Dreger - on the Blues downfall “they just aren’t that good”

[ratonmono2]

Gotta be concerned about the core here. I've been a big fan of Thomas and hate to place this problem on him but there are serious concerns about do you want to build your team around this guy who has these question marks. They're at a crossroads. They will certainly grab a top 5 pick this summer and the under 23 group here is being built. The question is do they rely on the current 24 and older group to lead that 23 & under group? I don't envy Steen right now. I'm leaning towards blowing that older core up though, but is it even possible if teams don't want your players? Rough spot.

They will most likely get a top 5 pick but it sucks that Vancouver is SOOOOO atrocious this year. Not sure the Blues can catch them, so the chances of getting that #1 pick is super low.

Yeah the good news is Winnipeg is not going to stay in that bottom spot, they're too good a team. This draft isn't really about going 1st overall though. Not enough separation between 1-5 to get too worked up over. On one hand that means there may not be a franchise player to pick, but if these guys are a step below franchise level we can't scoff at that either as the Blues need an infusion of top talent regardless.

[MiamiLaw]

Gotta be concerned about the core here. I've been a big fan of Thomas and hate to place this problem on him but there are serious concerns about do you want to build your team around this guy who has these question marks. They're at a crossroads. They will certainly grab a top 5 pick this summer and the under 23 group here is being built. The question is do they rely on the current 24 and older group to lead that 23 & under group? I don't envy Steen right now. I'm leaning towards blowing that older core up though, but is it even possible if teams don't want your players? Rough spot.

The only saving grace is that none of the contracts are cap busters. All three combined - i.e. Thomas, Kyrou and Buch - hurt but if you can rid yourself of one without getting killed, you're not in a bad place. Kyrou is the obvious candidate where I think you can move him and it wouldn't be horrible. You probably wouldn't have to "pay" someone to take him so to speak but the return will probably not be great.

Agreed. We are all probably falling into prisoner of the moment in regard to Thomas also. If they move him, he will retrieve a big package for sure. Kyrou is really the obvious move here. He's been a poor fit for years and it seems Army was stubbornly sticking to a price that was too high which has only diminished his actual value. Army's weakness; too hardheaded. It's cost us big time the past six years.

Yea at the contract and even considering his flaws, I don't see much point in moving Thomas. If someone wants to overpay then sure, but realistically, moving him doesn't make much sense. Buch, you'd have to pay someone to take. He still can play in most situations and can put up some numbers so taking a big hit to move him seems counterproductive. That leaves 25.

Why he was not included in the offer for Matt Tkachuk will always baffle me.

[Harry S Deals]

Gotta be concerned about the core here. I've been a big fan of Thomas and hate to place this problem on him but there are serious concerns about do you want to build your team around this guy who has these question marks. They're at a crossroads. They will certainly grab a top 5 pick this summer and the under 23 group here is being built. The question is do they rely on the current 24 and older group to lead that 23 & under group? I don't envy Steen right now. I'm leaning towards blowing that older core up though, but is it even possible if teams don't want your players? Rough spot.

The only saving grace is that none of the contracts are cap busters. All three combined - i.e. Thomas, Kyrou and Buch - hurt but if you can rid yourself of one without getting killed, you're not in a bad place. Kyrou is the obvious candidate where I think you can move him and it wouldn't be horrible. You probably wouldn't have to "pay" someone to take him so to speak but the return will probably not be great.

Agreed. We are all probably falling into prisoner of the moment in regard to Thomas also. If they move him, he will retrieve a big package for sure. Kyrou is really the obvious move here. He's been a poor fit for years and it seems Army was stubbornly sticking to a price that was too high which has only diminished his actual value. Army's weakness; too hardheaded. It's cost us big time the past six years.

Yea at the contract and even considering his flaws, I don't see much point in moving Thomas. If someone wants to overpay then sure, but realistically, moving him doesn't make much sense. Buch, you'd have to pay someone to take. He still can play in most situations and can put up some numbers so taking a big hit to move him seems counterproductive. That leaves 25.

Why he was not included in the offer for Matt Tkachuk will always baffle me.

Not one single Blues fan said the Kyrou deal was bad in fact it was very team friendly as long as Kyrou was scoring 30 goals which was his track record. Something is waaaaay off. This guy over the last two games is an absolute ghost looks like he could care less.
Heres my issue, the best thing ive heard Blues brass say is they want to set the new core, instill the right way to play going forward. Ok great but to do this Kyrou has to go. Even if its a draft pick just to get rid of him, extreme but im ok with it. At the very very least Monty has to sit Kyrou tomorrow night and play Berggren. The kid has all-world level of skill but he refuses to play hard. Obviously its not near apples to apples but the real difference between McDavid and MacKinnon to Kyrou? Those guys have the intensity the desire to win EVERY SHIFT. They play on another level using their speed and skill. Kyrou could approach this if he ever got that point into his head.

[dhsux]

On January 19th, the Blues are 7 points off placing 17th in the league.

Have no certain idea what's going to happen but I wouldn't put a nickel on them finishing for a top 5 pick.

[ratonmono2]

Yea at the contract and even considering his flaws, I don't see much point in moving Thomas. If someone wants to overpay then sure, but realistically, moving him doesn't make much sense. Buch, you'd have to pay someone to take. He still can play in most situations and can put up some numbers so taking a big hit to move him seems counterproductive. That leaves 25.

Why he was not included in the offer for Matt Tkachuk will always baffle me.

That one was a whiff. At least I can see the logic somewhat as 21-22 Kyrou really broke out or seemed to until a late season slump and his playoffs were really promising scoring 7 goals across two series. But yeah, he should have been made available in a potential Tkachuk deal. And he's never approached that type of gameplay he showed that season.

[MiamiLaw]

Yea at the contract and even considering his flaws, I don't see much point in moving Thomas. If someone wants to overpay then sure, but realistically, moving him doesn't make much sense. Buch, you'd have to pay someone to take. He still can play in most situations and can put up some numbers so taking a big hit to move him seems counterproductive. That leaves 25.

Why he was not included in the offer for Matt Tkachuk will always baffle me.

That one was a whiff. At least I can see the logic somewhat as 21-22 Kyrou really broke out or seemed to until a late season slump and his playoffs were really promising scoring 7 goals across two series. But yeah, he should have been made available in a potential Tkachuk deal. And he's never approached that type of gameplay he showed that season.

Could the Blues have afforded both 25 and MT anyways, assuming CGY took the Blues' lowball? Maybe the plan was to then trade Kyrou for something else...not sure.

[ratonmono2]

On January 19th, the Blues are 7 points off placing 17th in the league.

Have no certain idea what's going to happen but I wouldn't put a nickel on them finishing for a top 5 pick.

I would. More than a nickel. Unless Hofer just shuts down like prime Hasek, this team isn't clawing back into contention. It's not just about comparing this year's roster to last season's either. The teams around them are all improved or are objectively better than the Blues except Vancouver and arguably Calgary.

[dhsux]

On January 19th, the Blues are 7 points off placing 17th in the league.

Have no certain idea what's going to happen but I wouldn't put a nickel on them finishing for a top 5 pick.

I would. More than a nickel. Unless Hofer just shuts down like prime Hasek, this team isn't clawing back into contention. It's not just about comparing this year's roster to last season's either. The teams around them are all improved or are objectively better than the Blues except Vancouver and arguably Calgary.

We'll see.

I wish I was willing to bet that nickel.

hahaha

[ratonmono2]

On January 19th, the Blues are 7 points off placing 17th in the league.

Have no certain idea what's going to happen but I wouldn't put a nickel on them finishing for a top 5 pick.

I would. More than a nickel. Unless Hofer just shuts down like prime Hasek, this team isn't clawing back into contention. It's not just about comparing this year's roster to last season's either. The teams around them are all improved or are objectively better than the Blues except Vancouver and arguably Calgary.

We'll see.

I wish I was willing to bet that nickel.

hahaha

I could always be wrong of course! But I'm going based off of what I see. And it's more than just poor fundamentals on display and lack of overall talent & depth. There's defeat in the body language of the whole team most of the time. They look like they know they ain't got it in em to do this. What could bump them up a bit of course is Hofer and some of the rookies getting more comfortable and going on some personal heaters. I do expect Thomas to go on a tear at some point as he always does.

[theograce]

Gotta be concerned about the core here. I've been a big fan of Thomas and hate to place this problem on him but there are serious concerns about do you want to build your team around this guy who has these question marks. They're at a crossroads. They will certainly grab a top 5 pick this summer and the under 23 group here is being built. The question is do they rely on the current 24 and older group to lead that 23 & under group? I don't envy Steen right now. I'm leaning towards blowing that older core up though, but is it even possible if teams don't want your players? Rough spot.

The only saving grace is that none of the contracts are cap busters. All three combined - i.e. Thomas, Kyrou and Buch - hurt but if you can rid yourself of one without getting killed, you're not in a bad place. Kyrou is the obvious candidate where I think you can move him and it wouldn't be horrible. You probably wouldn't have to "pay" someone to take him so to speak but the return will probably not be great.

Agreed. We are all probably falling into prisoner of the moment in regard to Thomas also. If they move him, he will retrieve a big package for sure. Kyrou is really the obvious move here. He's been a poor fit for years and it seems Army was stubbornly sticking to a price that was too high which has only diminished his actual value. Army's weakness; too hardheaded. It's cost us big time the past six years.

They’ve been trying to move kyrou for a couple years. Both sides must feel exhausted/checked out. It’s Tarasenko … again