Friedman on Thomas

[leedog68]

Seems like if they trade Thomas because he isn't a true number one center, we then need a number two and a number one instead of just a number one. Unless they got someone better back. And why would someone trade someone who is better than Thomas for Thomas. Makes no sense.

[blues2112]

Love your show, long-time listener, first-time caller.

Two questions and a comment. I'll hang up and listen.

Why presume a team must have a "No. 1 center" to be competitive?

What defines a "No. 1 center"?

Cup team had no "No. 1 center," and precisely zero players who averaged a point per game or better, and only three players with 20 or more goals.

[theograce]

And why would someone trade someone who is better than Thomas for Thomas. Makes no sense.

Teams want to win. Some teams want now. Teams want to change cultures/chemistries. If they think a player/trade really increases their odds of doing so…that’s what can happen.

Things look pretty open this year…Panthers aren’t the same team right now.

[DawgDad]

Seems like if they trade Thomas because he isn't a true number one center, we then need a number two and a number one instead of just a number one. Unless they got someone better back. And why would someone trade someone who is better than Thomas for Thomas. Makes no sense.

Seriously? Most any team that is trying to make a deep run now and in the near future would greatly benefit from adding a healthy Thomas. The trade would be (at the core) for a younger primary piece, a player who projects to be a star center who does not project to be a difference maker in near-term playoffs. Think Thompson for ROR.

A trade could take other forms but most others would not satisfy the Blues needs. The bar on prying Thomas from the Blues should be VERY high.

[crookedfeeder]

https://x.com/nhltradealert/status/2014 ... swP-ZGd7DA

Deals I’d like to see.

Thomas to Anaheim for Mason MacTavish plus or Senneke.

Then deal Faulk and Suter to Red Wings for Simon Edvisson and draft pick

Anaheim ain't moving away from Sennecke anytime soon; I wouldn't IMO. I still think Misa plus (maybe his Saginaw teammate Chernyshov) is the move; then San Jose would have Celebrini, Thomas, Wenneberg (a better 3rd line center than 2nd line IMO), Ostapchuk down the middle.

JMO

[theograce]

Cup team had no "No. 1 center," and precisely zero players who averaged a point per game or better, and only three players with 20 or more goals.

The cup team had the best defense in the world led by a future HOFer that was paired with a team that had several of better 200 foot players in the league. It also had true leaders…motivated men who would spear your mama if you got in their way.

Playoffs:

They had a ppg player in the playoffs
A player who led the league in ES goals
A player who had the most assist in the entire NHL

[BleedingBleu]

It’s pretty obvious what’s going on.

Thomas is young (27 in July) and has a great contract ($8.125M through 2030/31). He’s proven that he can play a two-way game (-3 this year, +43 Career), play on the PO & PK, lockdown the games best (11/3/2025 McDavid & Draisaitl), and be a PPG player (307P 297G - 2021/22-2024/25).

He’s excellent on the dot (career 51.6%, 53.4% the last 4 Seasons), and is a proven playoff performer.

The Blues just said everyone is available for the right price; which they followed up by saying an offer for Thomas needs to rightfully blow them away. Good f%kng luck!

So yeah, teams are going to check in. DUH, everyone desperate for a follow is going to throw his name and EVERY FANBASE out there on blast, because his acquisition would immediately make everyone a Stanley Cup Contender. Doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. However, enjoy the distraction.

[blues2112]

The Blues just said everyone is available for the right price; which they followed up by saying an offer for Thomas needs to rightfully blow them away. Good f%kng luck!

When did the Blues say "everyone is available"?

And when did they say an offer for Thomas needs to rightfully blow them away

Friedman speculates this: "an offer for Thomas needs to rightfully blow them away"

[TheHighHat]

I dont want a haul for Thomas.
If I give up Thomas--I want one player equal to Thomas--or it makes no sense.
We need quality not quantity. We have draft pics galore. Need a #1 Center. #1 winger.

Any player coming back likely won’t be equal to Thomas for at least a couple of years. I think they want to add someone in the 20-22 age range. Return is gonna be a haul..no way they move him without that kind of return.

How about Utah?
They have the assets and the cap flexibility.
How about a deal with Desnoyers being the main piece in return?

I know Bill Armstrong recently stated that he wants to add without giving up his young assets, but that might just be subterfuge.
They're loaded with prospects and are on the cusp of catching up with the big 4 (EDM, VGK, COL, & DAL) in the West that are in the winter of their superiority.

Utah is going to need another top center to compete with the next wave of dominant teams in the West with at least 2 high end centers.
Do they stay patient and wait for Desnoyers or do they take on the sure thing in the 26.5 year old Thomas to expedite the process?

When healthy the Utah centers would be:
L. Cooley
R. Thomas
B. Hayton
J. McBain

A bit too far away?

I tend to agree with you DD, but there are a few other factors besides the assets and cap space that makes the Mammoth a possibility.
Utah has strictly been playing veteran d-men lately so if they feel Vejmelka is back on his game they might want to make a bold move.
Didn't Bill Armstrong draft Thomas?
How much say will the new ownership have?

Another team that has the need and the pieces is the Detroit Red Wings.
Just when they thought they finally found their elusive 2C last year in M. Kasper, he has defecated on the sheets big time this year.
Talk about a sophomore slump.

How much upside does Kasper have?
How about Carter Bear? What's his upside and does he project as a center or a winger?

Montreal can easily put together the package to get it done but it seems very unlikely they part with Hage to make it happen.
The Habs are going to be contenders for the next decade. Their only gaping hole right now is 2C.

Do they wait for Hage or do they move some chips to the center of the table?
I think they'll look to acquire a stop gap center at this year's TDL instead of the much more expensive (asset wise) and permanent solution in Thomas with the idea that they'll wait another year or two for Hage to be completely ready to be their legit 2C while the stop gap acquisition temporarily fills the role.

Carolina and Minnesota have the need big time but do they have a young center that would tickle Army's fancy?

[ratonmono2]

Love your show, long-time listener, first-time caller.

Two questions and a comment. I'll hang up and listen.

Why presume a team must have a "No. 1 center" to be competitive?

What defines a "No. 1 center"?

Cup team had no "No. 1 center," and precisely zero players who averaged a point per game or better, and only three players with 20 or more goals.

O'Reilly was absolutely a clear #1C in 2019. Schenn was still a top end #2C, Bozak and Sundqvist rounded out the center depth perfectly. The Blues D was the best in the league with an undisputed #1 in Petro, two very good #2s in Parayko and Bouw. The forwards were deep and had commitment to two-way play and physicality. Remember that our 4th line Steen/Sunny/Barby (sometimes Bais) would start against the other team's top line and come out even or ahead in matchups throughout the playoffs. That's the kind of matchup coaches dream of being able to deploy. Binnington getting hot cemented the whole deal. That Blues cup team compared more favorably to the Devils cup winners in the 90s/early 2000s than most of their contemporaries.

[PregnantNun]

I'm convinced Friedman just makes things up. This is the guy who was convinced Binnington was going to the Oilers.

[BleedingBleu]

The Blues just said everyone is available for the right price; which they followed up by saying an offer for Thomas needs to rightfully blow them away. Good f%kng luck!

When did the Blues say "everyone is available"?

And when did they say an offer for Thomas needs to rightfully blow them away

Friedman speculates this: "an offer for Thomas needs to rightfully blow them away"

Just put the pieces together, it’s not difficult

[The Average Gatsby]

I wouldn’t say that I necessarily want to trade Thomas for futures, but if we did at least this team would be taking a clear direction. Being stuck in the mushy middle is the worst place to be in pro sports. If we’re going to be bad we might as well be really bad and build for the future.

Plus we would get a haul. He may not be a star like Quinn Hughes but he’s a legit top 15 center in the NHL and he’s signed to very team friendly, long term deal.

[dhsux]

"future HOF'er"

hahahaha

Somebody had a wet dream last night.

[ratonmono2]

"future HOF'er"

hahahaha

Somebody had a wet dream last night.

Are you suggesting Petro is not a HOFer? Seriously? His record speaks for itself he has absolutely everything except a Norris. Gold medalist. I'll never understand the disdain Blues fans have for the best player the org produced in decades.

[The Average Gatsby]

"future HOF'er"

hahahaha

Somebody had a wet dream last night.

Are you suggesting Petro is not a HOFer? Seriously? His record speaks for itself he has absolutely everything except a Norris. Gold medalist. I'll never understand the disdain Blues fans have for the best player the org produced in decades.

He probably is a hall of famer but it’s certainly not a slam dunk. He never had a season where he was even close to the best defenseman in the league, at least not according to Norris voters. He was really, really good for a really long time but it’s not called the hall of really good. The cups, especially being a cup winning captain, and the gold medal probably do put him in though.