offseason

[glen a richter]

And in news that should shock absolutely no one, the Blues retain the 16th overall pick in the draft.

[BamaBlue]

Speaking of the draft, since the 2019 draft, the Blues have selected 31 players. These draft picks have played 246 games for the Blues. While history shows the draft can be a crap-shoot, and since the recent use of the phrase "development of our young players", are the Blues successful in this endeavor?

[BamaBlue]

Would you re-sign Scandella to a one year league minimum contract for the upcoming season?

[glen a richter]

Hard pass on Scandella. There’s enough guys who can satisfy carrying 7 D plus some semblance of depth in Springfield without wasting money or a spot on Scandella. His time is up.

[BamaBlue]

Just thought...I was listening to The Fast Lane yesterday. They were talking about Berube taking the Toronto job. Jamie mentioned something along the lines of a thought recently in my mind. Jamie suggests Toronto may make a serious play to acquire Binnington. What would you want in return? My thoughts are since it may be 2-3 years before we really get a chance to compete at the level we want, what value would Binnington have after another couple of years? Sure, he could still be a rock, but what COULD the Blues get for him in a situation where Toronto might over pay for him in a trade. I love Binner, but I also want what is best for the Blues. What say you?

[glen a richter]

First thing that springs to mind is that Binner has a modified NTC. Who's on it, who isn't?

Second, did Hofer prove enough to trust him as the #1, or at worst a 1A next season with a free agent veteran? Who's in the pipeline that can then come up as Hofer's backup in a few years? Zherenko? Ellis? A goalie they draft this year (I'm positive they'll draft a goalie)? Definitely not Will Cranley, of that I'm positive.

I don't know what Toronto would be willing to give up, is their first rounder in play? Maybe next season's 1st? Prospects? I can't envision what the return package would be.

On the second point, I do think Hofer has earned the right to be the #1 and as far as a veteran to spell him... Cam Talbot comes to mind. I wouldn't be against giving Talbot a 2 year deal and a Hofer/Talbot tandem and then re-evaluate where the kids are after that. Do they need to get another veteran goalie for a year or two while someone else develops to backup a veteran Hofer at that point? Lots of questions attached to the initial question.

[BamaBlue]

I'm not sure Hofer is a solid # , but my point is if we are going to be middle of the pack for the next few years, we have that same 2-3 years to develop some of the other netminders in the system as well. If the defense is improved, it will only help any net minder we have. I do like the Cam Talbot idea. He played college hockey about an hour from me at UAH, which used to have a great DII program.

[glen a richter]

Maybe the Leafs would take Krug in a package with Binner. Absorb 50% of Krug’s salary and get a 1st?

[BamaBlue]

After watching him with the Panthers during the SCP, I feel the Blues gave up on Niko Mikkola way too soon. It is especially hard to watch knowing our need on the blueline.

[glen a richter]

Florida's been my eastern conference team since their inception so it's great to see them get off to a good start in the ECF. Keep it up boys, keep it up.

That whole team, they have a great defense. Mikkola is a big part of it, plus the Cup experience. The winner of this series is the winner of the Cup.

[glen a richter]

Read an article that the Devils are entertaining offers for their 10 pick. Just spitballing here a bit, I want the Blues to draft a RHD with their 1st pick either Zayne Parekh or Carter Yakemchuk are my first two choices, Adam Jiricek not so much but by 16 he may be the best one left. But... if they can trade up to 10 there's a shot at Yakemchuk who I'd love them to take. Devils want a goalie and I imagine could also use some help on the blueline.

Would you trade #16, Binnington, Krug/Faulk/or Leddy and some retained salary (assuming they waive their NTC and also assuming Binnington doesn't have the Devils on his NT list) for #10 and a decent mid to higher tier prospect?

At that point you go ahead and make Hofer #1, sign Cam Talbot to back him up, use #10 on a RHD the organization is desperately devoid of, use some of the saved money by unloading one of the three d-men to ensure retaining Buchnevich and give Lindstein a 10 game look. I just think the players presently in the organization on the offensive side of the puck are fine. You can easily put together a solid 4 lines with the guys currently in the system over the next couple of years but what's been lacking forever is drafting a top pairing RHD. I'd hoped they'd be able to draft Oliver Bonk last season but Philly swooped him up before they had a chance to make their second pick. If you can set up so the top pairing in 2-3 seasons is Lindstein-Yakemchuk and put Parayko on the second pairing as he starts to get up there in the years I think the whole team will really shape up to have a big window starting in 25-26 or 26-27.

[glen a richter]

A couple of AHL extensions... Mattias Laferriere and Colten Ellis both 1 year/2 way deals. A little roster stability for Springfield so they can take some steps forward this year and be more competitive with a bunch of new kids coming in.

[glen a richter]

I'm not sure if the Claude Julien hire screams "we don't trust you, Drew" or "better watch out if you get off to a bad start, Drew"

[JCShutout]

Oof, we trade Hayes and a 2025 2nd (!) for future considerations.

Yes Hayes was overpaid, even at his half salary of $3.6m, but he has two years left and, barring a big dman trade, we aren’t seriously competing in those two years. We had to give up a 2nd to get rid of him?!

A 4th or higher? Fine (I’d prefer 5th but fine) Lottery pick level.

But a 2nd? You got Backes in the second. And Barbie. And Perunovich. Also Kyrou. Vince Dunn. Edmundson. Jake Allen.

There has to be more to the story. Anyone know anything? Please make it make sense.

[glen a richter]

Dumping Hayes with a 2nd rounder is atrocious asset management unless we see a suitable free agent signing in the next few days. Chandler Stephenson on a 2 year deal sounds good, 3rd line center with Texier and Schenn on his wings maybe? That gives Dvorsky this entire season to smooth out some of the edges and then the season after assess what's going on.

At this point, if I'm not mistaken, Krug, Faulk and Leddy all go modified NTC after this season. I'm not sure what day exactly they switch from NTC to M-NTC but as soon as the opportunity strikes I'd trade all three of them and try to get some of those picks back which would soften the blow of giving up a frikken 2nd just to offload a guy and get what will inevitably be nothing in return as a "future consideration".

[JCShutout]

That’s a good point. It makes more sense if we sign a fa replacement. Then it’s effectively a trade of Hayes and a 2nd for Fa center.

[glen a richter]

Kapanen resigned. That’s the free agent splash we all wanted!

[flyingnote38]

not sure what bothers me more, resigning kapanen or maroon signing with the Hawks (just on principle)

I assume we will now package Cap and a draft pick for futures

nashville had a good day

[flyingnote38]

we probably should have factored in the implosion of the TV deal. unclear how much financial stress the Blues are under from that and missing the playoffs for a couple years. But it looks like they are in payroll cutting mode. The Hayes deal looks like they didn't just not want to pay him the $3.5 mill, they didn't want to be paying that money to anyone.

Moving a bad D contract would help in multiple ways

[glen a richter]

A couple of minor trades and also Buch re-signed, AAV 8 mil per and…. Wait for it… a no trade clause! Jesus, Army, will you ever learn?