Trading for D is the play

[Nublues69]

The Blues have an open cup window right now because of Binnington alone - he's a big game goalie. If Armstrong/Steen don't deal some of the prospects from the stack that he acquired (for defense and a top center) then he risks the window closing when Binnington finally ages out of the starter role. Right now they're all years away from making the roster if they keep progressing - time to make a deal for immediate help.

I think you're going to see less deals available over the next couple of years, unless someone does something stupid. Teams shouldn't have to worry about resigning guys because of the cap going up 7+ million a year in each of the next three years. Unless I'm missing something, I don't see a Rantanen type situation over the next three years. I hope I missed something though.

A lot of people have been saying that on my Hawk board - saying that Mikko might be the last in a long time. The exception? Kaprisov in 26. The Hawks HAVE to hit on a RFA like him if they want to take the next step.

what is the address to your hwak board would love to take a stroll over their

[skilles]

Its not one or the other, and I guess I would disagree that center is the biggest need in a lot of ways.

Center is obviously the most urgent need but I would say RD is the biggest need, what I mean by that is RD is the more valuable asset that will cost much more and be harder to get. The center need is short term and can be any age really, can be over paid, aging etc. etc. not that hard to get and could even be gotten at the deadline.

The d need is a big time and long term move and will require the bulk of expendable assets we have at our disposal. The d is the "bigger move"

[Harry S Deals]

Faulk is going to be here its highly unlikely the Faulk is dealt. I could see Kessel getting a hard look as the 3rd RHD as well. Its possible that Army addresses both the Center spot and 3rd RHD somehow, Perbix, Brent Burns, Savard, Hamonic, Rutta, Erik Johnson, Hakanpaa, Ceci....there are some interesting names available to add depth i just dont see it as an urgent need. Im sure they retain Hofer, perhaps Faksa and even Suter. How much cap space is left esp if Army covets another legit Center

[seattleblue]

Its not one or the other, and I guess I would disagree that center is the biggest need in a lot of ways.

Center is obviously the most urgent need but I would say RD is the biggest need, what I mean by that is RD is the more valuable asset that will cost much more and be harder to get. The center need is short term and can be any age really, can be over paid, aging etc. etc. not that hard to get and could even be gotten at the deadline.

The d need is a big time and long term move and will require the bulk of expendable assets we have at our disposal. The d is the "bigger move"

This is just how I see it

[seattleblue]

Faulk is going to be here its highly unlikely the Faulk is dealt. I could see Kessel getting a hard look as the 3rd RHD as well. Its possible that Army addresses both the Center spot and 3rd RHD somehow, Perbix, Brent Burns, Savard, Hamonic, Rutta, Erik Johnson, Hakanpaa, Ceci....there are some interesting names available to add depth i just dont see it as an urgent need. Im sure they retain Hofer, perhaps Faksa and even Suter. How much cap space is left esp if Army covets another legit Center

"Can't do anything except try to upgrade Tucker for next year with maybe Kessel or an aging vet because Faulk already a fact of life" is an approach I hope the Blues GM doesn't take. I mean, they may have to start off the year that way but Faulk is someone the playoffs will brutally expose as they get deeper. So if getting deeper in the playoffs is the goal, which it is, then they have to be thinking longer term build. Faulk has max two years in him and they aren't his peak years.

[rbirules]

Boston isn’t trading McAvoy.

Also, Army said in his presser that he likes his top-4 D and his main target this summer is a forward.

Yes, but maybe he does not want to show his cards.

I dont see why the Blues would trade assets for a D right now. As Army said the Top 4 is good, really good at times and Tucker has shown he can play well so anchoring a #6 spot whether its Leddy, Suter, Kessel is not a big deal at all.
Another Center is the most pressing need obviously they cant bring back Sunny as the 3rd center and its not likely Dvorsky at least in October so my guess is Army either trades prospects for a young ish RFA type or signs a more temporary veteran who checks some boxes

Because we only have two NHL d men on the right side and both are aging and thinking ahead is how you win.

Exactly. Our two biggest holes are #2C and RHD. We need a third RHD, ideally one that is an upgrade on Faulk. In the not to distant future we need to replace Faulk, and at that time Parayko will be getting closer to his mid-30s. We have one "top prospect" who is a RHD but he was drafted a year ago and is no sure thing.

If you can upgrade your roster, even if it's not the most pressing need, you need to consider it, especially when our medium to long term solution at center is much closer to being ready than anything we have at RHD.

I'd love to fix both holes, it doesn't have to be an either or decision.

Faulk is signed thru '27-'28 sure we'd like a better RHD but Faulk would have to be traded in this scenario which would require waiving his clause so its a long shot in my view. The center position is a lot easier and has a higher up side now. In two or three years a prospect candidate may emerge at RHD as well

FYI, Faulk is signed for two more seasons, through '26-'27, not through '27-'28.

Edit: Sure it would be nice to trade Faulk, but it's not necessary with a rising cap (assuming ownership will spend to the cap in the next two years), he'll just be a highly paid #3 RHD, or #2/3 RHD depending on who we acquire to supplement the right hand side of the defense.

[skilles]

Faulk is going to be here its highly unlikely the Faulk is dealt. I could see Kessel getting a hard look as the 3rd RHD as well. Its possible that Army addresses both the Center spot and 3rd RHD somehow, Perbix, Brent Burns, Savard, Hamonic, Rutta, Erik Johnson, Hakanpaa, Ceci....there are some interesting names available to add depth i just dont see it as an urgent need. Im sure they retain Hofer, perhaps Faksa and even Suter. How much cap space is left esp if Army covets another legit Center

Kind of depends on Texier and Joseph, that 5 million if they are gone which would give us an abundance of cap space(roughly $10,000,000)

In my ideal situation we pick up a young stud RD on an entry level contract to play 3rd pairing and move up as warranted and an early 30s veteran center.

[dtkblueshockey]

We are so deep at forward there’s a good chance we’ll be fine sorting out the 2C on the fly for the next year or two.

I couldn't get past the first sentence.

The Blues center ice group was a complete mess for 3/4 of the season. They started Buchnevich out in 2C for 20 or so games and that did not work. Texier was brought in and did not work out either for 2 or 3C. Joseph was tried at center ice at points. I do not think the Blues will go far in the playoffs bringing back the same center ice group again (and being a year older).

Schenn is going to be 34. He's not Crosby or Kopitar.

I like Schenn at 3C OR if they were to go out and grab a true 3C that could flex into 2C while Dvorsky is developing. I think they shouldn't rush Dvorsky. Sunny really isn't an ideal 3C either. He really should be a depth winger at this point in his career.

They should definitely sign Faksa for 4C and lock up the identity line. It's hard to find guys who are big and can play that style of hockey effectively.

If the Blues do not get a true #2 C they should get a #3 with some upside to flex up the lineup. Texier and Joseph should be moved to accommodate bringing in a guy like that.

[seattleblue]

We are so deep at forward there’s a good chance we’ll be fine sorting out the 2C on the fly for the next year or two.

I couldn't get past the first sentence.

The Blues center ice group was a complete mess for 3/4 of the season. They started Buchnevich out in 2C for 20 or so games and that did not work. Texier was brought in and did not work out either for 2 or 3C. Joseph was tried at center ice at points. I do not think the Blues will go far in the playoffs bringing back the same center ice group again (and being a year older).

Schenn is going to be 34. He's not Crosby or Kopitar.

I like Schenn at 3C OR if they were to go out and grab a true 3C that could flex into 2C while Dvorsky is developing. I think they shouldn't rush Dvorsky. Sunny really isn't an ideal 3C either. He really should be a depth winger at this point in his career.

They should definitely sign Faksa for 4C and lock up the identity line. It's hard to find guys who are big and can play that style of hockey effectively.

If the Blues do not get a true #2 C they should get a #3 with some upside to flex up the lineup. Texier and Joseph should be moved to accommodate bringing in a guy like that.

This is why I agree with skilles point about D being the bigger need/much tougher to acquire, because even if they did not find this center you're talking about in the offseason, these are the kinds of players who get added before the deadline sometimes. A bridge middle 6 center to Dvorsky's emerging prime is what we want and there are a few routes to land that player. Whereas if you don't draft the high end RHD you gotta steal them and get super lucky or make a Major Trade. Hence the thread title here

[BalotelliMassive]

The Blues have an open cup window right now because of Binnington alone - he's a big game goalie. If Armstrong/Steen don't deal some of the prospects from the stack that he acquired (for defense and a top center) then he risks the window closing when Binnington finally ages out of the starter role. Right now they're all years away from making the roster if they keep progressing - time to make a deal for immediate help.

I think you're going to see less deals available over the next couple of years, unless someone does something stupid. Teams shouldn't have to worry about resigning guys because of the cap going up 7+ million a year in each of the next three years. Unless I'm missing something, I don't see a Rantanen type situation over the next three years. I hope I missed something though.

A lot of people have been saying that on my Hawk board - saying that Mikko might be the last in a long time. The exception? Kaprisov in 26. The Hawks HAVE to hit on a RFA like him if they want to take the next step.

what is the address to your hwak board would love to take a stroll over their

Hockey Futures - we have the same amount of anti GM or veteran complainers that this place has...

[Zizzle1297]

My play would be trading with Buffalo. We know they will be active trying to chance things up. Maybe start with package Kryou/ Hofer. ...Ask for Tuch and RFA rights to Byram or potential Power

[Harry S Deals]

Boston isn’t trading McAvoy.

Also, Army said in his presser that he likes his top-4 D and his main target this summer is a forward.

Yes, but maybe he does not want to show his cards.

I dont see why the Blues would trade assets for a D right now. As Army said the Top 4 is good, really good at times and Tucker has shown he can play well so anchoring a #6 spot whether its Leddy, Suter, Kessel is not a big deal at all.
Another Center is the most pressing need obviously they cant bring back Sunny as the 3rd center and its not likely Dvorsky at least in October so my guess is Army either trades prospects for a young ish RFA type or signs a more temporary veteran who checks some boxes

Because we only have two NHL d men on the right side and both are aging and thinking ahead is how you win.

Exactly. Our two biggest holes are #2C and RHD. We need a third RHD, ideally one that is an upgrade on Faulk. In the not to distant future we need to replace Faulk, and at that time Parayko will be getting closer to his mid-30s. We have one "top prospect" who is a RHD but he was drafted a year ago and is no sure thing.

If you can upgrade your roster, even if it's not the most pressing need, you need to consider it, especially when our medium to long term solution at center is much closer to being ready than anything we have at RHD.

I'd love to fix both holes, it doesn't have to be an either or decision.

Faulk is signed thru '27-'28 sure we'd like a better RHD but Faulk would have to be traded in this scenario which would require waiving his clause so its a long shot in my view. The center position is a lot easier and has a higher up side now. In two or three years a prospect candidate may emerge at RHD as well

FYI, Faulk is signed for two more seasons, through '26-'27, not through '27-'28.

Edit: Sure it would be nice to trade Faulk, but it's not necessary with a rising cap (assuming ownership will spend to the cap in the next two years), he'll just be a highly paid #3 RHD, or #2/3 RHD depending on who we acquire to supplement the right hand side of the defense.

Right, thanks. I dont see Faulk being traded and as i mentioned I could see Army signing more of a short term veteran RHD on a cheaper deal while the Blues wait for prospects to mature but another large dman contract doesnt make a lot sense here. Would they buy out Leddy that could be a thing to thin the herd. 3pts +3 in over 23 TOI in the playoff series the Blues didnt advance because of Justin Faulk he wasnt terrible he is certainly shaky at times but looks like he will be here at least in the short term

[Nublues69]

The Blues have an open cup window right now because of Binnington alone - he's a big game goalie. If Armstrong/Steen don't deal some of the prospects from the stack that he acquired (for defense and a top center) then he risks the window closing when Binnington finally ages out of the starter role. Right now they're all years away from making the roster if they keep progressing - time to make a deal for immediate help.

I think you're going to see less deals available over the next couple of years, unless someone does something stupid. Teams shouldn't have to worry about resigning guys because of the cap going up 7+ million a year in each of the next three years. Unless I'm missing something, I don't see a Rantanen type situation over the next three years. I hope I missed something though.

A lot of people have been saying that on my Hawk board - saying that Mikko might be the last in a long time. The exception? Kaprisov in 26. The Hawks HAVE to hit on a RFA like him if they want to take the next step.

what is the address to your hwak board would love to take a stroll over their

Hockey Futures - we have the same amount of anti GM or veteran complainers that this place has...

I cant go on that board and act like you do or i would be banned.

[BalotelliMassive]

The Blues have an open cup window right now because of Binnington alone - he's a big game goalie. If Armstrong/Steen don't deal some of the prospects from the stack that he acquired (for defense and a top center) then he risks the window closing when Binnington finally ages out of the starter role. Right now they're all years away from making the roster if they keep progressing - time to make a deal for immediate help.

I think you're going to see less deals available over the next couple of years, unless someone does something stupid. Teams shouldn't have to worry about resigning guys because of the cap going up 7+ million a year in each of the next three years. Unless I'm missing something, I don't see a Rantanen type situation over the next three years. I hope I missed something though.

A lot of people have been saying that on my Hawk board - saying that Mikko might be the last in a long time. The exception? Kaprisov in 26. The Hawks HAVE to hit on a RFA like him if they want to take the next step.

what is the address to your hwak board would love to take a stroll over their

Hockey Futures - we have the same amount of anti GM or veteran complainers that this place has...

I cant go on that board and act like you do or i would be banned.

It's a good thing that I have a big friggin brain that allows me to give you advice - don't act like me. You're welcome.