Backes emotional interview

cardsfan04 · Post by **cardsfan04** » Thu Jun 02, 2016 5:12 pm

I'd be ok trading lehtera, although I'd be worried we're selling low. I'm not out of hope that he'll be a second line center, but he certainly had a down year. He's shown flashes, especially in his rookie year of having the talent, but he's been a little too inconsistent. One thing he does a ton is yield to Tarasenko. Can't count how many times he's seemed gun shy on a 2 on 1 with Tarasenko. I get wanting to give it to Tarasenko, but not every single time.

theohall · Post by **theohall** » Thu Jun 02, 2016 7:20 pm

cardsfan04 wrote:I'd be ok trading lehtera, although I'd be worried we're selling low. I'm not out of hope that he'll be a second line center, but he certainly had a down year. He's shown flashes, especially in his rookie year of having the talent, but he's been a little too inconsistent. One thing he does a ton is yield to Tarasenko. Can't count how many times he's seemed gun shy on a 2 on 1 with Tarasenko. I get wanting to give it to Tarasenko, but not every single time.

See Adam Oates and Brett Hull. I'm convinced the Blues could have done better in the playoffs during that short 'area' if Oates would have shot just a little bit more. Same goes for Janney who hardly ever shot even when he had the better shooting position.

ecbm · Post by **ecbm** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 12:01 pm

Backes is the big decision. Hard call. If he moves it creates some subtle problems in the squad; specifically I'm thinking of how Steen actually plays center on that line but 42 takes the faceoffs-rather effectively.

I'd let Brouwer walk-tons to like but you have to realize this postseason was an outlier for him (13p in 20G; previously had 19p in 78G). He's going to want term and good money to see out his career. A luxury the Blues can't afford.

Surely Ott can't be back. Surely. Surely?

If the Boat rumors are true (I'd be happy to have him back at the right price) then that's the end for Brodziak. Unless, again, Backes leaves which opens up another spot.

Medium-to-long-term, the bigger problem is defense. Gotta figure out what they have and act on that. There's no obvious solution but giving the current top-3 $17.8M feels like overpaying. There would be an obvious solution if not for Bouwmeester's NTC and the coaches' apparent terror at the thought of proceeding without him. Given the Blues' depth at D (including farm) it seems to me that this is where the money for extensions should come from.

As for Lehtera-I think that one was intended to butter up Tank for his extension (Armstrong's masterwork: aav for age 24-30 seasons only $650K more per than Kesler's age 30-36). One could consider half of 12's salary an extension of 91's. I'm guessing with the Blues' options at center, nature will take it's course and he'll be off after next season. Then again, Stastny's contract ends the year after so...

glen a richter · Post by **glen a richter** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:16 pm

If Vannelli hadn't gotten hurt so early last season, I'm sure the plan would have been to assess him and Schmaltz for a spot next season. The injury threw a wrench in that plan but they might yet decide to have a competition for the 6 spot in camp anyway. It makes tons of sense to move a defenseman and I'm of the mind that the biggest need this team has is scoring potential from the left wing. Whether it's addressed in the draft or what I don't know. I'd just love for them to get another pick in the first round. Some nifty trading and we could get Dubois or Tkachuk, Brown, Debrincat, maybe Jones. I'd be over the moon if they were able to draft two of those guys.

theohall · Post by **theohall** » Tue Jun 07, 2016 11:08 am

Toss Debrincat off your list. That's another right-handed shot of which the Blues have too many. Coupled with his tendency to make really stupid plays under the big lights, I wouldn't want him.

WaukeeBlues · Post by **WaukeeBlues** » Tue Jun 07, 2016 12:53 pm

We have a prospects thread guys, jeeze

glen a richter · Post by **glen a richter** » Tue Jun 07, 2016 2:59 pm

WaukeeBlues wrote:We have a prospects thread guys, jeeze

I made the prospects thread to discuss prospects actually in the organization, not guys we may or may not draft this year. But I guess we could lump it all into one.

glen a richter · Post by **glen a richter** » Sat Jun 11, 2016 10:44 am

I just saw this rumor... Shatty + Ells for RNH + Edmonton's 4th. That would have to negatively impact the likelihood of affording Backes, no?

Toasted Oates · Post by **Toasted Oates** » Sat Jun 11, 2016 11:17 am

glen a richter wrote:I just saw this rumor... Shatty + Ells for RNH + Edmonton's 4th. That would have to negatively impact the likelihood of affording Backes, no?

It would, but there's also a rumor floating around sending Justin Faulk for RNH straight up. Seems like that would make more sense for Edmonton than bringing in Shattenkirk and praying he signs an extension.

Not sure why the Oilers would need Elliott either. They have $$ invested in Talbot and he's not exactly a scrub.

Not saying it's impossible because you never know, but I'd have to think there's more for Edmonton out there if they're dangling such a package.

If the Blues get involved with moving up the draft board, I hope it's to make a run @ Logan Brown. Big 6'6" kid, true centreman. We'll see.

theohall · Post by **theohall** » Sat Jun 11, 2016 10:48 pm

Toasted Oates wrote:It would, but there's also a rumor floating around sending Justin Faulk for RNH straight up. Seems like that would make more sense for Edmonton than bringing in Shattenkirk and praying he signs an extension.

Not sure why the Oilers would need Elliott either. They have $$ invested in Talbot and he's not exactly a scrub.

Not saying it's impossible because you never know, but I'd have to think there's more for Edmonton out there if they're dangling such a package.

If the Blues get involved with moving up the draft board, I hope it's to make a run @ Logan Brown. Big 6'6" kid, true centreman. We'll see.

Logan Brown

Reading this about him, sounds alot like Berglund. Isn't overly physical in spite of his size. Doesn't shoot enough. He's Berglund. Not someone worth trading up for. The question: Will the late season OHL Brown going to be the NHL Brown. Who knows? His inconsistency will hurt him in terms of draft position.

Toasted Oates · Post by **Toasted Oates** » Sun Jun 12, 2016 8:08 am

Boy, you really cherry picked the negatives out of there. That's fine, though. Folks can read that and make up their own minds.

Not worth trading up for? Again, you're entitled to that. Getting into the 1st half of the 1st round won't be as costly as getting Edmonton's 4th overall. Is Tkachuk head & shoulders better than Brown? I'm not sure he is (and don't get me wrong, Matt Tkachuk should be a hell of a player.) Do the Blues need high end center prospects to develop? That I am sure of.

Also, as a disclaimer, I would love Glen's trade rumor to become a reality. I just don't know that the Oilers would go for that.

What do you think they should do on draft day?

glen a richter · Post by **glen a richter** » Sun Jun 12, 2016 10:36 am

Trade up for the 4th, trade down for 7 and 20. Go into the draft with 7, 20 and 28. Sounds good to me.

Reality? We keep 28, use it for a project who never pans out. A Marek Schwarz, Marty Reasoner or Shawn Belle type of first round pick.

cardsfan04 · Post by **cardsfan04** » Sun Jun 12, 2016 10:59 am

I'm not sure that the RNH+4th overall for Ells+Shatty is realistic from a cap standpoint. We'd be shipping out 7 mil and getting 6 mil in return. But, we'd also be creating a need to sign a goalie. Maybe Binnington could be that guy, but I think it's pretty risky to go that route. If Allen gets hurt and Binnington isn't ready, season is screwed. That would be a helluva haul though. Guess you have to give something up to get something that good.

glen a richter · Post by **glen a richter** » Sun Jun 12, 2016 11:44 am

Well that trade also leads to not signing Backes so there's $$ right there. I know Ells got the team a long way these playoffs but monetary reality plus the fact Hitch is still coach would seem to imply trading him now is the right move. RNH I'd love to see in the note and the #4 can be a damn good pick in this particular draft. Hate to see Shatty go but I could get excited over Lindbohm, Vannelli and Schmaltz having a spirited competition for that roster spot.

Oaklandblue · Post by **Oaklandblue** » Sun Jun 12, 2016 1:52 pm

I have this feeling that with Hitchcock staying, a lot of player who can, are going to opt to leave.

cardsfan04 · Post by **cardsfan04** » Sun Jun 12, 2016 3:00 pm

Oaklandblue wrote:I have this feeling that with Hitchcock staying, a lot of player who can, are going to opt to leave.

I'm not sure one will have anything to do with the other though. These are the only 5 UFAs we have:

Backes-- probably can't fit under cap
Brouwer-- probably can't fit under cap
Brodziak-- 4th liner that we probably aren't pursuing
Ott-- 4th liner that we probably aren't pursuing
Upshall-- 4th liner that we probably aren't pursuing

I can't imagine Hitch being the driving factor in any of their departures.

WaukeeBlues · Post by **WaukeeBlues** » Sun Jun 12, 2016 9:35 pm

Toasted Oates wrote:Boy, you really cherry picked the negatives out of there. That's fine, though. Folks can read that and make up their own minds.

Not worth trading up for? Again, you're entitled to that. Getting into the 1st half of the 1st round won't be as costly as getting Edmonton's 4th overall. Is Tkachuk head & shoulders better than Brown? I'm not sure he is (and don't get me wrong, Matt Tkachuk should be a hell of a player.) Do the Blues need high end center prospects to develop? That I am sure of.

Also, as a disclaimer, I would love Glen's trade rumor to become a reality. I just don't know that the Oilers would go for that.

What do you think they should do on draft day?

Frankly I don't know that the Oilers or any of the top 10 pick holders are even going to be entertaining offers on picks. IF they did the price I fear would be too steep to make it worth it.

Today's NHL is draft and develop. You HAVE to get those talented young kids in the top half of the draft to have a successful rebuild. The Oilers and every other team know that. So they're not trading those top 10 picks unless its a no brainer trade on their side of things.

For Chiarelli to really think about it I fear the price would be something closer to a swap of firsts this year, a first next year and Shattenkirk. And maybe even one of Vannelli, Schmaltz or Lindbohm. Yes, I believe its that expensive to get into the top picks of a draft. And the Oilers know the Blues are on the upswing so our first rounder next year is going to be closer to 30 than it is to a 14th. It'd probably be conditional on the Blues making the playoffs but that's virtually a certainty. Even if the price is that expensive though I'd be really tempted to pull the trigger. For the same reason its so expensive in the first place: you're as close to a can't miss budding superstar at that pick as you'll likely ever get.

The only other team in the top 10 I could see trading their pick would be Calgary. They desperately need a proven #1 goalie and it could cost them a first round swap of picks with a team that has one to get it done. With the emergence of Matt Murray I feel that the Penguins would be the more likely trade partner there to entertain the thought of dealing Marc-Andre Fluery. If we were in the discussion you can bet your butt it'd be for Jake Allen only. Solely based on age the Flames wouldn't part with their first round pick for Elliott. Maybe a later pick or other trade but not their first rounder.

glen a richter · Post by **glen a richter** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 6:32 am

Normally yes, but these trades make sense for both teams.

Edmonton can't possibly pay all their plethora of 1st round picks they've made over the years. They have a ton of offensive talent but need a veteran blueliner to become competitive. A guy like Shatty plus a shrewd FA pickup or two will get them over the hump and into the playoff conversation.

Calgary's been mentioned. They were surprise two years ago and then suffered the inevitable letdown. But the pieces are there, and like Edmonton could use a veteran presence or two to get back into the playoff picture.

Columbus is a viable trade partner... we have ties to the GM and the team president so they could be open to listening. Especially given that there are rumblings the 3rd pick might be available for the right price and they're not a division rival anymore.

And of course the Blues... up against the cap wall with motivation to trade higher priced players and make room for some of the kids who are ready or near ready.

I see a lot of potential for the top 10 to be fluid this year. Not necessarily that they'll be trading the picks to the Blues but that everything from 3, onward, could be moved to any of the other 29 teams.

StL Dan · Post by **StL Dan** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 3:27 pm

So...I'm reading stuff on facebook...someone said Backes allegedly sold his house. That could mean at least two things...maybe more.

theohall · Post by **theohall** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 3:57 pm

glen a richter wrote:Normally yes, but these trades make sense for both teams.

Edmonton can't possibly pay all their plethora of 1st round picks they've made over the years. They have a ton of offensive talent but need a veteran blueliner to become competitive. A guy like Shatty plus a shrewd FA pickup or two will get them over the hump and into the playoff conversation.

Calgary's been mentioned. They were surprise two years ago and then suffered the inevitable letdown. But the pieces are there, and like Edmonton could use a veteran presence or two to get back into the playoff picture.

Columbus is a viable trade partner... we have ties to the GM and the team president so they could be open to listening. Especially given that there are rumblings the 3rd pick might be available for the right price and they're not a division rival anymore.

And of course the Blues... up against the cap wall with motivation to trade higher priced players and make room for some of the kids who are ready or near ready.

I see a lot of potential for the top 10 to be fluid this year. Not necessarily that they'll be trading the picks to the Blues but that everything from 3, onward, could be moved to any of the other 29 teams.

#3 pick would easily land Tkachuk or DuBlois. I'd be good with either.

Let's Go Blues