seattleblue wrote: ↑22 May 2025 18:02 pm
One thing to note, if you watched the year end press conference, they are basically doing a day by day series of articles where the piece is that question. All the quotes are taken from that conference. So Elise's next piece will be one of the other questions from the conference and the quotes will be from it too.
As for Faksa they are in a position where he was a perfect fit on the 4th line and I really appreciated him as a player. One thing to consider is his mentorship of Czech players. He's a pro's pro now and we have a few Czechs (Stancl, Jiricek, Jecho, Kos) where he could kind of be the professional north star they need in terms of their easing into the league as young players. It's a super minor thing to consider but one that fans like the ones who post here tend to dig into.
Great post. The only reason to not bring him back is if his contract ask is too much.
And even if they sign another center beyond Faksa (and bring Dvorsky up) they could always bump Schenn to wing.
seattleblue wrote: ↑22 May 2025 18:02 pm
One thing to note, if you watched the year end press conference, they are basically doing a day by day series of articles where the piece is that question. All the quotes are taken from that conference. So Elise's next piece will be one of the other questions from the conference and the quotes will be from it too.
As for Faksa they are in a position where he was a perfect fit on the 4th line and I really appreciated him as a player. One thing to consider is his mentorship of Czech players. He's a pro's pro now and we have a few Czechs (Stancl, Jiricek, Jecho, Kos) where he could kind of be the professional north star they need in terms of their easing into the league as young players. It's a super minor thing to consider but one that fans like the ones who post here tend to dig into.
Great post. The only reason to not bring him back is if his contract ask is too much.
And even if they sign another center beyond Faksa (and bring Dvorsky up) they could always bump Schenn to wing.
I agree. Reminds me of Dvo saying last pre-season that he liked coming into a club with so many Euros. I thought maybe Faksa was brought in just for that. I think if you can bring him back for $3M or less on a 1 year deal, you do it.
seattleblue wrote: ↑22 May 2025 18:02 pm
One thing to note, if you watched the year end press conference, they are basically doing a day by day series of articles where the piece is that question. All the quotes are taken from that conference. So Elise's next piece will be one of the other questions from the conference and the quotes will be from it too.
As for Faksa they are in a position where he was a perfect fit on the 4th line and I really appreciated him as a player. One thing to consider is his mentorship of Czech players. He's a pro's pro now and we have a few Czechs (Stancl, Jiricek, Jecho, Kos) where he could kind of be the professional north star they need in terms of their easing into the league as young players. It's a super minor thing to consider but one that fans like the ones who post here tend to dig into.
Minor things can become major things.
Indeed.
I'd put it above minor and very much worthy of consideration.....good point Seattle.
If Faksa wants more than 2 years, DA may see that as blocking a player like Stancl or Dean or Alexandrov ... whoever they see as a 4th line center. There are young guys that DA wants to break into the bottom 6 over the next couple years. Faksa is only 31. He's gonna want some term.
b-a-a-a-rclay wrote: ↑24 May 2025 09:05 am
If Faksa wants more than 2 years, DA may see that as blocking a player like Stancl or Dean or Alexandrov ... whoever they see as a 4th line center. There are young guys that DA wants to break into the bottom 6 over the next couple years. Faksa is only 31. He's gonna want some term.
not to hijack the thread, but Alexandrov blocked Alexandrov.. kids appears to be a tweener
b-a-a-a-rclay wrote: ↑24 May 2025 09:05 am
If Faksa wants more than 2 years, DA may see that as blocking a player like Stancl or Dean or Alexandrov ... whoever they see as a 4th line center. There are young guys that DA wants to break into the bottom 6 over the next couple years. Faksa is only 31. He's gonna want some term.
not to hijack the thread, but Alexandrov blocked Alexandrov.. kids appears to be a tweener
Agreed. If it's between Faksa or Alexandrov that is not a decision you even take one second with, it's obviously Faksa.
Earlier the reason I said minor issue about Faksa being Czech – it's not that it's not important. It's more like, there are countervailing issues such as "is Kaskimaki ready and does Doug Armstrong loooove that particular prospect?" and "is Dean ready?" that weigh against whether we need a mentor for prospects who aren't pushing for the NHL roster for another couple years. I think Armstrong is talking to Tim Taylor and Steve Konawalchuk and the other staff about whether they think Armstrong should leave the space open to be seized or should he lock a known quantity down.
b-a-a-a-rclay wrote: ↑24 May 2025 09:05 am
If Faksa wants more than 2 years, DA may see that as blocking a player like Stancl or Dean or Alexandrov ... whoever they see as a 4th line center. There are young guys that DA wants to break into the bottom 6 over the next couple years. Faksa is only 31. He's gonna want some term.
not to hijack the thread, but Alexandrov blocked Alexandrov.. kids appears to be a tweener
Agreed. If it's between Faksa or Alexandrov that is not a decision you even take one second with, it's obviously Faksa.
Earlier the reason I said minor issue about Faksa being Czech – it's not that it's not important. It's more like, there are countervailing issues such as "is Kaskimaki ready and does Doug Armstrong loooove that particular prospect?" and "is Dean ready?" that weigh against whether we need a mentor for prospects who aren't pushing for the NHL roster for another couple years. I think Armstrong is talking to Tim Taylor and Steve Konawalchuk and the other staff about whether they think Armstrong should leave the space open to be seized or should he lock a known quantity down.
There is a moment in DA's interview with Strickland when it sounds like DA does love Kaskimaki. We will see.
I know that Stancl is young, but some of the Blues front office people seem to love him too. Not talking about next season, but it seems like some people see him being an nhl bottom 6 guy in a couple years too.
Strickland doesn't think Faksa or Suter will be back next season FWIW.
seattleblue wrote: ↑22 May 2025 18:02 pm
One thing to note, if you watched the year end press conference, they are basically doing a day by day series of articles where the piece is that question. All the quotes are taken from that conference. So Elise's next piece will be one of the other questions from the conference and the quotes will be from it too.
As for Faksa they are in a position where he was a perfect fit on the 4th line and I really appreciated him as a player. One thing to consider is his mentorship of Czech players. He's a pro's pro now and we have a few Czechs (Stancl, Jiricek, Jecho, Kos) where he could kind of be the professional north star they need in terms of their easing into the league as young players. It's a super minor thing to consider but one that fans like the ones who post here tend to dig into.
Great post. The only reason to not bring him back is if his contract ask is too much.
And even if they sign another center beyond Faksa (and bring Dvorsky up) they could always bump Schenn to wing.
Can they though?
Buch
Kyrou
Snugs
Bolduc
Neighbours
b-a-a-a-rclay wrote: ↑24 May 2025 09:05 am
If Faksa wants more than 2 years, DA may see that as blocking a player like Stancl or Dean or Alexandrov ... whoever they see as a 4th line center. There are young guys that DA wants to break into the bottom 6 over the next couple years. Faksa is only 31. He's gonna want some term.
not to hijack the thread, but Alexandrov blocked Alexandrov.. kids appears to be a tweener
Agreed. If it's between Faksa or Alexandrov that is not a decision you even take one second with, it's obviously Faksa.
Earlier the reason I said minor issue about Faksa being Czech – it's not that it's not important. It's more like, there are countervailing issues such as "is Kaskimaki ready and does Doug Armstrong loooove that particular prospect?" and "is Dean ready?" that weigh against whether we need a mentor for prospects who aren't pushing for the NHL roster for another couple years. I think Armstrong is talking to Tim Taylor and Steve Konawalchuk and the other staff about whether they think Armstrong should leave the space open to be seized or should he lock a known quantity down.
There is a moment in DA's interview with Strickland when it sounds like DA does love Kaskimaki. We will see.
I know that Stancl is young, but some of the Blues front office people seem to love him too. Not talking about next season, but it seems like some people see him being an nhl bottom 6 guy in a couple years too.
Strickland doesn't think Faksa or Suter will be back next season FWIW.
That's interesting info thank you. I haven't gotten around to the Armstrong Strickland interview. I just remembered in the year end presser that he gushed about Kaskimaki, so if he did it twice he is laying the groundwork for this player to be joining the big roster. He's signaling us not to be surprised when it happens.
b-a-a-a-rclay wrote: ↑24 May 2025 09:05 am
If Faksa wants more than 2 years, DA may see that as blocking a player like Stancl or Dean or Alexandrov ... whoever they see as a 4th line center. There are young guys that DA wants to break into the bottom 6 over the next couple years. Faksa is only 31. He's gonna want some term.
not to hijack the thread, but Alexandrov blocked Alexandrov.. kids appears to be a tweener
Agreed. If it's between Faksa or Alexandrov that is not a decision you even take one second with, it's obviously Faksa.
Earlier the reason I said minor issue about Faksa being Czech – it's not that it's not important. It's more like, there are countervailing issues such as "is Kaskimaki ready and does Doug Armstrong loooove that particular prospect?" and "is Dean ready?" that weigh against whether we need a mentor for prospects who aren't pushing for the NHL roster for another couple years. I think Armstrong is talking to Tim Taylor and Steve Konawalchuk and the other staff about whether they think Armstrong should leave the space open to be seized or should he lock a known quantity down.
There is a moment in DA's interview with Strickland when it sounds like DA does love Kaskimaki. We will see.
I know that Stancl is young, but some of the Blues front office people seem to love him too. Not talking about next season, but it seems like some people see him being an nhl bottom 6 guy in a couple years too.
Strickland doesn't think Faksa or Suter will be back next season FWIW.
That's interesting info thank you. I haven't gotten around to the Armstrong Strickland interview. I just remembered in the year end presser that he gushed about Kaskimaki, so if he did it twice he is laying the groundwork for this player to be joining the big roster. He's signaling us not to be surprised when it happens.
I may have been mixing up the two interviews. DA gushing about Kaskimaki may have been in only the year end talk. But yeah, that kind of stuck with me. His appreciation for Kaskimaki's game was ear catching.
b-a-a-a-rclay wrote: ↑24 May 2025 09:05 am
If Faksa wants more than 2 years, DA may see that as blocking a player like Stancl or Dean or Alexandrov ... whoever they see as a 4th line center. There are young guys that DA wants to break into the bottom 6 over the next couple years. Faksa is only 31. He's gonna want some term.
not to hijack the thread, but Alexandrov blocked Alexandrov.. kids appears to be a tweener
Agreed. If it's between Faksa or Alexandrov that is not a decision you even take one second with, it's obviously Faksa.
Earlier the reason I said minor issue about Faksa being Czech – it's not that it's not important. It's more like, there are countervailing issues such as "is Kaskimaki ready and does Doug Armstrong loooove that particular prospect?" and "is Dean ready?" that weigh against whether we need a mentor for prospects who aren't pushing for the NHL roster for another couple years. I think Armstrong is talking to Tim Taylor and Steve Konawalchuk and the other staff about whether they think Armstrong should leave the space open to be seized or should he lock a known quantity down.
There is a moment in DA's interview with Strickland when it sounds like DA does love Kaskimaki. We will see.
I know that Stancl is young, but some of the Blues front office people seem to love him too. Not talking about next season, but it seems like some people see him being an nhl bottom 6 guy in a couple years too.
Strickland doesn't think Faksa or Suter will be back next season FWIW.
That's interesting info thank you. I haven't gotten around to the Armstrong Strickland interview. I just remembered in the year end presser that he gushed about Kaskimaki, so if he did it twice he is laying the groundwork for this player to be joining the big roster. He's signaling us not to be surprised when it happens.
I may have been mixing up the two interviews. DA gushing about Kaskimaki may have been in only the year end talk. But yeah, that kind of stuck with me. His appreciation for Kaskimaki's game was ear catching.
Did Kaskimaki play center? I thought he was a wing. Either way, seems like we'll be going within for the bottom-6.
93 wrote: ↑26 May 2025 14:33 pm
I can't see a scenario where you have Sunny and Faksa on the same team next season.
I see them both slotting in at the 4C slot.
I'd like to see Faksa as the 4C and Sunny as the 13th or 14th forward. Sunny can also play RW and could fill in for Faksa/Walker or higher in the lineup on a short term basis.
Training camp will be interesting with some young forward depth getting closer to the NHL (Dean, Kaskimaki, Dvorsky, Alexandrov, Peterson, others).
smilinjoefission wrote: ↑25 May 2025 10:23 am
The money Faksa will get would be better served going to someone like Marner and/or Bennett and replacing Faksa with a prospect.
That is the best argument for letting Faksa walk. I don't see us going that high end but, 3 million plus would be nice to add for a middle-six Center.
That also solves the "What to do with Sunny next year" question.
That said... keeping Faksa is a luxury I wish we could afford.
