Bluesfan1978 wrote: ↑08 Jul 2026 07:59 am
For the most part any of the players that wanted to stay in St Louis have signed reasonable contracts well ahead of becoming free agents. I’m sure the Blues are on guard since their successful offer sheets. I think seeing how aggressive other GMs are now you pretty much need to lock any main players into a contract prior to starting their last season under contract. The team’s leverage is they can trade them anywhere that year since NTC or NMC’s wouldn’t be a factor yet. Anaheim doesn’t really benefit from 4 20-32 first round picks in comparison to losing a star.
I bet any GMs who locked in players recently are breathing a sigh of relief right now. A McTavish contract looks pretty good at the moment. Thomas' contract looks genius, and the offloading of Kyrou helps make Buch's contract less painful. Buch has an opportunity to prove his value as well. He snuck in 20 goals last season in his worst yet as a Blue. I would say his contract is justified with 60-70pt seasons. 50 something points and strong playoff performance with this inflating market is fine value for a team not strapped for cap space.
Along with the OP, I value Hofer, Snuggs, and Neighbours. I'd prefer to prioritize them over McMichael, who now has justification for an exceedingly high contract, which I've heard he was already asking for from Washington (hence the trade for established Kyrou). I'm just wondering if they can really fit in all these forwards now, plus Hofer, in the long term, and if they'll need to adjust their plan, or if the $18M offer sheet for the 0.96PPG 21 y/o Center is already priced into the market from their technical analysis and included in their plans.
I think the answer is yes you can fit them all in. The question for me is more whether McMichael is the player you want to commit a top 6 LW spot to?
Bluesfan1978 wrote: ↑08 Jul 2026 07:59 am
For the most part any of the players that wanted to stay in St Louis have signed reasonable contracts well ahead of becoming free agents. I’m sure the Blues are on guard since their successful offer sheets. I think seeing how aggressive other GMs are now you pretty much need to lock any main players into a contract prior to starting their last season under contract. The team’s leverage is they can trade them anywhere that year since NTC or NMC’s wouldn’t be a factor yet. Anaheim doesn’t really benefit from 4 20-32 first round picks in comparison to losing a star.
I bet any GMs who locked in players recently are breathing a sigh of relief right now. A McTavish contract looks pretty good at the moment. Thomas' contract looks genius, and the offloading of Kyrou helps make Buch's contract less painful. Buch has an opportunity to prove his value as well. He snuck in 20 goals last season in his worst yet as a Blue. I would say his contract is justified with 60-70pt seasons. 50 something points and strong playoff performance with this inflating market is fine value for a team not strapped for cap space.
Along with the OP, I value Hofer, Snuggs, and Neighbours. I'd prefer to prioritize them over McMichael, who now has justification for an exceedingly high contract, which I've heard he was already asking for from Washington (hence the trade for established Kyrou). I'm just wondering if they can really fit in all these forwards now, plus Hofer, in the long term, and if they'll need to adjust their plan, or if the $18M offer sheet for the 0.96PPG 21 y/o Center is already priced into the market from their technical analysis and included in their plans.
I think the answer is yes you can fit them all in. The question for me is more whether McMichael is the player you want to commit a top 6 LW spot to?
Yes, that might actually be more of how I'm thinking. Could say the same for Neighbours, and perhaps that's the debate, but ultimately yes it comes down to that commitment, which will be reflected in his contract.
Bluesfan1978 wrote: ↑08 Jul 2026 07:59 am
For the most part any of the players that wanted to stay in St Louis have signed reasonable contracts well ahead of becoming free agents. I’m sure the Blues are on guard since their successful offer sheets. I think seeing how aggressive other GMs are now you pretty much need to lock any main players into a contract prior to starting their last season under contract. The team’s leverage is they can trade them anywhere that year since NTC or NMC’s wouldn’t be a factor yet. Anaheim doesn’t really benefit from 4 20-32 first round picks in comparison to losing a star.
I bet any GMs who locked in players recently are breathing a sigh of relief right now. A McTavish contract looks pretty good at the moment. Thomas' contract looks genius, and the offloading of Kyrou helps make Buch's contract less painful. Buch has an opportunity to prove his value as well. He snuck in 20 goals last season in his worst yet as a Blue. I would say his contract is justified with 60-70pt seasons. 50 something points and strong playoff performance with this inflating market is fine value for a team not strapped for cap space.
Along with the OP, I value Hofer, Snuggs, and Neighbours. I'd prefer to prioritize them over McMichael, who now has justification for an exceedingly high contract, which I've heard he was already asking for from Washington (hence the trade for established Kyrou). I'm just wondering if they can really fit in all these forwards now, plus Hofer, in the long term, and if they'll need to adjust their plan, or if the $18M offer sheet for the 0.96PPG 21 y/o Center is already priced into the market from their technical analysis and included in their plans.
I think the answer is yes you can fit them all in. The question for me is more whether McMichael is the player you want to commit a top 6 LW spot to?
I'm not saying no, just saying I'm not that sure.
Depends what he's asking, I'd like to see him locked up for 6 per year but if they have to go 7 maybe it's worth it to lock him up for the max term?
Pro scouting and the newly hired Shane Malloy are going to be key cogs in forecasting what players potential is and what the risk level is at for each move.
Bluesfan1978 wrote: ↑08 Jul 2026 07:59 am
For the most part any of the players that wanted to stay in St Louis have signed reasonable contracts well ahead of becoming free agents. I’m sure the Blues are on guard since their successful offer sheets. I think seeing how aggressive other GMs are now you pretty much need to lock any main players into a contract prior to starting their last season under contract. The team’s leverage is they can trade them anywhere that year since NTC or NMC’s wouldn’t be a factor yet. Anaheim doesn’t really benefit from 4 20-32 first round picks in comparison to losing a star.
What!? Edmonton already got their revenge when they plucked Kapanen off waivers, and signed native St Louisan Trent Frederic!
Snuggy will get more than that
A little pricey for Hofer
No way Neighbours is worth that.
after one season and the fact that he isn't eligible to be offersheated, the price won't be outrageous. You have to factor in next season that he likely wouldn't get more than 4 to 5 mil. If we wait til next offseason, the price will start going up as he will be closer to rfa. Hofer will cost around that much and you are underestimating what Neighbors will get on the open market. You may not feel that way about him, but the Blues do and other teams will as well.
I think Snuggerud's ceiling is high enough that 8X8 is reasonable (although I'd be a little hesitant to commit to that length this early). I do think he takes another leap forward this year and that would make 8X8 a steal.
I'd probably want to shave a little off of the Hofer deal, but I'd feel more confident if I knew Harenstam was the real deal.
Neighbours at 5X5 is a no-brainer. I'm biased, but I still have full faith in the guy, and I think that folks who are underestimating him will be proven wrong.
