My thoughts on blues roster

[STL fan in MN]

Leddy will be easier to move than Faulk.

Ekbald is probably gonna be to much. I prefer Gavrikov or Provorov. I believe both play the LD side so we would need Broberg or Cam to play right D

so Broberg or Cam/ CP55
Provrov or Gavrikov( whoever we sign) with Broberg or Cam
Tucker/ Faulk

So our solution at RD is to sign another LD and then shift a different LD to the right side? F no.

Broberg hated playing the right side in Edmonton and I bet a lot of Fowler’s effectiveness would be neutralized being forced to play the right side. It’s just a really bad idea.

Aaron ekblad is a rhd and we would have an amazing dcore.

As for alexandrov why is everyone so down on him he is 24 good age.

Yes, Ekblad is a RD. The person I was replying to however, suggested signing either Provorov or Gavrikov (both lefties) and then shifting one of our current lefties to the right side.

And Alexandrov is a tweener. Not skilled enough for the top-6 and doesn’t bring the intangibles needed for the bottom-6. Not enough to permanently steal someone else’s job anyway. And he’s a winger now. And waiting until training camp to even sign with the Blues this season…so I wouldn’t be remotely surprised if he decides to sign with some team in Europe than try to keep the N.A. dream alive. I’m not counting on him at all. Like, at all.

Some one brought up ror. Not a bad idea at 3c amd with bolduc neighbors i think ot could work. Thoughts

Not my preferred solution given the awkwardness of bringing back a former captain into the room. That and why would NSH trade him?

[dhsux]

I think DA will do what he can to address both holes in the current roster. Not saying both will be gang buster moves but he'll do what he can on his own end as well as the other GM's too.

But I'd just soon he pass than make a big mistake. The Blues need patience they are not desperate at this point and time.

[dhsux]

Leddy will be easier to move than Faulk.

Ekbald is probably gonna be to much. I prefer Gavrikov or Provorov. I believe both play the LD side so we would need Broberg or Cam to play right D

so Broberg or Cam/ CP55
Provrov or Gavrikov( whoever we sign) with Broberg or Cam
Tucker/ Faulk

So our solution at RD is to sign another LD and then shift a different LD to the right side? F no.

Broberg hated playing the right side in Edmonton and I bet a lot of Fowler’s effectiveness would be neutralized being forced to play the right side. It’s just a really bad idea.

Aaron ekblad is a rhd and we would have an amazing dcore.

As for alexandrov why is everyone so down on him he is 24 good age.

Yes, Ekblad is a RD. The person I was replying to however, suggested signing either Provorov or Gavrikov (both lefties) and then shifting one of our current lefties to the right side.

And Alexandrov is a tweener. Not skilled enough for the top-6 and doesn’t bring the intangibles needed for the bottom-6. Not enough to permanently steal someone else’s job anyway. And he’s a winger now. And waiting until training camp to even sign with the Blues this season…so I wouldn’t be remotely surprised if he decides to sign with some team in Europe than try to keep the N.A. dream alive. I’m not counting on him at all. Like, at all.

Some one brought up ror. Not a bad idea at 3c amd with bolduc neighbors i think ot could work. Thoughts

Not my preferred solution given the awkwardness of bringing back a former captain into the room. That and why would NSH trade him?

He produced last year but he has slowed down and Nashville may want fewer older vets in the coming year. Ryan is definitely movable.

Not sold on this as a solution but admit it's tempting.

[SpacemanSpiff]

Blues currently have 5.025 million worth of cap space. That will rise to 11.525 million when they declare Krug out for next season.

Goaltending:

Binnington / Hofer again. I can see Armstrong just resigning our RFA goalie, and allowing him to work towards a couple of more starts. I can't see him asking for the moon yet, so perhaps a 2 x 3 million dollar deal?

Defencemen:

I think Fowler is extended, and you have a top four of Fowler, Paryako, Faulk and Broberg. I don't see Faulk going anywhere yet.

Tucker is fine as a 6/7, as would be Suter. Suter would probably sign for the league minimum again. However, I think if Fabbro from Columbus would be a good pickup, and you'd hope he might outplay Faulk for that 2nd pairing RHD spot. The one defenceman that I think has to go is Leddy.

Forwards:

As much as Kyrou is maligned around here, I don't seem Armstrong just trading him to trade him.

I would resign Faksa for 1 or 2 years - he was very effective at what he did with the fourth line and it buys time for Sundqvist to work his way out of the lineup.

I would have a fourth line of Walker, Toropchenko, Faksa and Sundqvist and platoon them so they don't wear out.

The forward battles will be fun to watch in training camp because whether it's Dvorsky, or someone else, a rookie will be pushing his way onto the team. I do think Texier is probably sent away.

I don't see the Blues going after any big name free agents, unless they move someone out.


The big moves for the Blues will be re-signing their own guys to extensions. Broberg, Holloway, and Fowler are going to get extensions.

[Kariyadog]

Leddy will be easier to move than Faulk.

Ekbald is probably gonna be to much. I prefer Gavrikov or Provorov. I believe both play the LD side so we would need Broberg or Cam to play right D

so Broberg or Cam/ CP55
Provrov or Gavrikov( whoever we sign) with Broberg or Cam
Tucker/ Faulk

So our solution at RD is to sign another LD and then shift a different LD to the right side? F no.

Broberg hated playing the right side in Edmonton and I bet a lot of Fowler’s effectiveness would be neutralized being forced to play the right side. It’s just a really bad idea.

Aaron ekblad is a rhd and we would have an amazing dcore.

As for alexandrov why is everyone so down on him he is 24 good age.

Yes, Ekblad is a RD. The person I was replying to however, suggested signing either Provorov or Gavrikov (both lefties) and then shifting one of our current lefties to the right side.

And Alexandrov is a tweener. Not skilled enough for the top-6 and doesn’t bring the intangibles needed for the bottom-6. Not enough to permanently steal someone else’s job anyway. And he’s a winger now. And waiting until training camp to even sign with the Blues this season…so I wouldn’t be remotely surprised if he decides to sign with some team in Europe than try to keep the N.A. dream alive. I’m not counting on him at all. Like, at all.

Alexandrov = Ty Rattie

That’s pretty accurate. I was thinking a softer Sobotka also as a comparison

[a smell of green grass]

Even though this will cause a great explosion, I expect Schenn to be traded.

Listening to Schenn and Army talk at the season-end presser, it seemed like they talked about Schenn in past tense.

Maybe I was wrong, but never forget that I am Army's sock puppet.

[skilles]

If I remember right I think someone mentioned Barry Trotz wanting to move veterans and Army said have him give me a call.

[Harry S Deals]

However you want to name the lines or playing time Army needs to find a center most likely in that 2nd tier of top 9 types not a Taveras or Bennet for me. I just dont see major upheaval at forward right now esp with Dvorsky, Stenberg, Dean and Kaskimaki on the rise.

Something probably has to give with Leddy, Texier maybe a Faulk i guess but im totally fine with rolling the 3rd D pair as shown unless Army can find a cheaper vet RHD option and im sure he'll look

Buchy Thomas Snuggerud
Holloway Schenn Kyrou
Neighbours UFA Bolduc
Walker UFA/Faksa Torop

Sunny/Joseph



Fowler Parayko
Broberg Faulk
Tucker Kessel/UFA

[Blue Sabbath]

1) trade leddy and faulk
2) keep kyrou schenn and hollywood together.
3) bring up alexandrove to cocer 3c role and have dvorsky play wing.
4) sign aaron ekblad for second line.

Lines
Buch thomas snuggy
Holloway schenn kyrou
Bolduc alexandrov neighbors. Dvorsky
Torp faksa walker

Fowler parayko
Broberg ekblad
Tucker kessel

you lost me at Alexandrov

and they're not signing Ekblad to what will be a pretty big contract to play middle six

Point per game player in ahl. 24 years old # cemter in ahl

48 gp 21g 28a 50 pts +4

I think he could fill the third c we should know more in camp. The fl and mid.day espn also agree ekblad would be a good get and we could use his toughness. Perfect partner for broberg. Heavy shot and florida camt leep him

Alexandrov has largely shifted to wing in the AHL, so going back to center in the NHL is pretty unlikely. He definitely had a solid year though and I hope he gets another crack with the Blues.

I've seen that comment on Alexandrov before. If the Blues bring him up but don't want him at center then whose job does he take? It would have to be a 4th liner .cuz he isn't getting anyone else's slot. Maybe he gets included in a trade after being showcased for 40 games.

[moose-and-squirrel]

trying to think of which teams are an Alexandrov away from being a contender..

gimme a sec.. I'm sure it'll come to me

[Harry S Deals]

1) trade leddy and faulk
2) keep kyrou schenn and hollywood together.
3) bring up alexandrove to cocer 3c role and have dvorsky play wing.
4) sign aaron ekblad for second line.

Lines
Buch thomas snuggy
Holloway schenn kyrou
Bolduc alexandrov neighbors. Dvorsky
Torp faksa walker

Fowler parayko
Broberg ekblad
Tucker kessel

you lost me at Alexandrov

and they're not signing Ekblad to what will be a pretty big contract to play middle six

Point per game player in ahl. 24 years old # cemter in ahl

48 gp 21g 28a 50 pts +4

I think he could fill the third c we should know more in camp. The fl and mid.day espn also agree ekblad would be a good get and we could use his toughness. Perfect partner for broberg. Heavy shot and florida camt leep him

Alexandrov has largely shifted to wing in the AHL, so going back to center in the NHL is pretty unlikely. He definitely had a solid year though and I hope he gets another crack with the Blues.

I've seen that comment on Alexandrov before. If the Blues bring him up but don't want him at center then whose job does he take? It would have to be a 4th liner .cuz he isn't getting anyone else's slot. Maybe he gets included in a trade after being showcased for 40 games.

I dont see how the Blues can pay Ekblad $8 mill ish or how that makes a lot of sense. Even IF they can trade Faulk then thats a lot of cap tied into Parayko, Broberg, Ekblad plus Fowler. Id personally ride with Faulk unless there is a good trade to be made no need to "dump" Faulk he isnt nearly as bad as Blues fans want to believe. Or find a very competent lower level RHD UFA that can push Faulk for time
Unless Alexandrov is in camp and blows management out of the water at center i dont see who on this roster Alexandrov replaces, not going to be 3rd line wingers and Walker/Torop is a stretch too, dont see it. IF Alexandrov makes opening night roster then he clearly dominated in camp and it would have to be at center

[bluetunehead]

1) trade leddy and faulk
2) keep kyrou schenn and hollywood together.
3) bring up alexandrove to cocer 3c role and have dvorsky play wing.
4) sign aaron ekblad for second line.

Lines
Buch thomas snuggy
Holloway schenn kyrou
Bolduc alexandrov neighbors. Dvorsky
Torp faksa walker

Fowler parayko
Broberg ekblad
Tucker kessel

you lost me at Alexandrov

and they're not signing Ekblad to what will be a pretty big contract to play middle six

Point per game player in ahl. 24 years old # cemter in ahl

48 gp 21g 28a 50 pts +4

I think he could fill the third c we should know more in camp. The fl and mid.day espn also agree ekblad would be a good get and we could use his toughness. Perfect partner for broberg. Heavy shot and florida camt leep him

Alexandrov has largely shifted to wing in the AHL, so going back to center in the NHL is pretty unlikely. He definitely had a solid year though and I hope he gets another crack with the Blues.

I've seen that comment on Alexandrov before. If the Blues bring him up but don't want him at center then whose job does he take? It would have to be a 4th liner .cuz he isn't getting anyone else's slot. Maybe he gets included in a trade after being showcased for 40 games.

Realistically his opportunity will have to be as an injury call up if a Top 9 wing goes down. Because yeah, he’s not taking anyone’s spot.

[DawgDad]

1) trade leddy and faulk
2) keep kyrou schenn and hollywood together.
3) bring up alexandrove to cocer 3c role and have dvorsky play wing.
4) sign aaron ekblad for second line.

Lines
Buch thomas snuggy
Holloway schenn kyrou
Bolduc alexandrov neighbors. Dvorsky
Torp faksa walker

Fowler parayko
Broberg ekblad
Tucker kessel

you lost me at Alexandrov

and they're not signing Ekblad to what will be a pretty big contract to play middle six

Point per game player in ahl. 24 years old # cemter in ahl

48 gp 21g 28a 50 pts +4

I think he could fill the third c we should know more in camp. The fl and mid.day espn also agree ekblad would be a good get and we could use his toughness. Perfect partner for broberg. Heavy shot and florida camt leep him

Alexandrov has largely shifted to wing in the AHL, so going back to center in the NHL is pretty unlikely. He definitely had a solid year though and I hope he gets another crack with the Blues.

I've seen that comment on Alexandrov before. If the Blues bring him up but don't want him at center then whose job does he take? It would have to be a 4th liner .cuz he isn't getting anyone else's slot. Maybe he gets included in a trade after being showcased for 40 games.

I dont see how the Blues can pay Ekblad $8 mill ish or how that makes a lot of sense. Even IF they can trade Faulk then thats a lot of cap tied into Parayko, Broberg, Ekblad plus Fowler. Id personally ride with Faulk unless there is a good trade to be made no need to "dump" Faulk he isnt nearly as bad as Blues fans want to believe. Or find a very competent lower level RHD UFA that can push Faulk for time
Unless Alexandrov is in camp and blows management out of the water at center i dont see who on this roster Alexandrov replaces, not going to be 3rd line wingers and Walker/Torop is a stretch too, dont see it. IF Alexandrov makes opening night roster then he clearly dominated in camp and it would have to be at center

I root for prospects in the general sense it's a healthier organization when guys are knocking on the door, ready for NHL ice time. Blues didn't need Alexandrov last season but if he's ready (or Dvorsky, Kaskimaki, Peterson, any other prospect) the Blues have that depth at hand and the opportunity to swing a trade to fill other needs. If a prospect is ready it might not be the prospect getting traded, he might be the backfill.

The bar though is rising for prospects to make the team. That's good.

[Harry S Deals]

1) trade leddy and faulk
2) keep kyrou schenn and hollywood together.
3) bring up alexandrove to cocer 3c role and have dvorsky play wing.
4) sign aaron ekblad for second line.

Lines
Buch thomas snuggy
Holloway schenn kyrou
Bolduc alexandrov neighbors. Dvorsky
Torp faksa walker

Fowler parayko
Broberg ekblad
Tucker kessel

you lost me at Alexandrov

and they're not signing Ekblad to what will be a pretty big contract to play middle six

Point per game player in ahl. 24 years old # cemter in ahl

48 gp 21g 28a 50 pts +4

I think he could fill the third c we should know more in camp. The fl and mid.day espn also agree ekblad would be a good get and we could use his toughness. Perfect partner for broberg. Heavy shot and florida camt leep him

Alexandrov has largely shifted to wing in the AHL, so going back to center in the NHL is pretty unlikely. He definitely had a solid year though and I hope he gets another crack with the Blues.

I've seen that comment on Alexandrov before. If the Blues bring him up but don't want him at center then whose job does he take? It would have to be a 4th liner .cuz he isn't getting anyone else's slot. Maybe he gets included in a trade after being showcased for 40 games.

I dont see how the Blues can pay Ekblad $8 mill ish or how that makes a lot of sense. Even IF they can trade Faulk then thats a lot of cap tied into Parayko, Broberg, Ekblad plus Fowler. Id personally ride with Faulk unless there is a good trade to be made no need to "dump" Faulk he isnt nearly as bad as Blues fans want to believe. Or find a very competent lower level RHD UFA that can push Faulk for time
Unless Alexandrov is in camp and blows management out of the water at center i dont see who on this roster Alexandrov replaces, not going to be 3rd line wingers and Walker/Torop is a stretch too, dont see it. IF Alexandrov makes opening night roster then he clearly dominated in camp and it would have to be at center

I root for prospects in the general sense it's a healthier organization when guys are knocking on the door, ready for NHL ice time. Blues didn't need Alexandrov last season but if he's ready (or Dvorsky, Kaskimaki, Peterson, any other prospect) the Blues have that depth at hand and the opportunity to swing a trade to fill other needs. If a prospect is ready it might not be the prospect getting traded, he might be the backfill.

The bar though is rising for prospects to make the team. That's good.

Yep this is exactly where we want the franchise to be, quality depth of prospects. It could be the 4th line in two years could feature Kaskimaki and Stenberg, Dean this sort of composition which is what you tend to see on really deep contenders. Fast tenacious skilled 4th line vs vet grinder retreads. Gonna be a tough roster to crack in camp and knowing this guy's are probably already preparing and getting stronger

[bluecalgary]

1) trade leddy and faulk
2) keep kyrou schenn and hollywood together.
3) bring up alexandrove to cocer 3c role and have dvorsky play wing.
4) sign aaron ekblad for second line.

Lines
Buch thomas snuggy
Holloway schenn kyrou
Bolduc alexandrov neighbors. Dvorsky
Torp faksa walker

Fowler parayko
Broberg ekblad
Tucker kessel

you lost me at Alexandrov

and they're not signing Ekblad to what will be a pretty big contract to play middle six

Point per game player in ahl. 24 years old # cemter in ahl

48 gp 21g 28a 50 pts +4

I think he could fill the third c we should know more in camp. The fl and mid.day espn also agree ekblad would be a good get and we could use his toughness. Perfect partner for broberg. Heavy shot and florida camt leep him

Alexandrov has largely shifted to wing in the AHL, so going back to center in the NHL is pretty unlikely. He definitely had a solid year though and I hope he gets another crack with the Blues.

I've seen that comment on Alexandrov before. If the Blues bring him up but don't want him at center then whose job does he take? It would have to be a 4th liner .cuz he isn't getting anyone else's slot. Maybe he gets included in a trade after being showcased for 40 games.

I dont see how the Blues can pay Ekblad $8 mill ish or how that makes a lot of sense. Even IF they can trade Faulk then thats a lot of cap tied into Parayko, Broberg, Ekblad plus Fowler. Id personally ride with Faulk unless there is a good trade to be made no need to "dump" Faulk he isnt nearly as bad as Blues fans want to believe. Or find a very competent lower level RHD UFA that can push Faulk for time

The Blues are fine with Faulk but need to find a RHD they can rely upon to play the final minute of the game. Doesn’t need to be flashy, just able to block shots/passes, tie the puck up on the boards, and get the puck out of the zone. I think of someone like Tanev or Jackman. Neither type of player will break the bank.

[theograce]

Leddy will be easier to move than Faulk.

Ekbald is probably gonna be to much. I prefer Gavrikov or Provorov. I believe both play the LD side so we would need Broberg or Cam to play right D

so Broberg or Cam/ CP55
Provrov or Gavrikov( whoever we sign) with Broberg or Cam
Tucker/ Faulk

So our solution at RD is to sign another LD and then shift a different LD to the right side? F no.

Broberg hated playing the right side in Edmonton and I bet a lot of Fowler’s effectiveness would be neutralized being forced to play the right side. It’s just a really bad idea.

Aaron ekblad is a rhd and we would have an amazing dcore.

As for alexandrov why is everyone so down on him he is 24 good age.

Yes, Ekblad is a RD. The person I was replying to however, suggested signing either Provorov or Gavrikov (both lefties) and then shifting one of our current lefties to the right side.

And Alexandrov is a tweener. Not skilled enough for the top-6 and doesn’t bring the intangibles needed for the bottom-6. Not enough to permanently steal someone else’s job anyway. And he’s a winger now. And waiting until training camp to even sign with the Blues this season…so I wouldn’t be remotely surprised if he decides to sign with some team in Europe than try to keep the N.A. dream alive. I’m not counting on him at all. Like, at all.

Some one brought up ror. Not a bad idea at 3c amd with bolduc neighbors i think ot could work. Thoughts

Not my preferred solution given the awkwardness of bringing back a former captain into the room. That and why would NSH trade him?

Yeah leadership must have been good. Everyone was one the same page, playing as well/hard as they could have