Let's Go Blues

Thought we could use something like this as I was perusing some info on our up and comers.

I keep checking hockeydb.com for stats and Robby Fabbri was stuck on 22 gp/38 points for a long time so I figured something was up. Had no idea he got injured back in January. Seems to be a sort of pattern developing with this kid, lots of injuries piling up. I hope he can get it worked out because he figures to be important in the future plans.

Also checked out the stats for Tommy Vannelli. Dude is cleaning up in Medicine Hat the last 2 seasons. I'm officially excited to see what he can do at the NHL level soon. Could be a great, cheaper replacement for Bouwmeester. I hope he gets a look next camp. He seems to be the type of guy who can get the offense going, a Shattenkirk sort I guess.

Barbashev is showing steady improvement, I'd be shocked if he didn't see NHL time next season. We seem to have gotten real lucky with the Russians falling to us in recent drafts. First Vova, who would have easily been top 3 if he wasn't a Russian and then Barbashev dropping all the way to round 2.

Vanelli just turned twenty. Not sure we'll see him soon though maybe. Neither Hakanpaa nor Edmundson have been lighting it up in the AHL this season and the latter has lost most of the year to injury. I guess that's expected for 4th-6th round guys. Defensive prospects don't look good really before you get to Schmaltz and Vanelli and Parayko. They're all a couple years away though. That's why I would have been interested in adding Franson if it were doable, which it wasn't. It also would have been nice to hold onto Carrier.

Would definitely be interested to see how McRae looks on the 4th line. He's having a decent year. Maybe Wannstrom too. Barbashev is the one I really look forward to though.

glen a richter wrote:Thought we could use something like this as I was perusing some info on our up and comers.

I keep checking hockeydb.com for stats and Robby Fabbri was stuck on 22 gp/38 points for a long time so I figured something was up. Had no idea he got injured back in January. Seems to be a sort of pattern developing with this kid, lots of injuries piling up. I hope he can get it worked out because he figures to be important in the future plans.

Also checked out the stats for Tommy Vannelli. Dude is cleaning up in Medicine Hat the last 2 seasons. I'm officially excited to see what he can do at the NHL level soon. Could be a great, cheaper replacement for Bouwmeester. I hope he gets a look next camp. He seems to be the type of guy who can get the offense going, a Shattenkirk sort I guess.

Barbashev is showing steady improvement, I'd be shocked if he didn't see NHL time next season. We seem to have gotten real lucky with the Russians falling to us in recent drafts. First Vova, who would have easily been top 3 if he wasn't a Russian and then Barbashev dropping all the way to round 2.

With the sanctions in effect right now, and their lingering after-effects most likely affecting all of Russia, including KHL, for some time going forward, I wouldn't be too worried about Russians going back to KHL any time soon. That said, Vova was a great, ballsy pick up.

ComradeT wrote:

glen a richter wrote:Thought we could use something like this as I was perusing some info on our up and comers.

I keep checking hockeydb.com for stats and Robby Fabbri was stuck on 22 gp/38 points for a long time so I figured something was up. Had no idea he got injured back in January. Seems to be a sort of pattern developing with this kid, lots of injuries piling up. I hope he can get it worked out because he figures to be important in the future plans.

Also checked out the stats for Tommy Vannelli. Dude is cleaning up in Medicine Hat the last 2 seasons. I'm officially excited to see what he can do at the NHL level soon. Could be a great, cheaper replacement for Bouwmeester. I hope he gets a look next camp. He seems to be the type of guy who can get the offense going, a Shattenkirk sort I guess.

Barbashev is showing steady improvement, I'd be shocked if he didn't see NHL time next season. We seem to have gotten real lucky with the Russians falling to us in recent drafts. First Vova, who would have easily been top 3 if he wasn't a Russian and then Barbashev dropping all the way to round 2.

With the sanctions in effect right now, and their lingering after-effects most likely affecting all of Russia, including KHL, for some time going forward, I wouldn't be too worried about Russians going back to KHL any time soon. That said, Vova was a great, ballsy pick up.

Details, I know, but it's not sanctions hurting the KHL. It's the oil prices. Both are the bidding of the US/EU/NATO/Troika though so it's kind of splitting hairs. The result for hockey is exactly what you describe.

glen a richter wrote:Thought we could use something like this as I was perusing some info on our up and comers.

I keep checking hockeydb.com for stats and Robby Fabbri was stuck on 22 gp/38 points for a long time so I figured something was up. Had no idea he got injured back in January. Seems to be a sort of pattern developing with this kid, lots of injuries piling up. I hope he can get it worked out because he figures to be important in the future plans.

Also checked out the stats for Tommy Vannelli. Dude is cleaning up in Medicine Hat the last 2 seasons. I'm officially excited to see what he can do at the NHL level soon. Could be a great, cheaper replacement for Bouwmeester. I hope he gets a look next camp. He seems to be the type of guy who can get the offense going, a Shattenkirk sort I guess.

Barbashev is showing steady improvement, I'd be shocked if he didn't see NHL time next season. We seem to have gotten real lucky with the Russians falling to us in recent drafts. First Vova, who would have easily been top 3 if he wasn't a Russian and then Barbashev dropping all the way to round 2.

I think with Fabbri it's just a matter of learning to play to his size and/or bulking up some. He's only 19, ~170lbs. He's high energy and that probably get him into spots he shouldn't be. I don't really want him to back off and be a pansy (as goon would put it) but hopefully the injuries are just related to needing a bit more development. He's got a ton of skill if he can keep himself healthy.

The more you know... evidently the reason we haven't heard a whole lot about Joel Edmundson is that he was out with a back injury for a good amount of the season. He's played 8 games since his return, -3 thus far, probably shaking off a ton of rust. I can only assume that, given his position and Lindbohm's position on the depth chart, if he hadn't been hurt he'd be here instead of Lindbohm. We'll see how he recovers, I guess, but a back injury can be a bit career crippling. So for now, it's probably safe to assume Edmundson in the note will not be happening. The other kids will jump him on the depth chart and he'll end up traded or just let go after his contract.

glen a richter wrote:The more you know... evidently the reason we haven't heard a whole lot about Joel Edmundson is that he was out with a back injury for a good amount of the season. He's played 8 games since his return, -3 thus far, probably shaking off a ton of rust. I can only assume that, given his position and Lindbohm's position on the depth chart, if he hadn't been hurt he'd be here instead of Lindbohm. We'll see how he recovers, I guess, but a back injury can be a bit career crippling. So for now, it's probably safe to assume Edmundson in the note will not be happening. The other kids will jump him on the depth chart and he'll end up traded or just let go after his contract.

Hmm. Was he injured to start the season? Because Lindbohm, you'll recall, was invited to camp. Unless Edmundson was already injured, that tells you all you need to know about the Blues' opinion of his development. And then there's Hakanpaa, who hasn't been injured but hasn't played well and, again, had other guys preferred to him, both PL and Butler. So it looks like Vanelli, Schmaltz and Parayko will be the next set to have a realistic shot at an NHL career.

Parayko has apparently recently left college and made the leap to AHL. 4 games under his belt so far, 1 assist, 2 pim, +1. It's a start.

glen a richter wrote:Parayko has apparently recently left college and made the leap to AHL. 4 games under his belt so far, 1 assist, 2 pim, +1. It's a start.

Yep, a good development for sure.

Fabbri has made the jump to the AHL too, now.

http://chicagowolves.com/news/features/ ... s-the-pack

[quote="ecbm"][quote="glen a richter"]Parayko has apparently recently left college and made the leap to AHL. 4 games under his belt so far, 1 assist, 2 pim, +1. It's a start.[/quote]

Yep, a good development for sure.[/quote]

Parayko was a great "sleeper" for The Blues to get. He's a very smooth skater for such a big body, and he's already got a very decent shot. He's not yet got a "mean" edge to his play, but, after he "grows into his size " more (added strength and learning how to use his larger stronger body), he might well be a poor man's Chara type. He could end up as the "coup" of The Blues' draft. He's looked great, so far, with The Wolves (which is a great sign, as those were his first pro games.

Edmundson has been steadily progressing as a reliable stay-at-home defenceman, with a physical edge to his game. He and Parayko and Schmaltz are the first three that should be NHL-ready, before Vanelli, who is an offensive specialist (like Schmaltz), but, unlike Schmaltz, his defensive play is a very long way off the minimum pro level. He'll be 1-2 years behind Schmaltz, in my opinion, but that's okay, as they'll be fighting for the same team role.

Jake Walman has looked very good so far at Providence this season. He is also an offensive-minded D-man. But, I have more faith in him than in Vanelli.

Fabbri is the real deal. He looks like another Schartz/Parise type. He's got great skill, and no fear, and likes contact, and plays hard all the time. He's got enough skill and speed to be a star in The NHL despite his small stature. He just needs to gain more strength and get some experience. He'll be in The Blues Top 9 next season, without a doubt. Barbashev looks very good, as well. I have no worries about them.

I don't think McRae will ever be more than a marginal NHL forward.

Fabbri scored his first Pro goal today. Parayko has6 points in 4 AHL games. He's looking great in all zones. He was a great pick.

Parayko was just +9 and now I see he dropped all the way to +4. Unless there was an error somewhere, that's a heck of a bad game or series of games there.

Fabbri is doing great so far, 4 points in 3 games.

Barbashev has had a huge year in Moncton can't wait to see what he can do in the wolves line-up.

Speaking of wolves, anyone think Shane Harper will get another shot at a NHL contract.

http://chicagowolves.com/news/releases/ ... -to-wolves

Barbashev now. Chicago seems to be trying whatever they can to get some offense going in their current series. Barbashev is a good option for sure. They're not scoring for anything, and down 2-1 so far.

It seems to me that giving Parayko, Fabbri and Barbashev even the limited amount of time at Chicago that they've seen each at the end of this season is a pretty good sign they're gearing up to have them get a long look at joining the team next season. Binnington too. Since Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum want to make it a competition for #1, I'm sure they'll put Binn in the mix too. Frankly, I like him more than Elliott and Allen combined, but what do I know? He's sporting a 1.69/.952 right now in a playoff series where the Wolves are down, so it's certainly not his fault they're losing.

I've been reading up on some of the later drafted prospects and one caught my eye... Jaedon Descheneau. Smallish player regarded as a sniper. I got to thinking with the success of Tyler Johnson for Tampa Bay these playoffs, and with Hitch supposedly changing philosophy next season, Descheneau is a guy who should get a look. He put up solid numbers the past 3 seasons in the WHL and could be an interesting option.

ViPeRx007 wrote: I don't really want him to back off and be a pansy (as goon would put it)

Thanks for the shout out, bro.

glen a richter wrote:I've been reading up on some of the later drafted prospects and one caught my eye... Jaedon Descheneau. Smallish player regarded as a sniper. I got to thinking with the success of Tyler Johnson for Tampa Bay these playoffs, and with Hitch supposedly changing philosophy next season, Descheneau is a guy who should get a look. He put up solid numbers the past 3 seasons in the WHL and could be an interesting option.

It's always fun to look back at our drafts and click around and see what happened with previous picks.

Trading Rundblad for (what became) Tarasenko will go down as one of the best trades this team ever made.

Santeri Saari... what's the story? I read that if he wasn't signed by June '15, he'd re-enter the draft. I can't find anything on him, but I was under the impression he was one of the higher up prospects on defense.

glen a richter wrote:Santeri Saari... what's the story? I read that if he wasn't signed by June '15, he'd re-enter the draft. I can't find anything on him, but I was under the impression he was one of the higher up prospects on defense.

I don't recall what the procedures are for re-entering the draft but IIRC you can't be older than 21(?) Something like that. There's an age cut-off. It's either 20 or 21 but I can't recall.

If he doesn't sign a pro contract in 4 years then he's UFA. See, e.g. Kevin Hayes