Follow me on Twitter, @HockeybuzzBlues, and Like the Hockeybuzz - Blues Facebook page.
Complacency is not a common theme of the Doug Armstrong leadership era. Though the core personnel relied upon at the start to deliver hasn’t changed much, the additions and subtractions have been significant. Cutting out those who don’t fit a particular mold and adding those that do.
It should be no surprise that the St. Louis Blues presumably have interest in acquiring a big fish or two floating around the league’s rumor pool. Specifically, Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller and his former teammate, forward Thomas Vanek.
The
source of the current speculation comes from reputable sources like Elliotte Friedman and Pierre LeBrun.
With the club sitting pretty in the new Central Division after 10 games with a 7-1-2 record, second in NHL scoring (3.7 GF/G), and the seventh stingiest (2.41 GA/G), why make changes? Definitely a question that should be asked by anyone trying to gauge the validity of such an assertion.
Armstrong has become known as a calculated and patient General Manager when it comes to cutting deals. If discussions have taken place they were certainly aimed at building a new foundation or adding a frame work to an existing one for future discussions. Those take would take place around the March 5th, 2014 trade deadline.
Think back to the courtship of Jay Bouwmeester and the genesis of the Erik Johnson trade. Both took at least several months of planning to pull off. Interest in Miller has been reported off and on over the last 12-18 months even to the point where some think a push was made to complete a deal before an injury to Jaroslav Halak changed the direction of the situation. If a trade is to be made it’s going to take quite for both sides to feel comfortable and complete it.
As LeBrun has said everything depends on Halak’s health and performance in determining the way the pendulum swings and the organization’s appetite for ending the four year relationship with the netminder.
Has the acceleration of the Sabres downward spiral to the cellar of the Eastern Conference despite extensive spending lead to a breakthrough in negotiations or an increase in interest? It’s a possibility. It seems as it was a factor in the Islanders pulling off their deal for Vanek.
The Blues’ alleged desire to acquire his services is a great topic for conversation.
With Alexander Steen on a frantic scoring pace and several trusted forwards due new contracts, where would the money come from to sign Vanek? Rental is not likely an option Armstrong wants to take nor would he want to run the risk of losing important long term assets for such a short term gain. At least based on how he handled the acquisition of Bouwmeester. His willingness to pay the price went up because he was signed for one more season before a new contract would be needed. With Vanek a UFA come July the willingness was likely no where near as high.
That said, Chris Stewart and his production compares to salary and expectations likely comes in to play. Given that the Isles gave up Matt Moulson and two picks it can be inferred that type of offer was the going rate for the Austrian scorer. For the Blues to match it would have very likely involved Stewart from their perspective. Vanek would fill a similar role to Stewart at least in terms of goal scoring contributions. He would also represent a smaller net addition to payroll than sending someone who makes less. Further, if Vanek were to leave via free agency then the Blues would have an additional $4 million + in salary available to re-sign Steen, Berglund, and chase down another option in free agency to fill the void.
Though Stewart’s stat lines are not impressive, just two assists in 10 games, his physical play has escalated to appropriate levels and there are several instances where his screen set up in front of the net lead directly to a goal. That’s something that doesn’t show up on the score sheet every night, but his teammates recognize and respect. If he keeps it up the points will come and any feelings that he should be traded for a better option will dwindle.
Buffalo could have asked for someone like Jaden Schwartz or Vladimir Tarasenko which would have ended the conversation quickly.
The Blues are interested in Miller. The scenario playing out is not all that dissimilar from Bouwmeester’s. There is room for doubt, but not much. As recent contract history shows ownership will green light serious commitments to returning players. They will also give Armstrong the freedom to make deals to bring in the right player for the right price. Miller falls in to that category should Halak slip. The Blues are out to win now, but not by forsaking their long term stability.
Vanek is another story. Could just be due diligence for if the Islanders are pacing to not making the post season at the deadline, Garth Snow decides to shops the winger, and the Blues are looking to retool their lineup if it fails to meet expectations as well. I would think greater interest would be in Marian Gaborik for an added scoring punch given previous interest in the sniper and the ties between the Armstrong and the Columbus brain trust, John Davidson and Jarmo Kekalainen.
Nothing is imminent. Keep half and eye and an ear out though as the season progresses.
Would you have cut a deal with Stewart (or Schwartz or Tarasenko) plus a couple picks from the top two rounds for Vanek? Do the Blues really need Miller of Halak struggles? What’s the price to pay for him?
- - -
Blues 3 - Jets 2: Game Recap
My Sunday Column for St. Louis Game Time. An open letter to the Nashville Predators and their fans.
- - -
Thanks for reading!
St Louis Blues Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»