where does Bjugstad fit?

[danno]

I haven't been hearing much about Nick Bjugstad and where is expected to fit in this lineup. Anybody seeing much from him in training camp? Has he looked good or stood out in a good or bad way? I can't claim to know anything about his game, but at 6'6 and 33 years old, I can't imagine this guy is gonna have much speed in those legs.

I would assume he ends up on the 3rd or 4th line, which would leave Texier and Joseph in the pressbox and Dvorsky, Carbonneau, and the other prospects back in the minors/juniors.

Oh, and remind me again why we gave Lucic a PTO when its already this crowded?

[seattleblue]

He's supposed to be the Faksa replacement but we shall see how it goes down.

As far as the many bodies/few spots situation, it seems like they are going out of their way to let players in the org know spots aren't safe with this much champing/chomping at the bit from the upcoming prospects. there's a deeper wave of up and coming contribution about to crest over this team

[Army's Mom]

I can't comment on his legs, but I think of him as Faska's replacement, slightly less FO/defense but slightly more offense. Capable of sliding up to 3rd line (probably better at 3RW than Sunny, who started there last year). He's not competing with Dvorsky/Carbs for a spot - if anything, having Bjugstad as insurance in case a rookie gets caved in makes it easier to support a rookie starting at 3RW. JMHO.

I see Lucic as a cautionary tale for all the youngsters - "Don't skip leg day (or turn to the sauce), or this might happen to you..."

[a smell of green grass]

I've not seen him skate yet. I saw someone say that Bjugstad reminded him of Hayes. Can't remember who said it.

If you remember, Hayes was the guy that we paid dearly for on the way in, and on the way out.

[kimzey59]

Bjugstad wasn't signed to be anything more than a 3rd or 4th liner.

As for how he looks;
Can't say much in regards to practice but his preseason game was fairly interesting. Pretty much the opposite of what I expected. Zero signs of offensive ability, but MUCH better defense than I expected. He was also dominant in the FO circle that game with 66.7% (not that Columbus dressed many regulars but Brendan Gaunce is no pushover in that regard). The legs don't look to have declined any(granted he wasn't the fastest guy to begin with) and it absolutely didn't help to have Lucic and Carbonneau on his wing(he had to be the defensive coverage guy all night and couldn't get too deep in the zone). He and Joseph did make a solid duo on the PK.

He probably wasn't going all out given that it was a preseason game, but I'm generally not worried about him as the 4th line center. I want to see how he looks between Dingo and Toro before making too many more judgements about him, but he did most of the things I wanted to see him do. The mobility doesn't appear to be impaired, his positioning looks solid, the PK work was decent and the FO's were a really pleasant surprise.

As for Lucic: he has a TON of connections with our FO/Coaching staff.
- Army was his GM for Team Canada
- Monty was his former coach
- Chiarelli was his former GM(on multiple teams)
- Claude Julien was his former coach(for a LONG time)

I'm convinced that this is just a case of the Blues brass doing him a solid with no real expectations. And given that he's probably not going to make the team, I have very little issue with that. Lucic was a very good player in his day, there's no harm in letting him hang around the team for a training camp.

[Cahokanut]

He will fit in fine. His job will be mostly between the blue lines, with limited expectations for a garbage goal, and much gratitude for a bang in the corner. Possible forum favorite.

This team almost feels like a car built by many different spare manufacturers parts from many different car manufactures.

[leedog68]

He will be 3RW with Sunny being 4C unless someone grabs 3RW, in which case he becomes 4C and Sunny takes a seat.
Or someone gets hurt.

[bluetunehead]

He will be 3RW with Sunny being 4C unless someone grabs 3RW, in which case he becomes 4C and Sunny takes a seat.
Or someone gets hurt.

That’s how I think it works out.

[STL fan in MN]

My guess is he most likely fits at either 3RW or 4C.

The most important thing about Bjugstad IMO is his health. He had back surgery around camp time last season so missed camp and was behind the 8-ball all season once he returned. Never felt comfortable. He’s apparently feeling much better this season after a full summer of being able to work out and recover. If his back can hold up, I expect a solid amount more than the 19 pts he put up last season. He had 45 the year before. I don’t expect 45 but 30-35 for the depth role he’s likely to play would be nice. Anything more than that would be gravy.

[b-a-a-a-rclay]

I think he starts as 4C. Of course Sunny could do that too. I don't think Bjugstad is 3W although Rutherford does. Neighbours and Schenn (or Suter) will have a faster guy on RW like Joseph in my opinion. I could be wrong.
There are 2 spots for Bjugstad, Sunny, Joseph, Texier, or longer shot Stenberg.

[STL fan in MN]

I think he starts as 4C. Of course Sunny could do that too. I don't think Bjugstad is 3W although Rutherford does. Neighbours and Schenn (or Suter) will have a faster guy on RW like Joseph in my opinion. I could be wrong.
There are 2 spots for Bjugstad, Sunny, Joseph, Texier, or longer shot Stenberg.

I could easily see all 4 of Bjugstad, Sunny, Joseph and Texier making the team. How are you only seeing 2 spots among those 4?*

*5 including Stenberg but he has a much lower shot IMO. I’d put Dvorsky ahead of him in terms of likelihood of earning a spot and Carbonneau on par with him.

[b-a-a-a-rclay]

I think he starts as 4C. Of course Sunny could do that too. I don't think Bjugstad is 3W although Rutherford does. Neighbours and Schenn (or Suter) will have a faster guy on RW like Joseph in my opinion. I could be wrong.
There are 2 spots for Bjugstad, Sunny, Joseph, Texier, or longer shot Stenberg.

I could easily see all 4 of Bjugstad, Sunny, Joseph and Texier making the team. How are you only seeing 2 spots among those 4?*

*5 including Stenberg but he has a much lower shot IMO. I’d put Dvorsky ahead of him in terms of likelihood of earning a spot and Carbonneau on par with him.

Right. I meant 2 spots in the starting 12 forwards lineup. I could see all 4 making the roster too.

[STL fan in MN]

I think he starts as 4C. Of course Sunny could do that too. I don't think Bjugstad is 3W although Rutherford does. Neighbours and Schenn (or Suter) will have a faster guy on RW like Joseph in my opinion. I could be wrong.
There are 2 spots for Bjugstad, Sunny, Joseph, Texier, or longer shot Stenberg.

I could easily see all 4 of Bjugstad, Sunny, Joseph and Texier making the team. How are you only seeing 2 spots among those 4?*

*5 including Stenberg but he has a much lower shot IMO. I’d put Dvorsky ahead of him in terms of likelihood of earning a spot and Carbonneau on par with him.

Right. I meant 2 spots in the starting 12 forwards lineup. I could see all 4 making the roster too.

Ok that makes more sense. I’d agree there’s really only room for 2 of them in the everyday lineup. That said, I’d be surprised if Bjugstad got healthy scratched much at all.

[SRV1990]

He will fit in fine. His job will be mostly between the blue lines, with limited expectations for a garbage goal, and much gratitude for a bang in the corner. Possible forum favorite.

This team almost feels like a car built by many different spare manufacturers parts from many different car manufactures.

You wasted most of the very few brain cells you have with that drivel. Wouldn't it have been easier, and more accurate, if you (and the other sock) just said you don't have a clue about his game and you know even less about the Blues or hockey in general?

[Harry S Deals]

I haven't been hearing much about Nick Bjugstad and where is expected to fit in this lineup. Anybody seeing much from him in training camp? Has he looked good or stood out in a good or bad way? I can't claim to know anything about his game, but at 6'6 and 33 years old, I can't imagine this guy is gonna have much speed in those legs.

I would assume he ends up on the 3rd or 4th line, which would leave Texier and Joseph in the pressbox and Dvorsky, Carbonneau, and the other prospects back in the minors/juniors.

Oh, and remind me again why we gave Lucic a PTO when its already this crowded?

Buchnevich-Thomas-Snuggerud
Holloway-Suter-Kyrou
Neighbours-Schenn-Joseph
Toropchenko-Sundqvist-Walker

Texier-Bjugstad-Carbonneau


These were the lines they were just running so only two of the guys in BOLD are going to make the team and one of them for sure is Bjugstad. Im still guessing its Carbonneau but i wouldnt take that to Vegas. Im saying 60-40 Carbs bc i just dont get the vibe that Texier is a good fit here and hes never been productive.
I would think Bjugstad platoons with Sunny/Torop/Walker/Joseph and Carbs. However there is still plenty of time left in camp for things to change

[Harry S Deals]

He will fit in fine. His job will be mostly between the blue lines, with limited expectations for a garbage goal, and much gratitude for a bang in the corner. Possible forum favorite.

This team almost feels like a car built by many different spare manufacturers parts from many different car manufactures.

What a dumb comment, the Blues are literally returning 90% of the forward group from last year and the vast majority is guys who have been here for a awhile

Buchnevich-Thomas-Snuggerud
Holloway-Suter-Kyrou
Neighbours-Schenn-Joseph/Bjug/whoever
Toropchenko-Sundqvist-Walker