Breggen Pickup/Holloway

[southernblues]

Getting this off waivers has been a great pickup. When does Holloway get back?

[hockey jedi]

I agree. He has been a pleasant surprise. I don't know what his ceiling is or if he is a middle six forward, but I like his skill level and age. He does well with the physical part of the game and can score. He is another guy that has a great one timer from the circles. I think he fits in well with our younger Blues core for the future. Don't know about Holloway, but I've had a high ankle sprain as an athlete. You can't play through the pain because the ankle just want function. You can play through the pain of a low ankle sprain by taping it up. Also, high ankle sprains take forever to heal. If I were Blues management, I would give him all the time he needs.

[zamadoo]

Berggren makes me forget about Holloway. I'm actually excited to watch this team right now with him, Fabbri, Stenberg, and Dvorsky. He is scoring at the same (or better) clip than Holloway was. Plays all situations, PP/PK/etc. 11-15min a night and you notice him every time driving play.

I don't see how you can remove any of those guys from the roster at this point, were injured guys to come back now.

They can move Stenberg and Dvorsky with no risk of losing them, but risk of not having them on the team anymore nor developing at the NHL level.

Say it's been a bit of time, the mentioned players have continued to grow into the team without losing energy, still helping the team, and the Blues are looking to win. Holloway, Suter, Walker, and Bjugstad are ready to return to the lineup. No further injuries. Who ya keepin?

Holloway and Suter will play. IMO, Berggren is a keeper for at least another season. Walker is month to month with an upper body injury...if he does return, I expect it to be in Springfield. Bjugstad was playing well and is signed through next season at $1.75M, so I expect that he would stay. But, Fabbri has brought as much if not more than Bjugstad, so that's a tough decision. There is still time until decisions will need to be made though.

Bringing it back to Berggren - I like him in exactly the role he's in. He can slot anywhere in the lineup in all situations, so even if his ceiling is 3rd liner long-term, I think he will be a great player to keep around if his current play continues.

[Old_Goat]

Berggren makes me forget about Holloway. I'm actually excited to watch this team right now with him, Fabbri, Stenberg, and Dvorsky. He is scoring at the same (or better) clip than Holloway was. Plays all situations, PP/PK/etc. 11-15min a night and you notice him every time driving play.

I don't see how you can remove any of those guys from the roster at this point, were injured guys to come back now.

They can move Stenberg and Dvorsky with no risk of losing them, but risk of not having them on the team anymore nor developing at the NHL level.

Say it's been a bit of time, the mentioned players have continued to grow into the team without losing energy, still helping the team, and the Blues are looking to win. Holloway, Suter, Walker, and Bjugstad are ready to return to the lineup. No further injuries. Who ya keepin?

Holloway and Suter will play. IMO, Berggren is a keeper for at least another season. Walker is month to month with an upper body injury...if he does return, I expect it to be in Springfield. Bjugstad was playing well and is signed through next season at $1.75M, so I expect that he would stay. But, Fabbri has brought as much if not more than Bjugstad, so that's a tough decision. There is still time until decisions will need to be made though.

Bringing it back to Berggren - I like him in exactly the role he's in. He can slot anywhere in the lineup in all situations, so even if his ceiling is 3rd liner long-term, I think he will be a great player to keep around if his current play continues.

It could almost be like a mid-season 'nother round of tryouts (extremely short "training camp") either before or after the Olympics break. There could be some older, slower, frequently-needing-day-off types possibly waived?
Is it worth the risk of potentially losing a younger player whom is serviceable?
I do not believe in sending down the young, talented few waivers-exempt players that currently are on roster. They may make a few mistakes now, but they still do okay, and will only get better faster up here.

[TruBlueFan_1970]

The Berggren pickup has been good and in the same age group as Broberg, Holloway, etc…. Has had 12 and 15 goal seasons with Detroit, so he seems like a good complimentary 3rd line winger if he can maintain that kind of production. And I do like his speed, it I really like is his passing vision and his shot first mentality. Hope he maintains the consistency and it will be tough to take him out of the lineup.

As far as who goes, I think they like Joseph and he seems like a good teammate based on listening to guys like Schenn. Bjug and Fabbri would seem like the odd men out, along with Stenberg being sent down if a roster spot is needed. Dvorsky isn’t going anywhere.

[Harry S Deals]

Stenberg leads the team with a +4 small data size for sure but the Blues are going to have a hard time sending him back if ever. Monty is using him in all key situations my guess is one or more of

Fabbri
Joseph
Walker
Toropchenko

Will be waived/traded IF the team is ever healthy

[DawgDad]

Every game Stenberg. pours more cement in his roster spot. The young man can play and he's doing things that make his line more effective. Yes, he needs to prove he can endure the NHL grind but he's getting noticeably better, growing in role assignments, and showing versatility.

[JoshInFenton]

As good as Fabbri looks at times, he is very feast or famine defensively. When he has the energy and effort he sometimes gets back, but his speed isn't what it was when he got into the league (similar story to sunny). I think he's 100% the first one going down if and when we get a forward back.

The next call is a bit more interesting. Stenberg the more he plays is kinda forcing a decision to happen. I kinda think Sunny or Toropchenko are next for me more than Joseph, but thats because joseph really does a lot with that speed and he blocks shots the same as Toropchenko. Stenberg has certainly made enough of an impact on me that i'm willing to let most of these 4th liners go. they just signed Walker to an extension at near the minimum, I see him as the most safe of the bunch.

[Old_Goat]

As good as Fabbri looks at times, he is very feast or famine defensively. When he has the energy and effort he sometimes gets back, but his speed isn't what it was when he got into the league (similar story to sunny). I think he's 100% the first one going down if and when we get a forward back.

The next call is a bit more interesting. Stenberg the more he plays is kinda forcing a decision to happen. I kinda think Sunny or Toropchenko are next for me more than Joseph, but thats because joseph really does a lot with that speed and he blocks shots the same as Toropchenko. Stenberg has certainly made enough of an impact on me that i'm willing to let most of these 4th liners go. they just signed Walker to an extension at near the minimum, I see him as the most safe of the bunch.

Concur with your assessment.

[MikoTython]

The book on Berggren is that he petered out after his first year - but when you look at his ice time, its not clear he ever got the opp to air it out - had some dry spells, started getting scratched. Here, he's put up on the top lines w/ skilled players, lots of roster space due to injuries, given a chance to exploit/develop his already apparent offensive skills. Could be a great pick-up, time will tell. For him, its surely the (second) chance of an NHL lifetime. Or he's another Vrana. Nice pick-up, nice shot for him & the org.

[Cahokanut]

I've always liked these kind of pickups. Though I haven't seen any that has worked out longer enough.

The style of game we look for in a youngin and the style we play isn't what other look for so much.
So finding someone that another team isn't using, 'the right way, is doable.

The problem is most play better when they have something to prove and then the shine wears off and we have another fourth liner playing second line is wing.

Holloway is injured alot. I don't think the game wwe play will suit him well either. So I don't see him being around long term, unless Steen changes things.

[Harry S Deals]

I've always liked these kind of pickups. Though I haven't seen any that has worked out longer enough.

The style of game we look for in a youngin and the style we play isn't what other look for so much.
So finding someone that another team isn't using, 'the right way, is doable.

The problem is most play better when they have something to prove and then the shine wears off and we have another fourth liner playing second line is wing.

Holloway is injured alot. I don't think the game wwe play will suit him well either. So I don't see him being around long term, unless Steen changes things.

Holloway took an awkward check from a player last year and he fell down in practice this year more bad luck than anything systematic

[Bluesbacker]

Also what needs to be kept in the back of the mind is the future expansion of the league. This is going to happen sooner than later.

[Cahokanut]

I've always liked these kind of pickups. Though I haven't seen any that has worked out longer enough.

The style of game we look for in a youngin and the style we play isn't what other look for so much.
So finding someone that another team isn't using, 'the right way, is doable.

The problem is most play better when they have something to prove and then the shine wears off and we have another fourth liner playing second line is wing.

Holloway is injured alot. I don't think the game wwe play will suit him well either. So I don't see him being around long term, unless Steen changes things.

Holloway took an awkward check from a player last year and he fell down in practice this year more bad luck than anything systematic

Has there been a year in his career when "bad luck" didn't visit him.... Has there been any year where "bad luck" didn't visit him, twice.
Also, why are we awkwardly checking Holloway in practice.

[stlblue06]

The Berggren pickup has been good and in the same age group as Broberg, Holloway, etc…. Has had 12 and 15 goal seasons with Detroit, so he seems like a good complimentary 3rd line winger if he can maintain that kind of production. And I do like his speed, it I really like is his passing vision and his shot first mentality. Hope he maintains the consistency and it will be tough to take him out of the lineup.

As far as who goes, I think they like Joseph and he seems like a good teammate based on listening to guys like Schenn. Bjug and Fabbri would seem like the odd men out, along with Stenberg being sent down if a roster spot is needed. Dvorsky isn’t going anywhere.

Agree on Bjug being the odd man out. He’s been disappointing outside of his goals. He doesn’t have speed, isn’t very physical (especially for his size and role), and doesn’t really excel at anything. I wonder if the team is telling him to stay out because of all of the “new guys” they’ve signed or brought up.

Love what I’ve seen from Fabbri and I hope he sticks/stays healthy. The balls out level of play from his first 2-4 games wasn’t sustainable but the guy has skill and speed.

[TruBlueFan_1970]

The Berggren pickup has been good and in the same age group as Broberg, Holloway, etc…. Has had 12 and 15 goal seasons with Detroit, so he seems like a good complimentary 3rd line winger if he can maintain that kind of production. And I do like his speed, it I really like is his passing vision and his shot first mentality. Hope he maintains the consistency and it will be tough to take him out of the lineup.

As far as who goes, I think they like Joseph and he seems like a good teammate based on listening to guys like Schenn. Bjug and Fabbri would seem like the odd men out, along with Stenberg being sent down if a roster spot is needed. Dvorsky isn’t going anywhere.

Agree on Bjug being the odd man out. He’s been disappointing outside of his goals. He doesn’t have speed, isn’t very physical (especially for his size and role), and doesn’t really excel at anything. I wonder if the team is telling him to stay out because of all of the “new guys” they’ve signed or brought up.

Love what I’ve seen from Fabbri and I hope he sticks/stays healthy. The balls out level of play from his first 2-4 games wasn’t sustainable but the guy has skill and speed.

I’m guessing Bjug has a concussion. That elbow to the head he took was vicious. And while I would hate to see Stenberg sent down, unless they have more injuries or they make a trade, he has options without risking of losing somebody for nothing.

It will be an interesting rest of the year and summer as they make room for these guys. UFAs are Sunny & Joseph, Berggren & Holloway are RFAs and should get extended. Kessel and LM are RFA and we know LM will get extended. Kessel will be more interesting to see.