Selling off our veterans - Be prepared to LOSE draft picks

[wiscrev]

I've got the guy on ignore----peaceful. If you would just ignore the guy and his 20 other names, he might go away. He just wants "clicks."

[Jeff Goldblum]

Death threats. LOL

[zamadoo]

This is a good point. Let us refresh memory lane!

Jori Lehtera and 2 1sts for 25 y/o Brayden Schenn

Buch is performing better than Lehtera did his final season here, and is a better player overall by a wide margin. Both are about the same age at time of trade (29/30), but Jori was a rookie at 27 years old with far shorter NHL resume. Buch undoubtedly has better trade value. Same with Kyrou. Same with Schenn. Same with Faulk.

So, sticking with Buch, let's say we traded Buch and at least one first rounder. We would get the equivalent (or better) of Brayden Schenn in his prime. I'm thinking someone like McTavish or Peterka. Would be fun to look around the league and find some ~23-25 year olds who fit the description.

The important thing here is that Army has stated he is looking for players in that age group. He did it with ROR and Schenn not long ago. So, not only has he done it before, but he is likely at this moment seeking a similar type of trade. With the current players (Not Lehtera), he likely wouldn't need to include two 1sts, and/or could get a great young player.

[a smell of green grass]

The important thing here is that Army has stated he is looking for players in that age group. He did it with ROR and Schenn not long ago. So, not only has he done it before, but he is likely at this moment seeking a similar type of trade. With the current players (Not Lehtera), he likely wouldn't need to include two 1sts, and/or could get a great young player.

I'll notify Islander fans that they should NOT be happy about having young Matthew Schaefer on their team. He's way too young for their core group. I'll tell them that Army told me so.

[The Average Gatsby]

The important thing here is that Army has stated he is looking for players in that age group. He did it with ROR and Schenn not long ago. So, not only has he done it before, but he is likely at this moment seeking a similar type of trade. With the current players (Not Lehtera), he likely wouldn't need to include two 1sts, and/or could get a great young player.

I'll notify Islander fans that they should NOT be happy about having young Matthew Schaefer on their team. He's way too young for their core group. I'll tell them that Army told me so.

The islanders didn’t trade for the pick they used on Schafer. They won it in the draft lottery. Relatedly, they finished 10th from the bottom when they won the lottery. We are 6th from the bottom right now. The season is going exactly like you want. Why are you so upset all the time?

[Old_Goat]

You really just can’t help yourself. Like it or not, the Blues should be looking into a Kyrou value trade. I truly believe that now is the time to move Schenn and Faulk. They both are playing well and their value is as good as it’s going to get. In a couple of years when the Blues are a viable team again, Schenn and Faulk will be near the end. It’s not going to cost us to move them now. We should take advantage of their current value.

Next year appears to be the sweet spot. If they gut this team too soon they could cast the young players into an utterly hopeless environment. There is no need to do that, there is still a rational meticulous transition path in play. Check contract status for more details.

I think you are right.

[zamadoo]

The important thing here is that Army has stated he is looking for players in that age group. He did it with ROR and Schenn not long ago. So, not only has he done it before, but he is likely at this moment seeking a similar type of trade. With the current players (Not Lehtera), he likely wouldn't need to include two 1sts, and/or could get a great young player.

I'll notify Islander fans that they should NOT be happy about having young Matthew Schaefer on their team. He's way too young for their core group. I'll tell them that Army told me so.

Do whatever you want, but if Army moves just Faulk for a decent 25 year old RFA to be, we would be that much closer to a Schaefer to build around, thus having gained both and possibly more.

[BleedingBleu]

This is a good point. Let us refresh memory lane!

Jori Lehtera and 2 1sts for 25 y/o Brayden Schenn

Buch is performing better than Lehtera did his final season here, and is a better player overall by a wide margin. Both are about the same age at time of trade (29/30), but Jori was a rookie at 27 years old with far shorter NHL resume. Buch undoubtedly has better trade value. Same with Kyrou. Same with Schenn. Same with Faulk.

So, sticking with Buch, let's say we traded Buch and at least one first rounder. We would get the equivalent (or better) of Brayden Schenn in his prime. I'm thinking someone like McTavish or Peterka. Would be fun to look around the league and find some ~23-25 year olds who fit the description.

The important thing here is that Army has stated he is looking for players in that age group. He did it with ROR and Schenn not long ago. So, not only has he done it before, but he is likely at this moment seeking a similar type of trade. With the current players (Not Lehtera), he likely wouldn't need to include two 1sts, and/or could get a great young player.

You cannot discount the off ice franchising intangibles Jori brought to the table…

All joking aside, very interesting comparison. I’d of never connected Lehtera & Buch

[BleedingBleu]

The important thing here is that Army has stated he is looking for players in that age group. He did it with ROR and Schenn not long ago. So, not only has he done it before, but he is likely at this moment seeking a similar type of trade. With the current players (Not Lehtera), he likely wouldn't need to include two 1sts, and/or could get a great young player.

I'll notify Islander fans that they should NOT be happy about having young Matthew Schaefer on their team. He's way too young for their core group. I'll tell them that Army told me so.

The islanders didn’t trade for the pick they used on Schafer. They won it in the draft lottery. Relatedly, they finished 10th from the bottom when they won the lottery. We are 6th from the bottom right now. The season is going exactly like you want. Why are you so upset all the time?

These are great points. It does beg the question, what will selling at the deadline guarantee? Guarantee being the operative word over “accomplish”

Thanks to ongoing discussions about the team’s trajectory, salivating over the Top Picks in the Draft (again), the actual roster make-up + farm, and the deja-vu being experienced from last year’s club, I truly don’t know what trading a Faulk and/or Schenn, and/or other rostered skater buys us.

Make no mistake, this team is not good. However, despite having absolutely awful statistics (GF, GA, GD), and residing at bottom of the standings for most of the season, they aren’t so awful to be truly considered out. But why?

The 3 Biggest Arguments are:
1.) Defensive 3rd Line (Mailloux, Kessel, Tucker)
2.) Goaltending (Binnington has been awful .874 Sa%, 3.40 GAA)
3.) Injuries to the Top 9 (Snuggy, Kyrou, Holloway, Suter, Torp)

I guess you could make the argument for 0-8 after regulation, or inability to retain a lead, but that’s really more impacts from the variables listed above.

So, what the heck should management do with this team?

1.) Do we as fans want a trade(s) because the we’re afraid of a less-successful 2nd Half Surge that either sees the team either face the Av’s in the First Round or barely misses the playoffs?

2.) Do we as fans accept this team will remain in the basement for the entire season, retain the vets to shepherd the young players and move toward the offseason with a potential Top 5 Pick, and renewed belief that 2026/7 will return to playoff contention?

3.) Do we as fans accept the 2024/5 club was a perfect storm of schedule, health, team chemistry, that elevated expectations a year or two ahead of original predictions and advocate for continued rebuilding by selling aging assets at their Peak Values?

4.) Other

It’s fascinating, because to sell the Captain, or a veteran RH Defenseman having a career resurgence, or even sell an asset low (Kyrou/Buch) may expose more problems (set backs, low depth, fan confidence) than it solves (sheltered development for young players, fan excitement).

[BalotelliMassive]

The important thing here is that Army has stated he is looking for players in that age group. He did it with ROR and Schenn not long ago. So, not only has he done it before, but he is likely at this moment seeking a similar type of trade. With the current players (Not Lehtera), he likely wouldn't need to include two 1sts, and/or could get a great young player.

I'll notify Islander fans that they should NOT be happy about having young Matthew Schaefer on their team. He's way too young for their core group. I'll tell them that Army told me so.

The islanders didn’t trade for the pick they used on Schafer. They won it in the draft lottery. Relatedly, they finished 10th from the bottom when they won the lottery. We are 6th from the bottom right now. The season is going exactly like you want. Why are you so upset all the time?

Ahah - great question. This guy should be planning a draft day extravaganza instead of crying on a forum

[zamadoo]

The important thing here is that Army has stated he is looking for players in that age group. He did it with ROR and Schenn not long ago. So, not only has he done it before, but he is likely at this moment seeking a similar type of trade. With the current players (Not Lehtera), he likely wouldn't need to include two 1sts, and/or could get a great young player.

I'll notify Islander fans that they should NOT be happy about having young Matthew Schaefer on their team. He's way too young for their core group. I'll tell them that Army told me so.

The islanders didn’t trade for the pick they used on Schafer. They won it in the draft lottery. Relatedly, they finished 10th from the bottom when they won the lottery. We are 6th from the bottom right now. The season is going exactly like you want. Why are you so upset all the time?

These are great points. It does beg the question, what will selling at the deadline guarantee? Guarantee being the operative word over “accomplish”

Thanks to ongoing discussions about the team’s trajectory, salivating over the Top Picks in the Draft (again), the actual roster make-up + farm, and the deja-vu being experienced from last year’s club, I truly don’t know what trading a Faulk and/or Schenn, and/or other rostered skater buys us.

Make no mistake, this team is not good. However, despite having absolutely awful statistics (GF, GA, GD), and residing at bottom of the standings for most of the season, they aren’t so awful to be truly considered out. But why?

The 3 Biggest Arguments are:
1.) Defensive 3rd Line (Mailloux, Kessel, Tucker)
2.) Goaltending (Binnington has been awful .874 Sa%, 3.40 GAA)
3.) Injuries to the Top 9 (Snuggy, Kyrou, Holloway, Suter, Torp)

I guess you could make the argument for 0-8 after regulation, or inability to retain a lead, but that’s really more impacts from the variables listed above.

So, what the heck should management do with this team?

1.) Do we as fans want a trade(s) because the we’re afraid of a less-successful 2nd Half Surge that either sees the team either face the Av’s in the First Round or barely misses the playoffs?

2.) Do we as fans accept this team will remain in the basement for the entire season, retain the vets to shepherd the young players and move toward the offseason with a potential Top 5 Pick, and renewed belief that 2026/7 will return to playoff contention?

3.) Do we as fans accept the 2024/5 club was a perfect storm of schedule, health, team chemistry, that elevated expectations a year or two ahead of original predictions and advocate for continued rebuilding by selling aging assets at their Peak Values?

4.) Other

It’s fascinating, because to sell the Captain, or a veteran RH Defenseman having a career resurgence, or even sell an asset low (Kyrou/Buch) may expose more problems (set backs, low depth, fan confidence) than it solves (sheltered development for young players, fan excitement).

I enjoyed reading your commentary. In the middle of your bottom points there, I thought about how the Avs moved through a rebuild situation where they were good one season, but for whatever reason/circumstance terrible the next and drafted Landeskog/MacKinnon/Makar/etc. in a non-linear fashion with winning seasons between.

There's always a bit of luck involved (ex: top player goes down = better draft pick), but it shows that direction isn't always clear year to year.

[a smell of green grass]

The important thing here is that Army has stated he is looking for players in that age group. He did it with ROR and Schenn not long ago. So, not only has he done it before, but he is likely at this moment seeking a similar type of trade. With the current players (Not Lehtera), he likely wouldn't need to include two 1sts, and/or could get a great young player.

I'll notify Islander fans that they should NOT be happy about having young Matthew Schaefer on their team. He's way too young for their core group. I'll tell them that Army told me so.

The islanders didn’t trade for the pick they used on Schafer. They won it in the draft lottery. Relatedly, they finished 10th from the bottom when they won the lottery. We are 6th from the bottom right now. The season is going exactly like you want. Why are you so upset all the time?

Ahah - great question. This guy should be planning a draft day extravaganza instead of crying on a forum

Grasshoppers,
Have you not learned?!!!!

The Blues are 1000% guaranteed to go on a late regular season meaningless winning streak. They may even make the playoffs.

How do I know this?

1. Doug Armstrong has said -- unlike every other GM in the NHL -- that the Blues never want to draft below #15, and Doug Armstrong never wants to look off track. He has an ego the size of Quebec.

2. Doug Armstrong has said that he wants to turn over the team in "better shape" than when he started. Drafting TOP5 does not echo "better shape", and Doug Armstrong is way more worried about his legacy than the Blues future.

3. Doug Armstrong wants to add players to the roster that are the same age as the "core group". Armstrong doesn't want the St Louis fans to think for one moment that adding the next Matthew Schaeffer is preferable to adding some average 25 year old that he can find in some other team's dumpster. See Berggren for an example. He SCOFFS at draft picks. The Blues have almost zero need for elite talent. The Blues want the high-effort, lunch-pale, tough guys on the roster. Just don't look at Kyrou and Thomas when you say that.

4. The Blues are on National TV often late in the season. The stage has been set.

5. The Blues have not drafted at the top of the draft in 20 years. History repeats.

6. Florida lost 7 of its last 10 last year. All teams quit late---except the Blues. Late season is Armstrong's killing season.

There are no draft day extravaganza's being planned at my house. I'm not a fool.

[2forDiving]

The important thing here is that Army has stated he is looking for players in that age group. He did it with ROR and Schenn not long ago. So, not only has he done it before, but he is likely at this moment seeking a similar type of trade. With the current players (Not Lehtera), he likely wouldn't need to include two 1sts, and/or could get a great young player.

I'll notify Islander fans that they should NOT be happy about having young Matthew Schaefer on their team. He's way too young for their core group. I'll tell them that Army told me so.

The islanders didn’t trade for the pick they used on Schafer. They won it in the draft lottery. Relatedly, they finished 10th from the bottom when they won the lottery. We are 6th from the bottom right now. The season is going exactly like you want. Why are you so upset all the time?

Ahah - great question. This guy should be planning a draft day extravaganza instead of crying on a forum

Grasshoppers,
Have you not learned?!!!!

The Blues are 1000% guaranteed to go on a late regular season meaningless winning streak. They may even make the playoffs.

How do I know this?

1. Doug Armstrong has said -- unlike every other GM in the NHL -- that the Blues never want to draft below #15, and Doug Armstrong never wants to look off track. He has an ego the size of Quebec.

2. Doug Armstrong has said that he wants to turn over the team in "better shape" than when he started. Drafting TOP5 does not echo "better shape", and Doug Armstrong is way more worried about his legacy than the Blues future.

3. Doug Armstrong wants to add players to the roster that are the same age as the "core group". Armstrong doesn't want the St Louis fans to think for one moment that adding the next Matthew Schaeffer is preferable to adding some average 25 year old that he can find in some other team's dumpster. See Berggren for an example. He SCOFFS at draft picks. The Blues have almost zero need for elite talent. The Blues want the high-effort, lunch-pale, tough guys on the roster. Just don't look at Kyrou and Thomas when you say that.

4. The Blues are on National TV often late in the season. The stage has been set.

5. The Blues have not drafted at the top of the draft in 20 years. History repeats.

6. Florida lost 7 of its last 10 last year. All teams quit late---except the Blues. Late season is Armstrong's killing season.

There are no draft day extravaganza's being planned at my house. I'm not a fool.

Blah, blah, blah, blah………

[a smell of green grass]

The important thing here is that Army has stated he is looking for players in that age group. He did it with ROR and Schenn not long ago. So, not only has he done it before, but he is likely at this moment seeking a similar type of trade. With the current players (Not Lehtera), he likely wouldn't need to include two 1sts, and/or could get a great young player.

I'll notify Islander fans that they should NOT be happy about having young Matthew Schaefer on their team. He's way too young for their core group. I'll tell them that Army told me so.

The islanders didn’t trade for the pick they used on Schafer. They won it in the draft lottery. Relatedly, they finished 10th from the bottom when they won the lottery. We are 6th from the bottom right now. The season is going exactly like you want. Why are you so upset all the time?

Ahah - great question. This guy should be planning a draft day extravaganza instead of crying on a forum

Grasshoppers,
Have you not learned?!!!!

The Blues are 1000% guaranteed to go on a late regular season meaningless winning streak. They may even make the playoffs.

How do I know this?

1. Doug Armstrong has said -- unlike every other GM in the NHL -- that the Blues never want to draft below #15, and Doug Armstrong never wants to look off track. He has an ego the size of Quebec.

2. Doug Armstrong has said that he wants to turn over the team in "better shape" than when he started. Drafting TOP5 does not echo "better shape", and Doug Armstrong is way more worried about his legacy than the Blues future.

3. Doug Armstrong wants to add players to the roster that are the same age as the "core group". Armstrong doesn't want the St Louis fans to think for one moment that adding the next Matthew Schaeffer is preferable to adding some average 25 year old that he can find in some other team's dumpster. See Berggren for an example. He SCOFFS at draft picks. The Blues have almost zero need for elite talent. The Blues want the high-effort, lunch-pale, tough guys on the roster. Just don't look at Kyrou and Thomas when you say that.

4. The Blues are on National TV often late in the season. The stage has been set.

5. The Blues have not drafted at the top of the draft in 20 years. History repeats.

6. Florida lost 7 of its last 10 last year. All teams quit late---except the Blues. Late season is Armstrong's killing season.

There are no draft day extravaganza's being planned at my house. I'm not a fool.

Blah, blah, blah, blah………

Anyone willing to wager?

I will bet that by April Fool's Day 2026, the late-season "winning" against the other NHL teams that are laying down will cause many BluesTalkers to talk about the "DYNASTY" that is taking shape. They will claim that there is no need for elite talent.

THEY WILL EVEN CLAIM THAT THE BLUES HAVE A CHANCE IN THE PLAYOFFS AGAINST COLORADO -- BECAUSE COLORADO LOST QUITE A FEW IN MARCH.

How do I know this? Because I hear the same blah, blah, blah every year.

You heard it here first, Sports Fans!!!! Book it.

[2forDiving]

The important thing here is that Army has stated he is looking for players in that age group. He did it with ROR and Schenn not long ago. So, not only has he done it before, but he is likely at this moment seeking a similar type of trade. With the current players (Not Lehtera), he likely wouldn't need to include two 1sts, and/or could get a great young player.

I'll notify Islander fans that they should NOT be happy about having young Matthew Schaefer on their team. He's way too young for their core group. I'll tell them that Army told me so.

The islanders didn’t trade for the pick they used on Schafer. They won it in the draft lottery. Relatedly, they finished 10th from the bottom when they won the lottery. We are 6th from the bottom right now. The season is going exactly like you want. Why are you so upset all the time?

Ahah - great question. This guy should be planning a draft day extravaganza instead of crying on a forum

Grasshoppers,
Have you not learned?!!!!

The Blues are 1000% guaranteed to go on a late regular season meaningless winning streak. They may even make the playoffs.

How do I know this?

1. Doug Armstrong has said -- unlike every other GM in the NHL -- that the Blues never want to draft below #15, and Doug Armstrong never wants to look off track. He has an ego the size of Quebec.

2. Doug Armstrong has said that he wants to turn over the team in "better shape" than when he started. Drafting TOP5 does not echo "better shape", and Doug Armstrong is way more worried about his legacy than the Blues future.

3. Doug Armstrong wants to add players to the roster that are the same age as the "core group". Armstrong doesn't want the St Louis fans to think for one moment that adding the next Matthew Schaeffer is preferable to adding some average 25 year old that he can find in some other team's dumpster. See Berggren for an example. He SCOFFS at draft picks. The Blues have almost zero need for elite talent. The Blues want the high-effort, lunch-pale, tough guys on the roster. Just don't look at Kyrou and Thomas when you say that.

4. The Blues are on National TV often late in the season. The stage has been set.

5. The Blues have not drafted at the top of the draft in 20 years. History repeats.

6. Florida lost 7 of its last 10 last year. All teams quit late---except the Blues. Late season is Armstrong's killing season.

There are no draft day extravaganza's being planned at my house. I'm not a fool.

Blah, blah, blah, blah………

Anyone willing to wager?

I will bet that by April Fool's Day 2026, the late-season "winning" against the other NHL teams that are laying down will cause many BluesTalkers to talk about the "DYNASTY" that is taking shape. They will claim that there is no need for elite talent.

THEY WILL EVEN CLAIM THAT THE BLUES HAVE A CHANCE IN THE PLAYOFFS AGAINST COLORADO -- BECAUSE COLORADO LOST QUITE A FEW IN MARCH.

How do I know this? Because I hear the same blah, blah, blah every year.

You heard it here first, Sports Fans!!!! Book it.

Blah, blah, blah, blah……

[Sunny's Teeth]

The important thing here is that Army has stated he is looking for players in that age group. He did it with ROR and Schenn not long ago. So, not only has he done it before, but he is likely at this moment seeking a similar type of trade. With the current players (Not Lehtera), he likely wouldn't need to include two 1sts, and/or could get a great young player.

I'll notify Islander fans that they should NOT be happy about having young Matthew Schaefer on their team. He's way too young for their core group. I'll tell them that Army told me so.

The islanders didn’t trade for the pick they used on Schafer. They won it in the draft lottery. Relatedly, they finished 10th from the bottom when they won the lottery. We are 6th from the bottom right now. The season is going exactly like you want. Why are you so upset all the time?

Ahah - great question. This guy should be planning a draft day extravaganza instead of crying on a forum

How does one have an extravaganza in a dumpster behind a Walmart?