Jason Millen: Blues look to keep perfect road trip in Montreal and condolences Blues look to keep perfect road trip in Montreal and condolences

Nice article, Jam!

Illitch bought the Wings in '82, drafted Yzerman in '86, and consistently surrounded him with talent. He invested in developing relationships with hockey minds who knew Russian hockey, helping to transform the NHL game forever.

A hockey pioneer of the modern era, Illitch deserves as much credit as Gretz, Mario, Jagr and Lou.

I hope that the Blues continue their strong play tonight. They struggled in the face off dot after Stastny's injury. Very well could've been fatigue.

I start watching the Panthers (free center ice week) and they score 3 goals against the Preds. I should watch more Panthers hockey when they play the central

Did anybody read the article about the stc renovations? I haven't heard any details but we need a new scoreboard.

I start watching the Panthers (free center ice week) and they score 3 goals against the Preds. I should watch more Panthers hockey when they play the central
- Jason Millen

What do you think of Galchenyuk?

Announcers just mentioned that he has a bad knee...

Did anybody read the article about the stc renovations? I haven't heard any details but we need a new scoreboard.
- fattyboubatty

New scoreboard is planned, not sure if its phase 1 or 2, phase 2 involves the state so that may be harder to get approval. The first phase includes new piping, locker rooms, and concessions for sure, maybe seats too but im not sure.

Bergy trying hard to get a big, new contract.

I really like him, but don't see room for him next year (salary/cap).

Would you guys deal him and try and sell high? Or hold on to him for the playoffs?

New scoreboard is planned, not sure if its phase 1 or 2, phase 2 involves the state so that may be harder to get approval. The first phase includes new piping, locker rooms, and concessions for sure, maybe seats too but im not sure.
- .....

Seats would be nice. They really need a new scoreboard though, that thing looks like it was designed in the 1980's compared to what other arena's have now.

Bergy trying hard to get a big, new contract.

I really like him, but don't see room for him next year (salary/cap).

Would you guys deal him and try and sell high? Or hold on to him for the playoffs?
- carcus

I wouldn't deal him. Maybe you could sign him to a nice short term deal after the x draft.

Bergy trying hard to get a big, new contract.

I really like him, but don't see room for him next year (salary/cap).

Would you guys deal him and try and sell high? Or hold on to him for the playoffs?
- carcus

I'd hate to move him because he's sort of their best player right now but I gotta think someone out there may wildly overpay for him.

I would listen to offers.

Last year we needed our UFAs to make a deep playoff run.
This year we need them to add more prospects into our system. Berg is a determined player rite now. Let's take advantage. Guarantee teams are interested.

Last year we needed our UFAs to make a deep playoff run.
This year we need them to add more prospects into our system. Berg is a determined player rite now. Let's take advantage. Guarantee teams are interested.
- Los_Blues

That would make no sense one bit.

Center depth does not exist in the Blues system.


Whereas with Shatty, you have depth at RD.

Besides that you better be blown away by an offer because if your team starts playing like this towards the end of the year you have to look at what possible upgrades are out there. So you can consider free agents the same way wherein you need to get more than the value it would cost you obtain the same player in a trade.


Despite what the Disgrace writes, you do not need to always trade away free agent in the NHL. You have to have great scouts solid drafting and be good at picking players like Agostino. If you do trade you better get the correct value and have plenty of depth at the position to cover down.

"The worst part about the Brouwer contract is he'd almost certainly be passed over even if he's exposed in the expansion draft, which I doubt happens. Las Vegas has put together a smart, analytics-friendly staff and I doubt they'd think about touching Brouwer at his price point. I know I'm beating a dead horse, but that contract looks very bad already and will only get worse over the next three years. Brad Treliving has done a lot of good things for the team. This is not one of them."-- Todd Cordell

That would make no sense one bit.

Center depth does not exist in the Blues system.


Whereas with Shatty, you have depth at RD.

Besides that you better be blown away by an offer because if your team starts playing like this towards the end of the year you have to look at what possible upgrades are out there. So you can consider free agents the same way wherein you need to get more than the value it would cost you obtain the same player in a trade.


Despite what the Disgrace writes, you do not need to always trade away free agent in the NHL. You have to have great scouts solid drafting and be good at picking players like Agostino. If you do trade you better get the correct value and have plenty of depth at the position to cover down.
- BluemanGuruu

Only way you trade Berlund is if you are blown away by the offer and I just don't see it

Berglund could be had for a lehtera type contract but the blues may not have the room to sign him

You have to listen to all trade offers if you are DA

That would make no sense one bit.

Center depth does not exist in the Blues system.


Whereas with Shatty, you have depth at RD.

Besides that you better be blown away by an offer because if your team starts playing like this towards the end of the year you have to look at what possible upgrades are out there. So you can consider free agents the same way wherein you need to get more than the value it would cost you obtain the same player in a trade.


Despite what the Disgrace writes, you do not need to always trade away free agent in the NHL. You have to have great scouts solid drafting and be good at picking players like Agostino. If you do trade you better get the correct value and have plenty of depth at the position to cover down.
- BluemanGuruu

I definitely don't want to go into next season with Stastny/Lehtera/Barbashev down the middle unless we are talking rebuild.

We need a top 2 center to be a real contender, especially with the loss of Shattenkirk and not knowing what we'll get out of Allen next year. Could we flip assets from Shattenkirk/Berglund for Duchene? I don't really think Duchene is the perfect fit but he's a massive upgrade on Lehtera. A move like that keeps us competitive, opens some cap space and let's the guys on the team know that it's time to win.

It will be interesting what happens when Stastny's contract is coming to an end next year as well. He's yet another guy who could garner a solid return at the TDL but I think we're better off trying to re-sign as a #2C at a friendlier number for a few years if the team is looking solid.

I definitely don't want to go into next season with Stastny/Lehtera/Barbashev down the middle unless we are talking rebuild.

We need a top 2 center to be a real contender, especially with the loss of Shattenkirk and not knowing what we'll get out of Allen next year. Could we flip assets from Shattenkirk/Berglund for Duchene? I don't really think Duchene is the perfect fit but he's a massive upgrade on Lehtera. A move like that keeps us competitive, opens some cap space and let's the guys on the team know that it's time to win.

It will be interesting what happens when Stastny's contract is coming to an end next year as well. He's yet another guy who could garner a solid return at the TDL but I think we're better off trying to re-sign as a #2C at a friendlier number for a few years if the team is looking solid.
- Blue Clam

I agree.

Plus movement will occur because of the expansion draft and what is looking like a static salary cap. young teams like arizona will have a ton of room next year.

So there are 6 games to play before the TDL.

@DET
VAN
@BUF
FLA
@CHI
EDM

Currently sitting at 56GP 63Pts projects to 92Pts over 82GP

As of the TDL projecting into this range (Pts/GP)
63/62 => 83/82
75/62 => 99/82
I think if we take 6 of 6 here (10 game streak) we definitely aren't sellers, maybe even buyers. The season has been up and down, but playing that well this time of year has to be respected.

The question is how badly do they need to play right now to be a definite seller?

4W's heading into March 1st isn't overly optimistic.
71/62 => 94/82
Is that enough to say. "Well maybe we aren't buyers, but let's hold on to Shattenkirk. We're playing good hockey right now. We might not be favoured to win but with some luck we can take down anyone in the West."

So there are 6 games to play before the TDL.

@DET
VAN
@BUF
FLA
@CHI
EDM

Currently sitting at 56GP 63Pts projects to 92Pts over 82GP

As of the TDL projecting into this range (Pts/GP)
63/62 => 83/82
75/62 => 99/82
I think if we take 6 of 6 here (10 game streak) we definitely aren't sellers, maybe even buyers. The season has been up and down, but playing that well this time of year has to be respected.

The question is how badly do they need to play right now to be a definite seller?

4W's heading into March 1st isn't overly optimistic.
71/62 => 94/82
Is that enough to say. "Well maybe we aren't buyers, but let's hold on to Shattenkirk. We're playing good hockey right now. We might not be favoured to win but with some luck we can take down anyone in the West."
- Blue Clam

lose all 6 might be sellers

This team is not going to sell

They will trade Shatty and that's about it

lose all 6 might be sellers

This team is not going to sell

They will trade Shatty and that's about it
- sycsam

I basically meant Shatty when I said sellers. How many wins does it take to keep him?

I basically meant Shatty when I said sellers. How many wins does it take to keep him?
- Blue Clam

you cant lose shatty for nothing sorry

There are guys that can replace shatty in the lineup and the blues would not miss a beat

get what you can to help the franchise in the future

I basically meant Shatty when I said sellers. How many wins does it take to keep him?
- Blue Clam

I do not think it takes many more wins. With the wild cards there aren't many teams close. Right now the Blues, Preds and Flames are close and after that the Jets are the only team that scares me at all that could make a run. None of the other teams look capable. The Canucks are old and bound to feel their age; couple that with inconsistency all year and they will be the same.

The Blues are just about a lock. Unless you see some major holes in the team game you start to approach the deadline with Shatty the same way you always should. That is, unless you get back more than it would take to aquire such a player you keep him. I hate to say that but it would be wise. The only monkey wrench is the expansion draft and you will lose a player. Now if you could move Shatty for assets that allow you to say trade to the Knights in order for them to take a Lehtera or JaBo contract that is a different thing to consider. Right now cap space is at a premium. That would be my consideration.

As to Shatty's cap space it is likely swallowed up by Parayko. So it figures the player most needed to be moved in the off season is JayBo.

I do not think it takes many more wins. With the wild cards there aren't many teams close. Right now the Blues, Preds and Flames are close and after that the Jets are the only team that scares me at all that could make a run. None of the other teams look capable. The Canucks are old and bound to feel their age; couple that with inconsistency all year and they will be the same.

The Blues are just about a lock. Unless you see some major holes in the team game you start to approach the deadline with Shatty the same way you always should. That is, unless you get back more than it would take to aquire such a player you keep him. I hate to say that but it would be wise. The only monkey wrench is the expansion draft and you will lose a player. Now if you could move Shatty for assets that allow you to say trade to the Knights in order for them to take a Lehtera or JaBo contract that is a different thing to consider. Right now cap space is at a premium. That would be my consideration.

As to Shatty's cap space it is likely swallowed up by Parayko. So it figures the player most needed to be moved in the off season is JayBo.
- BluemanGuruu

Trade shatty for pieces you don't have to protect and a first round pick

If it makes sense

If they can unload Jaybo in the offseason cap comes back to where it should be so they can make some moves going forward

you cant lose shatty for nothing sorry

There are guys that can replace shatty in the lineup and the blues would not miss a beat

get what you can to help the franchise in the future
- sycsam

You've got to consider that most teams are going to be trying to trade for Shatty as a rental for the playoffs this year. So why is he worth so much more to those teams as a rental than he is to us? A chance to resign him is worth a bit, but that tends to get worked into the deal.

It's definitely worth looking at what the max return is for him. If you can get a big package, there is a chance you can flip those assets+ for a quality center, which keeps us competitive now and addresses our biggest weakness.

I'm not sure I trust the accuracy of the site that provided this list, but it doesn't look like we are picking up a decent UFA C this summer. http://www.hockeybuzz.com...&type=UFA&year=2017&pos=C
Summer 2018 is a little more interesting, but still not all that likely to fill the void.

If our only move this TDL is to move Shattenkirk for assets. We are getting worse for this playoffs, which is kind of like throwing in the towel on a team that has a chance. We likely aren't better next year, when you can expect most of the better teams to lose pieces to Vegas.

I'm not saying it's the wrong move to restock the cupboards, you just don't usually see a team on the way to the playoffs selling off rentals.