Jason Millen: Blues battling the Blackhawks for their playoff lives Blues battling the Blackhawks for their playoff lives

Isn't trading Shattenkirk at the TDL a white flag trade for the Blues? What would that say to the rest of the locker room regarding the front office's feelings about this year's team's chances to make a run? I'm curious how you feel bout this, JM. Also, how do other Blues' fans feel?

Isn't trading Shattenkirk at the TDL a white flag trade for the Blues? What would that say to the rest of the locker room regarding the front office's feelings about this year's team's chances to make a run? I'm curious how you feel bout this, JM. Also, how do other Blues' fans feel?
- BMWChiFan

that flag was waived the moment they named jake allen the starter before the season

Isn't trading Shattenkirk at the TDL a white flag trade for the Blues? What would that say to the rest of the locker room regarding the front office's feelings about this year's team's chances to make a run? I'm curious how you feel bout this, JM. Also, how do other Blues' fans feel?
- BMWChiFan

I'd say so. I imagine that's why the emphasis has been on a sign and trade. As a pure rental, he shouldn't be much more valuable to any other team than he is to ours for the remainder of the season. He might make a bigger impact somewhere like PIT than in STL though.

Armstrong has to look at what he thinks Shatty's value is as a rental. Unless he gets substantially more than that (picks/prospects), or he can make a trade to fill a bigger need, Shatty shouldn't go anywhere.

that flag was waived the moment they named jake allen the starter before the season
- gopherwildfan

I'm sure you were 100% certain Allen would have the worst season of his career this year, after playing more games and putting up better numbers each year for the 3 previous seasons. I don't think the Blues front office knew what you knew though.

I'm sure you were 100% certain Allen would have the worst season of his career this year, after playing more games and putting up better numbers each year for the 3 previous seasons. I don't think the Blues front office knew what you knew though.
- Blue Clam

3yrs as a backup. i'm pretty sure the blues FO knew there will be some growing pains with a young first time starter. you think they are complete morons? plus he always failed when given the opportunity to take the job over from elliot through those years.

that flag was waived the moment they named jake allen the starter before the season
- gopherwildfan

Kind of like the Wild waived the white flag on doing anything in the playoffs the moment they hired Boudreau.

Kind of like the Wild waived the white flag on doing anything in the playoffs the moment they hired Boudreau.
- Antilles

yep! and good luck with yeo

Kind of like the Wild waived the white flag on doing anything in the playoffs the moment they hired Boudreau.
- Antilles

At least they'll make the playoffs

I like the Shatty quote, handled very well.

With reports of Shatty signing with the NYR does he trade Shatty for less as a rental, potentially hurting the Blues playoff performance, or does he hold onto him for the playoffs and let's him walk in the offseason for nothing. Tough spot. Is there a cocnensus on the best option? Seems like it'll go the trade route.

At least they'll make the playoffs
- rangerdanger94

STL makes the playoffs this year.

I like the Shatty quote, handled very well.

With reports of Shatty signing with the NYR does he trade Shatty for less as a rental, potentially hurting the Blues playoff performance, or does he hold onto him for the playoffs and let's him walk in the offseason for nothing. Tough spot. Is there a cocnensus on the best option? Seems like it'll go the trade route.
- GrimReeper

The fact that we are in playoff position raises his price. He's still available, but you have to pay enough to make his loss this year acceptable. I don't think anyone expects a lot from the Blues now but anything can happen when you make the playoffs.

There are a few teams with higher expectations this year, who could really use him. So there is a strong chance one of them meets the asking price.

I like the Shatty quote, handled very well.

With reports of Shatty signing with the NYR does he trade Shatty for less as a rental, potentially hurting the Blues playoff performance, or does he hold onto him for the playoffs and let's him walk in the offseason for nothing. Tough spot. Is there a cocnensus on the best option? Seems like it'll go the trade route.
- GrimReeper

Playoff contending teams should not be sellers. Sends a bad message to the fan base, especially season ticket holders. Why buy playoff tickets if the team is waving the white flag? Especially the Blues, with no Cup wins in 50 years, but a team that went far last year, only to now have the front office concede they are back to mediocrity once again.

IMO the Blues should take the other approach. Make a big deal that they're keeping Shattenkirk for the rest of the year because they're going for it again, fortified by last year's experience, rookies from the Wolves, Allen ready to prove himself, blah, blah. Give it a good public relations spin, at least, for the fans, and maybe even the Blues players will buy in, and get some confidence from a message that the organization actually believes in them.

3yrs as a backup. i'm pretty sure the blues FO knew there will be some growing pains with a young first time starter. you think they are complete morons? plus he always failed when given the opportunity to take the job over from elliot through those years.
- gopherwildfan

You seem very informed.

Changing the subject, what was the need for the Berglund extension? Is a 3rd line center really that important? Especially at those $$ and term.

Playoff contending teams should not be sellers. Sends a bad message to the fan base, especially season ticket holders. Why buy playoff tickets if the team is waving the white flag? Especially the Blues, with no Cup wins in 50 years, but a team that went far last year, only to now have the front office concede they are back to mediocrity once again.

IMO the Blues should take the other approach. Make a big deal that they're keeping Shattenkirk for the rest of the year because they're going for it again, fortified by last year's experience, rookies from the Wolves, Allen ready to prove himself, blah, blah. Give it a good public relations spin, at least, for the fans, and maybe even the Blues players will buy in, and get some confidence from a message that the organization actually believes in them.
- BMWChiFan

And then lose him, like Backes, for nothing.

And then lose him, like Backes, for nothing.
- rangerdanger94

Just like everyone who PAYS for a rental does.

Just like everyone who PAYS for a rental does.
- Blue Clam

True, but just from the Blues' perspective, it would be better to have something rather then lose Shattenkirk for nothing. You don't take a lowball offer of a 3rd straight up, but if it's a 1st and a mid round pick or decent/good prospect, I think you're better off taking it.

And then lose him, like Backes, for nothing.
- rangerdanger94

Backes was bad front office management. So is Shattenkirk. Blues should have ascertained each player's intentions and whether the Blues wanted to meet the player's demands at least a year before he became a UFA, and if he wasn't going to re-up with the Blues, they should have traded him then.

Backes was bad front office management. So is Shattenkirk. Blues should have ascertained each player's intentions and whether the Blues wanted to meet the player's demands at least a year before he became a UFA, and if he wasn't going to re-up with the Blues, they should have traded him then.
- BMWChiFan

Agreed, tho I understand it considering the Blues were a Stanley Cup favorite the past couple of years including the start of this one.

True, but just from the Blues' perspective, it would be better to have something rather then lose Shattenkirk for nothing. You don't take a lowball offer of a 3rd straight up, but if it's a 1st and a mid round pick or decent/good prospect, I think you're better off taking it.
- rangerdanger94

Blues are not going to get that for Shattenkirk because he is a liability defensively, and playoff teams looking for a TDL rental are not looking to get worse defensively (no matter if he might improve their PP.)

Blues are not going to get that for Shattenkirk because he is a liability defensively, and playoff teams looking for a TDL rental are not looking to get worse defensively (no matter if he might improve their PP.)
- BMWChiFan

The Rangers traded a lot more than that for Yandle who is a big defensive liability himself so I wouldn't be too surprised if the Rangers overpay. We've had a good year too, Gorton might really want to go for it.

Changing the subject, what was the need for the Berglund extension? Is a 3rd line center really that important? Especially at those $$ and term.
- BMWChiFan

He's our second best center and Stastny is only signed for another year.

Backes was bad front office management. So is Shattenkirk. Blues should have ascertained each player's intentions and whether the Blues wanted to meet the player's demands at least a year before he became a UFA, and if he wasn't going to re-up with the Blues, they should have traded him then.
- BMWChiFan

How many times has a trade like that ever been made? Marty St. Louis is the only one that comes to mind.

Edit. That doesn't really count though, MSL requested a trade and there was bad blood.

How many times has a trade like that ever been made? Marty St. Louis is the only one that comes to mind.
- Blue Clam

Yandle too but I agree, very few teams trade a player that far in advance of their pending free agency.