Main Tweaks to Roster that NEED to be Done

[callitwhatyouwant]

While the Blues are still the talk of the town/ 101 espn for the next day until whenever they do their yearly press conference, What do you guys think have to be the top changes to the roster within reason? We have 6m before Krugs LTIR money is applied and gets us to 12m. So working under the assumption he's still not a Blue, the Blues have 2 players that fall of the roster this year in Faksa and Hofer. Hofer is a RFA, so I imagine a deal gets done there. Faksa was on a 3.5m dollar contract. That's a lot of a 4th liner on a retooling team. Yes, it made sense for us this year when we were only paying half, but Faksa had quite the run at the end of the year. Did he bring his value back to 3m? Suter is the 3rd person on that list, but I don't even listen to that unless he is going 1m for 1 year. He did voice around Christmas time he wanted to move his family to STL and call it home if the Blues were interested in working something out. Sounded to me like he wanted to get 1 more year and then some kind of position with the front office.

Personally, I'm still in the camp that for this next year, we need to Schenn off of line 2. Schenn is a pros pro. Pretty much the perfect kind of captain for a younger team. Everyone on the team likes him, he's well respected, and he makes sure the vibes are high. But for him to get the most out of his play, he's a 2nd line winger or a 3rd line center. Well Hollywood proved he's a 2nd line winger at minimum. I have a feeling Snuggy will get the top line winger with Buch and Thomas.

Buchy/Thomas/Snuggy
Holloway/ xxxx/ Kyrou
Neighbours / Schenn/ Bolduc

Joseph/Sunny/Torps

extras - Walker Dvorsky.

I put this extras not because they are on the outside looking in, just that if you wanted to construct the fastest most skilled lineup with the guys on contract, that's how the lines would shake out. Are we going to let Dvorsky man the 3rd line and do another season of Schenn 2C? TO me that is the number 1 thing to address. This is where it gets scary, should the Blues entertain trading Kyrou and a draft pick to acquire a 2C? It's much easier to move up one of our wingers to the 2nd line then it is anywhere else. Dvorsky 3rd line winger with Schenn and one of the other 2 doesn't sound to bad. Stenberg on roster in 2 years to take over 4th line.

I don't see how the Blues can make the necessary changes to get a little bit better next year without moving 1 person, and that person would have to be Kyrou unless there's someone who is interested in tanking and wants to stockpile assets.

[Pierre McGuire]

Suter was great but I don't see a need for him next year. He really started to show his age during the playoffs. No reason why Lindstein couldn't get some minutes on the backend next year. Tucker has hopefully earned a job. Fowler has one year left and will most likely be extended. Time to move on from Suter for sure and possibly Leddy or Faulk although probably hard to move on from Faulk.

[Nublues69]

Suter was great but I don't see a need for him next year. He really started to show his age during the playoffs. No reason why Lindstein couldn't get some minutes on the backend next year. Tucker has hopefully earned a job. Fowler has one year left and will most likely be extended. Time to move on from Suter for sure and possibly Leddy or Faulk although probably hard to move on from Faulk.

The AHL coach said that kessel was one of the best dmen for spring field. I think its time to bring him back

[blackinkbiz]

Everyone seems to be forgetting the Schenn/Kyrou/Holloway line was one of the NHL's top lines since the 4-Nations tournament.

With the emergence of Holloway and now Snuggerud, I think lines 1, 2, and 4 are set, providing it can be done, contract wise. Don't have time to look them all up.

The third line is the big question mark. Sunny's got one more year but I'd see if Dvorsky can be a fit. As it stands, the WTF line produces more than the 3rd line if I'm not mistaken. If upgrades can be made, do it.

But the big upgrades need to come on D. We need to Faulk'n get rid of the biggest motherFaulking liability on the Faulkin ice is that is no other than the turnover machine Justin Faulk. Leddy's over the hill as well and also prone to big mistakes, plus he's so streaky with how well or terrible he can be. I also would not resign Suter unless it's as a 7th Dman.

Parayko-Broberg-Fowler-Tucker have all earned their keep. Those last 2 Dman slots will determine if the team can compete for a cup next season.

[Bubble4427]

Suter was great but I don't see a need for him next year. He really started to show his age during the playoffs. No reason why Lindstein couldn't get some minutes on the backend next year. Tucker has hopefully earned a job. Fowler has one year left and will most likely be extended. Time to move on from Suter for sure and possibly Leddy or Faulk although probably hard to move on from Faulk.

I think Faulk would be easier to move than you think.
The cap is going up, the off season free agent pool is very weak..and the position he plays is a tough one to fill.
Most teams have LHD....there seems to be a leaguewide lack of RHD depth.

[a smell of green grass]

Hmmm.

How do we get to a place where....

-- We can go into a game thinking we can win even if our great goalie falters
-- Our best and highest paid players are better (or at least close in talent) to what the other team has
-- Our best players in the playoffs this year, are going to be on our roster for at least another 5 years, not retired in 2.
-- Our highest-paid players appear worth their salary
-- Our 3rd and 4th line doesn't outscore our 1st line.
-- A rookie is air-dropped into our playoff first line before the snow has melted from his college car.
-- When we trade away players, the largest gain is draft value not salary-cap relief.

In other words, look like Dallas or Colorado...

The main tweak needed is to get rid of Amangosteen and the scouts and pro personnel that they ride in on.

[TBone]

While the Blues are still the talk of the town/ 101 espn for the next day until whenever they do their yearly press conference, What do you guys think have to be the top changes to the roster within reason? We have 6m before Krugs LTIR money is applied and gets us to 12m. So working under the assumption he's still not a Blue, the Blues have 2 players that fall of the roster this year in Faksa and Hofer. Hofer is a RFA, so I imagine a deal gets done there. Faksa was on a 3.5m dollar contract. That's a lot of a 4th liner on a retooling team. Yes, it made sense for us this year when we were only paying half, but Faksa had quite the run at the end of the year. Did he bring his value back to 3m? Suter is the 3rd person on that list, but I don't even listen to that unless he is going 1m for 1 year. He did voice around Christmas time he wanted to move his family to STL and call it home if the Blues were interested in working something out. Sounded to me like he wanted to get 1 more year and then some kind of position with the front office.

Personally, I'm still in the camp that for this next year, we need to Schenn off of line 2. Schenn is a pros pro. Pretty much the perfect kind of captain for a younger team. Everyone on the team likes him, he's well respected, and he makes sure the vibes are high. But for him to get the most out of his play, he's a 2nd line winger or a 3rd line center. Well Hollywood proved he's a 2nd line winger at minimum. I have a feeling Snuggy will get the top line winger with Buch and Thomas.

Buchy/Thomas/Snuggy
Holloway/ xxxx/ Kyrou
Neighbours / Schenn/ Bolduc

Joseph/Sunny/Torps

extras - Walker Dvorsky.

There's a lot to digest in your post.

First, I would keep the WTF line together if at all possible. Walker has earned the right to play, period. And so has Toropchenko. Would Faksa be willing to take 2 years at $5 million? If not, I always thought in an ideal world Schenn would become the current version of 2019 Steen centering the 4th line between Torp and Walker. This would require the acquisition of a 2/3 center to play with Dvorsky as the other C.

IMO we have 4 defenseman I would like as part of the core moving forward: Parayko, Fowler, Broberg and Tucker. The immediate one I'd like to be rid of is Leddy. Faulk and Suter are serviceable in proper roles, but the goal would be to get someone better than either. Again, how to do it is where Armstrong will earn his money.

Interestingly, I was talking to one of my hockey pals this morning and he said Pronger was on a podcast recently and was asked if the Blues have a true No. 1 defenseman. He said no and that there are maybe ten of those in the entire league: players who are first pair in 5 on 5, can control the net front, first PP and first PK. He was asked about Parayko and said he would be ideal on the second pair. I have yet to hear the podcast but can't argue with what he said. Acquiring a 1st pair defenseman would come at a steep price, so it's probably undoable.

No matter what I hope Army proceeds with caution and trust he will since we're young and close.

[MrPostman01]

Right handed shots are important.

I am seeing a dearth of those rw shots below the nhl level, esp at forward level.. Jiricek is so often injured I can't really see him playing consistent minutes.

[callitwhatyouwant]

While the Blues are still the talk of the town/ 101 espn for the next day until whenever they do their yearly press conference, What do you guys think have to be the top changes to the roster within reason? We have 6m before Krugs LTIR money is applied and gets us to 12m. So working under the assumption he's still not a Blue, the Blues have 2 players that fall of the roster this year in Faksa and Hofer. Hofer is a RFA, so I imagine a deal gets done there. Faksa was on a 3.5m dollar contract. That's a lot of a 4th liner on a retooling team. Yes, it made sense for us this year when we were only paying half, but Faksa had quite the run at the end of the year. Did he bring his value back to 3m? Suter is the 3rd person on that list, but I don't even listen to that unless he is going 1m for 1 year. He did voice around Christmas time he wanted to move his family to STL and call it home if the Blues were interested in working something out. Sounded to me like he wanted to get 1 more year and then some kind of position with the front office.

Personally, I'm still in the camp that for this next year, we need to Schenn off of line 2. Schenn is a pros pro. Pretty much the perfect kind of captain for a younger team. Everyone on the team likes him, he's well respected, and he makes sure the vibes are high. But for him to get the most out of his play, he's a 2nd line winger or a 3rd line center. Well Hollywood proved he's a 2nd line winger at minimum. I have a feeling Snuggy will get the top line winger with Buch and Thomas.

Buchy/Thomas/Snuggy
Holloway/ xxxx/ Kyrou
Neighbours / Schenn/ Bolduc

Joseph/Sunny/Torps

extras - Walker Dvorsky.

There's a lot to digest in your post.

First, I would keep the WTF line together if at all possible. Walker has earned the right to play, period. And so has Toropchenko. Would Faksa be willing to take 2 years at $5 million? If not, I always thought in an ideal world Schenn would become the current version of 2019 Steen centering the 4th line between Torp and Walker. This would require the acquisition of a 2/3 center to play with Dvorsky as the other C.

IMO we have 4 defenseman I would like as part of the core moving forward: Parayko, Fowler, Broberg and Tucker. The immediate one I'd like to be rid of is Leddy. Faulk and Suter are serviceable in proper roles, but the goal would be to get someone better than either. Again, how to do it is where Armstrong will earn his money.

Interestingly, I was talking to one of my hockey pals this morning and he said Pronger was on a podcast recently and was asked if the Blues have a true No. 1 defenseman. He said no and that there are maybe ten of those in the entire league: players who are first pair in 5 on 5, can control the net front, first PP and first PK. He was asked about Parayko and said he would be ideal on the second pair. I have yet to hear the podcast but can't argue with what he said. Acquiring a 1st pair defenseman would come at a steep price, so it's probably undoable.

No matter what I hope Army proceeds with caution and trust he will since we're young and close.

Interesting last point. Your number 1 D is all scenarios. It's where Parayko's hole is in his game but is it really? The guy doesn't get PP time and still is a + player. Outside of the year we sold off, he's a plus player all the time. Without PP and logging heavy PK that's pretty impressive. BUt that also might reflect why he's a 6.5m a year guy and not a 9m a year guy.

I agree with Walker. He deserves to play. But Walker is an interesting guy. Him/Sunny would be better off getting 55-60 games and being let off the chain to give their all. Sunny got overused again this year and while he is defensively responsible, he lost his wheels. Maybe Joseph isn't the guy to play 4th line, but Torpedo this year individually took a step back scoring wise. To me it's a direct result of playing with Faksa and Walker. They had a job, but Walker's always been more of finisher in that 4th line role than he is skillful. And Joseph has speed and size to drop down to the 4th line with Torpedo.

Also to above poster, I didn't forget how awesome that 2nd line was. It was our number 1 for 30ish games. I just know that if Schenn got to drop down to the 3rd line, it would become a threat. There's some skill there, they just need a veteran hand and the right mismatches to pop off.

[Pierre McGuire]

Suter was great but I don't see a need for him next year. He really started to show his age during the playoffs. No reason why Lindstein couldn't get some minutes on the backend next year. Tucker has hopefully earned a job. Fowler has one year left and will most likely be extended. Time to move on from Suter for sure and possibly Leddy or Faulk although probably hard to move on from Faulk.

I think Faulk would be easier to move than you think.
The cap is going up, the off season free agent pool is very weak..and the position he plays is a tough one to fill.
Most teams have LHD....there seems to be a leaguewide lack of RHD depth.

Thats my whole point on moving him....we don't have a serviceable RHD to replace him with. I don't believe Kessel in the answer....not for top 4 anyway

[MiamiLaw]

Suter was great but I don't see a need for him next year. He really started to show his age during the playoffs. No reason why Lindstein couldn't get some minutes on the backend next year. Tucker has hopefully earned a job. Fowler has one year left and will most likely be extended. Time to move on from Suter for sure and possibly Leddy or Faulk although probably hard to move on from Faulk.

I think Faulk would be easier to move than you think.
The cap is going up, the off season free agent pool is very weak..and the position he plays is a tough one to fill.
Most teams have LHD....there seems to be a leaguewide lack of RHD depth.

Thats my whole point on moving him....we don't have a serviceable RHD to replace him with. I don't believe Kessel in the answer....not for top 4 anyway

I don't necessarily demand that Faulk be moved but he cannot play the role he did this year again next year. He was a glaring problem right up until the end.

[dtkblueshockey]

Upgrade center ice (2c/3c). Schenn ideally transitions out of the top six and into 3c or 3rd line wing role (if he is not an offseason trade candidate). Sunny should be moved into 4th line center or winger depth or 13/14th forward status. Faksa should be extended as your 4c to keep the WTF line intact. They have a lot of avenues they could look to for this.

Upgrade defense. The Blues sorely need a 2nd pairing right-shot guy with size and skill to play with Broberg. A guy like Gavrikov or Dobson comes to mind. Fowler should be extended.

Find a way to move on from the following players:

Texier
Joseph
Faulk
Leddy

As always I'm always down to see them try to get Brady from Ottawa but it seems like the Tkachuk bros are destined to not play for their hometown.

Otherwise, they need to focus on finding good quality NHL depth for the entire roster and continue to bring along their youth and build upon what they accomplished after 4 nations.

[STL fan in MN]

The Blues don’t have a lot of open roster spots for next season so any major changes would have to be a hockey trade most likely.

The one guy I’d like to see them go after though, if he makes it to UFA, is Dante Fabbro. He was quite good for the Jackets this season. NSH put him on waivers (after he was great with Josi a couple years ago), CLB put him with Werenski and he was quite good. Righthanded defensive d-man that pairs well with an offensive minded lefty. I think he’d look good next to Broberg.

Or just go after CLB’s other UFA RD in Provorov. Given likely fit and cap hit though, I’d target Fabbro more.

I suspect we’ll see some minor tweaks to the bottom-6, maybe a new 4C depending on if they bring back Faksa but what I most want to see is a legit 2C, pushing Schenn to either 3C or the wing. There’s a few good pending RFAs maybe we could trade for but I’m not sure we should be bringing in a longterm solution if we feel Dvorsky will be ready for that role in a year or two (which I do). So maybe someone like Claude Giroux on a 35+ incentive laden 1 year contract? Or maybe someone like Mikael Granlund? Idk.

[DawgDad]

Schenn is a warrior but I STILL question whether he is quick enough to be a viable 2C on a contender. DD isn't ready for 2C, so the braintrust has some pivotal decisions to make around this spot. Again.

Blues are at a point where they have to decide whether to tweak this roster for a push or stay invested in the development of younger players. It's easy to see this team taking a step back to serve more of their youth, or trading futures then coming up short hoping for a big push. Right now they appear to be playing catchup with the Jets and Stars, probably about even with the Avs, with the "Hockey Club" hot on their tail. A lot depends on how they rate young players like Neighbours, Bolduc, Tucker, and Hofer, and prospects like Stenberg.

Neighbours is a solid hockey player but he isn't moving the needle much offensively. Bolduc flashes a lot of solid talent but can't seem to get out of the doghouse. Hofer only matters if they view him as The Successor, and even then you have to question the timeline. Tucker seems to have warmed the Coach's heart but how good is he really?

I don't believe the team can remain competitive in the short term overloading on young players, but they can and probably should opt to use the first half of next season for development and evaluation, if the veterans buy in and if DD is ready.

So, I would make some tweaks, probably not a big splash move, BUT I think the Blues are in a position where Army has acted boldly in the past.

Assuming they stand pat:
Let Faksa decide if he wants to come back.
Let Suter go
Move Texier and Hofer
Add a gritty depth player at RD
Add a gritty forward to back up Joseph and the 4th line
Keep the Cap powder dry

I'm hanging on to Kyrou, Neighbours, et al until the trade deadline. See where the young players like Snuggerud, Bolduc, and Dvorsky are in their development and what the team needs. In the meantime, keep eyes open for another Fowler-like opportunity.

If they make a splash trade over the summer I would target RD. Unless of course, they come up with something bigger and better. I would NOT trade a basket of picks and prospects for a winger.

[callitwhatyouwant]

Schenn is a warrior but I STILL question whether he is quick enough to be a viable 2C on a contender. DD isn't ready for 2C, so the braintrust has some pivotal decisions to make around this spot. Again.

Blues are at a point where they have to decide whether to tweak this roster for a push or stay invested in the development of younger players. It's easy to see this team taking a step back to serve more of their youth, or trading futures then coming up short hoping for a big push. Right now they appear to be playing catchup with the Jets and Stars, probably about even with the Avs, with the "Hockey Club" hot on their tail. A lot depends on how they rate young players like Neighbours, Bolduc, Tucker, and Hofer, and prospects like Stenberg.

Neighbours is a solid hockey player but he isn't moving the needle much offensively. Bolduc flashes a lot of solid talent but can't seem to get out of the doghouse. Hofer only matters if they view him as The Successor, and even then you have to question the timeline. Tucker seems to have warmed the Coach's heart but how good is he really?

I don't believe the team can remain competitive in the short term overloading on young players, but they can and probably should opt to use the first half of next season for development and evaluation, if the veterans buy in and if DD is ready.

So, I would make some tweaks, probably not a big splash move, BUT I think the Blues are in a position where Army has acted boldly in the past.

Assuming they stand pat:
Let Faksa decide if he wants to come back.
Let Suter go
Move Texier and Hofer
Add a gritty depth player at RD
Add a gritty forward to back up Joseph and the 4th line
Keep the Cap powder dry

I'm hanging on to Kyrou, Neighbours, et al until the trade deadline. See where the young players like Snuggerud, Bolduc, and Dvorsky are in their development and what the team needs. In the meantime, keep eyes open for another Fowler-like opportunity.

If they make a splash trade over the summer I would target RD. Unless of course, they come up with something bigger and better. I would NOT trade a basket of picks and prospects for a winger.

In regards to Neighbours, I don't see him not wearing the note at least for 1 more contract. He is in the same sphere as Schwartz and Barbashev. I have to believe that the Blues are tired of seeing these guys walk out the door, and if Neighbours is down for a 5x5 or something it's going to be a done deal. Neighbours is a dream 3rd liner with the abilities to move up to the 2nd line. I get that some players just have odd chemistry with certain players, but with how Bolduc played this playoffs, and quite frankly the year, he has some sandpaper in his game. Neighbours and Schenn have it as well. It seems like that could be a fun 3rd line. I know it breaks up the Kyrou/Schenn/Holloway line, but that thing disappeared without hollywood. Maybe it's just hollywood was that good and opened up the game for kyrou. So maybe moving schenn wouldn't be a huge deal and getting him to a 3rd line.

[Harry S Deals]

Schenn is a warrior but I STILL question whether he is quick enough to be a viable 2C on a contender. DD isn't ready for 2C, so the braintrust has some pivotal decisions to make around this spot. Again.

Blues are at a point where they have to decide whether to tweak this roster for a push or stay invested in the development of younger players. It's easy to see this team taking a step back to serve more of their youth, or trading futures then coming up short hoping for a big push. Right now they appear to be playing catchup with the Jets and Stars, probably about even with the Avs, with the "Hockey Club" hot on their tail. A lot depends on how they rate young players like Neighbours, Bolduc, Tucker, and Hofer, and prospects like Stenberg.

Neighbours is a solid hockey player but he isn't moving the needle much offensively. Bolduc flashes a lot of solid talent but can't seem to get out of the doghouse. Hofer only matters if they view him as The Successor, and even then you have to question the timeline. Tucker seems to have warmed the Coach's heart but how good is he really?

I don't believe the team can remain competitive in the short term overloading on young players, but they can and probably should opt to use the first half of next season for development and evaluation, if the veterans buy in and if DD is ready.

So, I would make some tweaks, probably not a big splash move, BUT I think the Blues are in a position where Army has acted boldly in the past.

Assuming they stand pat:
Let Faksa decide if he wants to come back.
Let Suter go
Move Texier and Hofer
Add a gritty depth player at RD
Add a gritty forward to back up Joseph and the 4th line
Keep the Cap powder dry

I'm hanging on to Kyrou, Neighbours, et al until the trade deadline. See where the young players like Snuggerud, Bolduc, and Dvorsky are in their development and what the team needs. In the meantime, keep eyes open for another Fowler-like opportunity.

If they make a splash trade over the summer I would target RD. Unless of course, they come up with something bigger and better. I would NOT trade a basket of picks and prospects for a winger.

In regards to Neighbours, I don't see him not wearing the note at least for 1 more contract. He is in the same sphere as Schwartz and Barbashev. I have to believe that the Blues are tired of seeing these guys walk out the door, and if Neighbours is down for a 5x5 or something it's going to be a done deal. Neighbours is a dream 3rd liner with the abilities to move up to the 2nd line. I get that some players just have odd chemistry with certain players, but with how Bolduc played this playoffs, and quite frankly the year, he has some sandpaper in his game. Neighbours and Schenn have it as well. It seems like that could be a fun 3rd line. I know it breaks up the Kyrou/Schenn/Holloway line, but that thing disappeared without hollywood. Maybe it's just hollywood was that good and opened up the game for kyrou. So maybe moving schenn wouldn't be a huge deal and getting him to a 3rd line.

Total agree. pretty sure this is the roster as far as forwards go

Buchy Thomas Snuggerud
Holloway Schenn Kyrou
Neighbours xxx Bolduc
Walker Faksa/Sunny Torop

Not sure what the solution is for the 3rd center spot, Dvorsky (hmm), UFA but i dont see any major upheaval for the forwards. In fact i think perhaps Suter the D corp is back too until i see otherwise