No math or calculations necessary, what do you think?

[stlblue06]

What Bolduc does on the Habs isn’t indicative of what he’d have done on the Blues, different teammates, circumstances, coaching.

It’s about who the players become. Not guessing what they’d be on teams in the past.

This is part true. Nature vs nurture.

[a smell of green grass]

Show me a person that is excited about Blues hockey, and I'll show you someone that is not paying attention to the great things that are happening on the other teams in the NHL.

We just traded away one of our best young wingers for Montreal's 4th-best RHD. Montreal has something to be excited about. NOT THE BLUES.

Bolduc on the depth chart was by all appearances behind Kyrou, Holloway, Neighbours, and potentially Snuggerud by preference, and the veteran Buchnevich.

Binnington was 4th or 5th on the depth chart

Yes, he was, and if the guys ahead of him had performed up to expectations he might still be buried, that's the way life works. Who knows, Cranley or Zherenko might be better someday. Maybe you would have traded Kyrou or Holloway instead?

And sometimes players outperform their evaluations/pecking order. Brett Hull was once way down on a depth chart.

Sometimes, sure. That’s the exception rather than the rule however.

Not really. If the players were 27 years old or drafted in the 4th round sure. But we are talking about young 1st round picks. Not saying he will, but it’s going to blow your mind if Bolduc turns out to be a more valuable player than Snuggerud or Kyrou?

The long-term quality of all wingers in St Louis is unknown. Our Center situation is so weak and we have no marquis talent, none of them are getting a fair shake.

Putting Bolduc on a team with a band of star-talent is going to guarantee that he becomes more than he ever was in St Louis. If Bolduc ends up on the line with Demidov, just put up a block of all daily scoring results from Montreal. It's going to be really really ugly for us.

[b-a-a-a-rclay]

Before last season Montreal came in 8th out of 8 teams 3 years in a row. Other than the covid asterisk year they haven't won a playoff round since 2015. Their fans definitely deserve to see some decent hockey finally.

[netboy65]

Before last season Montreal came in 8th out of 8 teams 3 years in a row. Other than the covid asterisk year they haven't won a playoff round since 2015. Their fans definitely deserve to see some decent hockey finally.

Fork their fans. They have the most Cups in the league by a mile. I don’t feel sorry for them now that they’re seeing how the other half lives.

[a smell of green grass]

Before last season Montreal came in 8th out of 8 teams 3 years in a row. Other than the covid asterisk year they haven't won a playoff round since 2015. Their fans definitely deserve to see some decent hockey finally.

Mailloux was their 4th best young prospect defenseman. Demidov is looking like the next Ovechkin.

My bet is that the fans of Montreal will get to watch some very fine hockey players every night for 10+ years.

Other than the last half of 2019, the St Louis fans have been watching very mediocre hockey. The best thing going was the WTF in the playoffs, and now that has evaporated as well.

The people of St Louis should demand more from their hockey team.

[Red7]

The Blues are counting heavily on two, maybe even three, rookies to contribute in a major way. Outside of Binnington, who was the last Blues’ rookie to be an impact player? Thomas and Fabbri contributed as third liners, but weren’t marquis players. How Snuggerud and Mailloux progress will have a lot to do with if the Blues are a playoff team, much less a contender.

[b-a-a-a-rclay]

The fans should demand more by insisting that the Blues finish bottom 5 in the league for a few years in a row? Does that make sense to anyone except one person?

[Red7]

The fans should demand more by insisting that the Blues finish bottom 5 in the league for a few years in a row? Does that make sense to anyone except one person?

It’s paid off handsomely for Buffalo.

[DawgDad]

The Blues are counting heavily on two, maybe even three, rookies to contribute in a major way. Outside of Binnington, who was the last Blues’ rookie to be an impact player? Thomas and Fabbri contributed as third liners, but weren’t marquis players. How Snuggerud and Mailloux progress will have a lot to do with if the Blues are a playoff team, much less a contender.

The Blues actually have a backup plan. For Snuggerud, they actually have too many veteran forwards right now and potentially the next man up prospect. They have Kessel behind Maiiloux on RD. With Suter and Bjugstad replacing Faksa they would likely be a playoff bubble team or better anyway.

[Harry York 37]

The Blues are counting heavily on two, maybe even three, rookies to contribute in a major way. Outside of Binnington, who was the last Blues’ rookie to be an impact player? Thomas and Fabbri contributed as third liners, but weren’t marquis players. How Snuggerud and Mailloux progress will have a lot to do with if the Blues are a playoff team, much less a contender.

I think they are fine with those two and will do damage in the second round.
Snuggerud played top notch hockey against men over 20 years of age and it showed last year. There will be hiccups, but a seasoned guy with his pedigree and seasoning… will do well on our top line. Buchnevich always covers for the new kid who might struggle at times.They only put Kyrou on that line later in the series because he was a ghost without Holloway.

Mailloux is the question mark , but .i think the change of atmosphere will be a huge blessing.

Holloway and Broberg will have monster years.

[kimzey59]

The Blues are counting heavily on two, maybe even three, rookies to contribute in a major way. Outside of Binnington, who was the last Blues’ rookie to be an impact player? Thomas and Fabbri contributed as third liners, but weren’t marquis players. How Snuggerud and Mailloux progress will have a lot to do with if the Blues are a playoff team, much less a contender.

Buch-Thomas-Neighbours
Holloway-Schenn-Kyrou
Joseph-Suter-Bjugstad
Toro-Sunny-Walker
Texier Alexandrov

Fowler-Parayko
Broberg-Faulk
Tucker-Kessel
Schueneman

Binny
Hofer

Third pairing is “rough” and the 3rd line may struggle offensively(pretty good defensively, but not much offensive punch); but that’s a borderline PO team with zero rookies in the lineup.
It would be great for the rookies to come in and make a solid impact; but there is very little argument that we’re “counting” on them to do so. The impact the rookies might make are the difference between a PO bubble team and possibly pushing for 3rd in the Division. It’s marginal at best.

[DawgDad]

The Blues are counting heavily on two, maybe even three, rookies to contribute in a major way. Outside of Binnington, who was the last Blues’ rookie to be an impact player? Thomas and Fabbri contributed as third liners, but weren’t marquis players. How Snuggerud and Mailloux progress will have a lot to do with if the Blues are a playoff team, much less a contender.

Buch-Thomas-Neighbours
Holloway-Schenn-Kyrou
Joseph-Suter-Bjugstad
Toro-Sunny-Walker
Texier Alexandrov

Fowler-Parayko
Broberg-Faulk
Tucker-Kessel
Schueneman

Binny
Hofer

Third pairing is “rough” and the 3rd line may struggle offensively(pretty good defensively, but not much offensive punch); but that’s a borderline PO team with zero rookies in the lineup.
It would be great for the rookies to come in and make a solid impact; but there is very little argument that we’re “counting” on them to do so. The impact the rookies might make are the difference between a PO bubble team and possibly pushing for 3rd in the Division. It’s marginal at best.

That might be better than a bubble team if all the key players are healthy.

Let's not forget Snuggerud can flat out shoot the puck. Unless he totally spits the bit he's at least a 3rd liner who should contribute on the PP.

[moose-and-squirrel]

The Blues are counting heavily on two, maybe even three, rookies to contribute in a major way. Outside of Binnington, who was the last Blues’ rookie to be an impact player? Thomas and Fabbri contributed as third liners, but weren’t marquis players. How Snuggerud and Mailloux progress will have a lot to do with if the Blues are a playoff team, much less a contender.

Buch-Thomas-Neighbours
Holloway-Schenn-Kyrou
Joseph-Suter-Bjugstad
Toro-Sunny-Walker
Texier Alexandrov

Fowler-Parayko
Broberg-Faulk
Tucker-Kessel
Schueneman

Binny
Hofer

Third pairing is “rough” and the 3rd line may struggle offensively(pretty good defensively, but not much offensive punch); but that’s a borderline PO team with zero rookies in the lineup.
It would be great for the rookies to come in and make a solid impact; but there is very little argument that we’re “counting” on them to do so. The impact the rookies might make are the difference between a PO bubble team and possibly pushing for 3rd in the Division. It’s marginal at best.

unless Mailloux craps the bed, there's no way he's not on the big club. Kessel is the one who's spot is in danger

[Harry York 37]

The Blues are counting heavily on two, maybe even three, rookies to contribute in a major way. Outside of Binnington, who was the last Blues’ rookie to be an impact player? Thomas and Fabbri contributed as third liners, but weren’t marquis players. How Snuggerud and Mailloux progress will have a lot to do with if the Blues are a playoff team, much less a contender.

Buch-Thomas-Neighbours
Holloway-Schenn-Kyrou
Joseph-Suter-Bjugstad
Toro-Sunny-Walker
Texier Alexandrov

Fowler-Parayko
Broberg-Faulk
Tucker-Kessel
Schueneman

Binny
Hofer

Third pairing is “rough” and the 3rd line may struggle offensively(pretty good defensively, but not much offensive punch); but that’s a borderline PO team with zero rookies in the lineup.
It would be great for the rookies to come in and make a solid impact; but there is very little argument that we’re “counting” on them to do so. The impact the rookies might make are the difference between a PO bubble team and possibly pushing for 3rd in the Division. It’s marginal at best.

unless Mailloux craps the bed, there's no way he's not on the big club. Kessel is the one who's spot is in danger

I agree.
Kimzey, are you really that down on the Guy?
I ignorantly thought we should find a French-speaking Ryan Suter for a mentor similar to what I thought Tucker enjoyed last season. But, I learned he is a native English speaker who learned “very good French” as a second language in school. He ain’t a dummy. His Junior team canceled a season due to Covid and he played in Sweden and made a mistake. He still got picked in the first round even though he asked not to be drafted at all that year. He was suspended the next season in Juniors until January. Played a dozen solid games and got injured in a fight. The next season he led his league with 25 goals by a defenseman and added 28 assists. He set a team record for scoring by a defenseman in the playoffs with 24 points in 21 games.
Then he turned pro.
His first year in the AHL he was his team’s representative for the All-Star game as the Rockets were having a poor season..
The next year he was voted into the All Star Team as his team went from DNQ for the playoffs to having the best record in the league. He must have begun focusing in Defense as he was a first team all star even as his point total fell by a third.
He got eight games in with the Canadiens and scored five points, with two goals.
Yes, he was a minus five.
It’s an eight game sample from a rookie.

I think he will stay in the big club until he craps a bed somewhere.
I don’t see him crapping any beds, I am sure we will have to endure a Dutch-oven or two, but I think he has been on the right track for several years now.

[kimzey59]

The Blues are counting heavily on two, maybe even three, rookies to contribute in a major way. Outside of Binnington, who was the last Blues’ rookie to be an impact player? Thomas and Fabbri contributed as third liners, but weren’t marquis players. How Snuggerud and Mailloux progress will have a lot to do with if the Blues are a playoff team, much less a contender.

Buch-Thomas-Neighbours
Holloway-Schenn-Kyrou
Joseph-Suter-Bjugstad
Toro-Sunny-Walker
Texier Alexandrov

Fowler-Parayko
Broberg-Faulk
Tucker-Kessel
Schueneman

Binny
Hofer

Third pairing is “rough” and the 3rd line may struggle offensively(pretty good defensively, but not much offensive punch); but that’s a borderline PO team with zero rookies in the lineup.
It would be great for the rookies to come in and make a solid impact; but there is very little argument that we’re “counting” on them to do so. The impact the rookies might make are the difference between a PO bubble team and possibly pushing for 3rd in the Division. It’s marginal at best.

unless Mailloux craps the bed, there's no way he's not on the big club. Kessel is the one who's spot is in danger

I agree.
Kimzey, are you really that down on the Guy?
I ignorantly thought we should find a French-speaking Ryan Suter for a mentor similar to what I thought Tucker enjoyed last season. But, I learned he is a native English speaker who learned “very good French” as a second language in school. He ain’t a dummy. His Junior team canceled a season due to Covid and he played in Sweden and made a mistake. He still got picked in the first round even though he asked not to be drafted at all that year. He was suspended the next season in Juniors until January. Played a dozen solid games and got injured in a fight. The next season he led his league with 25 goals by a defenseman and added 28 assists. He set a team record for scoring by a defenseman in the playoffs with 24 points in 21 games.
Then he turned pro.
His first year in the AHL he was his team’s representative for the All-Star game as the Rockets were having a poor season..
The next year he was voted into the All Star Team as his team went from DNQ for the playoffs to having the best record in the league. He must have begun focusing in Defense as he was a first team all star even as his point total fell by a third.
He got eight games in with the Canadiens and scored five points, with two goals.
Yes, he was a minus five.
It’s an eight game sample from a rookie.

I think he will stay in the big club until he craps a bed somewhere.
I don’t see him crapping any beds, I am sure we will have to endure a Dutch-oven or two, but I think he has been on the right track for several years now.

Not at all.
The statement made was that we were "counting heavily on two, maybe even three, rookies to contribute in a major way."
I strongly disagree with that statement so I posted our roster with zero rookies included.
Frankly, I would have thought people would get more worked over the exclusion of Snuggy than Mailloux; but it doesn't matter either way. It's just a thought exercise.
Add in the rookies and the lineup changes.

With Mailloux, the 3rd pairing goes from "rough" to "dubious but potentially pretty good". Tucker and Mailloux both bring a very physical brand of hockey, take up a lot of ice and have a bit of scoring potential(mostly from Mailloux, but Tucker has a "sneaky" shot also). I'm not sure about their actual defensive play until I see it on the ice, but there's potential there at the very least.

Add Snuggy and the 3rd line goes from "defense only" to having a decent amount of offensive ability(whether it's Snuggy or Jake there, there's definite scoring potential). And if Dvorsky or Carb's can stick, the offensive potential just increases further. I'm not one who thinks the caliber of the 3rd line is the difference between PO's and no PO's, but a good 3rd line can be a difference maker in certain situations.

And that also gives some trickle down offense to the 4th line. Bjugstad has multiple 30+ point campaigns under his belt, plus a couple 40 point seasons. If he's your 4th line center, there's a bit of offensive punch there just because of him(maybe more than "a bit" if the line really clicks). I'm not sure if Toro, Dingo and Sunny can really capitalize on that offensive ability; but it's the one area where Bjugstad is solidly better than Faksa(I do think Joseph and especially Texier could feed on that offensive ability, but I'm not scratching Toro or Dingo for them).


The rookies will absolutely be worked into the lineup in various scenario's; but none of them are "team critical". We're a PO bubble team without them. Any contributions they make are a bonus but I'm not convinced they really change our outlook that much("PO bubble" to "may fight for 3rd in the Central" isn't that big of a leap in my view).

[Harry York 37]

The Blues are counting heavily on two, maybe even three, rookies to contribute in a major way. Outside of Binnington, who was the last Blues’ rookie to be an impact player? Thomas and Fabbri contributed as third liners, but weren’t marquis players. How Snuggerud and Mailloux progress will have a lot to do with if the Blues are a playoff team, much less a contender.

Buch-Thomas-Neighbours
Holloway-Schenn-Kyrou
Joseph-Suter-Bjugstad
Toro-Sunny-Walker
Texier Alexandrov

Fowler-Parayko
Broberg-Faulk
Tucker-Kessel
Schueneman

Binny
Hofer

Third pairing is “rough” and the 3rd line may struggle offensively(pretty good defensively, but not much offensive punch); but that’s a borderline PO team with zero rookies in the lineup.
It would be great for the rookies to come in and make a solid impact; but there is very little argument that we’re “counting” on them to do so. The impact the rookies might make are the difference between a PO bubble team and possibly pushing for 3rd in the Division. It’s marginal at best.

unless Mailloux craps the bed, there's no way he's not on the big club. Kessel is the one who's spot is in danger

I agree.
Kimzey, are you really that down on the Guy?
I ignorantly thought we should find a French-speaking Ryan Suter for a mentor similar to what I thought Tucker enjoyed last season. But, I learned he is a native English speaker who learned “very good French” as a second language in school. He ain’t a dummy. His Junior team canceled a season due to Covid and he played in Sweden and made a mistake. He still got picked in the first round even though he asked not to be drafted at all that year. He was suspended the next season in Juniors until January. Played a dozen solid games and got injured in a fight. The next season he led his league with 25 goals by a defenseman and added 28 assists. He set a team record for scoring by a defenseman in the playoffs with 24 points in 21 games.
Then he turned pro.
His first year in the AHL he was his team’s representative for the All-Star game as the Rockets were having a poor season..
The next year he was voted into the All Star Team as his team went from DNQ for the playoffs to having the best record in the league. He must have begun focusing in Defense as he was a first team all star even as his point total fell by a third.
He got eight games in with the Canadiens and scored five points, with two goals.
Yes, he was a minus five.
It’s an eight game sample from a rookie.

I think he will stay in the big club until he craps a bed somewhere.
I don’t see him crapping any beds, I am sure we will have to endure a Dutch-oven or two, but I think he has been on the right track for several years now.

Not at all.
The statement made was that we were "counting heavily on two, maybe even three, rookies to contribute in a major way."
I strongly disagree with that statement so I posted our roster with zero rookies included.
Frankly, I would have thought people would get more worked over the exclusion of Snuggy than Mailloux; but it doesn't matter either way. It's just a thought exercise.
Add in the rookies and the lineup changes.

With Mailloux, the 3rd pairing goes from "rough" to "dubious but potentially pretty good". Tucker and Mailloux both bring a very physical brand of hockey, take up a lot of ice and have a bit of scoring potential(mostly from Mailloux, but Tucker has a "sneaky" shot also). I'm not sure about their actual defensive play until I see it on the ice, but there's potential there at the very least.

Add Snuggy and the 3rd line goes from "defense only" to having a decent amount of offensive ability(whether it's Snuggy or Jake there, there's definite scoring potential). And if Dvorsky or Carb's can stick, the offensive potential just increases further. I'm not one who thinks the caliber of the 3rd line is the difference between PO's and no PO's, but a good 3rd line can be a difference maker in certain situations.

And that also gives some trickle down offense to the 4th line. Bjugstad has multiple 30+ point campaigns under his belt, plus a couple 40 point seasons. If he's your 4th line center, there's a bit of offensive punch there just because of him(maybe more than "a bit" if the line really clicks). I'm not sure if Toro, Dingo and Sunny can really capitalize on that offensive ability; but it's the one area where Bjugstad is solidly better than Faksa(I do think Joseph and especially Texier could feed on that offensive ability, but I'm not scratching Toro or Dingo for them).


The rookies will absolutely be worked into the lineup in various scenario's; but none of them are "team critical". We're a PO bubble team without them. Any contributions they make are a bonus but I'm not convinced they really change our outlook that much("PO bubble" to "may fight for 3rd in the Central" isn't that big of a leap in my view).

Duh... that's on me for not reading your context as simply a" what if" instead of an "I think it will be".

The third pairing could put up some points if the stars align. Nobody has a more consistent shot "On Net" from the point than Tyler goddang Tucker. Sneaky is about right. Two Big bodies with great shots (Mailloux's is elite, I hear).

Mailloux is not a pinhead, like his most often comp, Evan Bouchard. Mailloux can and will better himself. He has been doing that for a while, as I said.