Randall Ritchey: Benn Ferriero Signs One Year Deals With The Blues The St. Louis Blues have signed forward Benn Ferriero to a one year, two-way contract.

He's also has scored in overtime against the Red Wings in the playoffs a couple of years ago.

Hope he never puts the bluenote on.

He isa good depth playr butn othing else. Spot on Analysis Mr. Ritchey

AND... Sobotka has fired his agent!

AND... Sobotka has fired his agent!
- eggsegan

Source

AND... Sobotka has fired his agent!
- eggsegan

Again?

Source
- Gerk

http://www.stltoday.com/s...07-8c3a-98725f84f9ee.html

Again?
- carcus

I know, right? If he gets his arbitration ruling and accepts it before the first game, can he opt out?

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/morning-skate/sobotka-s-arbitration-date-with-blues-is-set/article_a0b5af83-de92-5707-8c3a-98725f84f9ee.html
- eggsegan

That's an old article! He hired another guy name Petr Svoboda. In other news his KHL contract isn't 4 million per as speculated. It is 8.5 over 3 years. 3 million in the first 2 years, still A LOT more than he would get in the NHL due to taxes, but if he gets anywhere close to that he might opt out of the contract. I wouldn't hold your breath though.

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

Personally I wouldn't be surprised to see him try to join the blues for the playoffs and kill off his last RFA year. I doubt Army will go for that though.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/morning-skate/sobotka-s-arbitration-date-with-blues-is-set/article_a0b5af83-de92-5707-8c3a-98725f84f9ee.html
- eggsegan

That article is old. He's already working with the other Svoboda. The one that signs players to the KHL, see Kovalchuk.

That article is old. He's already working with the other Svoboda. The one that signs players to the KHL, see Kovalchuk.
- bluenoter

and Jagr

Blues just signed Chris Butler to a 1 year 2-way contract. I like this signing. We definitely needed some NHL ready D call ups in Chicago! Should give Ian Cole some competition in camp too.

Do you guys value Sobotka over Berglund? more curious than than anything else. Ferriero was good the AHL with the Comets last year and is apparently a good team guy, would of been happy if he was resigned on a two way for us but best of luck to him.

Do you guys value Sobotka over Berglund? more curious than than anything else. Ferriero was good the AHL with the Comets last year and is apparently a good team guy, would of been happy if he was resigned on a two way for us but best of luck to him.
- belcherbd

Me personally I'd take Sobe over Berglund every day. I think Berglund will and can put up more points that Sobe all day long, but Sobotka was one of those guys that could play literally anywhere and have success. I still can't believe that 300k is worth defecting to the KHL on his end, but he was a RFA and he really didn't have anything to stand on. If Armstrong would have gave him the money on the KHL threat then all of our other RFAs would threaten the same thing.

Do you guys value Sobotka over Berglund? more curious than than anything else. Ferriero was good the AHL with the Comets last year and is apparently a good team guy, would of been happy if he was resigned on a two way for us but best of luck to him.
- belcherbd

I would take Berglund. He still has upside, (only 26) and scoring is always at a premium. He's also the bigger body. I'm expecting we see a much better year from him. But if not, and you want to go another direction, his contract is not untradeable before NMC kicks in. I love Sobi, but he's on the small side and his style of play leads to injury. Can't help your team on IR--which Berglund has historically avoided save the late season shoulder injury. Also, Sobotka's coming off his best scoring season, by far, but is that a trend or an aberration? I'm thinking he'd have less opportunity had he come back with the additions of Stastny and Lehtera.

Blues just signed Chris Butler to a 1 year 2-way contract. I like this signing. We definitely needed some NHL ready D call ups in Chicago! Should give Ian Cole some competition in camp too.
- cuethenoise

Really? That's interesting because he seems like a guy who would be a perfect 7th D man for us.

I would not be surprised to see either Jackman or Leopold dealt before camp.

Really? That's interesting because he seems like a guy who would be a perfect 7th D man for us.

I would not be surprised to see either Jackman or Leopold dealt before camp.
- fattyboubatty

I personally would rather see Leopold traded. He brings absolutely nothing to this team now.

Go with

Pietro JBo
Shatty Gun
Cole Jax
Butler

Trade leo for a mid round draft pick and be done with it

Other than the fact he returns to his hometown, I think this deal makes zero sense for Butler. He played all 82 games last year and had a decent production year for a 3rd pair guy. Now he's taking a pay cut to be (hopefully) our 7th D and probably spend some time with the Wolves as well.

Other than the fact he returns to his hometown, I think this deal makes zero sense for Butler. He played all 82 games last year and had a decent production year for a 3rd pair guy. Now he's taking a pay cut to be (hopefully) our 7th D and probably spend some time with the Wolves as well.
- Yeah Boyes

Yeah he must be really hoping he puts Cole out of a job.

I personally would rather see Leopold traded. He brings absolutely nothing to this team now.

Go with

Pietro JBo
Shatty Gun
Cole Jax
Butler

Trade leo for a mid round draft pick and be done with it
- sycsam

The reason I say Jackman is because A, he makes a little more than what you would ideally want to pay a third pair guy, and B, he just doesnt fit the mold of the kind of puck first smooth transition defense Hitch and Armstrong are trying to build.

I know Jackman is a grizzled veteran but I can see a pairing of him and Cole having a hard time exiting the zone. If they're really going to put Cole down there on the right side, he's going to need to be with somebody that can bail his a$$ out at times.

I would almost rather have Leopold and Butler on the third pair.

Do you guys value Sobotka over Berglund? more curious than than anything else. Ferriero was good the AHL with the Comets last year and is apparently a good team guy, would of been happy if he was resigned on a two way for us but best of luck to him.
- belcherbd

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.

The reason I say Jackman is because A, he makes a little more than what you would ideally want to pay a third pair guy, and B, he just doesnt fit the mold of the kind of puck first smooth transition defense Hitch and Armstrong are trying to build.

I know Jackman is a grizzled veteran but I can see a pairing of him and Cole having a hard time exiting the zone. If they're really going to put Cole down there on the right side, he's going to need to be with somebody that can bail his a$$ out at times.

I would almost rather have Leopold and Butler on the third pair.
- fattyboubatty

we need someone on the team that is willing to block shots and can clear a crease. Jax can do that. just don't let him touch the puck. we all know what happens when he touches the puck. Cole with Jax scares the crap out of me. but so does leopold or butler. jax needed shatty and polak needed whoever was on his shift last year. Cole and Butler might be a better option but that would take trading Leopold and Jax taking a day off. Cole would be getting a partner that can actually move the puck and can skate.

Don't trade Jackman. I like him. good person to clear the crease and cause havoc for the opponent. He is also a THE veteran leader on this team. That goes back to before the lockout no season. when hockey was a more brutal game. (not as brutal as the late 80's early 90's)

we need someone on the team that is willing to block shots and can clear a crease. Jax can do that. just don't let him touch the puck. we all know what happens when he touches the puck. Cole with Jax scares the crap out of me. but so does leopold to a slightly lesser degree. jax needed shatty and polak needed leopold or whoever was on his shift last year. Cole and Butler might be a better option but that would take trading Leopold and Jax taking a day off. Cole would be getting a partner that can actually move the puck and can skate.

Don't trade Jackman. I like him. good person to clear the crease and cause havoc for the opponent. He is also a THE veteran leader on this team. That goes back to before the lockout no season. when hockey was a more brutal game. (not as brutal as the late 80's early 90's)
- BluesDroogie

we need someone on the team that is willing to block shots and can clear a crease. Jax can do that. just don't let him touch the puck. we all know what happens when he touches the puck. Cole with Jax scares the crap out of me. but so does leopold or butler. jax needed shatty and polak needed whoever was on his shift last year. Cole and Butler might be a better option but that would take trading Leopold and Jax taking a day off. Cole would be getting a partner that can actually move the puck and can skate.

Don't trade Jackman. I like him. good person to clear the crease and cause havoc for the opponent. He is also a THE veteran leader on this team. That goes back to before the lockout no season. when hockey was a more brutal game. (not as brutal as the late 80's early 90's)
- BluesDroogie

That's my issue with him droogie, he doesn't always do a very good job of clearing the crease and causing havoc. If he did, I could live with him being slow and not very smooth with the puck.

Just not sure he's in the long term plans. This is the final year of his contract so if you're not going to re-up him, might as well get some value back. Same thing with Leo but he's a veteran too and I am fine with him on the third pair with Butler or Cole. The problem is, all these guys fighting for the third pair are all lefties.

That's my issue with him droogie, he doesn't always do a very good job of clearing the crease and causing havoc. If he did, I could live with him being slow and not very smooth with the puck.

Just not sure he's in the long term plans. This is the final year of his contract so if you're not going to re-up him, might as well get some value back. Same thing with Leo but he's a veteran too and I am fine with him on the third pair with Butler or Cole. The problem is, all these guys fighting for the third pair are all lefties.
- fattyboubatty

he plays injured a lot so maybe more time off is needed. I think there will be interest in him towards the deadline but I like that he has always been a blue. he also took a discount to stay in town last contract. I know it was under old management but I hope to keep him around. jackman that is. I would like to see him play out his career here. maybe more days off he can get back to the calder trophy winner he once was(without macinnis) I see us going for faster puck movers but there is always a role for a grunt.