Two Realistic UFA Options Blues Could Target in Free Agency

[Zizzle1297]

I vote to just grow from our own system. Posters would have been fine with bringing Dvo up last January after the WJC. He performed well in Springfield. Have Dvo and Schenn as your interchangeable 2C and 3C. Also, consideration to Zach Dean, who many posters feel is a legitimate prospect. We have all of these prospects coming up and I don't want to block them and max out our cap with free agent signings.

When we acquired Dean I thought he was gonna be a gritty 3 liner that can score 20 but he's not looking so promising now. Maybe a full healthy year in the AHL he will rebound. I would imagine Alexandrov will get another look sooner than later.

[STL fan in MN]

My guess is Alexandrov returns to Russia this summer. If he does return to the Blues, I doubt he has much of a chance of making the team. He’s a LW these days anyway. Didn’t play C all season. My guess is he sees it the same way and will thus choose the KHL over AHL.

Decent chance we lose Zherenko to the KHL as well. He’s also a RFA.

Dean looked pretty good as he played the last 4 games of their season. I wouldn’t say set the ice on fire but he’s still a legit bottom-6 C prospect. Maybe he pushes for a spot at some point this season but for now I just want to see him stay healthy and progress in the AHL.

[Harry York 37]

My guess is Alexandrov returns to Russia this summer. If he does return to the Blues, I doubt he has much of a chance of making the team. He’s a LW these days anyway. Didn’t play C all season. My guess is he sees it the same way and will thus choose the KHL over AHL.

Decent chance we lose Zherenko to the KHL as well. He’s also a RFA.

Dean looked pretty good as he played the last 4 games of their season. I wouldn’t say set the ice on fire but he’s still a legit bottom-6 C prospect. Maybe he pushes for a spot at some point this season but for now I just want to see him stay healthy and progress in the AHL.

Alexandrov seemed solid, but that's Pro Hockey. I wouldn't enjoy Russia, myself, but a native born player in the KHL is gong to get paid and be treated accordingly.

It is a small sample, but after missing nine weeks, Dean came back and had a goal and an assist in his first game back accounting for both T=Bird goals in a 3-2 loss.
The next game was the season finale and the T-Birds suffered a shutout loss.

The three game playoffs began and Dean scored their first goal in their only victory. That goal was one of only three the team managed to score in the series. In his five game comeback, he accounted for three of his team's five goals. He was a plus two for the series and a plus five on the season.
It was a flash fire, but he burned brightly in those games.

[iowa blues fan]

He may be Russian my blood. I believe he was born in Germany and spent most of his life in Germany and North America. He did represent Russia in one of the national tournaments. I’m really not sure where he prefers to live at this point in time. Either way, I don’t think it’s a big loss.

[Harry York 37]

He may be Russian my blood. I believe he was born in Germany and spent most of his life in Germany and North America. He did represent Russia in one of the national tournaments. I’m really not sure where he prefers to live at this point in time. Either way, I don’t think it’s a big loss.

It probably won't be.
He looked like a possible bottom-sixer on paper.

If he leaves, maybe it is Dean and Dvorsky on the shuttle to spell Sunny and get some experience?
I reckon that is also assuming that Faksa re signs here. If Faksa bolts too, Sunny would drop to the fourth line and we might have to get serious about the summer market for middle six centers.

[STL fan in MN]

My guess is Alexandrov returns to Russia this summer. If he does return to the Blues, I doubt he has much of a chance of making the team. He’s a LW these days anyway. Didn’t play C all season. My guess is he sees it the same way and will thus choose the KHL over AHL.

Decent chance we lose Zherenko to the KHL as well. He’s also a RFA.

Dean looked pretty good as he played the last 4 games of their season. I wouldn’t say set the ice on fire but he’s still a legit bottom-6 C prospect. Maybe he pushes for a spot at some point this season but for now I just want to see him stay healthy and progress in the AHL.

Alexandrov seemed solid, but that's Pro Hockey. I wouldn't enjoy Russia, myself, but a native born player in the KHL is gong to get paid and be treated accordingly.

It is a small sample, but after missing nine weeks, Dean came back and had a goal and an assist in his first game back accounting for both T=Bird goals in a 3-2 loss.
The next game was the season finale and the T-Birds suffered a shutout loss.

The three game playoffs began and Dean scored their first goal in their only victory. That goal was one of only three the team managed to score in the series. In his five game comeback, he accounted for three of his team's five goals. He was a plus two for the series and a plus five on the season.
It was a flash fire, but he burned brightly in those games.

Yeah, you don’t need to tell me about those games Dean played at the end of the season. I watched both games in which he scored those 3 points. He was solid. Glad he was able to return and play a few games before the season ended.

[Harry York 37]

My guess is Alexandrov returns to Russia this summer. If he does return to the Blues, I doubt he has much of a chance of making the team. He’s a LW these days anyway. Didn’t play C all season. My guess is he sees it the same way and will thus choose the KHL over AHL.

Decent chance we lose Zherenko to the KHL as well. He’s also a RFA.

Dean looked pretty good as he played the last 4 games of their season. I wouldn’t say set the ice on fire but he’s still a legit bottom-6 C prospect. Maybe he pushes for a spot at some point this season but for now I just want to see him stay healthy and progress in the AHL.

Alexandrov seemed solid, but that's Pro Hockey. I wouldn't enjoy Russia, myself, but a native born player in the KHL is gong to get paid and be treated accordingly.

It is a small sample, but after missing nine weeks, Dean came back and had a goal and an assist in his first game back accounting for both T=Bird goals in a 3-2 loss.
The next game was the season finale and the T-Birds suffered a shutout loss.

The three game playoffs began and Dean scored their first goal in their only victory. That goal was one of only three the team managed to score in the series. In his five game comeback, he accounted for three of his team's five goals. He was a plus two for the series and a plus five on the season.
It was a flash fire, but he burned brightly in those games.

Yeah, you don’t need to tell me about those games Dean played at the end of the season. I watched both games in which he scored those 3 points. He was solid. Glad he was able to return and play a few games before the season ended.

Wow, I forgot that, MN, but I should have known. It says he played with Dvo and with Stenberg and clicked with both of them. It is very encouraging that he used his "down" time to get himself ready to play so well in the AHL

If Faksa cannot/will not be retained...how much will that ramp up our summertime search for a middle six Center? You figure Suny would be the 4C?

[STL fan in MN]

My guess is Alexandrov returns to Russia this summer. If he does return to the Blues, I doubt he has much of a chance of making the team. He’s a LW these days anyway. Didn’t play C all season. My guess is he sees it the same way and will thus choose the KHL over AHL.

Decent chance we lose Zherenko to the KHL as well. He’s also a RFA.

Dean looked pretty good as he played the last 4 games of their season. I wouldn’t say set the ice on fire but he’s still a legit bottom-6 C prospect. Maybe he pushes for a spot at some point this season but for now I just want to see him stay healthy and progress in the AHL.

Alexandrov seemed solid, but that's Pro Hockey. I wouldn't enjoy Russia, myself, but a native born player in the KHL is gong to get paid and be treated accordingly.

It is a small sample, but after missing nine weeks, Dean came back and had a goal and an assist in his first game back accounting for both T=Bird goals in a 3-2 loss.
The next game was the season finale and the T-Birds suffered a shutout loss.

The three game playoffs began and Dean scored their first goal in their only victory. That goal was one of only three the team managed to score in the series. In his five game comeback, he accounted for three of his team's five goals. He was a plus two for the series and a plus five on the season.
It was a flash fire, but he burned brightly in those games.

Yeah, you don’t need to tell me about those games Dean played at the end of the season. I watched both games in which he scored those 3 points. He was solid. Glad he was able to return and play a few games before the season ended.

Wow, I forgot that, MN, but I should have known. It says he played with Dvo and with Stenberg and clicked with both of them. It is very encouraging that he used his "down" time to get himself ready to play so well in the AHL

If Faksa cannot/will not be retained...how much will that ramp up our summertime search for a middle six Center? You figure Suny would be the 4C?

If Faksa goes to elsewhere then yeah, Sunny just slots into the 4C spot. As much grief as Sunny gets, he’s pretty excellent in terms of positioning. He knows where to go and that’s a big help defensively. But yeah, that would leave a gaping hole at 3C. But that hole exists even if Faksa returns IMO. But it’s an even bigger hole if he leaves.

I’d think their ideal plan would be to bring in a 2C type but if that turns out not to be feasible, they at least need to bring in a 3C type.

[Harry York 37]

My guess is Alexandrov returns to Russia this summer. If he does return to the Blues, I doubt he has much of a chance of making the team. He’s a LW these days anyway. Didn’t play C all season. My guess is he sees it the same way and will thus choose the KHL over AHL.

Decent chance we lose Zherenko to the KHL as well. He’s also a RFA.

Dean looked pretty good as he played the last 4 games of their season. I wouldn’t say set the ice on fire but he’s still a legit bottom-6 C prospect. Maybe he pushes for a spot at some point this season but for now I just want to see him stay healthy and progress in the AHL.

Alexandrov seemed solid, but that's Pro Hockey. I wouldn't enjoy Russia, myself, but a native born player in the KHL is gong to get paid and be treated accordingly.

It is a small sample, but after missing nine weeks, Dean came back and had a goal and an assist in his first game back accounting for both T=Bird goals in a 3-2 loss.
The next game was the season finale and the T-Birds suffered a shutout loss.

The three game playoffs began and Dean scored their first goal in their only victory. That goal was one of only three the team managed to score in the series. In his five game comeback, he accounted for three of his team's five goals. He was a plus two for the series and a plus five on the season.
It was a flash fire, but he burned brightly in those games.

Yeah, you don’t need to tell me about those games Dean played at the end of the season. I watched both games in which he scored those 3 points. He was solid. Glad he was able to return and play a few games before the season ended.

Wow, I forgot that, MN, but I should have known. It says he played with Dvo and with Stenberg and clicked with both of them. It is very encouraging that he used his "down" time to get himself ready to play so well in the AHL

If Faksa cannot/will not be retained...how much will that ramp up our summertime search for a middle six Center? You figure Suny would be the 4C?

If Faksa goes to elsewhere then yeah, Sunny just slots into the 4C spot. As much grief as Sunny gets, he’s pretty excellent in terms of positioning. He knows where to go and that’s a big help defensively. But yeah, that would leave a gaping hole at 3C. But that hole exists even if Faksa returns IMO. But it’s an even bigger hole if he leaves.

I’d think their ideal plan would be to bring in a 2C type but if that turns out not to be feasible, they at least need to bring in a 3C type.

I was surprised at your revelation that Alexandrov didn't play C last season in Springfield. Thanks for your usual clarity.
Do you recall if Dean Centered Dvorsky and/or Stenberg?

I know it's asking for a heckuvan assumption, but if Dean keeps working on his game over the summer, is there much chance he might get a chance at 3C?
What about a scenario where Sunny stays at 3C if Faksa is not retained- could Dean possibly handle the 4C role?

[STL fan in MN]

My guess is Alexandrov returns to Russia this summer. If he does return to the Blues, I doubt he has much of a chance of making the team. He’s a LW these days anyway. Didn’t play C all season. My guess is he sees it the same way and will thus choose the KHL over AHL.

Decent chance we lose Zherenko to the KHL as well. He’s also a RFA.

Dean looked pretty good as he played the last 4 games of their season. I wouldn’t say set the ice on fire but he’s still a legit bottom-6 C prospect. Maybe he pushes for a spot at some point this season but for now I just want to see him stay healthy and progress in the AHL.

Alexandrov seemed solid, but that's Pro Hockey. I wouldn't enjoy Russia, myself, but a native born player in the KHL is gong to get paid and be treated accordingly.

It is a small sample, but after missing nine weeks, Dean came back and had a goal and an assist in his first game back accounting for both T=Bird goals in a 3-2 loss.
The next game was the season finale and the T-Birds suffered a shutout loss.

The three game playoffs began and Dean scored their first goal in their only victory. That goal was one of only three the team managed to score in the series. In his five game comeback, he accounted for three of his team's five goals. He was a plus two for the series and a plus five on the season.
It was a flash fire, but he burned brightly in those games.

Yeah, you don’t need to tell me about those games Dean played at the end of the season. I watched both games in which he scored those 3 points. He was solid. Glad he was able to return and play a few games before the season ended.

Wow, I forgot that, MN, but I should have known. It says he played with Dvo and with Stenberg and clicked with both of them. It is very encouraging that he used his "down" time to get himself ready to play so well in the AHL

If Faksa cannot/will not be retained...how much will that ramp up our summertime search for a middle six Center? You figure Suny would be the 4C?

If Faksa goes to elsewhere then yeah, Sunny just slots into the 4C spot. As much grief as Sunny gets, he’s pretty excellent in terms of positioning. He knows where to go and that’s a big help defensively. But yeah, that would leave a gaping hole at 3C. But that hole exists even if Faksa returns IMO. But it’s an even bigger hole if he leaves.

I’d think their ideal plan would be to bring in a 2C type but if that turns out not to be feasible, they at least need to bring in a 3C type.

I was surprised at your revelation that Alexandrov didn't play C last season in Springfield. Thanks for your usual clarity.
Do you recall if Dean Centered Dvorsky and/or Stenberg?

I know it's asking for a heckuvan assumption, but if Dean keeps working on his game over the summer, is there much chance he might get a chance at 3C?
What about a scenario where Sunny stays at 3C if Faksa is not retained- could Dean possibly handle the 4C role?

I didn’t watch any of the first few handful of games of Springfield’s season so not sure who Dean played with the first few games before he got injured but his first game back from injury he was on the 4th line. Likely to just ease him back into the lineup. But after that I noticed him with Dvorsky a lot. But it was only a handful of games at the end of the season and then the 3 playoff games.

I would be surprised if Dean is able to win the 3 or 4C jobs in camp. Could he handle it? Maybe. Probably not but maybe. But hard to say as we just didn’t get to see much of him this season. But mostly I doubt it because I’ll be very surprised if there’s trust an opening for him to earn by the time camp comes along. I’ll be pretty surprised if Army doesn’t add a solid C over the offseason. Even in addition to Faksa.

But there’s always injuries so let’s say Army adds a C but then one of the 4 Cs gets injured in preseason. Then I could see Dean or Dvorsky having more of a shot to earn a role out of camp. But a more realistic progression is that I expect both to start in Springfield and build from there. Dean just needs to stay healthy. I expect Dvorsky to force his way onto the team first. But Dean could too sometime next season. But maybe more the season after that. A ton depends on him staying healthy and then performing well.

[Hockey Pete]

What about UFA Morgan Geekie? Could he be an option at Center?

Geekie would be a solid pickup, but he's an RFA and I'm pretty sure the Bruins want to hold onto to him...

[SpacemanSpiff]

In a perfect world, they would sign Faksa to a short term deal and he, Sundqvist, Torpenchenko and Walker would platoon the fourth line.

Then you'd have to find either a guy to slot between Holloway and Kyrou, or if you think Schenn can do that effectively, then you're looking at Dvorsky or someone in the middle of the third line.

I hope Dvorsky gets the first crack at it and he can run with it.