Alexey Toropchenko on the trade block and his market?

[blues2112]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ife7HDS6uJM

No hands? No agility?

That's the one I remembered and was looking for. He also pounds the opposing players ever game if not every shift.

Yes, he does!

His contract is fair.

[Army's Mom]

I'm starting to think Toropchenko might be the most overrated player to have ever worn the Bluenote...

I think he's one of the most underrated. If you put him on a line with real skill, I could easily see Torop being a 20G/20A player.

I'm surprised he hasn't gotten more of any opportunity to prove this. If you packaged him with Schenn, perhaps they'd get a real prospect in return.

Lol, huh?!?!?!?! They have tried Torop on other lines he lacks any kind of puck skill. 20 goals?? Wow

If Torpedo had that kind of upside, he'd be showing it now. He's had plenty of changes to show us what he is. A great checker who can put 12 to 15 if everything breaks just right.

Great motor, effort, and attitude, with size you cant beat. Still has cement hands, though.

[skilles]

Just no, Toro is one of the things that are right about this team and part of the solution. Its time to turn the corner on the old guard if we are making moves.

[zamadoo]

I liked Toro as a prospect and really enjoyed seeing him break into the league. As others have stated, he has never been a scorer. I also think he could be better or more consistent in his intensity and physicality. He disappears at times, but then can turn it on and be our best hitter and great on the forecheck. He certainly turned it up in last year's playoffs.

Once his $1.7M AAV contract expires at the end of this season, he will be a 27 year old UFA with one 14 goal season playing an average of about 12 minutes a night. If he doesn't want to extend, we might be able to get something for him from a contender.

[Boomac]

I liked Toro as a prospect and really enjoyed seeing him break into the league. As others have stated, he has never been a scorer. I also think he could be better or more consistent in his intensity and physicality. He disappears at times, but then can turn it on and be our best hitter and great on the forecheck. He certainly turned it up in last year's playoffs.

Once his $1.7M AAV contract expires at the end of this season, he will be a 27 year old UFA with one 14 goal season playing an average of about 12 minutes a night. If he doesn't want to extend, we might be able to get something for him from a contender.

Agreed.

He probably wouldn't draw more than a middling pick but if he's not resigning and if we are on track to miss the playoffs, might as well trade him and give his ice time to a youngling.

Dylan Peterson seemed poised to take over Torp's spot (at some point) but he has been injured and inconsistent so far in his pro career.

[Ziggy3]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ife7HDS6uJM

No hands? No agility?

That's a nice goal, I'll admit I've never seen that.

Is that one highlight the reason people think he could be a 20 goal scorer? Would explain a lot...

[WeWentBlues0819]

I'm starting to think Toropchenko might be the most overrated player to have ever worn the Bluenote...

I think he's one of the most underrated. If you put him on a line with real skill, I could easily see Torop being a 20G/20A player.

This right here is what I feel like I've been hearing for a few seasons now. I just don't see it. Like, at all. Blues coaches don't seem to either.

He is the one of the most straight-line players I think I've ever seen. He is big, and he has wheels, but it's all in a straight line forward. Poor hands and poor agility, and this makes him pretty bad on the cycle. He's somewhat physical, but you rarely see him punish people with hits, I think probably more because of his lack of agility than willingness to do so. Decently hard shot (I guess?), but little accuracy and no real talent for getting to open spots or any real offensive IQ to speak of. All hallmarks of an ok 4th-liner.

He is a decent penalty killer, I'll give him that.

LOL. That guy went and proved your point.

I totally agree with you. It is a classic case of the St. Louis grinder fetish. It doesn't matter that he won't produce anything but he just tries so gosh darn hard.

[HighStick]

Just for the record....I don't think Toro is ever going to score 20 goals in this league. He plays with 4th line scrubs constantly. I do think he could replace Buch and probably have the same results. His size and speed are what make him special. That's all. He's good on the 4th line.

[netboy65]

I'm starting to think Toropchenko might be the most overrated player to have ever worn the Bluenote...

“Hold my beer.”

- Zach Sanford

You guys don’t even make the first cut!

Tony Hrkac
Petr Senja

[blues2112]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ife7HDS6uJM

No hands? No agility?

That's a nice goal, I'll admit I've never seen that.

Is that one highlight the reason people think he could be a 20 goal scorer? Would explain a lot...

I have no allusion that he'd ever score 20 in the NHL.

He's a reliable 4th-line grinder and averages 9g, 9a over 82 games. For a small cap hit, worth the money.

[Harry S Deals]

So this for me is one of things that are wrong with the Blues roster, too many Toropchenkos, too many Walkers. On good contending teams the 4th line can chip in offense look at Colorado and Dallas for example vs the Blues. As someone mentioned ultimately Schenn is a 4th liner

Neighbours Thomas Snuggerud
Buch Dvorsky Kyrou
Holloway Suter Stenberg
Walker Schenn Sundqvist

Berggren/Bjugstad (however you want to shake it out)

Fabbri
Joseph
Torop
Luff

There will be more downward pressure too from younger guys like Pekarcik, Stancl, Carbonneau

For this team to get better, assuming the young guys earn their time, which they will the dead weight has to be weeded out. If they team can play well i dont think Army will dismantle everything but for me sometime at some point Binnington, Schenn and Faulk will probably be moved to allow for better younger players.

[TruBlueFan_1970]

I like Torpo as a 4th liner with speed, size and physicality. And while he shows glimpses of a scoring touch here and there, I’m under no false hope that he’s more than a solid 4th line grinder. The 14 goal season seems like a true anomaly.

I would like to keep him simply because we lack size. If he chooses not to resign though without an overpay, then someone will give a 4th or 5th rounder for him. It is a disappointing return, but you can’t force a UFA to sign (Barbs as an example), and we’ll see how Steen values players/dollars compared to Army.

[Ziggy3]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ife7HDS6uJM

No hands? No agility?

That's a nice goal, I'll admit I've never seen that.

Is that one highlight the reason people think he could be a 20 goal scorer? Would explain a lot...

I have no allusion that he'd ever score 20 in the NHL.

He's a reliable 4th-line grinder and averages 9g, 9a over 82 games. For a small cap hit, worth the money.

We're in agreement, then.

What I don't agree with is this sentiment that's been around that Toro is somehow just around the corner and we should start seeing him move up in the lineup--no, he's not, and no, we shouldn't. There's nothing in his history, and nothing apparent now to suggest that. I can't think of another grinder we've had with his pedigree that so many people for some reason think is bound to break out, that was the reason I said he might be the most overrated ever. Is it his combo of size and speed that gets people infatuated? That's far from the end-all, be-all in this sport.

[Harry S Deals]

I like Torpo as a 4th liner with speed, size and physicality. And while he shows glimpses of a scoring touch here and there, I’m under no false hope that he’s more than a solid 4th line grinder. The 14 goal season seems like a true anomaly.

I would like to keep him simply because we lack size. If he chooses not to resign though without an overpay, then someone will give a 4th or 5th rounder for him. It is a disappointing return, but you can’t force a UFA to sign (Barbs as an example), and we’ll see how Steen values players/dollars compared to Army.

I can see the Blues keeping Sundqvist with the young Swedes here and Sunny is a swiss army knife type of guy. In that case there may only be one more spot left. But as i think you said these are great conversations to be had vs what we have been talking about

[blackinkbiz]

I like Torpo as a 4th liner with speed, size and physicality. And while he shows glimpses of a scoring touch here and there, I’m under no false hope that he’s more than a solid 4th line grinder. The 14 goal season seems like a true anomaly.

I would like to keep him simply because we lack size. If he chooses not to resign though without an overpay, then someone will give a 4th or 5th rounder for him. It is a disappointing return, but you can’t force a UFA to sign (Barbs as an example), and we’ll see how Steen values players/dollars compared to Army.

I don't think the Blues go on last season's run without the exceptional play of the 4th line. And when I say exceptional, I mean for a 4th line. If memory serves correct, they were actually the starting line in many games down the stretch due to the energy, pressure, and physicality they brought. Certainly not their scoring, although they did a fair share of that as well last year.

And 20G/20A is probably a high-water mark of potential, but I think that's mostly because he suffers from the same ailment that has currently infected the rest of the team: they refuse to shoot the F'n puck.

That 3rd period 2 on 1 from Thomas and Buch last night was not only pathetic as they both ended up sprawled on the ice without a SOG, it was completely predictable.

I'm not predicting Torop is destined for some "breakout" season where he finally unlocks his potential, as he has had chances. I just think if the place and time were right, he could produce a lot more.

Regardless, I just don't want to see him given away for nothing because that's probably how most teams view him. I will finish with this, however:

Barbashev had a very similar career trajectory until he reached Torop's age and experience.

[FunSeeker]

He's a JAG. Easily upgradeable.