To extend or not to extend: Cam Fowler's case in St. Louis

[Red7]

I think term, not dollars, will be the issue. Unfortunately, option years are not available in the NHL. I’d be reluctant to go past two years (after this one). The other issue will be Broberg’s extension. How much of your cap do you want to commit to the D-line. I could see 2/12, a higher AAV, but shorter term

[Harold_Melvin]

As long as it's 3 years or less, I don't see a problem. Nobody coming going to claim a spot in the Top 4 in the next 3 years. You can't build a team expecting a young player to take a spot you don't have an NHL avg guy to cover. See our 2C situation last year. Someone gets hurt and the season's in the balance. Based on the signings this Summer I think Army understands that.

Agreed! The difference between 2 and 3 years is nonsense IMO. Fowler was very dependable last year and still had fire in his belly. There are new names on D this year, but I still trust Fowler to continue on as a dependable Blue for 2 or 3 years. Even if the 3rd year is a turd.

[Red7]

As long as it's 3 years or less, I don't see a problem. Nobody coming going to claim a spot in the Top 4 in the next 3 years. You can't build a team expecting a young player to take a spot you don't have an NHL avg guy to cover. See our 2C situation last year. Someone gets hurt and the season's in the balance. Based on the signings this Summer I think Army understands that.

Agreed! The difference between 2 and 3 years is nonsense IMO. Fowler was very dependable last year and still had fire in his belly. There are new names on D this year, but I still trust Fowler to continue on as a dependable Blue for 2 or 3 years. Even if the 3rd year is a turd.

A third year essentially means 4 more seasons (counting 2025-26). Fowler has played 1,500 games. That’s a lot of miles on those tires.

[a smell of green grass]

Pay attention here, folks. This requires more deep thought...

Do you know why teams that are knocking on the Lord Stanley's door are eager, willing, and jump at the chance of adding Fowler-type players?

Answer: These teams are going all in to win the Cup. They will gladly suffer any negative consequences of having Fowler in the future--after they have won their cup.

Meanwhile, there is GM Douglas Army that uses veterans to COVER UP THE MASSIVE TEAM HOLES THAT HE HAS ON HIS ROSTER.

This shortsighted, foolish, and CYA approach to roster build, leads to the absolute disgrace situation that we now sit...

Just ask yourself these questions:
1. Why do the Blues have the OLDEST defense in the league after JUST COMPLETING A 3-year RE-WHATEVER? Isn't a re-whatever supposed to bring in youth?

2. We have been trying to replace Petrangelo for 6 years. Why after 6 years is there no young-Petrangelo on the roster? Not even in the AHL?

The Answer is simple:
Army and the Blues staff have zero capability to build a defense through the draft. Nor can they find a 2C. As a result, our GM needs to rely on 1000- game veterans to cover his big A.

[JoshInFenton]

As great as he was last year, i'd want to see how he plays this year before deciding. We will have to see if he can continue playing at a similar level as last year this one.

Assuming good play this year: I'd be fine seeing a 5.5-6M/2 year deal happen, if a 3rd year were demanded i'd want to see that fall closer to 4.5-4.75 as i'd want that 3rd year pretty heavily discounted at a roughly 1.5-2m rate. if he wants to go for a big payday then i think that we bite the bullet and look elsewhere and take a small step back.

[TAFKAP]

As long as it's 3 years or less, I don't see a problem. Nobody coming going to claim a spot in the Top 4 in the next 3 years. You can't build a team expecting a young player to take a spot you don't have an NHL avg guy to cover. See our 2C situation last year. Someone gets hurt and the season's in the balance. Based on the signings this Summer I think Army understands that.

Agreed! The difference between 2 and 3 years is nonsense IMO. Fowler was very dependable last year and still had fire in his belly. There are new names on D this year, but I still trust Fowler to continue on as a dependable Blue for 2 or 3 years. Even if the 3rd year is a turd.

A third year essentially means 4 more seasons (counting 2025-26). Fowler has played 1,500 games. That’s a lot of miles on those tires.

He has 1100ish games including playoffs. His 1000th was the Winter Classic. He's only 33, I don't get the trepidation. Any NHL team will sign him to a 3 year deal. I wouldn't go any longer though.

[Frank Barone]

As great as he was last year, i'd want to see how he plays this year before deciding. We will have to see if he can continue playing at a similar level as last year this one.

Assuming good play this year: I'd be fine seeing a 5.5-6M/2 year deal happen, if a 3rd year were demanded i'd want to see that fall closer to 4.5-4.75 as i'd want that 3rd year pretty heavily discounted at a roughly 1.5-2m rate. if he wants to go for a big payday then i think that we bite the bullet and look elsewhere and take a small step back.

Fowler has career earnings of $68M, will be $74.5M after this coming season. I imagine his family's livability is a top priority these days, along with wanting a chance to win. He won't be out for every penny he can get.

[SameOldBlues]

Let him play out the year, sign em to two years at a reasonable rate, if he wants more than 2, let em walk. By then we’ll know where the drafted kids are and at least one of em should be ready to join the D ranks.

[MrPostman01]

Consider the hallucenogenic reaction to the neophyte Snuggle Bunny.

Fowler with Blues
Reg. 51 games 9G 27A
Playoff 7 G 2G 8A

Snuggle bunny
Reg. 7G 1G 3A
Playoffs 7G 2G 2A

Fowler is great, but many posters want to give Snuggle Bunny the keys to the top line!!!

[moose-and-squirrel]

Let him play out the year, sign em to two years at a reasonable rate, if he wants more than 2, let em walk. By then we’ll know where the drafted kids are and at least one of em should be ready to join the D ranks.

this.. learn from the Leddy deal

[skilles]

Let him play out the year, sign em to two years at a reasonable rate, if he wants more than 2, let em walk. By then we’ll know where the drafted kids are and at least one of em should be ready to join the D ranks.

this.. learn from the Leddy deal

What did you learn from the Leddy deal? I thought it worked out pretty well.

[moose-and-squirrel]

Let him play out the year, sign em to two years at a reasonable rate, if he wants more than 2, let em walk. By then we’ll know where the drafted kids are and at least one of em should be ready to join the D ranks.

this.. learn from the Leddy deal

What did you learn from the Leddy deal? I thought it worked out pretty well.

year too long, but yeah, it's not like he was turrible

[skilles]

Let him play out the year, sign em to two years at a reasonable rate, if he wants more than 2, let em walk. By then we’ll know where the drafted kids are and at least one of em should be ready to join the D ranks.

this.. learn from the Leddy deal

What did you learn from the Leddy deal? I thought it worked out pretty well.

year too long, but yeah, it's not like he was turrible

I think that is just part of the competitive game, I'd go 3 on Fowler no problem

[a smell of green grass]

Fowler was our best D man in the playoffs by far.

The first question to ask when considering his term is how long will that be the case?

Im inclined to believe that history will repeat. Army will not find anyone in the draft as good as Fowler. He has been trying to replace Petro for 6 years and the cupboard is still bare.

Given that Fowler is likely our best until he retires, Id sign him up until the expiration date of his legs.

[stlblue06]

Let him play out the year, sign em to two years at a reasonable rate, if he wants more than 2, let em walk. By then we’ll know where the drafted kids are and at least one of em should be ready to join the D ranks.

this.. learn from the Leddy deal

Except Leddy only played well for a couple of regular season months then sucked in the playoffs before that contract. Cam had 3 more months of regular season and a top tier first round.

Plus Leddy wasn’t buried on a (bleep) team for the past 5-10 years.

The only way I’d wait to see how Folwer plays is if he wants to be paid like a top 1st pair guy the entire contract