St.L. Post Dispatch Article

[stlblues1979]

Informative article this morning regarding the Blues & their salary cap situation for the upcoming year. Might be a good read for a lot of us.

One thing that was mentioned was the possibility, again only a possibility, that Texier could be bought out. According to the article, because he's 25 years old & not 26 yet, it would be cheaper for the Blues to do so. Supposedly it would cost the Blues just $350,000 for the next two years saving them $1.75 million.

I know Army's & the Blues stance on buying out contracts, but if an extra $1.75 million helps the cap situation to acquire a center or defenseman, that might be plausible. I'm sure the Blues would rather outright trade him, but not sure what the return could be. I guess if a team even offers a low round draft pick & is willing to take on all his salary,that's the way to go. To me, he's probably the one Blue, that I just don't what or how to feel about him. Missed a lot of games.

Thoughts?

[danno]

The texier signing was a head scratcher from day 1. I think it must have been the backup plan in case Holloway got matched by Edmonton. I'm not sure you could even give him away at his current salary. Buyout might be the best option.

[moose-and-squirrel]

skills seem to be there, but can't stay on the ice

[a smell of green grass]

When Armstrong threw his infamous "things aren't changing" fit in early February, he mentioned that he wants to see Texier given more of a chance. If I recall, that was when Texier went into full hiding mode for about a month and a half. Texier was seen out into the sunshine a few times after that, but nothing was written home about it.

Without a doubt, Texier is skating on thin ice. Armstrong is all about accountability. For everybody, but himself.

Texier will be gone before the snow flies, and if there is a money route exit, we can be assured that Armstrong laid down that route from the beginning. Kind of like the NO-TRADE-CLAUSES that evaporate on the push of a button under Army's desk. In with hope and glory, and out with hush money.

[STL fan in MN]

Good article. First thing I went to see is if DeFranks accounted for Suter’s bonus overage and he did. Many think we only paid Suter league minimum $775k but we actually paid him $3M, which took us over the cap, even with Krug’s LTIR pool.

Suter had the potential of earning $2.225M in bonuses and he earned every single one of them. Here’s his bonus breakdown:
$225K for 10 GP
$400K for 30 GP
$500K for 40 GP
$600K for 60 GP
$500K for playoffs and at least 60 regular season GP

Looks like puckpedia has the overage for next season estimated at $2,153,475. That would indicate the Blues were only $71,525 under the cap when the regular season ended (before bonuses were applied).

One thing I’m curious about is if Bolduc hit any of his bonuses. Suter’s performance bonus details are out there but not Bolduc’s. So if he hit some of his bonuses as well, then the Blues’ bonus overage for next season would be even more.

The Blues have less cap room than I think many realize. That said, they also have only a couple open roster spots to fill. But they’ll likely need to trade away a guy or two if they truly want to add an impact player to the roster.

[TruBlueFan_1970]

Good article. First thing I went to see is if DeFranks accounted for Suter’s bonus overage and he did. Many think we only paid Suter league minimum $775k but we actually paid him $3M, which took us over the cap, even with Krug’s LTIR pool.

Suter had the potential of earning $2.225M in bonuses and he earned every single one of them. Here’s his bonus breakdown:
$225K for 10 GP
$400K for 30 GP
$500K for 40 GP
$600K for 60 GP
$500K for playoffs and at least 60 regular season GP

Looks like puckpedia has the overage for next season estimated at $2,153,475. That would indicate the Blues were only $71,525 under the cap when the regular season ended (before bonuses were applied).

One thing I’m curious about is if Bolduc hit any of his bonuses. Suter’s performance bonus details are out there but not Bolduc’s. So if he hit some of his bonuses as well, then the Blues’ bonus overage for next season would be even more.

The Blues have less cap room than I think many realize. That said, they also have only a couple open roster spots to fill. But they’ll likely need to trade away a guy or two if they truly want to add an impact player to the roster.

I know it's not ideal, as the Blues are a mid-market team and not in the business of wasting money (not cap sapce), but there is always the waivers option if they can't find a taker for some of these players. In the Texier example above, if not claimed, they save $1.150,000 in cap space. Obviously, it's better to trade him and save it all, but this at least helps a bit with additional cap if needed. They could do the same with Joseph, although I think he helps the roster more than Texier.

[skilles]

The texier signing was a head scratcher from day 1. I think it must have been the backup plan in case Holloway got matched by Edmonton. I'm not sure you could even give him away at his current salary. Buyout might be the best option.

Lots of good things happened this year that change things looking back. We had quite a few players that could have gone either way like Texier, Joseph,Holloway, Bolduc etc.

Looked like to me Army collected enough maybe to get some yes and I personally love that strategy considering the situation.

Could have easily been Texier that broke out instead of Holloway or Bolduc.

I'd actually like to see another season of texier if we can't find a better way to spend the money.

[STL fan in MN]

Good article. First thing I went to see is if DeFranks accounted for Suter’s bonus overage and he did. Many think we only paid Suter league minimum $775k but we actually paid him $3M, which took us over the cap, even with Krug’s LTIR pool.

Suter had the potential of earning $2.225M in bonuses and he earned every single one of them. Here’s his bonus breakdown:
$225K for 10 GP
$400K for 30 GP
$500K for 40 GP
$600K for 60 GP
$500K for playoffs and at least 60 regular season GP

Looks like puckpedia has the overage for next season estimated at $2,153,475. That would indicate the Blues were only $71,525 under the cap when the regular season ended (before bonuses were applied).

One thing I’m curious about is if Bolduc hit any of his bonuses. Suter’s performance bonus details are out there but not Bolduc’s. So if he hit some of his bonuses as well, then the Blues’ bonus overage for next season would be even more.

The Blues have less cap room than I think many realize. That said, they also have only a couple open roster spots to fill. But they’ll likely need to trade away a guy or two if they truly want to add an impact player to the roster.

I know it's not ideal, as the Blues are a mid-market team and not in the business of wasting money (not cap sapce), but there is always the waivers option if they can't find a taker for some of these players. In the Texier example above, if not claimed, they save $1.150,000 in cap space. Obviously, it's better to trade him and save it all, but this at least helps a bit with additional cap if needed. They could do the same with Joseph, although I think he helps the roster more than Texier.

Yep. They could bury Texier’s contract and he’d only count $950k against the cap then. But as DeFranks notes, a buyout is an option as he’d only be due 1/3 of his contract instead of the usual 2/3. In the end, I doubt the Blues end up doing either. My guess is they either try to trade him for nothing or he stays and either surprisingly earns a spot in the lineup or he’s used as the 13th/14th forward.

[skilles]

I think people get a little stuck on moving players. I don't care at all about money, sure I care about cap space and would certainly love to move Texier and Joseph if the cap space is used in a better way but I don't see any reason for me to want them moved if we don't use the cap space.

[DawgDad]

The texier signing was a head scratcher from day 1. I think it must have been the backup plan in case Holloway got matched by Edmonton. I'm not sure you could even give him away at his current salary. Buyout might be the best option.

Lots of good things happened this year that change things looking back. We had quite a few players that could have gone either way like Texier, Joseph,Holloway, Bolduc etc.

Looked like to me Army collected enough maybe to get some yes and I personally love that strategy considering the situation.

Could have easily been Texier that broke out instead of Holloway.

If nothing changes Texier comes to camp, where frankly he would have to win a job. Players could get hurt, 2-way contract players might not stick, someone might get traded. His best path might be Faksa walks and he's in the mix with Sunny as 3C/4C. He could potentially beat out Joseph and others for 13th forward. He NEEDS to be a viable 3C, he needs that leverage with this team loaded with more capable wingers and hot wing prospects.

Tex seems to have left a bad taste in everyone's mouth last season, if he does show up in camp he'll have a lot of competition to win a spot. Since he's under contract he would appear to win split decisions but he best not take that to the bank, he has to show up and play well.

[STL fan in MN]

The texier signing was a head scratcher from day 1. I think it must have been the backup plan in case Holloway got matched by Edmonton. I'm not sure you could even give him away at his current salary. Buyout might be the best option.

Lots of good things happened this year that change things looking back. We had quite a few players that could have gone either way like Texier, Joseph,Holloway, Bolduc etc.

Looked like to me Army collected enough maybe to get some yes and I personally love that strategy considering the situation.

Could have easily been Texier that broke out instead of Holloway.

If nothing changes Texier comes to camp, where frankly he would have to win a job. Players could get hurt, 2-way contract players might not stick, someone might get traded. His best path might be Faksa walks and he's in the mix with Sunny as 3C/4C. He could potentially beat out Joseph and others for 13th forward. He NEEDS to be a viable 3C, he needs that leverage with this team loaded with more capable wingers and hot wing prospects.

Tex seems to have left a bad taste in everyone's mouth last season, if he does show up in camp he'll have a lot of competition to win a spot. Since he's under contract he would appear to win split decisions but he best not take that to the bank, he has to show up and play well.

Texier took all of 2 faceoffs this season. I would be beyond shocked if he’s able to win the 3C job in camp.

[Emma bleeds blue]

I must be missing something - what's the fascination with geting rid of Texier? He's just got this next year left on his contract and only makes 2 million. If that was the difference between the Blues signing Marner or not in free agency, I guess I get it, but I doubt that's happening. Every dollar helps, but its not like he makes a ton of money or is signed long term.

When healthy, he's been serviceable.

[DawgDad]

The texier signing was a head scratcher from day 1. I think it must have been the backup plan in case Holloway got matched by Edmonton. I'm not sure you could even give him away at his current salary. Buyout might be the best option.

Lots of good things happened this year that change things looking back. We had quite a few players that could have gone either way like Texier, Joseph,Holloway, Bolduc etc.

Looked like to me Army collected enough maybe to get some yes and I personally love that strategy considering the situation.

Could have easily been Texier that broke out instead of Holloway.

If nothing changes Texier comes to camp, where frankly he would have to win a job. Players could get hurt, 2-way contract players might not stick, someone might get traded. His best path might be Faksa walks and he's in the mix with Sunny as 3C/4C. He could potentially beat out Joseph and others for 13th forward. He NEEDS to be a viable 3C, he needs that leverage with this team loaded with more capable wingers and hot wing prospects.

Tex seems to have left a bad taste in everyone's mouth last season, if he does show up in camp he'll have a lot of competition to win a spot. Since he's under contract he would appear to win split decisions but he best not take that to the bank, he has to show up and play well.

Texier took all of 2 faceoffs this season. I would be beyond shocked if he’s able to win the 3C job in camp.

Oh, I would, too. Where else is he going to play? He doesn't play a 4th line game and the Blues have high-flying [better] wingers coming out of their ears.

[skilles]

Tex if still here would be in the press box. I like having him there if we don't need the cap space

[netboy65]

I must be missing something - what's the fascination with geting rid of Texier? He's just got this next year left on his contract and only makes 2 million. If that was the difference between the Blues signing Marner or not in free agency, I guess I get it, but I doubt that's happening. Every dollar helps, but its not like he makes a ton of money or is signed long term.

When healthy, he's been serviceable.

Except that no, he hasn’t been serviceable at all. He’s a waste of a roster spot.

[STL fan in MN]

The texier signing was a head scratcher from day 1. I think it must have been the backup plan in case Holloway got matched by Edmonton. I'm not sure you could even give him away at his current salary. Buyout might be the best option.

Lots of good things happened this year that change things looking back. We had quite a few players that could have gone either way like Texier, Joseph,Holloway, Bolduc etc.

Looked like to me Army collected enough maybe to get some yes and I personally love that strategy considering the situation.

Could have easily been Texier that broke out instead of Holloway.

If nothing changes Texier comes to camp, where frankly he would have to win a job. Players could get hurt, 2-way contract players might not stick, someone might get traded. His best path might be Faksa walks and he's in the mix with Sunny as 3C/4C. He could potentially beat out Joseph and others for 13th forward. He NEEDS to be a viable 3C, he needs that leverage with this team loaded with more capable wingers and hot wing prospects.

Tex seems to have left a bad taste in everyone's mouth last season, if he does show up in camp he'll have a lot of competition to win a spot. Since he's under contract he would appear to win split decisions but he best not take that to the bank, he has to show up and play well.

Texier took all of 2 faceoffs this season. I would be beyond shocked if he’s able to win the 3C job in camp.

Oh, I would, too. Where else is he going to play? He doesn't play a 4th line game and the Blues have high-flying [better] wingers coming out of their ears.

He’d play if/when there’s injuries. Otherwise, would likely serve as the 13th or 14th forward.

Or maybe there’s a trade sometime this summer that completely shakes up the roster landscape and his prospects of playing consistently look better then. I wouldn’t count on that scenario though…