Mikkola is the real boss

[skilles]

Tarasenko and defenseman Niko Mikkola were traded Thursday by the St. Louis Blues in exchange for forward Sammy Blais, defensive prospect Hunter Skinner, a conditional 2023 first-round pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick.

Just another fine day of work by the Chief Bumbler in Charge.

Unbelievable how the Blues can get so fleeced in a deal. This is how you go from a Cup in 2019 to nowhere, fast.

Put on your best dress, Army Moms. This is going to need some explaining.

Tell us troll, what would be an acceptable return for two UFA players neither of which was likely to re-sign here?
It was a perfect sell high moment on 91 considering he’s on his 4th team already since leaving here.

How do you see that Mikkola is not likely to re-sign here? Is that because Army was overpaying too many old veterans on long-term contracts with no-trade clauses?

Tarasenko being on his 4th team is more of an indication that he does have value, than not.

Barbashev, Mikkola.... Mental note, folks. Anytime Army "trades away a young player", look for him to be very visible in the playoffs down the road.

I agree with you on the “who said Niko wouldn’t sign here?” part. I’ve never heard anything on that either way. UFAs can be re-signed people. If they all want to leave (or he is failing to identify the ones that are more valuable here than turned into draft picks), that’s also not a good look for Army.

I mean we don't know for sure but he was a young first time UFA on a non playoff team. That alone would make him a fool not to test the market unless we offered up over payment

[a smell of green grass]

Smellie doesn't comprehend that Mikkola was not the person he is now when he was here. "Focus Daniel, Focus!"

Mikkola matured is the only change. Army looked at the cake batter in the oven, and gave up on it prematurely.

Why did he do this? That is the key question.

Possible explanations:
1) Doesn't know his cake batter
2) Had too many old overpaid veterans on contract, and playing youngsters was not possible.
3) Had to play veterans to "stay competitve" to win a few more forgotten meaningless regular season games a couple years ago.

So what was Army's mistake? I'm guessing 3. He always talks about 3.

[Kariyadog]

Yeah we had to move Tarasenko, and Mikkola was to sweeten the deal. I’m not complaining that we don’t have him, but he played a hell of a game last night.

[BalotelliMassive]

Here's a similar whiffjob that benefitted Florida:

After his selection by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2014 NHL entry draft, Gustav Forsling's NHL rights were traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Adam Clendening on 29 January 2015.

On 11 May 2016, he signed a three-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. He made the Blackhawks' opening night roster to begin his first North American season in 2016–17. On 13 November, Forsling scored his first NHL goal in a 3–2 win against the Montreal Canadiens. He was later reassigned to AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs on 6 January 2017.

On 24 June 2019, Forsling was traded by the Blackhawks, along with Anton Forsberg to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Calvin de Haan and Aleksi Saarela. On 16 July, he was re-signed to a one-year contract by the Hurricanes. During the 2020 off-season, on 24 October 2020, Forsling signed a one-year contract with Carolina.

On 8 January 2021, Forsling was placed on waivers by the Hurricanes prior to the delayed 2020–21 season. The following day, he was subsequently claimed by the Florida Panthers. On 15 July, the Panthers signed Forsling to a three-year, $8 million contract extension.

On 7 March 2024, Forsling was signed to an eight-year, $46 million contract extension by the Panthers. Forsling earned his first Stanley Cup championship when the Panthers won the seventh game of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers on 24 June.

[Red7]

Mikkola was a lot like both Dunn and Eddie. All showed good, maybe great, potential. However, they kept making the same mistakes over and over again. Worse, they didn’t make little mistakes…they made BIG ones. You could live with those mistakes as they developed, but they were making the SAME ones 3-4 years in. It was frustrating because you could see the talent. The Blues LOVED what Mikkola could bring to the table: his size, his skating ability and he plays a nasty game. However, they ran out of time and patience and, in a cap league, tough decisions have to be made.

[fish]

I am not one to usually feed the trolls, but absolute hate really makes one miss the obvious.

I have seen the statement on this thread about how the Blues/Army did not even know if Mikkola would sign here, that he just dumped him in a trade to get rid of Vladi. I would be pretty certain that they would have talked to Mikkola's agent well before trading him to see what they were looking for in terms and money. Haters seem to forget there is a salary cap.

This being said, I was disappointed at the time that they could not figure out a way to keep Mikkola and Barbie, but I understood. As Brian Sutter used to say, "trades are part of the game. People not getting resigned is part of the game."

[a smell of green grass]

I am not one to usually feed the trolls, but absolute hate really makes one miss the obvious.

I have seen the statement on this thread about how the Blues/Army did not even know if Mikkola would sign here, that he just dumped him in a trade to get rid of Vladi. I would be pretty certain that they would have talked to Mikkola's agent well before trading him to see what they were looking for in terms and money. Haters seem to forget there is a salary cap.

This being said, I was disappointed at the time that they could not figure out a way to keep Mikkola and Barbie, but I understood. As Brian Sutter used to say, "trades are part of the game. People not getting resigned is part of the game."

My beef is not about trades. The complaint is about the net result.

In the trades, we get prospects in return for talented young players. No one asks, what happens to these new prospects 2 years from now. Are they just going to be the next Mikkola?

Why do we have Leddy and Faulk when we could have had Mikkola at 1/4 of the price?! This is [nonsense], and beyond infuriating.

It all stems from the "staying competitve" to win a few more meaningless regular season games in February.

[a smell of green grass]

Yeah we had to move Tarasenko, and Mikkola was to sweeten the deal. I’m not complaining that we don’t have him, but he played a hell of a game last night.

Here in lies the problem with Army!! How many trades do we need to see to know that?

Often, when we make a trade, 1/2 of our compensation is getting out from one of Army's brain fart contracts.

And why does Army get enwrapped into so many bad contracts? Desperation to fill holes is what makes Kevin Hayes look like Tavares.
And what causes this desperation? The answer is his everlasting pursuit of winning a few more meaningless regular season games in February.

Be on lookout, folks. Army is on the march to 5% better next year. He's not angling for a Cup. He's angling for ticket sales. This will bring in yet another washed-up veteran, yet another overpriced contract, and yet another mandatory trade to dump the contract.

And so the cycle continues...guaranteed.

[STL fan in MN]

I am not one to usually feed the trolls, but absolute hate really makes one miss the obvious.

I have seen the statement on this thread about how the Blues/Army did not even know if Mikkola would sign here, that he just dumped him in a trade to get rid of Vladi. I would be pretty certain that they would have talked to Mikkola's agent well before trading him to see what they were looking for in terms and money. Haters seem to forget there is a salary cap.

This being said, I was disappointed at the time that they could not figure out a way to keep Mikkola and Barbie, but I understood. As Brian Sutter used to say, "trades are part of the game. People not getting resigned is part of the game."

Agreed. I liked Mikkola but he was a pending UFA. About to be able to sign with anyone he wants. Logic would suggest Army inquired and knew of Mikkola’s intentions. We can’t keep every UFA, especially in a cap world. Even more especially a couple years ago when the cap was flat.

[a smell of green grass]

I am not one to usually feed the trolls, but absolute hate really makes one miss the obvious.

I have seen the statement on this thread about how the Blues/Army did not even know if Mikkola would sign here, that he just dumped him in a trade to get rid of Vladi. I would be pretty certain that they would have talked to Mikkola's agent well before trading him to see what they were looking for in terms and money. Haters seem to forget there is a salary cap.

This being said, I was disappointed at the time that they could not figure out a way to keep Mikkola and Barbie, but I understood. As Brian Sutter used to say, "trades are part of the game. People not getting resigned is part of the game."

Agreed. I liked Mikkola but he was a pending UFA. About to be able to sign with anyone he wants. Logic would suggest Army inquired and knew of Mikkola’s intentions. We can’t keep every UFA, especially in a cap world. Even more especially a couple years ago when the cap was flat.

Inquiring minds want to know....
Was Mikkola more expensive than Leddy and Faulk? Why is there room on the tugboat for them, but not Mikkola?

[netboy65]

Yeah we had to move Tarasenko, and Mikkola was to sweeten the deal. I’m not complaining that we don’t have him, but he played a hell of a game last night.

Here in lies the problem with Army!! How many trades do we need to see to know that?

Often, when we make a trade, 1/2 of our compensation is getting out from one of Army's brain fart contracts.

And why does Army get enwrapped into so many bad contracts? Desperation to fill holes is what makes Kevin Hayes look like Tavares.
And what causes this desperation? The answer is his everlasting pursuit of winning a few more meaningless regular season games in February.

Be on lookout, folks. Army is on the march to 5% better next year. He's not angling for a Cup. He's angling for ticket sales. This will bring in yet another washed-up veteran, yet another overpriced contract, and yet another mandatory trade to dump the contract.

And so the cycle continues...guaranteed.

Both contracts were expiring, so how is that getting out from under a bad one?
I’d think you’d have been happy, that’s the closest the Blues ever came to tanking.

[callitwhatyouwant]

I am not one to usually feed the trolls, but absolute hate really makes one miss the obvious.

I have seen the statement on this thread about how the Blues/Army did not even know if Mikkola would sign here, that he just dumped him in a trade to get rid of Vladi. I would be pretty certain that they would have talked to Mikkola's agent well before trading him to see what they were looking for in terms and money. Haters seem to forget there is a salary cap.

This being said, I was disappointed at the time that they could not figure out a way to keep Mikkola and Barbie, but I understood. As Brian Sutter used to say, "trades are part of the game. People not getting resigned is part of the game."

My beef is not about trades. The complaint is about the net result.

In the trades, we get prospects in return for talented young players. No one asks, what happens to these new prospects 2 years from now. Are they just going to be the next Mikkola?

Why do we have Leddy and Faulk when we could have had Mikkola at 1/4 of the price?! This is [nonsense], and beyond infuriating.

It all stems from the "staying competitve" to win a few more meaningless regular season games in February.

you talk about how mikkola has matured, then cite barbashev and mikkolas playoff performance.

Mikkola as a defender ---- 13 GP 2 points +3 having a solid playoffs
Barbashev as forward ---- 11 GP 2 points -9 had a terrible playoffs. part of the reason that team looked washed this year.


Albeit Barbashev had an excellent playoffs and was almost ppg in their cup run. It's a fact that the Blues couldn't afford Barbashev. They also told him because of what he did for the Blues that they would only trade him to a winner, at the expense of the org. Barbashev got the red carpet treatment by Army. You can't hate him for being a good person to someone who helped bring the Blues a cup.

Mikkola especially in that 3nd to last year had a lot of value for the Blues moving forward, if he could replicate his 21-22 season. But he never did it before, and he couldn't do it after. He also was just alright in New York. It wasn't until he joined the Panthers system did it appear he has turned the corner. Is Mikkola a Stanley Cup team merchant? It's no doubt that the Panthers are the best team in the league and are one of the premier teams for the last 3 seasons. That's before Mikkola got there, and he is benefitting from being apart of it. Is Mikkola a player who is going to move the needle for a team? I doubt it. He wouldnt elevate himself on the current Blues defense. He's certainly not better than Parayko/Fowler past Faulk and has nowhere near the ability of Broberg. What you going to do with him? tweener 2nd and 3rd line him?

You guys will find a way to play revisionist history on anything. They blew the team up. UFA's had to go. If you had a contract, you were hard to move. That's how salary cap leagues work.

[STL fan in MN]

I am not one to usually feed the trolls, but absolute hate really makes one miss the obvious.

I have seen the statement on this thread about how the Blues/Army did not even know if Mikkola would sign here, that he just dumped him in a trade to get rid of Vladi. I would be pretty certain that they would have talked to Mikkola's agent well before trading him to see what they were looking for in terms and money. Haters seem to forget there is a salary cap.

This being said, I was disappointed at the time that they could not figure out a way to keep Mikkola and Barbie, but I understood. As Brian Sutter used to say, "trades are part of the game. People not getting resigned is part of the game."

Agreed. I liked Mikkola but he was a pending UFA. About to be able to sign with anyone he wants. Logic would suggest Army inquired and knew of Mikkola’s intentions. We can’t keep every UFA, especially in a cap world. Even more especially a couple years ago when the cap was flat.

Inquiring minds want to know....
Was Mikkola more expensive than Leddy and Faulk? Why is there room on the tugboat for them, but not Mikkola?

Once again, you’re ignoring the likelihood of Mikkola wanting to go elsewhere.

[a smell of green grass]

I am not one to usually feed the trolls, but absolute hate really makes one miss the obvious.

I have seen the statement on this thread about how the Blues/Army did not even know if Mikkola would sign here, that he just dumped him in a trade to get rid of Vladi. I would be pretty certain that they would have talked to Mikkola's agent well before trading him to see what they were looking for in terms and money. Haters seem to forget there is a salary cap.

This being said, I was disappointed at the time that they could not figure out a way to keep Mikkola and Barbie, but I understood. As Brian Sutter used to say, "trades are part of the game. People not getting resigned is part of the game."

Agreed. I liked Mikkola but he was a pending UFA. About to be able to sign with anyone he wants. Logic would suggest Army inquired and knew of Mikkola’s intentions. We can’t keep every UFA, especially in a cap world. Even more especially a couple years ago when the cap was flat.

Inquiring minds want to know....
Was Mikkola more expensive than Leddy and Faulk? Why is there room on the tugboat for them, but not Mikkola?

Once again, you’re ignoring the likelihood of Mikkola wanting to go elsewhere.

Got it. Let's explore that a bit....

So how long do we get to keep Snuggerud, Bolduc, and Dvorsky before Mikkola-itis sets in? You may want to inform the kids in line to purchase the Snuggerud jerseys.

[a smell of green grass]

I am not one to usually feed the trolls, but absolute hate really makes one miss the obvious.

I have seen the statement on this thread about how the Blues/Army did not even know if Mikkola would sign here, that he just dumped him in a trade to get rid of Vladi. I would be pretty certain that they would have talked to Mikkola's agent well before trading him to see what they were looking for in terms and money. Haters seem to forget there is a salary cap.

This being said, I was disappointed at the time that they could not figure out a way to keep Mikkola and Barbie, but I understood. As Brian Sutter used to say, "trades are part of the game. People not getting resigned is part of the game."

My beef is not about trades. The complaint is about the net result.

In the trades, we get prospects in return for talented young players. No one asks, what happens to these new prospects 2 years from now. Are they just going to be the next Mikkola?

Why do we have Leddy and Faulk when we could have had Mikkola at 1/4 of the price?! This is [nonsense], and beyond infuriating.

It all stems from the "staying competitve" to win a few more meaningless regular season games in February.

you talk about how mikkola has matured, then cite barbashev and mikkolas playoff performance.

Mikkola as a defender ---- 13 GP 2 points +3 having a solid playoffs
Barbashev as forward ---- 11 GP 2 points -9 had a terrible playoffs. part of the reason that team looked washed this year.


Albeit Barbashev had an excellent playoffs and was almost ppg in their cup run. It's a fact that the Blues couldn't afford Barbashev. They also told him because of what he did for the Blues that they would only trade him to a winner, at the expense of the org. Barbashev got the red carpet treatment by Army. You can't hate him for being a good person to someone who helped bring the Blues a cup.

Mikkola especially in that 3nd to last year had a lot of value for the Blues moving forward, if he could replicate his 21-22 season. But he never did it before, and he couldn't do it after. He also was just alright in New York. It wasn't until he joined the Panthers system did it appear he has turned the corner. Is Mikkola a Stanley Cup team merchant? It's no doubt that the Panthers are the best team in the league and are one of the premier teams for the last 3 seasons. That's before Mikkola got there, and he is benefitting from being apart of it. Is Mikkola a player who is going to move the needle for a team? I doubt it. He wouldnt elevate himself on the current Blues defense. He's certainly not better than Parayko/Fowler past Faulk and has nowhere near the ability of Broberg. What you going to do with him? tweener 2nd and 3rd line him?

You guys will find a way to play revisionist history on anything. They blew the team up. UFA's had to go. If you had a contract, you were hard to move. That's how salary cap leagues work.

Amazing that a 3-year dynasty team somehow magically has cap room to accomodate Mikkola at the bottom of their roster--after they've paid their stars.
Meanwhile, the Blues just don't have sufficient cap to hold Mikkola.

[TheJackBurton]

I am not one to usually feed the trolls, but absolute hate really makes one miss the obvious.

I have seen the statement on this thread about how the Blues/Army did not even know if Mikkola would sign here, that he just dumped him in a trade to get rid of Vladi. I would be pretty certain that they would have talked to Mikkola's agent well before trading him to see what they were looking for in terms and money. Haters seem to forget there is a salary cap.

This being said, I was disappointed at the time that they could not figure out a way to keep Mikkola and Barbie, but I understood. As Brian Sutter used to say, "trades are part of the game. People not getting resigned is part of the game."

Agreed. I liked Mikkola but he was a pending UFA. About to be able to sign with anyone he wants. Logic would suggest Army inquired and knew of Mikkola’s intentions. We can’t keep every UFA, especially in a cap world. Even more especially a couple years ago when the cap was flat.

Inquiring minds want to know....
Was Mikkola more expensive than Leddy and Faulk? Why is there room on the tugboat for them, but not Mikkola?

What does Faulk have to do with Mikkola?

Faulk is a righty, Mikkola is a lefty.