Harry S Deals wrote: ↑03 Jun 2025 08:27 am
Sam Bennet is a good player, hes a gritty guy on a good team. Bennet is a 40-50 pt player and hes been decent in the postseason (very good this season) so paying him $10 million ish should not be something that Army considers at this point. Thats Schenn level production we already have that player in place for a very reasonable contract and Schenn is very well respected by the team and organization. Surely someone will overpay for Bennet good for him but it wont be the Blues. All the Blues need is to find a good versatile 3rd center
This ^. Schenn might not be the best 2C, but that line (with Kyrou & Holloway) was one of the best 2nd lines in the whole league the last quarter/third of last season. I think the Blues are looking more for 3rd center as well, someone who can elevate the offensive potential in Neighbours & Bolduc, someone to fill the gap until Dvorsky is ready to be an NHL center.
Totally agree I looked thru the list of the lower tier UFA centers guys like Dvorak, Kuraly, Roslovic, Frederic, Donato on the longer side maybe Geekie maybe Granlund but i still those two get paid. I honestly dont have the scouting knowledge to know which UFA potential 3C would fit, speed, some skill, two way, FO % but i trust Army and co. will know. It could actually be a big upgrade and I love Sunny but in no way can Sunny maximize Bolduc and Neighbours potential at this stage.
Buch Thomas Snuggerud
Holloway Schenn Kyrou
Neighbours UFA Bolduc
Walker Faksa Torpo/Sunny then Dvorsky
Fowler CP
Broberg Faulk
Tucker Kessel/Leddy UFA
Binnie
Hofer
I think thats a really good hockey team,best line up the Blues have put out in a while. With a full training camp of Monte and continued growth of the younger guys we are in store for a good season in 25-26
That would be "ok" but there is really no reason at all for that to be plan A. I mean sure we may have to settle for a solid 3c and that would be a step forward but I have no idea why that would be your plan.
Because Schenn is already here, signed and the line with Holloway and Kyrou was very good so why mess with it. Also i dont feel like a Schenn upgrade is realistic as far as big UFA signings. Army will most likely pull off something that none of us see coming, a trade that we cannot forecast but until i see otherwise and i see the current Blues cap space its hard for me to imagine that a new 2nd center is coming. I see an upgrade in Sunnys spot to be most realistic
I think you are getting a little stuck on who plays on which line, A #2 center between Nieghbours and Bolduc would be a very good thing.
I would agree UFA is unlikely but even that is not out of the question and there should be some trade options to look at for potential top 6 centers.
MiamiLaw wrote: ↑02 Jun 2025 20:53 pm
I’m a big fan but I don’t think he’s a realistic target. Assuming he would want to sign in STL at all, it won’t be at a discount and I don’t see his contract aging particularly well. I could definitely see Toronto making a play
Winning cups on a beach in Florida or living in stl getting underpaid
The OP cracks me up
Agreed ... LOL.... but StL has the Arch and great weather
MiamiLaw wrote: ↑02 Jun 2025 20:53 pm
I’m a big fan but I don’t think he’s a realistic target. Assuming he would want to sign in STL at all, it won’t be at a discount and I don’t see his contract aging particularly well. I could definitely see Toronto making a play
Winning cups on a beach in Florida or living in stl getting underpaid
The OP cracks me up
Agreed ... LOL.... but StL has the Arch and great weather
I mean while I would never live in a big city like STL I would 100% pick the midwest over Florida and its not even close for me. Its definitely true that more people would choose Florida, Vegas etc. but I don't think its a given. Florida would be way low on my personal list.
MiamiLaw wrote: ↑02 Jun 2025 20:53 pm
I’m a big fan but I don’t think he’s a realistic target. Assuming he would want to sign in STL at all, it won’t be at a discount and I don’t see his contract aging particularly well. I could definitely see Toronto making a play
Winning cups on a beach in Florida or living in stl getting underpaid
The OP cracks me up
Agreed ... LOL.... but StL has the Arch and great weather
I mean while I would never live in a big city like STL I would 100% pick the midwest over Florida and its not even close for me. Its definitely true that more people would choose Florida, Vegas etc. but I don't think its a given. Florida would be way low on my personal list.
It's not a given it's a bunch of people guessing about what other people they don't know think.
And giving Bennett a 10X7 would be a huge mistake for what this team should be trying to accomplish.
Harry S Deals wrote: ↑03 Jun 2025 08:27 am
Sam Bennet is a good player, hes a gritty guy on a good team. Bennet is a 40-50 pt player and hes been decent in the postseason (very good this season) so paying him $10 million ish should not be something that Army considers at this point. Thats Schenn level production we already have that player in place for a very reasonable contract and Schenn is very well respected by the team and organization. Surely someone will overpay for Bennet good for him but it wont be the Blues. All the Blues need is to find a good versatile 3rd center
This ^. Schenn might not be the best 2C, but that line (with Kyrou & Holloway) was one of the best 2nd lines in the whole league the last quarter/third of last season. I think the Blues are looking more for 3rd center as well, someone who can elevate the offensive potential in Neighbours & Bolduc, someone to fill the gap until Dvorsky is ready to be an NHL center.
Totally agree I looked thru the list of the lower tier UFA centers guys like Dvorak, Kuraly, Roslovic, Frederic, Donato on the longer side maybe Geekie maybe Granlund but i still those two get paid. I honestly dont have the scouting knowledge to know which UFA potential 3C would fit, speed, some skill, two way, FO % but i trust Army and co. will know. It could actually be a big upgrade and I love Sunny but in no way can Sunny maximize Bolduc and Neighbours potential at this stage.
Buch Thomas Snuggerud
Holloway Schenn Kyrou
Neighbours UFA Bolduc
Walker Faksa Torpo/Sunny then Dvorsky
Fowler CP
Broberg Faulk
Tucker Kessel/Leddy UFA
Binnie
Hofer
I think thats a really good hockey team,best line up the Blues have put out in a while. With a full training camp of Monte and continued growth of the younger guys we are in store for a good season in 25-26
That would be "ok" but there is really no reason at all for that to be plan A. I mean sure we may have to settle for a solid 3c and that would be a step forward but I have no idea why that would be your plan.
Because Schenn is already here, signed and the line with Holloway and Kyrou was very good so why mess with it. Also i dont feel like a Schenn upgrade is realistic as far as big UFA signings. Army will most likely pull off something that none of us see coming, a trade that we cannot forecast but until i see otherwise and i see the current Blues cap space its hard for me to imagine that a new 2nd center is coming. I see an upgrade in Sunnys spot to be most realistic
I think you are getting a little stuck on who plays on which line, A #2 center between Nieghbours and Bolduc would be a very good thing.
I would agree UFA is unlikely but even that is not out of the question and there should be some trade options to look at for potential top 6 centers.
I am not sure which lines are actually the Blues #1 line or #2 line whether its Kyrous line or Thomas's line but that doesnt matter. If Army landed a legit NHL top 6 center he will be centering Kyrou and Holloway logically. I think that is the most long shot scenario though but as we know Army is unpredictable. Does he do a prospect trade for a younger center, Stenberg + a pick for a guy? Idk i wouldnt support that now but i dont see Army in the Taveres, Granlund, Marner, Bennet market at this time in the franchise reboot and nor do i think its necessary. Here are some things i think you can bank on next year:
Thomas is 80+ pts perhaps a lot more
Kyrou continues to grow into a top NHL RW
Holloway has a big year
Buch bounces back with 60+ pts
Schenn remains a 50+ center
Bolduc/Neighbours/Snuggerud all continue to ascend
With these thoughts all Army has to do is a) re sign Faksa or someone comperable b) find an upgrade for Sunny c) decide what to do with the 7th dman
Harry S Deals wrote: ↑03 Jun 2025 08:27 am
Sam Bennet is a good player, hes a gritty guy on a good team. Bennet is a 40-50 pt player and hes been decent in the postseason (very good this season) so paying him $10 million ish should not be something that Army considers at this point. Thats Schenn level production we already have that player in place for a very reasonable contract and Schenn is very well respected by the team and organization. Surely someone will overpay for Bennet good for him but it wont be the Blues. All the Blues need is to find a good versatile 3rd center
This ^. Schenn might not be the best 2C, but that line (with Kyrou & Holloway) was one of the best 2nd lines in the whole league the last quarter/third of last season. I think the Blues are looking more for 3rd center as well, someone who can elevate the offensive potential in Neighbours & Bolduc, someone to fill the gap until Dvorsky is ready to be an NHL center.
Totally agree I looked thru the list of the lower tier UFA centers guys like Dvorak, Kuraly, Roslovic, Frederic, Donato on the longer side maybe Geekie maybe Granlund but i still those two get paid. I honestly dont have the scouting knowledge to know which UFA potential 3C would fit, speed, some skill, two way, FO % but i trust Army and co. will know. It could actually be a big upgrade and I love Sunny but in no way can Sunny maximize Bolduc and Neighbours potential at this stage.
Buch Thomas Snuggerud
Holloway Schenn Kyrou
Neighbours UFA Bolduc
Walker Faksa Torpo/Sunny then Dvorsky
Fowler CP
Broberg Faulk
Tucker Kessel/Leddy UFA
Binnie
Hofer
I think thats a really good hockey team,best line up the Blues have put out in a while. With a full training camp of Monte and continued growth of the younger guys we are in store for a good season in 25-26
That would be "ok" but there is really no reason at all for that to be plan A. I mean sure we may have to settle for a solid 3c and that would be a step forward but I have no idea why that would be your plan.
Because Schenn is already here, signed and the line with Holloway and Kyrou was very good so why mess with it. Also i dont feel like a Schenn upgrade is realistic as far as big UFA signings. Army will most likely pull off something that none of us see coming, a trade that we cannot forecast but until i see otherwise and i see the current Blues cap space its hard for me to imagine that a new 2nd center is coming. I see an upgrade in Sunnys spot to be most realistic
I think you are getting a little stuck on who plays on which line, A #2 center between Nieghbours and Bolduc would be a very good thing.
I would agree UFA is unlikely but even that is not out of the question and there should be some trade options to look at for potential top 6 centers.
I am not sure which lines are actually the Blues #1 line or #2 line whether its Kyrous line or Thomas's line but that doesnt matter. If Army landed a legit NHL top 6 center he will be centering Kyrou and Holloway logically. I think that is the most long shot scenario though but as we know Army is unpredictable. Does he do a prospect trade for a younger center, Stenberg + a pick for a guy? Idk i wouldnt support that now but i dont see Army in the Taveres, Granlund, Marner, Bennet market at this time in the franchise reboot and nor do i think its necessary. Here are some things i think you can bank on next year:
Thomas is 80+ pts perhaps a lot more
Kyrou continues to grow into a top NHL RW
Holloway has a big year
Buch bounces back with 60+ pts
Schenn remains a 50+ center
Bolduc/Neighbours/Snuggerud all continue to ascend
With these thoughts all Army has to do is a) re sign Faksa or someone comperable b) find an upgrade for Sunny c) decide what to do with the 7th dman
We have the wingers to take big time advantage of having three top 6 centers and should at least be trying to do that.
