Army is out of options

[Jeff Goldblum]

Also no idea how to fix the goaltending but a sub 900 save percentage will make it hard to make the playoffs any year.

Play Hofer. Goaltending fixed.

[Bluesfan1978]

Sure, still need a backup. I’m also not sure Hofer is ready for the number one role yet. I would play the goalie that gives you the best chance to win though.

[WilliamWestcliffe]

Broberg and Stenberg might be the only two guys that I wouldn’t trade at this point. I think I’d be willing to listen on everybody else on this roster including Thomas….listen is the keyword there.

I'm still very close to calling Thomas "untouchable," but I agree, you absolutely listen.

We see what he is at this point. He is a very valuable player playing an extremely important position. I would even still argue he could be a 1C on a contending team, but that's IF he's surrounded by the right core. He, himself, is not a leader in his own right.

But I think you have to be very careful, because if you're not somehow getting that kind of guy back for him, you're suddenly leaving yourself without a 1C caliber player of any type at all.

I'm waaay past this point. Thomas in my mind is not only "touchable", but someone who offers more to this org in trade if we truly want to impact the trajectory.

He's had what, six seasons in the NHL? It is abundantly clear that he is a talented player. It is also abundantly clear that he is NOT a #1 center or even or a game breaking player. He's been asked (and paid) to be THE player for this team and he just does not have the consistent compete, speed, drive, urgency, or demand on his teammates to truly lead a team.

Thomas is a #2 center. The type of player that can push most competitive teams into real contenders because as a supplemental player he can drift in and out of games and do some incredible things from time to time without having to be the core catalyst night in and night out or have to be the identity leader for the team as a #2. As it is now, he does not have the compete to fight through being the oppositions primary defensive focus.

Armstrong made two pretty significant investments in turning this team over to Parayko and Thomas and I don't think either player is capable of living up to that. I've always said we need to keep Parayko to keep the team competitive through a rebuild; especially given his low cap hit. At this point though, IDGAF...if we can get anything to stockpile assets to acquire 2-3 REAL core players we absolutely move on from both Parayko and Thomas. Hell sell both of them immediately for one legit #1 center (via draft capital or trade).

[theograce]

Broberg and Stenberg might be the only two guys that I wouldn’t trade at this point. I think I’d be willing to listen on everybody else on this roster including Thomas….listen is the keyword there.

Why those 2? What make them so special

[DawgDad]

He clearly needs to send a message. What are we even playing for? I don’t want to keep hearing we are 3pts out of a playoff spot….i guess it’s 5 now so that’s a bonus. This team is absolute hot garbage and there is a serious problem in that locker room and it needs to be addressed before it infects our young players

Come on. They are playing to win the next game, and the next, and the next. They are professionals. If there is a cancer in the room he needs to be removed.

[Pierre McGuire]

He clearly needs to send a message. What are we even playing for? I don’t want to keep hearing we are 3pts out of a playoff spot….i guess it’s 5 now so that’s a bonus. This team is absolute hot garbage and there is a serious problem in that locker room and it needs to be addressed before it infects our young players

Come on. They are playing to win the next game, and the next, and the next. They are professionals. If there is a cancer in the room he needs to be removed.

You in denial? This team is hot garbage

[Cujo's Mask]

[/quote]

I'm waaay past this point. Thomas in my mind is not only "touchable", but someone who offers more to this org in trade if we truly want to impact the trajectory.

He's had what, six seasons in the NHL? It is abundantly clear that he is a talented player. It is also abundantly clear that he is NOT a #1 center or even or a game breaking player. He's been asked (and paid) to be THE player for this team and he just does not have the consistent compete, speed, drive, urgency, or demand on his teammates to truly lead a team.

Thomas is a #2 center. The type of player that can push most competitive teams into real contenders because as a supplemental player he can drift in and out of games and do some incredible things from time to time without having to be the core catalyst night in and night out or have to be the identity leader for the team as a #2. As it is now, he does not have the compete to fight through being the oppositions primary defensive focus.

[/quote]

I think Thomas can be a first-line center (talent-wise, he is almost certainly among the top-30 centers in the league). But you are likely right that he is not going to be the guy who leads you into the muck.

My big issue is the line options for him. He has played a ton with Buch and, more recently, Kyrou on his wings. The problem is that these are all pass-first players both in an out of structure (the failed 2-on-1's with Thomas and Kyrou are painful to watch). I'd like to see him paired with Neighbours and Snuggs and give that combo a bunch of runway. Neighbours provides the forechecking and sandpaper, and Snuggs the shot-first mentality.

Overall, the current roster construction (plus the line combinations) are just not complementary. Too many people focus on "top-6" and "top-4" but chemistry and fit are much more important. I mean Marchand was technically on the Panthers 3rd line throughout the playoffs, but that line dominated and had great chemistry on the road to the cup.

If Army/Steen are going to make trades, look to find complementary players in return. Another example is on D. If we are going to play Mailloux, he would be way better off with a vet stay-at-home type with him. Can't play with Tucker who isn't good enough to cover for him, and he is a bad fit next to Fowler, who also needs more of a defensive coverage partner (see his fit with 55 last year).

[Harry S Deals]

This game should flip the switch from the "core" that isnt getting it done to the younger, hungrier guys. Stenberg had 4 Hits, a big steal and a goal for instance.

Aside from the goalie who should be Hofer the next logical move is giving ice time including PP time to the guys who can create chances vs passing around the perimeter and whiffing on shots. Why is Buch in the bumper spot? This is the guy with the weakest wrists and the worst shot.

PP1 -
Thomas
Snuggerud
Dvorsky
Stenberg
Broberg

PP2
Schenn
Kyrou
Buch
Neighbours
Faulk

Neighbours Thomas Snuggerud
Stenberg Dvorsky Berggern
Buch Schenn Kyrou
Torop Sunny Walker

[DawgDad]

He clearly needs to send a message. What are we even playing for? I don’t want to keep hearing we are 3pts out of a playoff spot….i guess it’s 5 now so that’s a bonus. This team is absolute hot garbage and there is a serious problem in that locker room and it needs to be addressed before it infects our young players

Come on. They are playing to win the next game, and the next, and the next. They are professionals. If there is a cancer in the room he needs to be removed.

You in denial? This team is hot garbage

Denial of WHAT? They are a mediocre team. They shut out Montreal then turn around and get smoked. They figure to keep trudging along for the foreseeable future.

I'm just a fan. I don't troll narratives here.

[TheJackBurton]

Armstrong’s days are done — the game has completely passed him by. I mean, look at what Zito’s doing in Florida, BriseBois in Tampa, even Kent Hughes in Montreal. Meanwhile, Armstrong’s still stuck trying to figure out the basics. Time to retire now and not at the end.

you mean the guy who completely turned the NHL world upside down last off season by offer sheeting two top 15 picks and getting both?

That guy has had the game pass him by?

[Jeff Goldblum]

Sure, still need a backup. I’m also not sure Hofer is ready for the number one role yet. I would play the goalie that gives you the best chance to win though.

Im sure they can find an inexpensive backup who can let up 5-7 goals a game.

[Pierre McGuire]

He clearly needs to send a message. What are we even playing for? I don’t want to keep hearing we are 3pts out of a playoff spot….i guess it’s 5 now so that’s a bonus. This team is absolute hot garbage and there is a serious problem in that locker room and it needs to be addressed before it infects our young players

Come on. They are playing to win the next game, and the next, and the next. They are professionals. If there is a cancer in the room he needs to be removed.

You in denial? This team is hot garbage

Denial of WHAT? They are a mediocre team. They shut out Montreal then turn around and get smoked. They figure to keep trudging along for the foreseeable future.

I'm just a fan. I don't troll narratives here.

You don’t think we need some changes?

[MiamiLaw]

Pierre, you know I respect you so this is not at all your fault, but I think it is effing hysterical that there are several people here who have been concerned with this team for a prolonged periods and we were all called trolls. But now that Tim has given everyone permission to give up, people are piling on board the sell train.

Are all the people who called me a troll and perpetually negative going to admit they were wrong now?

As to the thread, yes it is beyond time to sell. This team is one of the least talented in the league on paper. Last year was an aberration and they caught lightning in a bottle to barely make the playoffs. They all bought in in spectacular fashion and it was fun but it was an illusion. The team we've seen for 21 of the last 24 months is the real Blues.

[Jeff Goldblum]

Pierre, you know I respect you so this is not at all your fault, but I think it is effing hysterical that there are several people here who have been concerned with this team for a prolonged periods and we were all called trolls. But now that Tim has given everyone permission to give up, people are piling on board the sell train.

Are all the people who called me a troll and perpetually negative going to admit they were wrong now?

As to the thread, yes it is beyond time to sell. This team is one of the least talented in the league on paper. Last year was an aberration and they caught lightning in a bottle to barely make the playoffs. They all bought in in spectacular fashion and it was fun but it was an illusion. The team we've seen for 21 of the last 24 months is the real Blues.

You had a 50/50 chance of being right, (bleep).

[DawgDad]

Armstrong’s days are done — the game has completely passed him by. I mean, look at what Zito’s doing in Florida, BriseBois in Tampa, even Kent Hughes in Montreal. Meanwhile, Armstrong’s still stuck trying to figure out the basics. Time to retire now and not at the end.

you mean the guy who completely turned the NHL world upside down last off season by offer sheeting two top 15 picks and getting both?

That guy has had the game pass him by?

Some people see just what they want to see. They filter.

[Harry S Deals]

Pierre, you know I respect you so this is not at all your fault, but I think it is effing hysterical that there are several people here who have been concerned with this team for a prolonged periods and we were all called trolls. But now that Tim has given everyone permission to give up, people are piling on board the sell train.

Are all the people who called me a troll and perpetually negative going to admit they were wrong now?

As to the thread, yes it is beyond time to sell. This team is one of the least talented in the league on paper. Last year was an aberration and they caught lightning in a bottle to barely make the playoffs. They all bought in in spectacular fashion and it was fun but it was an illusion. The team we've seen for 21 of the last 24 months is the real Blues.

Yes, correct they barely made the playoffs but heres the thing the core guys we are now trying to dump have been very productive. Recall how Thomas and Kyrou's contracts were "team friendly" when they were 80 pts and 37 goal guys. Buch, 60+ point player. it was illogical to be calling for Kyrou and Thomas to be deal just one year ago. Things change, these kind of drop offs in production are alarming thus the conversations we are having now