Does Zubov mean Nikishin is coming?

[zamadoo]

Id so rather make a trade for a right shot winger than a LHD.

It's much more of a team need to add a right shot forward.

The Blues can do nothing more this offseason at LHD and they have Broberg, Fowler, Lindstein, Tucker, plus everything they have in the AHL including Rosen (a proven capable NHL player), Burns, Ralph, Koromyslov and Fischer.

There's plenty at LHD to make a push this year. You can't say the same about the right shot forwards. They need another right hand shot. Need it.

I would agree we need A RW but also think if they think Nikishin is their guy, he's available, and the price it right you don't not do it because we need A RW.

I see these things completely separate, we 100% need a 3rw but you don't not solidify your left d for 5-8 years because you need a 3RW

All that assumes we think Nikishin does that

Yeah I hear you for sure. An upgrade is an upgrade.

I was saying if I had to do one trade or another...let's propose two trades here....

Lindstein and a 1st in 2027 for Nikishin, extend Nikishin.

OR

Binner and Carbonneau for Mercer and Daws. Extend Mercer.

Pretty sure I'm taking door number 2.

I wouldn’t make either of these trades. Lindstein could end up being better than Nikishin and Carbonneau could end up better than Mercer. Why are we in such a rush to get rid of some of our top prospects before they’ve even established what type of players they are? Especially for mid level players with similar ceilings.

No chance I'd do trade 1.

I'd strongly consider trade 2.

Why though? I’d guess the reason for this trade is to get Mercer. But unless you think Mercer is heads and shoulders better than Carbonneau what’s the point? I’m just not personally convinced that’s true.

Because some of the smartest people on this board (much smarter than me) have been saying Carbonneau is no guarantee to make it and be effective. He's got a long way to go to be an NHL player apparently.

Mercer has scored right at 20 goals and played 82 games every season he's been in the league.

I guess the way to say it Mercer has a higher floor, perhaps Carbonneau the higher ceiling.

I'm not sure what the right move is, but the Blues need another RH shot who can score. It's going to be an obvious gap from game 1 if it isn't addressed.

My first inclination is to say no way to both. I get the RH shot thing, but with Buch a natural RW, we aren't in a hurry and can see how things play out by the deadline. Carbs may be ready by then.

Then I look at Mercer, who has been discussed on here over the years as a center option. He's 25 in October and #1RW on puckpedia for NJ, RFA next offseason for one more year, making $4M this season. What I see is a player Army and Steen may like, who is verstile and can play C or W (3 on one 2nd line?). I don't know if he's "hard to play against," but 20 guaranteed goals is solid. I'm relatively sold on him as a guy who could slot in and help, with room to grow.

Where I'm not sold is long-term. If he's any good for us, next offseason he will ask for the moon and be in position to walk after only 2 seasons. Do we want to sign this guy to $8M next year for his 40pts? Or do we get the 21 y/o version with more experience who scores 50-60+?

Interesting to think about. I don't want to trade Carbs, but wouldn't mind if Steen liked Mercer enough to acquire him. Is NJ shopping him? I would imagine they would rather have a top-9 ready guy. Buch is our best bet in that category, other than Neighbours. So then if Buch doesn't want to go, it would be Neighbours for Mercer. Otherwise, would they take other prospects only? The guy's value has to be at all time low, but if they're not shopping I get the high cost.

[UMR-alum-05]

Don't see NJ wanting Neighbours for Mercer.

As many have said, a lot of this is probably fantasy at this juncture. Who knows for sure though. Blues seem to like what they have for now.

[TheHighHat]

Don't see NJ wanting Neighbours for Mercer.

As many have said, a lot of this is probably fantasy at this juncture. Who knows for sure though. Blues seem to like what they have for now.

I would rather have Neighbours & certainly the upside of Carbonneau over Mercer.

Be careful not to overrate D. Mercer.
He's basically a right shot P. Suter & C. McMichael.
Suter & McMichael throw more hits than Mercer.
Mercer is durable & versatile, but is just a step above being JAG since he is not big and doesn't play physically.

We have enough Swiss Army Knives, we need a Chef's Knife.
Carbonneau has the potential to be a 35-40 goal scorer (difference maker).
Carbo could be a bust but WYSIWYG with Mercer.
Stay patient.

I think after Mercer's 2nd year jump in production coupled with his draft position that most thought he was on his way to being a solid 2nd liner that could fill in on the 1st line. That hasn't happened. That 2nd year is looking more and more like an outlier season.
You can argue the same about Jake, but Neighbours is much more physical and has played a lot fewer games than Mercer.

[Galatians221jb1]

https://x.com/bluepucks/status/2083968071404843346?s=46

Ek saying we’re at the front of the line for Nikishin.

[zamadoo]

https://x.com/bluepucks/status/2083968071404843346?s=46

Ek saying we’re at the front of the line for Nikishin.

Ok, so just thinking logically, Buch is the only one who makes sense.

$8M out, $8M in.

The other thing I forgot about was the supposed attachment of Kotkaniemi's $4.8M, which is 500k more than the Blues currently have in cap space. So, they could feasibly get them both in by trading Buch.

The other option they might go for is Suter, whose $4.1M could offset some cap but not burden them long term.

Neighbours has also been discussed. $3.75M, and has some value, could be enough to just be Jake+Buch for Nikishin+Kotkaniemi.

Some deal like that based on 1-2 of those three seems likely if it were to go down, but the Canes have the cap space to sign him now, so they have leverage that I don't want to get caught up being exploited by. I wouldn't think that's what is happening if this rumor didn't surface.

[noted]

https://x.com/bluepucks/status/2083968071404843346?s=46

Ek saying we’re at the front of the line for Nikishin.

Ok, so just thinking logically, Buch is the only one who makes sense.

$8M out, $8M in.

The other thing I forgot about was the supposed attachment of Kotkaniemi's $4.8M, which is 500k more than the Blues currently have in cap space. So, they could feasibly get them both in by trading Buch.

The other option they might go for is Suter, whose $4.1M could offset some cap but not burden them long term.

Neighbours has also been discussed. $3.75M, and has some value, could be enough to just be Jake+Buch for Nikishin+Kotkaniemi.

Some deal like that based on 1-2 of those three seems likely if it were to go down, but the Canes have the cap space to sign him now, so they have leverage that I don't want to get caught up being exploited by. I wouldn't think that's what is happening if this rumor didn't surface.

The Blues currently have over $10m in cap space when they put Krug on LTIR