Brodeur set to start in what could be his final NHL game.
Martin Brodeur gets the start tonight, as the Blues battle the Colorado Avalanche at home tonight. This game could be the last game we see Brodeur in as a member of the St. Louis Blues, and could be the last of his NHL career.
With Brian Elliott set to return, as soon as tomorrow vs Nashville, Brodeur's roster spot will soon vanish. Doug Armstrong already stated that he wants to keep Brodeur on the roster until he's certain that Elliott is 100%, tomorrow could be a big test for the Blues number one goalie.
With keeping Brodeur on the roster, and having Elliott returning, the Blues have placed forward Magnus Paajarvi on waivers. Paajarvi needs to play to develop and sitting in the press box every night in St. Louis isn't going to cut it. If he clears, he'll be assigned to the Chicago Wolves.
With that said, I wouldn't be surprised if Paajarvi is claimed. One team who could really use him? The Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Penguins roster is depleted with injuries and they currently have five AHL wingers in their line up tonight, one in the top six. They need help and Paajarvi could provide a little relief.
If Paajarvi is claimed off of waivers, the Blues will receive $1,200,000 in cap space for the rest of this season. Gaining more than a million in cap space can really help at the trade deadline, if the Blues want to add some salary in an improvement of their roster.
Personally, I believe Joakim Lindstrom should have been the one placed on waivers. The 31 year old forward isn't getting any better, and he's not good enough to consistently stay in the line up for the Blues.
One thing this tells us though, is that Dmitrij Jaskin has solidified a full time roster spot on the Blues. He looked great in camp, was sent down due to a numbers game, and he wasn't happy. He worked hard, and has really secured a spot on the line of Patrik Berglund and Paul Stastny.
Jaskin has played the same amount of games as Paajarvi has in the NHL this season, and Jaskin has spent more than half the year in the AHL. Jaskin is also out scoring Paajarvi as well. Lindstrom has two more points than Jaskin, in 17 more games. The young Czech Republic forward is starting to make his mark at the NHL level.
Carl Gunnarsson is skating again, and it's possible he could return from his concussion as soon as this weekend. To open up a roster spot for Gunnarsson, the Blues have sent Petteri Lindbohm back to the Chicago Wolves.
Will the Blues get some revenge tonight, or will the Avalanche pile it on again? Take your pick.