Fowler: The extension that kills

[chuckt]

This extension is fine. Fowler has not been a problem and I've noticed him making smart plays on the defensive end this year.

Look at the 2026 UFA list. What would you rather spend that money on? Trouba going to 8-10 million.

[SameOldBlues]

This extension is fine. Fowler has not been a problem and I've noticed him making smart plays on the defensive end this year.

Look at the 2026 UFA list. What would you rather spend that money on? Trouba going to 8-10 million.

Oh, I forgot that free agency is the only place you can get players.

We have one Theo Lindstein ‘percolating’ in the AHL who is considered a pretty spiffy prospect who just might fill whatever void one thinks Fowler would leave, at a tenth of the cost too.

Stop the chronic excuses and be better, and the same goes to the players.

[chuckt]

This extension is fine. Fowler has not been a problem and I've noticed him making smart plays on the defensive end this year.

Look at the 2026 UFA list. What would you rather spend that money on? Trouba going to 8-10 million.

Oh, I forgot that free agency is the only place you can get players.

We have one Theo Lindstein ‘percolating’ in the AHL who is considered a pretty spiffy prospect who just might fill whatever void one thinks Fowler would leave, at a tenth of the cost too.

Stop the chronic excuses and be better, and the same goes to the players.

Then Lindstein can replace Tucker. If Lindstein outperforms Fowler then Fowler can slide down. His contract is in no way killing the team.

They could trade Fowler right now for more than they paid for him. Ridiculous to point to his contract as an issue.

[netboy65]

This extension is fine. Fowler has not been a problem and I've noticed him making smart plays on the defensive end this year.

Look at the 2026 UFA list. What would you rather spend that money on? Trouba going to 8-10 million.

Oh, I forgot that free agency is the only place you can get players.

We have one Theo Lindstein ‘percolating’ in the AHL who is considered a pretty spiffy prospect who just might fill whatever void one thinks Fowler would leave, at a tenth of the cost too.

Stop the chronic excuses and be better, and the same goes to the players.

Semantics, but Fowler is only making 4M and league min is 750k-ish, so more like a fifth.
As was stated Lindstein is taking Tucker or Kessel’s spot. Weren’t people just screaming that we needed a vet to mentor the kids on the blue line?

[Old_Goat]

Most of our players are playing their tails off. Haven't any of you ever been on a team like this that plays hard and has talent, but just doesn't play hard together? I think the very best thing to do is to not overreact and the coaching staff will nurse them through this. It might take the whole season and we will probably miss the playoffs. Or this could turn around in a short period.

One gripe I have is the system. Our transition out of our defensive end has been bad and other teams are sensing it. They are forechecking us. We keep doing these no look passes on our own zone, which is fun to watch but very dangerous. It's affecting our team flow and results in giveaways and shots against. Fowler is not the problem. Neither was acquiring Malloux (although we all thought he was more NHL ready than he is). I believe we were all under the delusion that we'd pick up where we left off before Holloway got hurt last year. It just hasn't worked out yet.

The most glaring personnel issue this team has is a hole at LD. We talked about this a lot over the summer. The Blues need a third highly competent LD to go with Broberg and Fowler. If they had one more LD at the caliber of those two, they could play Kessel, Skinner or Mailloux along with that player and they would be better off. I thought Leddy would have been a better partner for Mailloux but that didn't happen. Then I thought they would acquire a sturdy vet to pair with Mailloux but that didn't happen either. I think they are overusing their top four D and that is hurting them.

I may have been thinking about Mailloux's game incorrectly. He may be more of a primarily offensive defenseman right now and not a two-way guy. If he had a lock down vet partner, he could roam more and his defensive shortcomings wouldn't be such a problem, at least for this early part of his career. I have been hopeful that Lindstein could come in and be part of the top 6 (he may be the best we've got despite his inexperience), but he is on a bad team right now in Springfield and also not in a good place with his play.

Yes sir.
And Fowler is better than Leddy. Without knowing all of the facts, I still believe there are/were concerns about Leddy's injury recovery/health condition.
Both Tucker and Kessel are at best 3rd-liners. And they cannot be out there with an inexperienced D-man. Therefore, their type needs to also have more physicality. That leaves Kessel out. I would much rather have Skinner than Kessel if needed in lineup.
IF we had another reliable experienced D-man (could be either side) whom is better than those two (does not have to be Norris Trophy candidate), then maybe Mailloux would be okay right now?

[moose-and-squirrel]

Most of our players are playing their tails off. Haven't any of you ever been on a team like this that plays hard and has talent

the problem here is assuming most in here have actually played the game

it's obvious by some posts a lot have not

[hockey jedi]

Most of our players are playing their tails off. Haven't any of you ever been on a team like this that plays hard and has talent

the problem here is assuming most in here have actually played the game

it's obvious by some posts a lot have not

I'm fine with you ripping my post. I'm not offended you don't agree with me. I played two sports in college and played youth hockey. I was a state champion in hockey. I had a couple of small pro tryouts. You must have been really special as an athlete. I defer to you sir

[moose-and-squirrel]

Most of our players are playing their tails off. Haven't any of you ever been on a team like this that plays hard and has talent

the problem here is assuming most in here have actually played the game

it's obvious by some posts a lot have not

I'm fine with you ripping my post. I'm not offended you don't agree with me. I played two sports in college and played youth hockey. I was a state champion in hockey. I had a couple of small pro tryouts. You must have been really special as an athlete. I defer to you sir

not ripping your post at all. was a comment to posters in general