What I would do with this team

[Bluesfan1978]

First of I’m not adding any picks to trade players.
Robert Thomas there isn’t 20 centers in the NHL I’d pick over him and he plays a 200 ft game. I’m not rushing to trade him. If I did trade him, I need a young center coming back in the package and I’m probably looking for two other prospects that could be top 6 forwards or top 4 D or a goalie.
If no one offers the package the Blues want, I’m trying whatever wingers play the best with Thomas to get that line going. Jake, Stenberg, Holloway, Berggren, Snuggy, whoever.
Thomas maybe isn’t the best leader but he plays a 200 ft game and I’d have no trouble waiting another year on him to make a decision or to get a better offer.
Kyrou I’m starting with. The team already has internal replacements even though they might not be at that level yet. Snuggy gets it and was letting it rip last night whenever he could. Carbonneau will be a future top 6 winger with grit. Berggren isn’t perfect but he plays through traffic, hits, camps out in front of the net, I would sub him into Kyrou’s place if Kyrou only returns a draft pick.
Watching Kyrou last night, he just doesn’t have that drive to simplify his game and drive the net for some greasy goals. Watching Keller and other teams’ top players they do whatever they can to score. Kyrou has improved his 200-foot game but you need your highest paid players to lead. If you aren’t scoring especially you need to be willing to do whatever you need to score.
Kyrou I still think can land a 1st round pick plus.
Buch if I can’t land a 1st round pick or more, I’d demote him to the 3rd line or 4th if needed until his play dictates otherwise. He’d be off the PP as well until he starts producing. Listening to Rivers on the fast lane last night he said Buch needs to get through the year and really hone into sharpening his skills in the offseason and committing to whatever workout he needs to improve his play. If by next year Buch’s game doesn’t improve and he’s impeding younger wingers I’m sending him to the AHL if I can’t trade him.
Faulk I’m trading high on him if I can land a 1st round pick equivalent.
If no D come back in any trades I’d call Skinner up and give him a shot
Schenn I’m not trading yet unless it’s an offer I can’t refuse. I know his skill is declining but he’s one of the only players that bring the leadership he brings and the willingness to stand up for teammates consistently.
Sunny I’m moving on from or making an extra forward. No more PP time.
At some point Tucker unless he improves needs to be the 7th D.
Depending how Mailloux progresses the rest of this year he might need to be paired with an experienced stay at home D that is acquired
Fowler needs to be paired with Parayko to get both players playing right again.
Goalies I’m playing whoever gives the best chance to win and I’m listening on offers for Binner.
If someone offers a young goalie prospect or 1st round pick, I’m trading him.
Just trading Faulk & Kyrou should land 2 first round picks. I actually think the return would be a bit better than that.
Then the team should be picking top 5 this year so I would assume they land an impact player that could either be a top D or top line player.
The 1st round picks I’d be looking to package with other assets for another high pick, top prospect or young future star player.
Worst case the Blues cold end up drafting in the top 5 or ten next year while other players are developing.
The goalie position is what I'm most concerned with. Binner is maybe having his worst year with the team and Hofer just doesn't insill confidence in me yet. Hopefully Hofer continues to improve and Binner gets it together and in the future the team just needs a backup to play with Hofer.

[Old_Goat]

Very good and thoughtful post.

[netboy65]

You can’t hang onto Schenn, he’s gotta go.

Ott and Julien need to be shown the door as well

[Frank Underwood]

I hope they end up with at least three 1st rounders, although if we make trades for good, young prospects instead (as Armstrong has suggested), that works for me. I’m done with this clown show of a team…..this is not 2019. Time to start making moves.

[Jeff Goldblum]

You can’t hang onto Schenn, he’s gotta go.

Ott and Julien need to be shown the door as well

Yes, the assistants should have been gone a long time ago. Montgomery isn't going anywhere.

[George Zipp]

Good OP other than the paragraph thing.

The solid news to me is that there is nothing to indicate this team can go on a long run as they have in years past. Hell, do we have a three game win streak this year. Don’t think so.

Trade what is moveable. Fix whatever the hell is going on in the room. Embrace the tank. First time I’ve ever found myself rooting for the team to lose. I don’t like it but it’s best for the long run.

[Stlcardsblues]

First of I’m not adding any picks to trade players.
Robert Thomas there isn’t 20 centers in the NHL I’d pick over him and he plays a 200 ft game. I’m not rushing to trade him. If I did trade him, I need a young center coming back in the package and I’m probably looking for two other prospects that could be top 6 forwards or top 4 D or a goalie.
If no one offers the package the Blues want, I’m trying whatever wingers play the best with Thomas to get that line going. Jake, Stenberg, Holloway, Berggren, Snuggy, whoever.
Thomas maybe isn’t the best leader but he plays a 200 ft game and I’d have no trouble waiting another year on him to make a decision or to get a better offer.
Kyrou I’m starting with. The team already has internal replacements even though they might not be at that level yet. Snuggy gets it and was letting it rip last night whenever he could. Carbonneau will be a future top 6 winger with grit. Berggren isn’t perfect but he plays through traffic, hits, camps out in front of the net, I would sub him into Kyrou’s place if Kyrou only returns a draft pick.
Watching Kyrou last night, he just doesn’t have that drive to simplify his game and drive the net for some greasy goals. Watching Keller and other teams’ top players they do whatever they can to score. Kyrou has improved his 200-foot game but you need your highest paid players to lead. If you aren’t scoring especially you need to be willing to do whatever you need to score.
Kyrou I still think can land a 1st round pick plus.
Buch if I can’t land a 1st round pick or more, I’d demote him to the 3rd line or 4th if needed until his play dictates otherwise. He’d be off the PP as well until he starts producing. Listening to Rivers on the fast lane last night he said Buch needs to get through the year and really hone into sharpening his skills in the offseason and committing to whatever workout he needs to improve his play. If by next year Buch’s game doesn’t improve and he’s impeding younger wingers I’m sending him to the AHL if I can’t trade him.
Faulk I’m trading high on him if I can land a 1st round pick equivalent.
If no D come back in any trades I’d call Skinner up and give him a shot
Schenn I’m not trading yet unless it’s an offer I can’t refuse. I know his skill is declining but he’s one of the only players that bring the leadership he brings and the willingness to stand up for teammates consistently.
Sunny I’m moving on from or making an extra forward. No more PP time.
At some point Tucker unless he improves needs to be the 7th D.
Depending how Mailloux progresses the rest of this year he might need to be paired with an experienced stay at home D that is acquired
Fowler needs to be paired with Parayko to get both players playing right again.
Goalies I’m playing whoever gives the best chance to win and I’m listening on offers for Binner.
If someone offers a young goalie prospect or 1st round pick, I’m trading him.
Just trading Faulk & Kyrou should land 2 first round picks. I actually think the return would be a bit better than that.
Then the team should be picking top 5 this year so I would assume they land an impact player that could either be a top D or top line player.
The 1st round picks I’d be looking to package with other assets for another high pick, top prospect or young future star player.
Worst case the Blues cold end up drafting in the top 5 or ten next year while other players are developing.
The goalie position is what I'm most concerned with. Binner is maybe having his worst year with the team and Hofer just doesn't insill confidence in me yet. Hopefully Hofer continues to improve and Binner gets it together and in the future the team just needs a backup to play with Hofer.

Everyone is frustrated and is going to let themselves lose prospectus on where this team is.

Whether you want to call it a retool or rebuild this team has been in one for a few years. People need to remember that. Entering the 24-25 season the team was considered by most as being a high lottery pick team. I was one of the few who thought they would contend for a wild card spot. They exceeded most expectations last year which cranked up expectations this year. This year has been a step back which when you are developing a core of young players happens.

What I would do.

The first thing is accept this is not the year to try to flip this to become a playoff contender. Do not add to this roster at the trade deadline. Let it finish the year out of the playoffs with a shot at a top pick. Regroup in the offseason and continue adding to the young core you are building.

Second thing is how to handle Broberg and Holloway both RFAs. I would not make panic offers and overpay. They are still in my view extremely important pieces to this team, but with matching rights I would let the market show what they are valued at. I would continue to try to sign them to extensions that are not vast overpays. If a team vastly overpays take the compensation. If it’s a decent deal match it. My concern is we have a small sample size both have taken a step back this year. You can’t afford to over pay a second time as that will kill your cap in the future if they don’t continue to progress.

Schenn, Buch, Fowler and Faulk are not part of the young core (there are a couple other lesser players like Sunny in that as well). You listen to offers on them and if you get value, flip them.

Do not flip Binnington, Parayko or Kyrou unless it’s an incredible offer.

[DawgDad]

So, you guys targeting 1st round picks for the vets, you OK waiting another 5-6 years to have ANY hope? And then, the team will be drastically short of veteran leadership.

They need players. Like Tage Thompson for ROR in reverse.

[Harry S Deals]

Keep Thomas he's a second tier #1 center based on stats.

Try to move on from Kyrou/Buch that seems unlikely to me. Actually last night I thought Kyrou played well

Move Schenn, Faulk, Binnington and Fowler if possible

Ideally draft top 10 again

Sign Jaden Schwartz back for leadership

The hope is next season Dvorsky, Stenberg, Snuggerud, Holloway, Broberg maybe a Kaskimaki can start to reliably produce NHL points

So you come out with something like

Stenberg Thomas Snuggerud
Holloway Dvorsky Kyrou*/Buch*/Berggren
Neighbours Suter Schwartz
Walker Sunny Torop

Broberg Parayko
Fowler Jiricek
Tucker Mailloux/Vet LHD

[a smell of green grass]

They need players. Like Tage Thompson for ROR in reverse.

In the back of my mind, this is the reverse deal that I want too. But where is our Tage Thompson? But where is our ROR to trade away?

Even though this is what I "WANT", is it possible? Could it ever happen?

Our best shot is the next Tage Thompson for Robert Thomas.
Our 2nd best shot is the next Tage Thompson for Faulk.

What does eveyone else think?

Is a Tage Thompson for somebody on our roster possible? Or just a dream?
Would Army's talent evaluation group even know what a young super Center looks like? Are we more apt to get only another young Dean?

[dhsux]

Personally I'd keep trying to win every game I can with the current group right up until the trade deadline. Yes bring up young players if they earn it.

At that point I'd then make an informed decision on just what to do....needn't rush it's still possible they could be adding, the fat lady hasn't even stood up yet.

[dhsux]

They need players. Like Tage Thompson for ROR in reverse.

In the back of my mind, this is the reverse deal that I want too. But where is our Tage Thompson? But where is our ROR to trade away?

Even though this is what I "WANT", is it possible? Could it ever happen?

Our best shot is the next Tage Thompson for Robert Thomas.
Our 2nd best shot is the next Tage Thompson for Faulk.

What does eveyone else think?

Is a Tage Thompson for somebody on our roster possible? Or just a dream?
Would Army's talent evaluation group even know what a young super Center looks like? Are we more apt to get only another young Dean?

It's high risk just to find a Thomas for Thomas player, nevertheless a better one.

Thomas has to bring a Brinks truck load or else you keep him.

[Cahokanut]

Give me a break. Tage Thompson wasn't allowed to be Tage Thompson with the Blues. Neither will the next.

[Rollin' on the River]

First of I’m not adding any picks to trade players.
Robert Thomas there isn’t 20 centers in the NHL I’d pick over him and he plays a 200 ft game. I’m not rushing to trade him. If I did trade him, I need a young center coming back in the package and I’m probably looking for two other prospects that could be top 6 forwards or top 4 D or a goalie.
If no one offers the package the Blues want, I’m trying whatever wingers play the best with Thomas to get that line going. Jake, Stenberg, Holloway, Berggren, Snuggy, whoever.
Thomas maybe isn’t the best leader but he plays a 200 ft game and I’d have no trouble waiting another year on him to make a decision or to get a better offer.
Kyrou I’m starting with. The team already has internal replacements even though they might not be at that level yet. Snuggy gets it and was letting it rip last night whenever he could. Carbonneau will be a future top 6 winger with grit. Berggren isn’t perfect but he plays through traffic, hits, camps out in front of the net, I would sub him into Kyrou’s place if Kyrou only returns a draft pick.
Watching Kyrou last night, he just doesn’t have that drive to simplify his game and drive the net for some greasy goals. Watching Keller and other teams’ top players they do whatever they can to score. Kyrou has improved his 200-foot game but you need your highest paid players to lead. If you aren’t scoring especially you need to be willing to do whatever you need to score.
Kyrou I still think can land a 1st round pick plus.
Buch if I can’t land a 1st round pick or more, I’d demote him to the 3rd line or 4th if needed until his play dictates otherwise. He’d be off the PP as well until he starts producing. Listening to Rivers on the fast lane last night he said Buch needs to get through the year and really hone into sharpening his skills in the offseason and committing to whatever workout he needs to improve his play. If by next year Buch’s game doesn’t improve and he’s impeding younger wingers I’m sending him to the AHL if I can’t trade him.
Faulk I’m trading high on him if I can land a 1st round pick equivalent.
If no D come back in any trades I’d call Skinner up and give him a shot
Schenn I’m not trading yet unless it’s an offer I can’t refuse. I know his skill is declining but he’s one of the only players that bring the leadership he brings and the willingness to stand up for teammates consistently.
Sunny I’m moving on from or making an extra forward. No more PP time.
At some point Tucker unless he improves needs to be the 7th D.
Depending how Mailloux progresses the rest of this year he might need to be paired with an experienced stay at home D that is acquired
Fowler needs to be paired with Parayko to get both players playing right again.
Goalies I’m playing whoever gives the best chance to win and I’m listening on offers for Binner.
If someone offers a young goalie prospect or 1st round pick, I’m trading him.
Just trading Faulk & Kyrou should land 2 first round picks. I actually think the return would be a bit better than that.
Then the team should be picking top 5 this year so I would assume they land an impact player that could either be a top D or top line player.
The 1st round picks I’d be looking to package with other assets for another high pick, top prospect or young future star player.
Worst case the Blues cold end up drafting in the top 5 or ten next year while other players are developing.
The goalie position is what I'm most concerned with. Binner is maybe having his worst year with the team and Hofer just doesn't insill confidence in me yet. Hopefully Hofer continues to improve and Binner gets it together and in the future the team just needs a backup to play with Hofer.

Everyone is frustrated and is going to let themselves lose prospectus on where this team is.

Whether you want to call it a retool or rebuild this team has been in one for a few years. People need to remember that. Entering the 24-25 season the team was considered by most as being a high lottery pick team. I was one of the few who thought they would contend for a wild card spot. They exceeded most expectations last year which cranked up expectations this year. This year has been a step back which when you are developing a core of young players happens.

What I would do.

The first thing is accept this is not the year to try to flip this to become a playoff contender. Do not add to this roster at the trade deadline. Let it finish the year out of the playoffs with a shot at a top pick. Regroup in the offseason and continue adding to the young core you are building.

Second thing is how to handle Broberg and Holloway both RFAs. I would not make panic offers and overpay. They are still in my view extremely important pieces to this team, but with matching rights I would let the market show what they are valued at. I would continue to try to sign them to extensions that are not vast overpays. If a team vastly overpays take the compensation. If it’s a decent deal match it. My concern is we have a small sample size both have taken a step back this year. You can’t afford to over pay a second time as that will kill your cap in the future if they don’t continue to progress.

Schenn, Buch, Fowler and Faulk are not part of the young core (there are a couple other lesser players like Sunny in that as well). You listen to offers on them and if you get value, flip them.

Do not flip Binnington, Parayko or Kyrou unless it’s an incredible offer.

Agreed about the Edmonton boys.

Hollowell hasn’t been impressive this year. Even when healthy. He let that “Hollywood” nickname go to his head.

[Frank Underwood]

So, you guys targeting 1st round picks for the vets, you OK waiting another 5-6 years to have ANY hope? And then, the team will be drastically short of veteran leadership.

They need players. Like Tage Thompson for ROR in reverse.

I’ll take picks or prospects, doesn’t matter to me. High-end prospects are great, but usually harder to get in trades. But even if you move Kyrou, Schenn, Binnington, etc. for picks, those picks can be used to either move up in the first round for a better pick, or can be used to trade for players that fit the Blues rebuild. Plus trading Kyrou, etc for picks also opens up a ton of cap space, so that’s an “asset” as well.

[seattleblue]

So, you guys targeting 1st round picks for the vets, you OK waiting another 5-6 years to have ANY hope? And then, the team will be drastically short of veteran leadership.

They need players. Like Tage Thompson for ROR in reverse.

This is the philosophical point of resistance. On the one hand there's the legit fear of stripping it all to first rounders and ending up in plenty of situations similar to other teams that go that route but never have anything to build around. Those people would rather hope they get a breakthrough from an overachiever player who is drafted lower and becomes the support beam. Lots of examples of a team's best player not being a first round pick. This is kind of where we are now, the scuffle along method. The advantage is there is no bottoming out, there's continuity of competing for something which does help a culture more than bottoming out.

On the other hand the fear of this scuffle along having led us into what we are all witnessing, which is so brutal. The number of 3 goal+ losses in a mere 45 games is crazy. You can trust I speak as a Blues addict when I say I am completely disengaged from this team's players, the vast majority of them. Maybe there is a muddled way to build through. But the manner in which this team is meeting challenges and adversity is so disheartening that they are unlikeable as a group. There is a huge mess with many many aspects to it and numerous hollow players. Some very poor GM choices, some poor coaching, poor playing, and some adverse luck. And the next time they're competitive, truly competitive, it's difficult to believe any of the current Blues will be part of it. Maybe 1 or 2. I think 5 or 6 years being a Cup contender, at this point, would be a dream. Take it and run because this is not even close to the Cup caliber. They're hollow, like the announcing.