PTOs

[zamadoo]

There are quite a few guys on the UFA list still that I'd have absolutely no complaints bringing in on a PTO. I'm assuming a few remaining UFAs are asking for too much $?

Bortuzzo
Hakanpaa
Erik Johnson
Jack Johnson
Martinez
Suter
Savard
Merill

As has been mentioned, most likely a d-man would be signed to a PTO. I'd take any of the guys listed.

A few forwards jumped out as well, but I just don't see us having any room. Maybe you give them a PTO, cut them, but have them on sort of a 'reserve list' if we have injuries and need someone with some familiarity built.

[kimzey59]

There are quite a few guys on the UFA list still that I'd have absolutely no complaints bringing in on a PTO. I'm assuming a few remaining UFAs are asking for too much $?

Bortuzzo
Hakanpaa
Erik Johnson
Jack Johnson
Martinez
Suter
Savard
Merill

As has been mentioned, most likely a d-man would be signed to a PTO. I'd take any of the guys listed.

A few forwards jumped out as well, but I just don't see us having any room. Maybe you give them a PTO, cut them, but have them on sort of a 'reserve list' if we have injuries and need someone with some familiarity built.

Most notable guy IMO is Grzelcyk.
Not that I think he's an overly great fit here(he'd probably push Mailloux to the box), but you would think a 40 point defenseman would be able to find a job.


For the Blues, as much as a lot of us are focusing on the big names; I expect the defensive PTO to be somebody a LOT more low key. I think Army has a real desire to run with a Tucker/Mailloux pairing, it's just a matter of having a safety net in place for Kessel. I see somebody like Pat Nemeth or Travis Dermott as a more likely invite than I would a lot of those guys.

Suter might be an exception to that, but I think the interest is in a #7/8 type more than a real third pairing staple.

[STL fan in MN]

There are quite a few guys on the UFA list still that I'd have absolutely no complaints bringing in on a PTO. I'm assuming a few remaining UFAs are asking for too much $?

Bortuzzo
Hakanpaa
Erik Johnson
Jack Johnson
Martinez
Suter
Savard
Merill

As has been mentioned, most likely a d-man would be signed to a PTO. I'd take any of the guys listed.

A few forwards jumped out as well, but I just don't see us having any room. Maybe you give them a PTO, cut them, but have them on sort of a 'reserve list' if we have injuries and need someone with some familiarity built.

Most notable guy IMO is Grzelcyk.
Not that I think he's an overly great fit here(he'd probably push Mailloux to the box), but you would think a 40 point defenseman would be able to find a job.


For the Blues, as much as a lot of us are focusing on the big names; I expect the defensive PTO to be somebody a LOT more low key. I think Army has a real desire to run with a Tucker/Mailloux pairing, it's just a matter of having a safety net in place for Kessel. I see somebody like Pat Nemeth or Travis Dermott as a more likely invite than I would a lot of those guys.

Suter might be an exception to that, but I think the interest is in a #7/8 type more than a real third pairing staple.

I can only assume Grzelcyk hasn’t signed yet because he hasn’t found a contract/location to his liking. He probably overestimated his value. He’s undersized but I’d be surprised if someone that just scored 40 pts couldn’t find a job at all.

I don’t expect us to go after him though. He’d pretty much deserve a full time role and I’d say we’re looking more for someone to challenge Kessel for the #7 job. Someone that could competently be inserted into the lineup if/when needed.

I would agree with you that Army tends to go for more depth under the radar PTOs but I guess I’d rather just have the better player if you can still get them on a PTO and they’d be willing to sign for league minimum if offered a contract. Dermott is ok but I see some better options. Nemeth is set to play in the Swiss league this season from what I can find.

[Cajanek-Spielmacher]

Hakanpaa - would you?

[moose-and-squirrel]

Hakanpaa - would you?

I would but betting he's looking for a #6 spot somewhere. Same with EJ

[Boomac]

There are quite a few guys on the UFA list still that I'd have absolutely no complaints bringing in on a PTO. I'm assuming a few remaining UFAs are asking for too much $?

Bortuzzo
Hakanpaa
Erik Johnson
Jack Johnson
Martinez
Suter
Savard
Merill

As has been mentioned, most likely a d-man would be signed to a PTO. I'd take any of the guys listed.

A few forwards jumped out as well, but I just don't see us having any room. Maybe you give them a PTO, cut them, but have them on sort of a 'reserve list' if we have injuries and need someone with some familiarity built.

I agree with others that a PTO to compete with Kessel for the #7 spot would be ideal. I like all of those names. I believe Bortuzzo and Savard have retired.

Bortuzzo was working at development camp, wasn't he?

[b-a-a-a-rclay]

There are quite a few guys on the UFA list still that I'd have absolutely no complaints bringing in on a PTO. I'm assuming a few remaining UFAs are asking for too much $?

Bortuzzo
Hakanpaa
Erik Johnson
Jack Johnson
Martinez
Suter
Savard
Merill

As has been mentioned, most likely a d-man would be signed to a PTO. I'd take any of the guys listed.

A few forwards jumped out as well, but I just don't see us having any room. Maybe you give them a PTO, cut them, but have them on sort of a 'reserve list' if we have injuries and need someone with some familiarity built.

I agree with others that a PTO to compete with Kessel for the #7 spot would be ideal. I like all of those names. I believe Bortuzzo and Savard have retired.

Bortuzzo was working at development camp, wasn't he?

Yes. I saw Bortuzzo there. He was watching with the other management guys ... not on the ice. I am pretty sure he is working for the Blues now.

[a smell of green grass]

You don't trade Bolduc just to play Mailloux in the AHL...Mailloux has a spot if healthy. Basically if healthy the D is already set. I see maybe one forward spot open for a potential PTO to get a shot, but still you'll have two of Sunny, Joseph, and Texier sitting every game, assuming Dvorsky doesn't make it or Carbonneau doesn't make a Perron type play and wins a spot.

They didn’t acquire Mailloux for immediate help. He’s obviously going to be given a chance to make the team (Armstrong has said as much), but that doesn’t mean they’re going to make it easy for him. The only young defenseman on this team that really has a roster spot locked down is Broberg. Everyone else needs to continue to prove they belong.

I will mince a puck and eat it if Mailloux doesn't make the team.

No way that Army subjects himself to that narrative. They acquired Army for immediate Army CYA.

Army trades Bolduc for AHLer.

[Harry S Deals]

Bortuzzo or Erik Johnson make sense, EJ perhaps makes more sense as a vet RHD in case Kessel and or Mailloux are sucking. Interesting to see what Army and Monty do here. I dont see the need for a LHD ultimately there are too many options here already and who knows by spring Lindstein may be an option

[zamadoo]

There are quite a few guys on the UFA list still that I'd have absolutely no complaints bringing in on a PTO. I'm assuming a few remaining UFAs are asking for too much $?

Bortuzzo
Hakanpaa
Erik Johnson
Jack Johnson
Martinez
Suter
Savard
Merill

As has been mentioned, most likely a d-man would be signed to a PTO. I'd take any of the guys listed.

A few forwards jumped out as well, but I just don't see us having any room. Maybe you give them a PTO, cut them, but have them on sort of a 'reserve list' if we have injuries and need someone with some familiarity built.

I agree with others that a PTO to compete with Kessel for the #7 spot would be ideal. I like all of those names. I believe Bortuzzo and Savard have retired.

Bortuzzo was working at development camp, wasn't he?

Yes. I saw Bortuzzo there. He was watching with the other management guys ... not on the ice. I am pretty sure he is working for the Blues now.

That's pretty cool to hear.

I just gathered this list from puckpedia's UFA. Agree above about Grzelcyk, which is why I didn't have him on the list.

Hakanpaa would be a welcome addition for his size and aggression. But again, whoever we bring in should be a 7th D who fills in when needed, not someone who could displace Tucker/Mailloux. Agree with Harry that EJ makes sense as a vet option. (would say the same for JJ as well)

[bluetunehead]

You don't trade Bolduc just to play Mailloux in the AHL...Mailloux has a spot if healthy. Basically if healthy the D is already set. I see maybe one forward spot open for a potential PTO to get a shot, but still you'll have two of Sunny, Joseph, and Texier sitting every game, assuming Dvorsky doesn't make it or Carbonneau doesn't make a Perron type play and wins a spot.

They didn’t acquire Mailloux for immediate help. He’s obviously going to be given a chance to make the team (Armstrong has said as much), but that doesn’t mean they’re going to make it easy for him. The only young defenseman on this team that really has a roster spot locked down is Broberg. Everyone else needs to continue to prove they belong.

I will mince a puck and eat it if Mailloux doesn't make the team.

No way that Army subjects himself to that narrative. They acquired Army for immediate Army CYA.

Army trades Bolduc for AHLer.

Everyone expects Mailloux to make the team. The point is that the Blues don’t have to make it a cake walk for him in camp. They will likely bring in another Suter type to make sure the young guys don’t take a roster spot for granted. Kessel is the most at risk IMO.

[HighStick]

I'd be interested in Hakanpaa.
I didn't want him to leave when he did.

[dhsux]

Doug Armstrong on acquiring Logan Mailloux: "He's an excellent skater, got an excellent shot. ... We think he's NHL-ready now. I talked to him, I told him he'll have the opportunity to ... he has a job now. It's his job to come into camp and keep it." #stlblues

Reading the signs I agree a 5-6 player will likely not come here for a PTO.

[moose-and-squirrel]

Doug Armstrong on acquiring Logan Mailloux: "He's an excellent skater, got an excellent shot. ... We think he's NHL-ready now. I talked to him, I told him he'll have the opportunity to ... he has a job now. It's his job to come into camp and keep it." #stlblues

Reading the signs I agree a 5-6 player will likely not come here for a PTO.

nope.. that's why I think Suter, at this point in his career, would make a ton of sense

[TAFKAP]

There are quite a few guys on the UFA list still that I'd have absolutely no complaints bringing in on a PTO. I'm assuming a few remaining UFAs are asking for too much $?

Bortuzzo
Hakanpaa
Erik Johnson
Jack Johnson
Martinez
Suter
Savard
Merill

As has been mentioned, most likely a d-man would be signed to a PTO. I'd take any of the guys listed.

A few forwards jumped out as well, but I just don't see us having any room. Maybe you give them a PTO, cut them, but have them on sort of a 'reserve list' if we have injuries and need someone with some familiarity built.

I agree with others that a PTO to compete with Kessel for the #7 spot would be ideal. I like all of those names. I believe Bortuzzo and Savard have retired.

Bortuzzo was working at development camp, wasn't he?

His Wikipedia page has him "Currently an Unrestricted Free Agent in the NHL". What I didn't know is how little he's played in the last couple years. 2023-24 he played 27 games and 2024-25 it was 17, Oof.

[IsDurbanodoingtime]

Kylington or Merril.