Tank-a-thon 2026

[juan good eye]

Looking for insight here. Is this a particularly good year to have the overall #1 pick? Is there a Bedard or MacKinnon in this draft ?

No. Perhaps a hidden gem or two will turn out to be the best but the best bets are still at the top. Stenberg is probably safest pick.

[Cajanek-Spielmacher]

Looking for insight here. Is this a particularly good year to have the overall #1 pick? Is there a Bedard or MacKinnon in this draft ?

No but I really like the top two guys and if we get a top two pick we will get one or the other and picking early in the second is like two first rounders in essence.. but I don’t think we will get better by next year so this could be a 2-year tank a thon so we will see

Except that we don’t have a 2nd round pick this year.

We do not at this time BUT depending on what the Blues do till the trading deadline we may have more than 1. JMHO

[a smell of green grass]

My thoughts on the tankathon:
1. If a generational player was available, I would take him no matter the position. There doesn't appear to be one, so I believe that the team needs to go for the very best C or RHD.

2. I'm not convinced that Dvorsky is our playmaking 1C or 2C for the long-term. If Dvorsky was an answer at C, I think that we would have seen more flashes of playmaking and assists by now. Maybe he will be, but there is definitely risk that he will never be good enough at C. I see Dvorsky as a poor 2C, similar to how Thomas is a poor 1C. Regardless the team needs more youth and talent at C.

3. The team really needs a good Center or a RHD in the prospect pool. At 3-5, we could accomplish that. I don't think that the player would be generational, but they would be a great 2C or RHD. I don't want 1-2 draft position--unless we could trade down and get more Round 1 draft picks with it.

4. Army is very likely going to make the same mistakes that he made at the LAST FIRE SALE. In addition to dropping Thomas, he will be bringing in older veterans that are desperate to stay in the NHL. Subtracting players with no motivation with veterans with high motivation will have the effect of spoiling our draft position in March and April. I am betting that we draft around #10 again. Army cares desperately about his hockey legacy, and he does not want to exit his GM role as bottom 5 in the NHL. No way that he allows that, and the other NHL teams will be quite happy to oblige him with meaningless wins late.

5. The biggest problem that we face is our scouting. We had 3 picks in a great 2023 draft, and we accomplished NOTHING to push us above the competition with those picks. Further, after just completing the re-whatever 1.0, the Blues prospects are NOTHING SPECIAL among the NHL's Under23 class. Based on the organization just recently completing a SELL, the Blues should be LOADED with U23 talent. Instead, we loaded up with nothing but average middle 6 talent. That is disgraceful results. We need new scouts, otherwise re-whatever 2.0 will be no different than 1.0.

[DawgDad]

My thoughts on the tankathon:
1. If a generational player was available, I would take him no matter the position. There doesn't appear to be one, so I believe that the team needs to go for the very best C or RHD.

2. I'm not convinced that Dvorsky is our playmaking 1C or 2C for the long-term. If Dvorsky was an answer at C, I think that we would have seen more flashes of playmaking and assists by now. Maybe he will be, but there is definitely risk that he will never be good enough at C. I see Dvorsky as a poor 2C, similar to how Thomas is a poor 1C. Regardless the team needs more youth and talent at C.

3. The team really needs a good Center or a RHD in the prospect pool. At 3-5, we could accomplish that. I don't think that the player would be generational, but they would be a great 2C or RHD. I don't want 1-2 draft position--unless we could trade down and get more Round 1 draft picks with it.

4. Army is very likely going to make the same mistakes that he made at the LAST FIRE SALE. In addition to dropping Thomas, he will be bringing in older veterans that are desperate to stay in the NHL. Subtracting players with no motivation with veterans with high motivation will have the effect of spoiling our draft position in March and April. I am betting that we draft around #10 again. Army cares desperately about his hockey legacy, and he does not want to exit his GM role as bottom 5 in the NHL. No way that he allows that, and the other NHL teams will be quite happy to oblige him with meaningless wins late.

5. The biggest problem that we face is our scouting. We had 3 picks in a great 2023 draft, and we accomplished NOTHING to push us above the competition with those picks. Further, after just completing the re-whatever 1.0, the Blues prospects are NOTHING SPECIAL among the NHL's Under23 class. Based on the organization just recently completing a SELL, the Blues should be LOADED with U23 talent. Instead, we loaded up with nothing but average middle 6 talent. That is disgraceful results. We need new scouts, otherwise re-whatever 2.0 will be no different than 1.0.

You were actually doing ok until you added #4-5.

[LGB73]

I've said it before but this will be the year the Blues suck/luck into the #1 pick and there isn't a generational/lock prospect at either 1C or 1D. An organizational curse when it comes to landing the elite top end guy.

Team needs more than just a top 5 pick though. We need more depth in the organizational pipeline in general. The 2023 draft was fine but we needed to follow it up with a 24 and possible 25 draft where we would have multiple 1st rounders each of those seasons as well. Kyrou should have been jettisoned before the NTC kicked in and Buch should have been traded, not signed, which would have netted a 1st +. That would have been more of a full rebuild mode but it's what the organization needed instead of this middle ground approach.

[Harry S Deals]

My thoughts on the tankathon:
1. If a generational player was available, I would take him no matter the position. There doesn't appear to be one, so I believe that the team needs to go for the very best C or RHD.

2. I'm not convinced that Dvorsky is our playmaking 1C or 2C for the long-term. If Dvorsky was an answer at C, I think that we would have seen more flashes of playmaking and assists by now. Maybe he will be, but there is definitely risk that he will never be good enough at C. I see Dvorsky as a poor 2C, similar to how Thomas is a poor 1C. Regardless the team needs more youth and talent at C.

3. The team really needs a good Center or a RHD in the prospect pool. At 3-5, we could accomplish that. I don't think that the player would be generational, but they would be a great 2C or RHD. I don't want 1-2 draft position--unless we could trade down and get more Round 1 draft picks with it.

4. Army is very likely going to make the same mistakes that he made at the LAST FIRE SALE. In addition to dropping Thomas, he will be bringing in older veterans that are desperate to stay in the NHL. Subtracting players with no motivation with veterans with high motivation will have the effect of spoiling our draft position in March and April. I am betting that we draft around #10 again. Army cares desperately about his hockey legacy, and he does not want to exit his GM role as bottom 5 in the NHL. No way that he allows that, and the other NHL teams will be quite happy to oblige him with meaningless wins late.

5. The biggest problem that we face is our scouting. We had 3 picks in a great 2023 draft, and we accomplished NOTHING to push us above the competition with those picks. Further, after just completing the re-whatever 1.0, the Blues prospects are NOTHING SPECIAL among the NHL's Under23 class. Based on the organization just recently completing a SELL, the Blues should be LOADED with U23 talent. Instead, we loaded up with nothing but average middle 6 talent. That is disgraceful results. We need new scouts, otherwise re-whatever 2.0 will be no different than 1.0.

You were actually doing ok until you added #4-5.

#5 is a total joke and completely inaccurate. Still im not sure why anyone responds or reads this persons garbage. I will there was a way when someone is Blocked that you dont even see the posts in others quotes.

[DawgDad]

My thoughts on the tankathon:
1. If a generational player was available, I would take him no matter the position. There doesn't appear to be one, so I believe that the team needs to go for the very best C or RHD.

2. I'm not convinced that Dvorsky is our playmaking 1C or 2C for the long-term. If Dvorsky was an answer at C, I think that we would have seen more flashes of playmaking and assists by now. Maybe he will be, but there is definitely risk that he will never be good enough at C. I see Dvorsky as a poor 2C, similar to how Thomas is a poor 1C. Regardless the team needs more youth and talent at C.

3. The team really needs a good Center or a RHD in the prospect pool. At 3-5, we could accomplish that. I don't think that the player would be generational, but they would be a great 2C or RHD. I don't want 1-2 draft position--unless we could trade down and get more Round 1 draft picks with it.

4. Army is very likely going to make the same mistakes that he made at the LAST FIRE SALE. In addition to dropping Thomas, he will be bringing in older veterans that are desperate to stay in the NHL. Subtracting players with no motivation with veterans with high motivation will have the effect of spoiling our draft position in March and April. I am betting that we draft around #10 again. Army cares desperately about his hockey legacy, and he does not want to exit his GM role as bottom 5 in the NHL. No way that he allows that, and the other NHL teams will be quite happy to oblige him with meaningless wins late.

5. The biggest problem that we face is our scouting. We had 3 picks in a great 2023 draft, and we accomplished NOTHING to push us above the competition with those picks. Further, after just completing the re-whatever 1.0, the Blues prospects are NOTHING SPECIAL among the NHL's Under23 class. Based on the organization just recently completing a SELL, the Blues should be LOADED with U23 talent. Instead, we loaded up with nothing but average middle 6 talent. That is disgraceful results. We need new scouts, otherwise re-whatever 2.0 will be no different than 1.0.

You were actually doing ok until you added #4-5.

#5 is a total joke and completely inaccurate. Still im not sure why anyone responds or reads this persons garbage. I will there was a way when someone is Blocked that you dont even see the posts in others quotes.

Hey, he's up to 3 out of 5 (until his next post?). It's akin to watching a prospect develop, he needs "game" experience to overcome his worst instincts. Though, he's had a lot of that.

[SameOldBlues]

I've said it before but this will be the year the Blues suck/luck into the #1 pick and there isn't a generational/lock prospect at either 1C or 1D. An organizational curse when it comes to landing the elite top end guy.

Team needs more than just a top 5 pick though. We need more depth in the organizational pipeline in general. The 2023 draft was fine but we needed to follow it up with a 24 and possible 25 draft where we would have multiple 1st rounders each of those seasons as well. Kyrou should have been jettisoned before the NTC kicked in and Buch should have been traded, not signed, which would have netted a 1st +. That would have been more of a full rebuild mode but it's what the organization needed instead of this middle ground approach.

Very well stated, I agree with everything posted, to infinity.

[Harry S Deals]

I've said it before but this will be the year the Blues suck/luck into the #1 pick and there isn't a generational/lock prospect at either 1C or 1D. An organizational curse when it comes to landing the elite top end guy.

Team needs more than just a top 5 pick though. We need more depth in the organizational pipeline in general. The 2023 draft was fine but we needed to follow it up with a 24 and possible 25 draft where we would have multiple 1st rounders each of those seasons as well. Kyrou should have been jettisoned before the NTC kicked in and Buch should have been traded, not signed, which would have netted a 1st +. That would have been more of a full rebuild mode but it's what the organization needed instead of this middle ground approach.

Very well stated, I agree with everything posted, to infinity.

The Blues are doing pretty well with prospects now, another good draft and the franchise will be on its way back to relevance

Neighbours
Hofer
Snuggerud
Dvorksy
Stenberg
Lindstein
Ralph
Kaskimaki
Stancl
Carbonneau
Jiricek
Dean
Pekarcik
Burns

There will be some very nice players emerge from this group, PLUS whatever the Blues draft this year

[callitwhatyouwant]

I've said it before but this will be the year the Blues suck/luck into the #1 pick and there isn't a generational/lock prospect at either 1C or 1D. An organizational curse when it comes to landing the elite top end guy.

Team needs more than just a top 5 pick though. We need more depth in the organizational pipeline in general. The 2023 draft was fine but we needed to follow it up with a 24 and possible 25 draft where we would have multiple 1st rounders each of those seasons as well. Kyrou should have been jettisoned before the NTC kicked in and Buch should have been traded, not signed, which would have netted a 1st +. That would have been more of a full rebuild mode but it's what the organization needed instead of this middle ground approach.

Very well stated, I agree with everything posted, to infinity.

The Blues are doing pretty well with prospects now, another good draft and the franchise will be on its way back to relevance

Neighbours
Hofer
Snuggerud
Dvorksy
Stenberg
Lindstein
Ralph
Kaskimaki
Stancl
Carbonneau
Jiricek
Dean
Pekarcik
Burns

There will be some very nice players emerge from this group, PLUS whatever the Blues draft this year

There's a reason the Blues said they aren't interested in trading core guys for picks. They have a million near NHL or NHL level prospects who will all run their course to being on big league rosters either next year or the year after. They are going to have to shop those guys too if they want to improve the team. not enough room for all the young guys.

The Thomas rumor stuff is interesting. You now have random media people who admit to not be hockey fans making up stuff that are talking points that are being put out there. The most recent one is that Thomas doesn't want to be THE Guy. I don't know how you can be a media guy with access to the team, regurgitate what a DJ radio host hypothetically brings up (I'm not discounting his question, it's an honest assessment. He might be right on the money.) and run with said topic unless you have the cajones to ask the player directly if the pressure is too much for them.

Thomas might be a quiet guy, but there's been nothing he's ever indicated that he doesn't want to be the guy in the trenches going up against the other teams number 1's. It's his first "down year." I'm actually a bit annoyed that people take his down year and equate that to his career. He has done nothing but progress since he came up in 2019. Show me a player in the NHL that hasn't had a down year relative to their output.

[LGB73]

I've said it before but this will be the year the Blues suck/luck into the #1 pick and there isn't a generational/lock prospect at either 1C or 1D. An organizational curse when it comes to landing the elite top end guy.

Team needs more than just a top 5 pick though. We need more depth in the organizational pipeline in general. The 2023 draft was fine but we needed to follow it up with a 24 and possible 25 draft where we would have multiple 1st rounders each of those seasons as well. Kyrou should have been jettisoned before the NTC kicked in and Buch should have been traded, not signed, which would have netted a 1st +. That would have been more of a full rebuild mode but it's what the organization needed instead of this middle ground approach.

Very well stated, I agree with everything posted, to infinity.

The Blues are doing pretty well with prospects now, another good draft and the franchise will be on its way back to relevance

Neighbours
Hofer
Snuggerud
Dvorksy
Stenberg
Lindstein
Ralph
Kaskimaki
Stancl
Carbonneau
Jiricek
Dean
Pekarcik
Burns

There will be some very nice players emerge from this group, PLUS whatever the Blues draft this year

I like our prospect pool but in reality it's more likely than not that that list doesn't produce a single 1st line F or top pair D. It's heavily weighted towards middle six guys at F and middle pair ceilings at D. Doesn't mean one or two couldn't surprise to the upside. Dvorsky strikes me as a 2C but he's young so maybe he improves and becomes a legit 1C. Same thing with Jiricek in that he's got potential to be top pair but it's going to take a lot more development to get there. It's not a given either way though. That's why I said we needed more depth in the pipeline because we need more chances at getting that guy who over performs his draft position since we're not netting top 10 picks year over year.

[TampaBlues78]

Looking for insight here. Is this a particularly good year to have the overall #1 pick? Is there a Bedard or MacKinnon in this draft ?

No but I really like the top two guys and if we get a top two pick we will get one or the other and picking early in the second is like two first rounders in essence.. but I don’t think we will get better by next year so this could be a 2-year tank a thon so we will see

Except that we don’t have a 2nd round pick this year.

Well I hope we can acquire some before the tdl ends

[TampaBlues78]

In Ivar we trust!!! That name reminds me of Ivar from the show Vikings

[theograce]

In Ivar we trust!!! That name reminds me of Ivar from the show Vikings

It’s a good name

Lot better than a Snuggy or Snuggalicious

[LewisL]

My thoughts on the tankathon:
1. If a generational player was available, I would take him no matter the position. There doesn't appear to be one, so I believe that the team needs to go for the very best C or RHD.

2. I'm not convinced that Dvorsky is our playmaking 1C or 2C for the long-term. If Dvorsky was an answer at C, I think that we would have seen more flashes of playmaking and assists by now. Maybe he will be, but there is definitely risk that he will never be good enough at C. I see Dvorsky as a poor 2C, similar to how Thomas is a poor 1C. Regardless the team needs more youth and talent at C.

3. The team really needs a good Center or a RHD in the prospect pool. At 3-5, we could accomplish that. I don't think that the player would be generational, but they would be a great 2C or RHD. I don't want 1-2 draft position--unless we could trade down and get more Round 1 draft picks with it.

4. Army is very likely going to make the same mistakes that he made at the LAST FIRE SALE. In addition to dropping Thomas, he will be bringing in older veterans that are desperate to stay in the NHL. Subtracting players with no motivation with veterans with high motivation will have the effect of spoiling our draft position in March and April. I am betting that we draft around #10 again. Army cares desperately about his hockey legacy, and he does not want to exit his GM role as bottom 5 in the NHL. No way that he allows that, and the other NHL teams will be quite happy to oblige him with meaningless wins late.

5. The biggest problem that we face is our scouting. We had 3 picks in a great 2023 draft, and we accomplished NOTHING to push us above the competition with those picks. Further, after just completing the re-whatever 1.0, the Blues prospects are NOTHING SPECIAL among the NHL's Under23 class. Based on the organization just recently completing a SELL, the Blues should be LOADED with U23 talent. Instead, we loaded up with nothing but average middle 6 talent. That is disgraceful results. We need new scouts, otherwise re-whatever 2.0 will be no different than 1.0.

You were actually doing ok until you added #4-5.

#5 is a total joke and completely inaccurate. Still im not sure why anyone responds or reads this persons garbage. I will there was a way when someone is Blocked that you dont even see the posts in others quotes.

Hey, he's up to 3 out of 5 (until his next post?). It's akin to watching a prospect develop, he needs "game" experience to overcome his worst instincts. Though, he's had a lot of that.

His first 3 points weren't very good either. It's basically stating the obvious, sure not any great insight. Any dimrod would know to draft generational player, or 1C, or RHD......I mean really, c'mon, he didn't even need to make any of those points, what a dumb post. I can't believe this guy actually thinks he's smart.

[TampaBlues78]

Not to agree w Smelly… but wth is Army doing? We had a way worse record and have an abysmal offense with a (bleep) PK and a (bleep) PP and we aren’t doing the same as the Rangers??? If we don’t wnd up with a top 3 pick with this team I am going to be p1zzed… this is not how you gain ground and able to get some talent on this team