Most improved offseason

[Harry York 37]

Everyone has focus on Kyrou - which I get...

I think the most important acquisition was Carlo who solidifies the defensive six. and should through strong defensive play help Hofer and Binner have good seasons too.

True,

It's lovely not to wonder which man got plucked from the 'Tweener" cubbyhole to play 6D.
Last year we were pulling both the 5 and 6 D from that cubby.

TT is a warrior, and Kessel played some good minutes, but those days are over... until people get hurt.

[Army's Mom]

I would definitely not rather have Jordan Kyrou than both Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael. That's a crazy take.

Before the Blues purposely handicapped Kyrou. He was our best offensive player and a all-star. He will likely put up 20 to 40 more points then any blue this year. And probably more then Mason and Mcmikey together.

I'll take that bet.
Last time you made such a stupid prediction, Bomac was betting on a Zadina rebound in SJ and lamenting that the Blues missed out!

[Old_Goat]

I pulled up this article on The Athletic. I look at the offseason and think they moved the needle a fair amount. Now I think this looks at a little more how it will affect next season, not future seasons. I was shocked at they believe the Blues got worse.

24. St. Louis Blues
Net Rating added: -7
In: Mason McTavish, Connor McMichael, Brandon Carlo
Out: Jordan Kyrou, Jonathan Drouin

St. Louis’ pro scouting staff deserves some benefit of the doubt after the double offer sheet coup. But I would still prefer Jordan Kyrou over Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael. Kyrou is a legit needle-mover; the other two currently look a lot closer to average. “Currently” is the key word there. It wouldn’t be a shock to see both improve within a new context. For now, though, the Blues do look worse off.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/744576 ... oved-2026/

Yeah, except we also got a projected middle 6 center in Milton Gästrin who fits the 200' player mold as most of the recent additions.

I have no doubt Kyrou is going to score 30+ this year playing with superstars in DC, but we're building a different style of team.

Hopefully the reactionary nitwits don't obsess on every Kyrou goal like they did with Bolduc to try to roast McMichael.

Kyrou had his chance here and couldn't or wouldn't give the full effort required to play this style.

Yes to you and also dsux immediately before re his thought that we are now better suited for playoff hockey.
We have gained more balance, more depth and are changing/building better "identity." One problem last year, opposing teams didn't have any concerns coming in here to play their game.

[Old_Goat]

As far as Kyrou goes, sometimes it’s just best to move on from a player from both the organizations side as well as the players side. This is a great opportunity for Jordan to get his career back on track. The Blues did him a huge favor and they got a great return back for him. I hope he goes to Washington and scores 40 and if he does, it doesn’t mean the Blues made a mistake, sometimes you just have to move on from players. The best trades are ones that help both teams.

This exactly. I actually think McMichael will be a better player for the Blues than McT. I like the player more anyway, perhaps McT will surprise me. But with Kyrou it was clear he needed a change of scenery two years ago and the Blues did a great job on the return. They got more than I figured they would after last season.

I'll be here to eat crow but I think McTavish is being a little over looked by some fans I think he will be surprisingly good

That's how I see it.

[Old_Goat]

I would definitely not rather have Jordan Kyrou than both Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael. That's a crazy take.

Before the Blues purposely handicapped Kyrou. He was our best offensive player and a all-star. He will likely put up 20 to 40 more points then any blue this year. And probably more then Mason and Mcmikey together.

Management fault is same thing one would need to look at when judging Mason. How much was his decline or non growth, was/is by managements hand. Which I think may be more then not.
I hope/think this season is better for him.
But how long that last might very well depend on how much management likes him. Because although the GM has changed names. Playing guys for their loyalty rather then their skill, is all the same.
This is the problem with loyalty over truth. You only see what your bias lets you see. By the agenda the boss sets.

Correct. He will be surrounded by better players and not be forced to play dump and chase.

Except, he would dump, but wouldn't chase.

[Old_Goat]

Everyone has focus on Kyrou - which I get...

I think the most important acquisition was Carlo who solidifies the defensive six. and should through strong defensive play help Hofer and Binner have good seasons too.

People are underestimating how good the Blues will be on defense.

Pretty much every team in the league would like to say they run Mailloux, Parayko and Carlo down the right side on defense.

I'm with you.

[TheHighHat]

Everyone has focus on Kyrou - which I get...

I think the most important acquisition was Carlo who solidifies the defensive six. and should through strong defensive play help Hofer and Binner have good seasons too.

People are underestimating how good the Blues will be on defense.

Pretty much every team in the league would like to say they run Mailloux, Parayko and Carlo down the right side on defense.

I beg to differ. The Blues RHD are middle of the pack in comparison to the rest of the league IMO.
None of them play much on the PP, much less can run a PP from the point.
The 3 of them combined for only 2 assists (both Mailloux) on the PP last year.

Mailloux has to prove it for a full season.
We know what to expect from Parayko.

The grass is always greener on the other side:
Ask fans in Boston or Toronto what they think of Carlo and you'll get mostly negative reviews.
B. Treliving basically saved D. Sweeney's job with the gross overpayment he gave Boston to acquire Carlo.
Leaf fans were thrilled to unload Carlo and get the two 3rd rounders for him last month.

Is Carlo an upgrade over what the Blues had last year at #5 or #6? Absolutely.
He'll help on the PK and has seen it all. Just don't expect too much.
Even though he is big and will block shots & throw some hits, he is not aggressive by any means.
Brandon took a lot of heat for not reacting to the cheap shot on Matthews.

It seems most fans automatically think Mailloux and Lindstein will continue to progress. That is not a given.
There is a scenario where one or both of them struggle which leads to the Blues scrambling for help on that bottom pair again because Fowler and Carlo have to play 2nd pair minutes together.

Best case scenario is that both Mailloux and Lindstein get better with the extra ice time and responsibilities.
That would leave the Blues with a solid d corps that lacks a true PP quarterback and a nasty physical presence.

[Aesa]

I would definitely not rather have Jordan Kyrou than both Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael. That's a crazy take.

Before the Blues purposely handicapped Kyrou. He was our best offensive player and a all-star. He will likely put up 20 to 40 more points then any blue this year. And probably more then Mason and Mcmikey together.

Management fault is same thing one would need to look at when judging Mason. How much was his decline or non growth, was/is by managements hand. Which I think may be more then not.
I hope/think this season is better for him.
But how long that last might very well depend on how much management likes him. Because although the GM has changed names. Playing guys for their loyalty rather then their skill, is all the same.
This is the problem with loyalty over truth. You only see what your bias lets you see. By the agenda the boss sets.

Correct. He will be surrounded by better players and not be forced to play dump and chase.

Please name a team that, at several times during a game, does NOT play dump and chase.

Carolina perfected the art, seemingly as close as humanly possible. But they don't lead with dump and chase, they execute it as entry option 2 or 3 with excellent situational awareness. I STILL have visions of Stankoven, Hall, and Blake digging pucks with ferocious tenacity and teamwork. D&C is a fundamental tactical approach that good teams must master or at least embrace as a necessary part of winning hockey.

I am not arguing the point that some teams do it better, I actually agree. I just asked for someone to name one team in this league that did not use that tactic. Noone can. Every single team uses it in every single game. Prove me wrong.

[Harry York 37]

I would definitely not rather have Jordan Kyrou than both Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael. That's a crazy take.

Before the Blues purposely handicapped Kyrou. He was our best offensive player and a all-star. He will likely put up 20 to 40 more points then any blue this year. And probably more then Mason and Mcmikey together.

Management fault is same thing one would need to look at when judging Mason. How much was his decline or non growth, was/is by managements hand. Which I think may be more then not.
I hope/think this season is better for him.
But how long that last might very well depend on how much management likes him. Because although the GM has changed names. Playing guys for their loyalty rather then their skill, is all the same.
This is the problem with loyalty over truth. You only see what your bias lets you see. By the agenda the boss sets.

Correct. He will be surrounded by better players and not be forced to play dump and chase.

Except, he would dump, but wouldn't chase.

OG... that might be Kyrou's epitaph.

[HighStick]

I think this teams better than last years. Not a huge improvement but multiple small marginal baby steps forward. They have a better 2nd line now, hopefully. They picked up a legit tough guy in Johnston and they shored up the RD with Carlo who I think is a considerable improvement over Kessel or Tucker. Their bottom 9 should be better this year all around. They have a lot of moving parts to play with now too. They SHOULD be better.

[TheJackBurton]

I would definitely not rather have Jordan Kyrou than both Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael. That's a crazy take.

Before the Blues purposely handicapped Kyrou. He was our best offensive player and a all-star. He will likely put up 20 to 40 more points then any blue this year. And probably more then Mason and Mcmikey together.

Management fault is same thing one would need to look at when judging Mason. How much was his decline or non growth, was/is by managements hand. Which I think may be more then not.
I hope/think this season is better for him.
But how long that last might very well depend on how much management likes him. Because although the GM has changed names. Playing guys for their loyalty rather then their skill, is all the same.
This is the problem with loyalty over truth. You only see what your bias lets you see. By the agenda the boss sets.

No that isn't happening. He isn't outscoring Thomas period, much less scoring 110+, and the odds of him putting up 80+ points, which he has never done in his career, are about 40/60.

Your bias is about as dull and as boring as anything ever seen on this site at this point.

[Cahokanut]

I would definitely not rather have Jordan Kyrou than both Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael. That's a crazy take.

Before the Blues purposely handicapped Kyrou. He was our best offensive player and a all-star. He will likely put up 20 to 40 more points then any blue this year. And probably more then Mason and Mcmikey together.

Management fault is same thing one would need to look at when judging Mason. How much was his decline or non growth, was/is by managements hand. Which I think may be more then not.
I hope/think this season is better for him.
But how long that last might very well depend on how much management likes him. Because although the GM has changed names. Playing guys for their loyalty rather then their skill, is all the same.
This is the problem with loyalty over truth. You only see what your bias lets you see. By the agenda the boss sets.

No that isn't happening. He isn't outscoring Thomas period, much less scoring 110+, and the odds of him putting up 80+ points, which he has never done in his career, are about 40/60.

Your bias is about as dull and as boring as anything ever seen on this site at this point.

Attack. Attack. With a bull [shirt] and bad math.
Thomas has never scored 90+ points.
+20 on Thomas's point total of last year would be 84 points. Which is 9 more then Kyrous career high. He would need 91 points going on Thomas's Average. The Bais seems to be yours.

Not counting last year's stupidity of management to hold back Kyrou and purposely handicap the team. Playoffs be damned. Kyrou was averaging around 72 points.
In his prime with something to prove and with a Washington team that won't [fork] the team to prove a point to a player. 90+ is almost a given and a bet id make any day.

Also, Dull is the swing, bad math and the miss, you throw with a boring derp.

[Army's Mom]

I would definitely not rather have Jordan Kyrou than both Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael. That's a crazy take.

Before the Blues purposely handicapped Kyrou. He was our best offensive player and a all-star. He will likely put up 20 to 40 more points then any blue this year. And probably more then Mason and Mcmikey together.

Management fault is same thing one would need to look at when judging Mason. How much was his decline or non growth, was/is by managements hand. Which I think may be more then not.
I hope/think this season is better for him.
But how long that last might very well depend on how much management likes him. Because although the GM has changed names. Playing guys for their loyalty rather then their skill, is all the same.
This is the problem with loyalty over truth. You only see what your bias lets you see. By the agenda the boss sets.

No that isn't happening. He isn't outscoring Thomas period, much less scoring 110+, and the odds of him putting up 80+ points, which he has never done in his career, are about 40/60.

Your bias is about as dull and as boring as anything ever seen on this site at this point.

Attack. Attack. With a bull [shirt] and bad math.
Thomas has never scored 90+ points.
+20 on Thomas's point total of last year would be 84 points. Which is 9 more then Kyrous career high. He would need 91 points going on Thomas's Average. The Bais seems to be yours.

Not counting last year's stupidity of management to hold back Kyrou and purposely handicap the team. Playoffs be damned. Kyrou was averaging around 72 points.
In his prime with something to prove and with a Washington team that won't [fork] the team to prove a point to a player. 90+ is almost a given and a bet id make any day.

Also, Dull is the swing, bad math and the miss, you throw with a boring derp.

"Kyrou puts up 20 more points than any Blue in 26-27" is the bet. I'm in. I'm already +1 vs you after you stupidly bet Zadina would outscore any Blues player when SJ took a flier on him.

I remember.

[stlblue06]

Everyone has focus on Kyrou - which I get...

I think the most important acquisition was Carlo who solidifies the defensive six. and should through strong defensive play help Hofer and Binner have good seasons too.

True,

It's lovely not to wonder which man got plucked from the 'Tweener" cubbyhole to play 6D.
Last year we were pulling both the 5 and 6 D from that cubby.

TT is a warrior, and Kessel played some good minutes, but those days are over... until people get hurt.

The defense was a mess last season as a whole. The loss of Suter’s steady play to go along with the addition of Mailloux single handily threw off the entire team.

We can’t forget just how disturbingly bad LM before he got a “reset” in Springfield”. Then no Suter forced Fowler to be paired with LM/kessel/Tucker and he struggled badly.

Faulk is absolutely an addition by subtraction (despite somehow getting that insane return from StevieY). Colt turning down that trade was HUGE.

Broberg, Colt, Carlo, and Fowler vs just Broberg and Fowler is night/day! Fowler will be better than last year with a better d partner and then we have Lindstein looking like a stud last season.

HOFER with the starter’s net….i could easily see the Blues being the Penguins and Bruins of last season. Everyone assumed these 2 “old/retooling” teams would easily miss the playoffs again but not close

[Cahokanut]

I would definitely not rather have Jordan Kyrou than both Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael. That's a crazy take.

Before the Blues purposely handicapped Kyrou. He was our best offensive player and a all-star. He will likely put up 20 to 40 more points then any blue this year. And probably more then Mason and Mcmikey together.

Management fault is same thing one would need to look at when judging Mason. How much was his decline or non growth, was/is by managements hand. Which I think may be more then not.
I hope/think this season is better for him.
But how long that last might very well depend on how much management likes him. Because although the GM has changed names. Playing guys for their loyalty rather then their skill, is all the same.
This is the problem with loyalty over truth. You only see what your bias lets you see. By the agenda the boss sets.

No that isn't happening. He isn't outscoring Thomas period, much less scoring 110+, and the odds of him putting up 80+ points, which he has never done in his career, are about 40/60.

Your bias is about as dull and as boring as anything ever seen on this site at this point.

Attack. Attack. With a bull [shirt] and bad math.
Thomas has never scored 90+ points.
+20 on Thomas's point total of last year would be 84 points. Which is 9 more then Kyrous career high. He would need 91 points going on Thomas's Average. The Bais seems to be yours.

Not counting last year's stupidity of management to hold back Kyrou and purposely handicap the team. Playoffs be damned. Kyrou was averaging around 72 points.
In his prime with something to prove and with a Washington team that won't [fork] the team to prove a point to a player. 90+ is almost a given and a bet id make any day.

Also, Dull is the swing, bad math and the miss, you throw with a boring derp.

"Kyrou puts up 20 more points than any Blue in 26-27" is the bet. I'm in. I'm already +1 vs you after you stupidly bet Zadina would outscore any Blues player when SJ took a flier on him.

I remember.

Who's Zadina. And why would I comment on SJ taking a flyer on him. You, definitely made up.

I only post when I can [shirt] on Army or management

[dhsux]

Gee...who do I believe?