because it would be opening up cap space. Think something along the lines of what we got from Edmonton for Perron. Almost ready for NHL player combined with draft picks, but minimal salary coming back.

I asked first, so sens have dibs.
- sensarmy_11

You are likely better built for giving up the assets to so go for it I have to tell you though everytime I play NHL 14 I feel like a bandit trading Jagr to you guys for Ceci

Is Stewart that bad ? He was a guy I thought I would love on my team but he seems to be a guy who shows up every other year. What would you gauge is value to be at and I would assume if he was being dealt you would want to get him out of the west.
- blizzzard

You would love him on your team if he is allowed to play a style that suits his game. Basically that means doing most of his work banging bodies in the offensive zone and waiting for someone to feed him the puck. If you require a lot of forechecking, backchecking and work away from the puck, like the Blues' system requires, you will be disappointed in the results. In the right situation, he could conceivably be a 40 goal guy. I'm just not sure that situation exists.

Tied to the Boomer Esiason rumor this weekend was that he was expected to end up in Pittsburgh, presumably as a finisher/protector for Crosby and Kunitz. That situation might suit him well, but unless someone like Jokinen or Neal is coming back in the deal I don't see how it works for both teams.

I expect the Blues to make a move or two at or before the deadline. Anyone who knows me, knows how I feel about Stewart. Many expect him to be moved, but with Armstrong, moves are secretive. You'll never know when a deal is made.
- Randall_Ritchey

Will we know after the fact?

Is Stewart that bad ? He was a guy I thought I would love on my team but he seems to be a guy who shows up every other year. What would you gauge is value to be at and I would assume if he was being dealt you would want to get him out of the west.
- blizzzard

No, but he is not a 200 ft player and that doesn't work very well for the Blues. So a lot of Blues fans are really down on Stewart.

He is very streaky. He will go through stretches where he doesn't do much at all on the scoreboard. And playing for the Blues, if you don't put up points and are not really good defensively, that is a bad combo. But he also has the hands and talent to put up points in bunches.

If the Blues decide to trade him, I believe it will be in the offseason. Stewart is going to be a much better option for a lot of teams than the UFAs that will be available. Someone will give the Blues the deal that they are looking for when they see their options. Someone could decide to make the deal now, but I see it more likely that it happens in the offseason. That is, if Stewart is being shopped.

No, but he is not a 200 ft player and that doesn't work very well for the Blues. So a lot of Blues fans are really down on Stewart.

He is very streaky. He will go through stretches where he doesn't do much at all on the scoreboard. And playing for the Blues, if you don't put up points and are not really good defensively, that is a bad combo. But he also has the hands and talent to put up points in bunches.

If the Blues decide to trade him, I believe it will be in the offseason. Stewart is going to be a much better option for a lot of teams than the UFAs that will be available. Someone will give the Blues the deal that they are looking for when they see their options. Someone could decide to make the deal now, but I see it more likely that it happens in the offseason. That is, if Stewart is being shopped.
- carcus

On what team is that not a bad combo?

Let me know if I'm off-base here...
On the Sabres' boards, StL is one of the teams we've been discussing for Miller, and speculating on the return
Many ppl say crazy stuff like Oshie or Taresenko, etc
But my assumption is that if they are trading for Miller, that means u are going after the cup THIS year, since it's not a sure thing u could sign Miller
Therefor, I think that u would not want to trade us back roster players, even if its someone inconsistent like Stewart, bc it makes your forward depth a little lighter...
And since the Sabres are clearly rebuilding,
My thought is that we'd rather have picks & prospects back anyways
Of course,
I don't think you'd want to trade Allen, Rattie or Jaskin...
But if u had to place them in order of who we'd be most likely to get, what do u guys think?
Thanks for the insight

Btw,
I do think Miller would re-sign with u guys, and you'd win at least one cup, & be one of the top contenders for the next 5yrs or so
Lots of competition out west,
But I actually think you'd win MULTIPLE cups
U wouldn't notice it unless u were a Sabres fan watching him nightly, but Miller is playing BETTER than the year he won his Vezina
I'd love to keep him,
But he's def gonna go win a cup or two somewhere

Let me know if I'm off-base here...
On the Sabres' boards, StL is one of the teams we've been discussing for Miller, and speculating on the return
Many ppl say crazy stuff like Oshie or Taresenko, etc
But my assumption is that if they are trading for Miller, that means u are going after the cup THIS year, since it's not a sure thing u could sign Miller
Therefor, I think that u would not want to trade us back roster players, even if its someone inconsistent like Stewart, bc it makes your forward depth a little lighter...
And since the Sabres are clearly rebuilding,
My thought is that we'd rather have picks & prospects back anyways
Of course,
I don't think you'd want to trade Allen, Rattie or Jaskin...
But if u had to place them in order of who we'd be most likely to get, what do u guys think?
Thanks for the insight

Btw,
I do think Miller would re-sign with u guys, and you'd win at least one cup, & be one of the top contenders for the next 5yrs or so
Lots of competition out west,
But I actually think you'd win MULTIPLE cups
U wouldn't notice it unless u were a Sabres fan watching him nightly, but Miller is playing BETTER than the year he won his Vezina
I'd love to keep him,
But he's def gonna go win a cup or two somewhere
- jdfitz77

Allen & Jaskin are far less likely to be moved than Rattie. Rattie is still a question mark and a couple years away, Allen and Jaskin are planned on for next years roster. I think it's more likely a name like Kurker or Schmaltz is included than Rattie though.

Allen & Jaskin are far less likely to be moved than Rattie. Rattie is still a question mark and a couple years away, Allen and Jaskin are planned on for next years roster. I think it's more likely a name like Kurker or Schmaltz is included than Rattie though.
- Antilles

it will be interesting to see if Jaskin can play himself into a roster spot for the playoffs

On what team is that not a bad combo?
- fattyboubatty

Maybe I didn't word that right. With the Blues, we have a focus on a 200 ft game for all of our forwards. Stewart is not that guy. With more freedom, which other teams give forwards, he will likely be much more successful individually. (kind of like Perron in Edm)

With the Blues, he can't be that guy. He is either going to have to change his game, or the Blues will likely look to replace him. But he has talent and other teams will be interested in a player like him, especially with his size and hands.

Game day! Been too long since the last Blues game. Looking forward to tonight.

Whoever that clown was that came to the Sabres blog and said

"how about Halak and a 2nd/3rd rounder for Miller

Seems completely fair IMO"


Can we have some of whatever drugs it is that he is smoking...?


I have heard whispers that it could be Miller and Ott for Halak, Stewart and a cond. 2nd to be a first if Miller resigns or a prospect like Rattie

Whoever that clown was that came to the Sabres blog and said

"how about Halak and a 2nd/3rd rounder for Miller

Seems completely fair IMO"


Can we have some of whatever drugs it is that he is smoking...?


I have heard whispers that it could be Miller and Ott for Halak, Stewart and a cond. 2nd to be a first if Miller resigns or a prospect like Rattie
- JVince11

Not sure who said it, but there are terrible proposals from fans of every team. Not that long ago, Buffalo fans were saying it would take at least Oshie or Tarasenko to land Miller.