Official Best Offseason Ever Thread

[theohall]

Blues sign Nikita Alexandrov to 2-way, 3-year ELC

Yes, he was the Blues first pick in this year's draft. No, it isn't weird, because he will only be in juniors for one more year. He will be 20 when the 20-21 season starts making him AHL eligible. The reason he's already old enough is he wasn't draft eligible last year (2018) because he was born on Sep 16th. He probably wouldn't have been a 2nd round draft pick in 2018. His offensive output in both goals and assists doubled from 17-18 (66 GP 13 G 18 A) to 18-19 (64 GP 27 G 34 A).

[glen a richter]

Maybe so, but as I remember it there was a really good offer from Edmonton that Shattenkirk nixed. Maybe my memory is foggy, I don't know. I don't care so much now anyway, no harm no foul and WE GOT THE CUP!!!

The video was franking fantastic! Just finished watching it... it's strange even though I obviously know the outcome, I was just getting real upset during the highlights of game 6. Next Cup, they win it on home ice.

[WaukeeBlues]

Maybe so, but as I remember it there was a really good offer from Edmonton that Shattenkirk nixed. Maybe my memory is foggy, I don't know. I don't care so much now anyway, no harm no foul and WE GOT THE CUP!!!

The video was franking fantastic! Just finished watching it... it's strange even though I obviously know the outcome, I was just getting real upset during the highlights of game 6. Next Cup, they win it on home ice.

ha, that's true.

Almost by definition, every single move the Blues have made in the past decade has now been almost perfect.

Got the Dvd, haven't watched it yet. I'm still following the "summer with the cup" clips and stuff that gets posted by Blues socials.

[JCShutout]

I've looked around and can't seem to find a straight answer. I know that "first and second year players" don't have to be protected in the Expansion draft. Are there any game limits/targets for a season to count?

Like, Reinke played one game in a Blues uni in 18-19. Does that count as his "first" season, or is there a number of games you have to play/time on the NHL roster?

My DVD was delivered to my Dad's place a few days ago. (Had a couple things estimated to come in while I was on vacation last month, so we had the whole order shipped to his place) Unfortunately, due to my and his work schedule, we can't get together this weekend to watch it, and next weekend is possibly out. I'm seeing the dvd everywhere and its taking TONS of willpower to not just buy it at Schnucks and watch it and return/gift the other. I REALLY REALLY want to watch it.

My (General interests which already had a good amount of Blues stuff, but is now clearly mostly Blues) lair is basically setup. Just waiting on the commemorative tickets, but then will take some time to make a nice framed thing. (With the team pic, maybe the pic of me and my Dad at the game, and I saved the tickets from the parking garage from the game 6 win vs the Sharks and game 4 win in the SCF.) Maybe we need a "What's your haul/Blues room/mancave" thread.

[WaukeeBlues]

I've looked around and can't seem to find a straight answer. I know that "first and second year players" don't have to be protected in the Expansion draft. Are there any game limits/targets for a season to count?

Like, Reinke played one game in a Blues uni in 18-19. Does that count as his "first" season, or is there a number of games you have to play/time on the NHL roster?

Don't quote me on this but I believe that if you didn't burn a year of your ELC it doesn't count as a "year played." So if you got the entry level slide, you'd still have 2 years to play before you'd be exposed.

My DVD was delivered to my Dad's place a few days ago. (Had a couple things estimated to come in while I was on vacation last month, so we had the whole order shipped to his place) Unfortunately, due to my and his work schedule, we can't get together this weekend to watch it, and next weekend is possibly out. I'm seeing the dvd everywhere and its taking TONS of willpower to not just buy it at Schnucks and watch it and return/gift the other. I REALLY REALLY want to watch it.

My (General interests which already had a good amount of Blues stuff, but is now clearly mostly Blues) lair is basically setup. Just waiting on the commemorative tickets, but then will take some time to make a nice framed thing. (With the team pic, maybe the pic of me and my Dad at the game, and I saved the tickets from the parking garage from the game 6 win vs the Sharks and game 4 win in the SCF.) Maybe we need a "What's your haul/Blues room/mancave" thread.

Wife and I bought our first house about 2 years ago while we were still dating (had been renting all before that) and it's a small house, no basement. But I'm already collecting bar stuff/ memorabilia to stock future mancave with once it happens haha.

[JCShutout]

I've looked around and can't seem to find a straight answer. I know that "first and second year players" don't have to be protected in the Expansion draft. Are there any game limits/targets for a season to count?

Like, Reinke played one game in a Blues uni in 18-19. Does that count as his "first" season, or is there a number of games you have to play/time on the NHL roster?

Don't quote me on this but I believe that if you didn't burn a year of your ELC it doesn't count as a "year played." So if you got the entry level slide, you'd still have 2 years to play before you'd be exposed.

That makes sense to make. IIRC, that's 9 games, right?

IF that is the case, since Kyrou played in 16 games in 18-19, his "second year" wouldn't count unless he played at all on the NHL roster, right?

I'm just trying to find ways to keep him from having to be protected in 21. Unless the Blues are failing and he is the answer, find a way to bury him this year so that next year is his "second" and he can't go to Seattle that offseason.

[theohall]

Here is the rule about 1st or 2nd year professionals. It's tied to age (over 20) and the AHL counts as "Professional Games."

A Player aged 18 or 19 earns a year of professional experience by playing 10 or more NHL games in a given NHL season
A player aged 20 or older (based on age on December 31 of calendar year in which the season starts) earns a year of professional experience by playing 10 or more Professional Games under a standard player contract in a given League Year. –

No matter what they will have to protect Kyrou. Same will apply to Mikkola. He's over 20 and will have played 2 full seasons in the AHL, regardless of whether he plays for the Blues this season. Going to be some tough decisions in the summer of '21.

Even with today's roster - pick 7 forwards, 3 defenseman and a goaltender. Odds are the 7 forwards you pick now, will still be here in the summer of '21. 3 defenseman is a no-brainer - Pietrangelo, Parayko, Dunn. That's likely not changing. Forwards: ROR, Tank, Schenn (if he's still here), Schwartz, Sundqvist, Thomas and probably Kyrou. I'm probably missing someone significant - like Perron - who I'd leave exposed... again, because he'd be in the final year of his contract anyway and 33 years old.

Kostin might even need to be protected. He's 20 this season so this year and next will count as professional seasons with him being in the AHL. Had he gone the junior route, he could've been an over-ager this year in a junior league and wouldn't start accumulating professional seasons until next year. Another reason I don't like the route he chose.

The only good news is the Blues only lose one player. With the talent available, over-coming the loss of one player, no matter how talented, shouldn't be that big a deal.

[theohall]

Since the tweet link thing isn't working...

Your final four arb filings of 2019: Joel Edmundson and STL — team offer: $2.3M, player ask: $4.2M

What I don't understand is how the Blues offer can be less than 3M. The RFA rules are a qualifying offer can't be lower than the salary made in the prior year. Edmundon's salary was 3M for the 18-19 season. 4.2M is too high. So when it comes to the criticism on twitter all blaming Eddy for asking too much, why isn't the same criticism being leveled at Armstrong for offering too little, since that number doesn't even meet the minimum qualifying offer rules. To explain this, I believe the Blues had to submit a qualifying offer meeting that 3M, but once he filed for arbitration, less can be offered for the arbitration hearing. The initial offer just guarantees the Blues having his RFA rights. (caveat: I think, no idea if that's how it works).

Anyway, if the Blues are trying to get more than 1 year in term, it would explain Eddy's ask (as it hits his UFA years which start in 20-21).

Unless something happens prior to tomorrow, the arbitrator is setting his salary. My guess, given the 2 filings - is 3.6M for one year. I doubt Edmundson would be asking for more years in his arbitration filing.

[JCShutout]

Thanks Theo. Since Kyrou and Mikkola will need to be protected (the latter won't be unless they somehow don't resign Petro), then there is no need to sign Maroon unless he'll take what we offer just so he has a job.

That will make it tough in 21 having to protect Kostin AND Kyrou. If I'm the Blues and its right now, I'd protect Tank, ROR, Schwartz, Schenn (hope!) and Thomas for sure. That's 5. It would be hard to leave one of Sund and Barb exposed, but I would (probably Barb) in order to keep Kyrou, so at this time, I'll say Sund and Kyrou. On D its Petro (hope!) Parayko and Dunn. Of course Binner, hoping he is great and resigns.

That would leave Seattle with the following intriguing players to pick from:
Perron, Sanford, Barb, Fabbri, Kostin, Blais and some less notable names. On D, Mikkola, Bortz, maybe Edmundson if we have him. At G, Husso and maybe Fitz (I haven't looked that deep.

Right now, I could see them taking any of Sanford, Barbashev, Kostin, Edmundson (depending on the contract) or Husso. Just depends on who is available around the rest of the league. It would suck to lose one of those guys for nothing, but you're right, its only one guy. Also, who knows where we will be in two years. Guys could be traded. Could bust. Could break out. Get injured. /knock on wood

As far as the Blues offer, to Joel I like it in that I think that's a good value for what Edmundson provided last year. A #4 at times, #5/6 at times. I know that won't get it done, but I think they are valuing him correctly, and since we have internal replacements on hand, its a smart move to not overpay for what you don't need . (as much) Also, maybe they offered lower to try and lower the final decision. I don't know how much that will effect anything. I guess we'll find out tomorrow.

[JCShutout]

Looks like McCabe and the Sabres agreed to a 2 year, $2.85m deal, and their numbers were further apart that the Blues and Eddy. McCabe was asking for $4.3 and the Sabers offered $1.9 and some change.

I don't know the PK and other metrics that the Blues and Eddy's lawyers will cite, but those numbers, ages and draft spots all look awfully similar. McCabe is a year younger but each has basically played 4 seasons.
McCabe: 274 ga, 14 go, 47 a, 61 p -19 (plays on an awful team)
Eddy: 269 ga, 13 go, 39 a, 52 p +18 (plays on a much better team )

Anyone take Eddy for the same deal? I would.

[theohall]

I don't see Edmundson taking less than 3M, though. The deal was he'd take that last season and "get paid" this season. Of course, he regressed last season which creates issues. And I especially don't see him taking that for 2 years, when he's a UFA next season.

Jake McCabe's 2-year deal puts him into UFA status. IMO, that's the key difference between he and McCabe in contract talks.

[glen a richter]

If that’s who they have to pick from, I’d take Blais. I have a feeling about that kid, really do.

[JCShutout]

Who knows. They may protect Blais at that point. As I said, 2 years is a long time for those last 2-3 spots.

No news on Eddy, but saw this from yesterday on Barbie.
https://twitter.com/lkorac10/status/1157296116578361345 4 years at Sanford money? DO IT.

[glen a richter]

That would be a bargain for Barbie. Yes please.

[theohall]

Edmundson arbitration results are expected Tuesday afternoon.

[JCShutout]

Thanks theo. I've been checking in often, lol.

[theohall]

Yeah, I kept looking at various sources almost every
half hour after about 2pm yesterday. JR posted a tweet around 8 last night with the info about no results until sometime Tuesday afternoon.

[glen a richter]

I could still live without Eddy, but if he comes cheap enough then by all means sign him and let Mikkola develop a bit more in San Antonio. Near the deadline trade Eddy and bring up Mikkola.

As a sort of related aside, I had a brain fart and couldn’t remember if Reinke was a r or ld, so I googled him up and his profile pic is some dude on the Philly Eagles. Nice try, Yahoo sports! I needed the laugh for sure.

[WaukeeBlues]

I could still live without Eddy, but if he comes cheap enough then by all means sign him and let Mikkola develop a bit more in San Antonio. Near the deadline trade Eddy and bring up Mikkola.

As a sort of related aside, I had a brain fart and couldn’t remember if Reinke was a r or ld, so I googled him up and his profile pic is some dude on the Philly Eagles. Nice try, Yahoo sports! I needed the laugh for sure.

I'm kinda the same. Would be good to have that defensive depth, I'd prefer to have him on the team, but if the price is too much... oh well. We move on. I'm particularly against anything more than a 1 year deal considering Pietro, Dunn, and Schenn are all coming due next offseason.

[glen a richter]

Shattenkirk signed for 1 year with Tampa Bay.