Let's Go Blues

dmiles2186 wrote:
I'm wondering if a few of those 5 picks in Rounds 2 and 3 will be packaged to move up or packaged with someone to get a player. Could be interesting to see what we do there.

kodos wrote:This might be the first draft in a while I skip.

cprice12 wrote:

kodos wrote:This might be the first draft in a while I skip.

Not me. I'll be watching, seeing if the Blues trade up. They have a lot of picks they can move in the 2nd and 3rd round.
No way they keep them all...at least you wouldn't think so.

kodos wrote:The Blues didn't have the option to keep the pick. It had to go to Colorado since it wasn't in the top 10.

Jack T Adams wrote:MEG and I are attending the draft in st. Paul. Leaving Thursday. Anyone else interested?

Blues Weigh All Options As Draft Approaches

Just in time for this week's NHL draft, Blues general manager Doug Armstrong has received his budget from club chairman Dave Checketts for the 2011-12 season.

Though not wishing to disclose the Blues' payroll ceiling, which could say a lot about the commitment level of an ownership group selling the team, Armstrong did say, "They've been good with me."

One of the bottom-level spending clubs in the NHL the past few seasons, however, isn't expected to veer from that course this offseason, as Checketts continues to search for a new buyer.

The Blues, who had a payroll of $44.5 million in 2010-11, have $39 million committed to next season's payroll. They will need to spend at least $8-9 million more to reach the salary-cap floor, which has been projected at $48 million. But some of that difference will be made up when the club re-signs its remaining restricted free agents, who include T.J. Oshie, Matt D'Agostini, B.J. Crombeen, Ben Bishop and Ryan Reaves.

Therefore, with a couple of holes still to fill on the roster, Armstrong will need to be creative when he arrives at the draft Friday. The selection weekend is typically a time for trading around the league, and Armstrong has said that he's warm to the idea of improving the team's roster by trading draft picks.

For the first time since 2002, the Blues don't own a first-round pick — this year's pick went to Colorado in the trade for Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk — but they do have nine picks in all, including three in Round 2 and two in Round 3.

"Our focus now entering the draft, we're not against using draft picks to improve our team for next season," Armstrong said. "The success of next year's team is going to come from the players on our roster now. The (David) Backes's, (Chris) Stewarts, (Andy) McDonalds — that's the core group that's going to be asked to do the yeomen's work.

"Our work now is to add to that group and give them stability and support. I know for a fact that we're not going to be moving a roster player for a draft pick or to move up in the draft. Our future is now. We have to start producing for our fans that have been so loyal to us. We've been given a budget that's going to allow us flexibility to add some of those players who can accent our group."

The Blues have prioritized the team's top two needs as an experienced forward — probably a third line-caliber player — and an experienced defenseman. They might look into adding a backup goaltender as well but so far haven't abandoned the idea of using Bishop as the backup.

It isn't known yet whether there will be teams looking to deal those types of players for draft picks.

"That's what we're working on now," Armstrong said. "That clarifies itself as you get closer to the draft because teams are now trying to sign their own restricted and unrestricted free agents. If they have restricted free agents, or unrestricted, and they want 'X' amount, only so many players can fit in (their budget), so as these players start to sign, it does open up the possibility that teams have to make trades. That's what we're waiting on to find out."

If teams aren't willing to deal established NHL players for picks, Armstrong said, he would have no problem keeping the picks.

In the second round, the Blues have the pick from Colorado (No. 32), their own pick (No. 41), and the pick they received from Buffalo in the trade for Brad Boyes (No. 46). In the third round, they have their own pick (No. 71) and the pick they got from Tampa Bay (No. 88) in the trade for Eric Brewer.

"It will be a successful draft if we walk away with three seconds and two thirds," Armstrong said.

He added the possibility that the Blues might package their second-round picks to move into the first round.

"We've compiled our list and we know there's a player or two that we would move up into the mid-20s to try and acquire," Armstrong said. "We have (three second-round picks) and I think you can package two of those three assets to get into the (Nos.) 24-25-26 range. If the player is there that we like, and that team wants the extra picks, that's how I see us doing it.

"I'm not trying to build up any false hope. So many things have to go right to make a trade — our vision, their vision, your need, their need. I know that we have the assets to be involved in some of these things. Whether it happens or not, you just have to be fluid at the time."

strocklen083 wrote: Oshie, next yr's 1st, one of this year's 2nd, and a prospect for Stamoks? Would that get it done?