Toughness and lack there of

[Bluesfan1978]

Schenn is the only player that can hold his own in a fight. He also has hurt a few players with checks. No other player on the roster creates anywhere near that fear for the opposing team

[blues2112]

The broadcast team has mentioned on quite a few occassions this year that we are physically pushed around.

I want some guys that don't like losing and are miserable to play against. I like Walker for what he is, but realistically dude just isn't big enough to play that rough style night in and night out and stay healthy and if he isn't playing that style he is of no use.

The one piece about Lucic was that if he is on the bench the other team just doesn't know what the heck he will do and he would have no issue running you through the boards at all. It's a shame dude didn't have it anymore.

Bold: Agree 2,112 percent, but I'd remove the word "some", but that's probably impossible.

Bold/italics: Again, 2,112 percent. And "miserable" is broad. From one side (defensively), the relentless pest or hulking bruiser to the guy who plays perfect position or ties up stick at the right/wrong time or gets in just enough cross-check without a call.

[SameOldBlues]

That’s why I hope there’s some truth to Hurricanes offering Nikishin for a top line player(Thomas). He’s exactly the type of physical presence this team has lacked for a long time.

Where did ya see/hear Nikishin was available? Not callin ya a liar, this is just the first time ive seen that. Id commit many felonies to get Nikishin on this team. Unfortunately we need a few of players like him.

[Harry S Deals]

I think the Blues have to hang on the Schenn i am not sure trading him right now is a smart move. It appears that identity or lack thereof is perhaps the biggest issue with the roster so losing a heart and soul guy like Brayden Schenn may not be smart until the next core has formed. In fact keeping Schenn and Sunny AND adding another savy, respectable vet to this group may be the move. Hate to commit another roster spot for this but esp at LHD this may also be smart to re establish how the team wants to play.

[callitwhatyouwant]

I think the Blues have to hang on the Schenn i am not sure trading him right now is a smart move. It appears that identity or lack thereof is perhaps the biggest issue with the roster so losing a heart and soul guy like Brayden Schenn may not be smart until the next core has formed. In fact keeping Schenn and Sunny AND adding another savy, respectable vet to this group may be the move. Hate to commit another roster spot for this but esp at LHD this may also be smart to re establish how the team wants to play.

the 2 most dangerous trades are Schenn and Faulk. Schenn because there is only 1 guy that plays like that and its neighbours. and that's on the whole roster. Faulk, because we don't have a 2RHD let alone a 3RHD. You can't expect Jiricek to come up to start the year next year and LM and Jiricek are your 2 and 3 RHD. That's a disaster even for a bottom feeder team. Faulk being traded next year if the team isn't good make's 1000% more sense. And team's who are strapped by cash can use him as rental. If the Blues are doing well, he would be one of the reason why. The defense had another year to mature and either Lindstein was on the 3LHD or we have a new person to replace tucker/kessel.

The trade that makes the most sense and is the most glaring is Kyrou. Schenn is the 2nd because you might get more value in trade than then production.

[Harry S Deals]

I think the Blues have to hang on the Schenn i am not sure trading him right now is a smart move. It appears that identity or lack thereof is perhaps the biggest issue with the roster so losing a heart and soul guy like Brayden Schenn may not be smart until the next core has formed. In fact keeping Schenn and Sunny AND adding another savy, respectable vet to this group may be the move. Hate to commit another roster spot for this but esp at LHD this may also be smart to re establish how the team wants to play.

the 2 most dangerous trades are Schenn and Faulk. Schenn because there is only 1 guy that plays like that and its neighbours. and that's on the whole roster. Faulk, because we don't have a 2RHD let alone a 3RHD. You can't expect Jiricek to come up to start the year next year and LM and Jiricek are your 2 and 3 RHD. That's a disaster even for a bottom feeder team. Faulk being traded next year if the team isn't good make's 1000% more sense. And team's who are strapped by cash can use him as rental. If the Blues are doing well, he would be one of the reason why. The defense had another year to mature and either Lindstein was on the 3LHD or we have a new person to replace tucker/kessel.

The trade that makes the most sense and is the most glaring is Kyrou. Schenn is the 2nd because you might get more value in trade than then production.

Im taking the under on when the Blues will get contributions from Jiricek,sooner than later. Recall this kid played really well in preseason last year now we are a year later and another summer and camp upcoming. He will work hard tirelessly to earn a spot.
Mailloux is here, he is at least the 3rd RHD next year, Parayko is here. Also do not be shocked if Mailloux takes a leap forward in quality by next training camp. Not that worried about the RHD side without Faulk.
Im keeping Schenn, Sunny, Bjugstad looking to make deals on:

Faulk, Binnington, Kyrou (long shot), Joseph, Fowler, Suter

[the miracle]

Toughness may have won a game in 1986, but 40 years later I don't think its that important at all. I'm sure there are examples of a game where "so and so" ran "so and so" through the boards and a team won as a result, but it's not a recipe for season long success. At least, not in the way it used to be.

Those types of players aren't as common and get weeded out before they get to the NHL. It's a bygone era and time to move on.

[Harry S Deals]

Toughness may have won a game in 1986, but 40 years later I don't think its that important at all. I'm sure there are examples of a game where "so and so" ran "so and so" through the boards and a team won as a result, but it's not a recipe for season long success. At least, not in the way it used to be.

Those types of players aren't as common and get weeded out before they get to the NHL. It's a bygone era and time to move on.

"Toughness" may be in terms of intensity, willingness to play hard, leadership, grit

[Harry S Deals]

Bret Burns, Radko Gudas, Ian Cole, Luke Schenn

Nick Foligno, Corey Perry, Nosek,

Id find a guy perhaps two depending what happens between the TDL and training camp to come in and help Schenn and Sunny lead this team reestablish a culture they can build off of.

[Harry S Deals]

OR you hope that the Blues can largely internally fill out a better bottom 6 with guys like Peterson, Dean, Kaskimaki who can skate, hit, score. You hope Tucker and Mailloux make the leaps forward.

[the miracle]

Toughness may have won a game in 1986, but 40 years later I don't think its that important at all. I'm sure there are examples of a game where "so and so" ran "so and so" through the boards and a team won as a result, but it's not a recipe for season long success. At least, not in the way it used to be.

Those types of players aren't as common and get weeded out before they get to the NHL. It's a bygone era and time to move on.

"Toughness" may be in terms of intensity, willingness to play hard, leadership, grit

Completely fair point - and I can totally see those as being attributes of toughness. I think that's part of my head scratching when it comes to "toughness" though, you can't really quantify it and definitions may vary. Although maybe there's an advanced metric I'm not aware of

[Inglewood Jack]

Toughness may have won a game in 1986, but 40 years later I don't think its that important at all. I'm sure there are examples of a game where "so and so" ran "so and so" through the boards and a team won as a result, but it's not a recipe for season long success. At least, not in the way it used to be.

Those types of players aren't as common and get weeded out before they get to the NHL. It's a bygone era and time to move on.

Not talking goons or protectors, but guys that can be a stallion, ones that can run with grace or buck you like a rag doll, or have that passion. Doesn't have to be Marchand, Wilson, Ovi levels, and I think we had guys like that of late in Perron and Barby. Skill and some edge, and not puking up the puck like some drunken college kid at a Jager shot contest.

[Aesa]

Toughness may have won a game in 1986, but 40 years later I don't think its that important at all. I'm sure there are examples of a game where "so and so" ran "so and so" through the boards and a team won as a result, but it's not a recipe for season long success. At least, not in the way it used to be.

Those types of players aren't as common and get weeded out before they get to the NHL. It's a bygone era and time to move on.

Not talking goons or protectors, but guys that can be a stallion, ones that can run with grace or buck you like a rag doll, or have that passion. Doesn't have to be Marchand, Wilson, Ovi levels, and I think we had guys like that of late in Perron and Barby. Skill and some edge, and not puking up the puck like some drunken college kid at a Jager shot contest.

Now, now, now, it isn't just college kids. I have seen several adults do the same thing.

[Harry S Deals]

I wonder if Luke Schenn could play for a year in STL, can he play the LD side?

[blues2112]

As for the specific Robertson goal, Blues (needlessly) iced the puck consecutively. I get they were gassed, but wow.

[MandatoryDenial]

the 2 most dangerous trades are Schenn and Faulk. Schenn because there is only 1 guy that plays like that and its neighbours.

There is a line of thinking I heard first advanced by the Hockeyguy on youtube that much of Buffalo's struggles was because veteran leadership was never in place. I am not sure how much I agree with this but your not the only one who thinks this way. I am happy to ship him out for a legit grade A prospect and a first.