Trade Deadline Strategy, Post WJC

[BleedingBleu]

I would be curious as to how the Trade Deadline pans out, because there appears to be a lot of viable Defenseman in the 10-20 Range.

Draft Range | Shot | Player | Size | Month YYYY
1-5 RHD - Verhoeff (6’-4,” 212 lbs) June 2008
- CAN
3-15 RHD - Reid (6’-2,” 187 lbs) Dec 2007
- USA (Michigan)
4-14 LHD - Carels (6’-2,” 194 lbs) June 2008
- CAN
8-19 LHD - Smits (6’-3,” 205 lbs) Dec 2007
- Offensive D, LAT
6-20 LHD - Villeneuve (5’-11,” 157 lbs) Sep 2007
- Mobile, Puck-Moving, Offensive D, CAN
6-15 RHD - Lin (5’-11,” 176 lbs) April 2008
- CAN
8-15 RHD - Rudolph (6’-2,” 203 lbs) Mar 2008
- CAN
12-25 RHD - Piiparinen (6’-3,” 203 lbs) Aug 2008
- FIN
11-26 LHD - Gustafsson (6’-4,” 201 lbs) Jun 2008
- Mobile, 2-Way SWE
18-30 LHD - Hakansson (6’-4,” 207 lbs) Oct 2007
- Heavy-Shot, Defensive D SWE

I recognize the desire for NHL-ready Prospects in return, but I also think about the viable return a fringe playoff team’s First Round Pick could garner. Not only would it solidify the potential pick at the top of the Draft, but it might alter the draft strategy of the Blues First Selection.

Suddenly, a potential selection of a RHD at the top of the draft like Verhoeff or Reid may recalibrate to a Center like Lawrence, or Wingers like Stenberg or Belchetz due to the influence of D-Man depth and existence of large Northern European Right-Handed Defenders like Piiparinen & Hakansson.

Naturally, there’s the realities when departing with veteran leaders in Schenn & Faulk. However, the possible return including a Mid-First Rounder to accompany a Top 3-8 Pick is almost too good to pass up and could still enable an NHL-Ready Prospect return and veteran FA signing.

Potential 2026 Offseason FA
Nikolaj Ehlers (30)
Alex Tuch (30)
Nikolaj Ehlers (30)
Nick Schmaltz (30)
Kiefer Sherwood (31)
Boone Jenner (33)
Jaden Schwartz (34)

[Zizzle1297]

Id go hard for Schamltz from Utah if he is available in UFA and try to lure Keller to come too.

[Zizzle1297]

Kryou and Faulk to Buffallo

for

Tuch, Power , ++

[Younghopp1991]

Kryou and Faulk to Buffallo

for

Tuch, Power , ++

I doubt kyrou wnd faulk wave for buffalo. I also think buffalo laughs at us if they would wave.

[Pierre McGuire]

Sabres are playing very well. Not sure Jarmo will do any big tweaks although I’m sure he’d like to make a statement move since he’s in charge now. I think Byram is the guy that fits very well here and the Blues have shown interest in him in the past. He also fills a need here. They are going to lose Byram in a couple of years so they might be open to trading him.

[BleedingBleu]

Id go hard for Schamltz from Utah if he is available in UFA and try to lure Keller to come too.

Keller’s $57M/8yr contract is looking pretty sweet right now, but it won’t wrap up until after the 27/28 season. He’ll be 30, but no doubt he’ll be looking to maximize his next contract

[BleedingBleu]

I would be curious as to how the Trade Deadline pans out, because there appears to be a lot of viable Defenseman in the 10-20 Range.

Draft Range | Shot | Player | Size | Month YYYY
1-5 RHD - Verhoeff (6’-4,” 212 lbs) June 2008
- CAN
3-15 RHD - Reid (6’-2,” 187 lbs) Dec 2007
- USA (Michigan)
4-14 LHD - Carels (6’-2,” 194 lbs) June 2008
- CAN
8-19 LHD - Smits (6’-3,” 205 lbs) Dec 2007
- Offensive D, LAT
6-20 LHD - Villeneuve (5’-11,” 157 lbs) Sep 2007
- Mobile, Puck-Moving, Offensive D, CAN
6-15 RHD - Lin (5’-11,” 176 lbs) April 2008
- CAN
8-15 RHD - Rudolph (6’-2,” 203 lbs) Mar 2008
- CAN
12-25 RHD - Piiparinen (6’-3,” 203 lbs) Aug 2008
- FIN
11-26 LHD - Gustafsson (6’-4,” 201 lbs) Jun 2008
- Mobile, 2-Way SWE
18-30 LHD - Hakansson (6’-4,” 207 lbs) Oct 2007
- Heavy-Shot, Defensive D SWE

I recognize the desire for NHL-ready Prospects in return, but I also think about the viable return a fringe playoff team’s First Round Pick could garner. Not only would it solidify the potential pick at the top of the Draft, but it might alter the draft strategy of the Blues First Selection.

Suddenly, a potential selection of a RHD at the top of the draft like Verhoeff or Reid may recalibrate to a Center like Lawrence, or Wingers like Stenberg or Belchetz due to the influence of D-Man depth and existence of large Northern European Right-Handed Defenders like Piiparinen & Hakansson.

Naturally, there’s the realities when departing with veteran leaders in Schenn & Faulk. However, the possible return including a Mid-First Rounder to accompany a Top 3-8 Pick is almost too good to pass up and could still enable an NHL-Ready Prospect return and veteran FA signing.

Potential 2026 Offseason FA
Nikolaj Ehlers (30)
Alex Tuch (30)
Nikolaj Ehlers (30)
Nick Schmaltz (30)
Kiefer Sherwood (31)
Boone Jenner (33)
Jaden Schwartz (34)

Sorry all, not trying to flood the forum. I am just fighting a bug… or the flu. So, lots of down time & YouTube videos

Disclaimer: The video above is hosted on Youtube, and has not be reviewed by the staff of the Post-Dispatch.

[zuck698]

I would be curious as to how the Trade Deadline pans out, because there appears to be a lot of viable Defenseman in the 10-20 Range.

Draft Range | Shot | Player | Size | Month YYYY
1-5 RHD - Verhoeff (6’-4,” 212 lbs) June 2008
- CAN
3-15 RHD - Reid (6’-2,” 187 lbs) Dec 2007
- USA (Michigan)
4-14 LHD - Carels (6’-2,” 194 lbs) June 2008
- CAN
8-19 LHD - Smits (6’-3,” 205 lbs) Dec 2007
- Offensive D, LAT
6-20 LHD - Villeneuve (5’-11,” 157 lbs) Sep 2007
- Mobile, Puck-Moving, Offensive D, CAN
6-15 RHD - Lin (5’-11,” 176 lbs) April 2008
- CAN
8-15 RHD - Rudolph (6’-2,” 203 lbs) Mar 2008
- CAN
12-25 RHD - Piiparinen (6’-3,” 203 lbs) Aug 2008
- FIN
11-26 LHD - Gustafsson (6’-4,” 201 lbs) Jun 2008
- Mobile, 2-Way SWE
18-30 LHD - Hakansson (6’-4,” 207 lbs) Oct 2007
- Heavy-Shot, Defensive D SWE

I recognize the desire for NHL-ready Prospects in return, but I also think about the viable return a fringe playoff team’s First Round Pick could garner. Not only would it solidify the potential pick at the top of the Draft, but it might alter the draft strategy of the Blues First Selection.

Suddenly, a potential selection of a RHD at the top of the draft like Verhoeff or Reid may recalibrate to a Center like Lawrence, or Wingers like Stenberg or Belchetz due to the influence of D-Man depth and existence of large Northern European Right-Handed Defenders like Piiparinen & Hakansson.

Naturally, there’s the realities when departing with veteran leaders in Schenn & Faulk. However, the possible return including a Mid-First Rounder to accompany a Top 3-8 Pick is almost too good to pass up and could still enable an NHL-Ready Prospect return and veteran FA signing.

Potential 2026 Offseason FA
Nikolaj Ehlers (30)
Alex Tuch (30)
Nikolaj Ehlers (30)
Nick Schmaltz (30)
Kiefer Sherwood (31)
Boone Jenner (33)
Jaden Schwartz (34)

Sorry all, not trying to flood the forum. I am just fighting a bug… or the flu. So, lots of down time & YouTube videos

Disclaimer: The video above is hosted on Youtube, and has not be reviewed by the staff of the Post-Dispatch.

No apologies needed. Good info. Feel better as I am doing the same here!

[BleedingBleu]

I would be curious as to how the Trade Deadline pans out, because there appears to be a lot of viable Defenseman in the 10-20 Range.

Draft Range | Shot | Player | Size | Month YYYY
1-5 RHD - Verhoeff (6’-4,” 212 lbs) June 2008
- CAN
3-15 RHD - Reid (6’-2,” 187 lbs) Dec 2007
- USA (Michigan)
4-14 LHD - Carels (6’-2,” 194 lbs) June 2008
- CAN
8-19 LHD - Smits (6’-3,” 205 lbs) Dec 2007
- Offensive D, LAT
6-20 LHD - Villeneuve (5’-11,” 157 lbs) Sep 2007
- Mobile, Puck-Moving, Offensive D, CAN
6-15 RHD - Lin (5’-11,” 176 lbs) April 2008
- CAN
8-15 RHD - Rudolph (6’-2,” 203 lbs) Mar 2008
- CAN
12-25 RHD - Piiparinen (6’-3,” 203 lbs) Aug 2008
- FIN
11-26 LHD - Gustafsson (6’-4,” 201 lbs) Jun 2008
- Mobile, 2-Way SWE
18-30 LHD - Hakansson (6’-4,” 207 lbs) Oct 2007
- Heavy-Shot, Defensive D SWE

I recognize the desire for NHL-ready Prospects in return, but I also think about the viable return a fringe playoff team’s First Round Pick could garner. Not only would it solidify the potential pick at the top of the Draft, but it might alter the draft strategy of the Blues First Selection.

Suddenly, a potential selection of a RHD at the top of the draft like Verhoeff or Reid may recalibrate to a Center like Lawrence, or Wingers like Stenberg or Belchetz due to the influence of D-Man depth and existence of large Northern European Right-Handed Defenders like Piiparinen & Hakansson.

Naturally, there’s the realities when departing with veteran leaders in Schenn & Faulk. However, the possible return including a Mid-First Rounder to accompany a Top 3-8 Pick is almost too good to pass up and could still enable an NHL-Ready Prospect return and veteran FA signing.

Potential 2026 Offseason FA
Nikolaj Ehlers (30)
Alex Tuch (30)
Nikolaj Ehlers (30)
Nick Schmaltz (30)
Kiefer Sherwood (31)
Boone Jenner (33)
Jaden Schwartz (34)

Sorry all, not trying to flood the forum. I am just fighting a bug… or the flu. So, lots of down time & YouTube videos

Disclaimer: The video above is hosted on Youtube, and has not be reviewed by the staff of the Post-Dispatch.

No apologies needed. Good info. Feel better as I am doing the same here!

+1



Get well soon to you, too!

[BleedingBleu]

The Bruins went hard for Andersson. However, Andersson going to Vegas means he is off the Board, does that mean Faulk is on the clock?

The Boston Bruins are trying to trade for Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames, but it has been a struggle, and not just for them. Andersson hasn't exactly been keen on signing an extension thus far, but that might have recently changed.
…

Right now, Andrew Peeke and Henri Jokiharju are both third pairing caliber defensemen, so it makes a lot of sense for the Bruins to be going after a target like Andersson, who can fit on the second pair behind Charlie McAvoy or step up if he's injured. Injuries hurt the Bruins last season, and a move like this would help soften the blow and move the team back into contender status.

The Flames are going to want a nice return back. It has been speculated that Andersson with an extension will cost the Bruins Mason Lohrei and a first-round pick, in which the Bruins have two of them due to the Brandon Carlo deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Boston has gotten a surprise NHL player in Jonathan Aspirot, so Lohrei is movable, and the team is without Hampus Lindholm a lot due to injury. Andersson is having a very good season for the Flames and can play a lot in all situations. This kind of trade between the Bruins and Flames might come together sooner than later.

Boston Receives:
Justin Faulk (33) $6.5M/yr UFA 27/28

St Louis Receives:
LHD Lohrei (25)
First Rounder 2026 Draft (Toronto - #21 or Boston - #24)

[BleedingBleu]

Now that we’re hitting the Olympic Break, and the team has really taken a nose dive, I felt like revisiting this thread.

Blues are likely in the hunt for a Top 5 Pick. I doubt they’re buying for anything but depth and/or future.

Recent Extensions:
(Fowler 3-year in September)
Broberg - 6 years
Toropchenko - 2 year
Mailloux - next year

Players Acquired
Pius Suter C - Free Agent 2 year Deal
Jonatan Berggren LW/RW - Waiver Claim

AHL Next Men Up
Otto Stenberg
Hugh McGing
Matt Luff
Kaskimäki C
Hunter Skinner RHD


Players already moved…
Nikita Alexandrov. Gone for an AHL Jag
Nick Bjugstad. Gone for a 4th & an AHL JAG
Colten Ellis. FU Buffalo, you hack franchise

Rumors:
Schenn Brothers Package
Faulk definitely on the market
Kyrou, but not at a loss (League-Ready Prospect + First)
Binnington rumors, not likely to sell low
Thomas for a haul so great no one will actually meet

What this could all of this mean?
Scenario 1: Trade Schenn & Faulk. Seems like the most obvious, since both are aged and the Blues are going through a youth movement. However, I’d contest that when you have a youth movement unfolding, you still want veterans to guide them and maintain that essence of Blues Hockey we all expect.

Who fills in for Schenn & Faulk? Schenn is probably the easiest to fill, but he’s also the hardest working in the ice. Faulk’s absence creates a vacuum that potentially forces Mailloux into a role he’s not matured into. So, how wise is this scenario?

Scenario 2: What if we don’t trade the Captain Brayden Schenn, and instead trade for his Brother?. Hear me out…

Luke Schenn was acquired by Winnipeg last year at the deadline. He hasn’t played “great” for them and they are currently out of the playoffs.

March 7, 2025: Traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Winnipeg Jets for 2nd round draft pick in 2026 .

He’s 36, an experienced 2x Stanley Cup Champion, and is a RHD. If Doug moves Faulk (he absolutely should), they can replace Faulk’s presence with Luke for probably less than the 4th we got for Bjugstad.

I like this, because we could potentially retain Brayden while shifting him to the Wing and open up the potential deal of Kyrou in the offseason. Retain Thomas, bring in Carbo, give Dvorsky & Buch more Top 6 opportunities at Center. Give Otto Stenberg opportunities in the Middle 6 for both Wing & Center.

Jiricek has a full~ish year in the AHL. Mailloux gets another year of developmental progress on his terms. And the Faulk deal has flexibility to enhance all areas of the Ice, including Defenseman Opportunities or a Forward on top of a First Rounder.

What are some thoughts?

[JoshInFenton]

I'm kinda doubtful they do a lot of moving around of the major pieces. Just a hunch from my end, the biggest name that probably goes from the blues is Schenn or Faulk.

Looking at what the team needs, we have good team speed, good transition play, and ok zone defense players in our top 4. We have below average penalty killing specialists, we have brutally bad goaltending from one (Binner) and off and on play from the other (Hofer has some good games and some really brutal ones), and we have very few players that can see the play with higher levels of hockey IQ outside of stenberg who doesn't imo have the top 6 ability.

Need to find at some point in the next few seasons a hockey IQ distribution guy that can read the plays without having the puck. Stenberg is close but probably doesn't quite have the offensive upside to make it work (his hands are just a bit below what i'd want).

Need to find a goalie being quite honest. One looks to be falling off, one looks to be a solid enough 1B but has not proven to me that he should play 55+ games a season.

Finally, Need to either teach Logan Mailloux to play zone defense or pawn him off and try someone else. Need him to rink rat the daylights out of this break to understand zone defense better so we can improve with him.

As far as how to get them, move what you can for value whether it be draft picks or prospects, and then turn around and package some of those to get what you need. Gotta give to get.

We're not going to be good enough in the window Luke schenn would work well for us to warrant bringing him in. Bringing in someone with playoff experience so we aren't floating 4 younger players if we trade faulk is a legitimate argument i think, but i'd rather solve that in a season or two, not when we are trying to improve our draft position.

[britishblue]

Now that we’re hitting the Olympic Break, and the team has really taken a nose dive, I felt like revisiting this thread.

Blues are likely in the hunt for a Top 5 Pick. I doubt they’re buying for anything but depth and/or future.

Recent Extensions:
(Fowler 3-year in September)
Broberg - 6 years
Toropchenko - 2 year
Mailloux - next year

Players Acquired
Pius Suter C - Free Agent 2 year Deal
Jonatan Berggren LW/RW - Waiver Claim

AHL Next Men Up
Otto Stenberg
Hugh McGing
Matt Luff
Kaskimäki C
Hunter Skinner RHD


Players already moved…
Nikita Alexandrov. Gone for an AHL Jag
Nick Bjugstad. Gone for a 4th & an AHL JAG
Colten Ellis. FU Buffalo, you hack franchise

Rumors:
Schenn Brothers Package
Faulk definitely on the market
Kyrou, but not at a loss (League-Ready Prospect + First)
Binnington rumors, not likely to sell low
Thomas for a haul so great no one will actually meet

What this could all of this mean?
Scenario 1: Trade Schenn & Faulk. Seems like the most obvious, since both are aged and the Blues are going through a youth movement. However, I’d contest that when you have a youth movement unfolding, you still want veterans to guide them and maintain that essence of Blues Hockey we all expect.

Who fills in for Schenn & Faulk? Schenn is probably the easiest to fill, but he’s also the hardest working in the ice. Faulk’s absence creates a vacuum that potentially forces Mailloux into a role he’s not matured into. So, how wise is this scenario?

Scenario 2: What if we don’t trade the Captain Brayden Schenn, and instead trade for his Brother?. Hear me out…

Luke Schenn was acquired by Winnipeg last year at the deadline. He hasn’t played “great” for them and they are currently out of the playoffs.

March 7, 2025: Traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Winnipeg Jets for 2nd round draft pick in 2026 .

He’s 36, an experienced 2x Stanley Cup Champion, and is a RHD. If Doug moves Faulk (he absolutely should), they can replace Faulk’s presence with Luke for probably less than the 4th we got for Bjugstad.

I like this, because we could potentially retain Brayden while shifting him to the Wing and open up the potential deal of Kyrou in the offseason. Retain Thomas, bring in Carbo, give Dvorsky & Buch more Top 6 opportunities at Center. Give Otto Stenberg opportunities in the Middle 6 for both Wing & Center.

Jiricek has a full~ish year in the AHL. Mailloux gets another year of developmental progress on his terms. And the Faulk deal has flexibility to enhance all areas of the Ice, including Defenseman Opportunities or a Forward on top of a First Rounder.

What are some thoughts?

I think the only way Luke Schenn ends up here is by signing as a free agent in the summer and I suspect that only happens if B Schenn isnt moved..

[clemonsonroots]

The Bruins went hard for Andersson. However, Andersson going to Vegas means he is off the Board, does that mean Faulk is on the clock?

The Boston Bruins are trying to trade for Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames, but it has been a struggle, and not just for them. Andersson hasn't exactly been keen on signing an extension thus far, but that might have recently changed.
…

Right now, Andrew Peeke and Henri Jokiharju are both third pairing caliber defensemen, so it makes a lot of sense for the Bruins to be going after a target like Andersson, who can fit on the second pair behind Charlie McAvoy or step up if he's injured. Injuries hurt the Bruins last season, and a move like this would help soften the blow and move the team back into contender status.

The Flames are going to want a nice return back. It has been speculated that Andersson with an extension will cost the Bruins Mason Lohrei and a first-round pick, in which the Bruins have two of them due to the Brandon Carlo deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Boston has gotten a surprise NHL player in Jonathan Aspirot, so Lohrei is movable, and the team is without Hampus Lindholm a lot due to injury. Andersson is having a very good season for the Flames and can play a lot in all situations. This kind of trade between the Bruins and Flames might come together sooner than later.

Boston Receives:
Justin Faulk (33) $6.5M/yr UFA 27/28

St Louis Receives:
LHD Lohrei (25)
First Rounder 2026 Draft (Toronto - #21 or Boston - #24)

About the haul I would expect. Would like Detroit personally, but would be good with this.

[BleedingBleu]

The Bruins went hard for Andersson. However, Andersson going to Vegas means he is off the Board, does that mean Faulk is on the clock?

The Boston Bruins are trying to trade for Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames, but it has been a struggle, and not just for them. Andersson hasn't exactly been keen on signing an extension thus far, but that might have recently changed.
…

Right now, Andrew Peeke and Henri Jokiharju are both third pairing caliber defensemen, so it makes a lot of sense for the Bruins to be going after a target like Andersson, who can fit on the second pair behind Charlie McAvoy or step up if he's injured. Injuries hurt the Bruins last season, and a move like this would help soften the blow and move the team back into contender status.

The Flames are going to want a nice return back. It has been speculated that Andersson with an extension will cost the Bruins Mason Lohrei and a first-round pick, in which the Bruins have two of them due to the Brandon Carlo deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Boston has gotten a surprise NHL player in Jonathan Aspirot, so Lohrei is movable, and the team is without Hampus Lindholm a lot due to injury. Andersson is having a very good season for the Flames and can play a lot in all situations. This kind of trade between the Bruins and Flames might come together sooner than later.

Boston Receives:
Justin Faulk (33) $6.5M/yr UFA 27/28

St Louis Receives:
LHD Lohrei (25)
First Rounder 2026 Draft (Toronto - #21 or Boston - #24)

About the haul I would expect. Would like Detroit personally, but would be good with this.

I’m fine with the bidding war between two of the Original Six. I’m unsure what Detroit would offer (Finnie and a First?), but I at least saw what Boston would offer.

I like the idea of a Lohrei to boost the LHD and allow Lindstein to develop without feeling the urgency to push him too quickly.

A future LH Defensive Side of Broberg, Lohrei, and an AHL aged Lindstein is intriguing. Worst case scenario, the addition of a first allows the club to be more offensive minded w/their potential Top 5 pick and reap the rewards of a deep defensive class later in the First Round.