MacTavish Deal I don't know

Join the discussion about the Blues.

[Complete Blues coverage on STLtoday.com]

Moderators: STLtoday Forum Moderators, Blues Talk Moderators

Banner29
Forum User
Posts: 4347
Joined: 28 Apr 2018 12:49 pm

Re: MacTavish Deal I don't know

Post by Banner29 »

I’m trusting Steen, Army, and probably even Monty here. I think they wouldn’t have made this deal if they didn’t believe they could work with him and help him excel. He’s a former top 3 pick, hard working, and has a reasonable contract


From what I read his big issue with “being out of shape” was coming into last season too bulky. Which supposedly he’s already putting in the work in changing his workout regime.

He didn’t fit with Q or his system. The NHL has a long history of players that don’t mesh well with a coach or the system he puts into place. Perhaps new coaching is what he needs.

He’s only 23. They really aren’t going to do any better. It was either take a gamble on him and try and win sooner rather than later or 11.5 million on Elias Petterson or just draft another Center and wait 3-4 years. We drafted 2 centers to develop. I’m pretty happy with this draft
BCT1
Forum User
Posts: 47
Joined: 03 Jun 2024 12:13 pm

Re: MacTavish Deal I don't know

Post by BCT1 »

He was the #3 overall pick in 2021. Who is better from that draft? I don't think a #15 and a #29 will ultimately end up being better.
icon
Forum User
Posts: 6948
Joined: 23 May 2024 17:18 pm

Re: MacTavish Deal I don't know

Post by icon »

BCT1 wrote: 26 Jun 2026 21:30 pm He was the #3 overall pick in 2021. Who is better from that draft? I don't think a #15 and a #29 will ultimately end up being better.
Has he played like it? I don't think so.
zoiks
Forum User
Posts: 485
Joined: 11 Oct 2022 03:40 am

Re: MacTavish Deal I don't know

Post by zoiks »

I'm interested in finding out whether the timing of the trade was due to Anaheim waiting to see if Klepov was available with the 15th pick or if it was due to the Blues wanting to see if someone like Command or Gustafsson was available with the 15th pick. I could see the trade having changed to including prospects like Stenberg instead of the 15th pick if a player the Blues wanted was available with the 15th pick.
mph6689new
Forum User
Posts: 266
Joined: 23 May 2024 23:09 pm

Re: MacTavish Deal I don't know

Post by mph6689new »

We have lots of prospects that rate as middle six, but minimal centers. The Blues really need a 2nd line center that could also eventually be a great 3rd line center to give Dvorsky time to become who he will be. Typically these players score between 50-60 points a season. He showed that ability at 21. It wouldn’t take a huge bounce to get back to that level, and he certainly has potential to go higher.
I don’t know much about him personally, his effort level, or if he didn’t fit. Time will tell, but I think its a reasonable gamble to try with an area of surplus.

I do understand we could’ve also used the #15 pick to grab another center. To be honest it seems like it would’ve been drafting a center with the same potential or less, and wouldn’t know for 3+ years.

Very reasonable trade to fill a current roster hole, to improve this season.
STL fan in MN
Forum User
Posts: 3635
Joined: 23 May 2024 13:57 pm

Re: MacTavish Deal I don't know

Post by STL fan in MN »

Another way to look at it: We traded aging vets Schenn and Faulk for 23 yr old C McTavish, Buchelnikov, Gidlof and 2 3rds.

That’s a win, folks.

McTavish has warts but he’s 23. He’s our 2C now.
2forDiving
Forum User
Posts: 1244
Joined: 23 May 2024 14:39 pm

Re: MacTavish Deal I don't know

Post by 2forDiving »

icon wrote: 26 Jun 2026 21:59 pm
BCT1 wrote: 26 Jun 2026 21:30 pm He was the #3 overall pick in 2021. Who is better from that draft? I don't think a #15 and a #29 will ultimately end up being better.
Has he played like it? I don't think so.
He’s better than Schenn and with Schenn as the 2C most of the season they ended up 4 pts out of a playoff spot.
hmoss859
Forum User
Posts: 1428
Joined: 24 Mar 2025 23:30 pm

Re: MacTavish Deal I don't know

Post by hmoss859 »

Horrible overpay

Dude seems disinterested
CheapSeat
Forum User
Posts: 402
Joined: 23 May 2024 15:14 pm

Re: MacTavish Deal I don't know

Post by CheapSeat »

I thought I read somewhere that the team asked him to bulk up, last season. If he did, could it have taken away from his play?
bluetunehead
Forum User
Posts: 1869
Joined: 23 May 2024 14:28 pm

Re: MacTavish Deal I don't know

Post by bluetunehead »

STL fan in MN wrote: 26 Jun 2026 22:27 pm Another way to look at it: We traded aging vets Schenn and Faulk for 23 yr old C McTavish, Buchelnikov, Gidlof and 2 3rds.

That’s a win, folks.

McTavish has warts but he’s 23. He’s our 2C now.
I think this is the best way of looking at it. A year ago if you had said we traded Schenn and Faulk at the deadline for McTavish+ folks would have been very pleased. He unquestionably took a step back this year, but we gotta hope for the best going forward. He will be motivated to prove he is worth it.
2forDiving
Forum User
Posts: 1244
Joined: 23 May 2024 14:39 pm

Re: MacTavish Deal I don't know

Post by 2forDiving »

CheapSeat wrote: 26 Jun 2026 23:04 pm I thought I read somewhere that the team asked him to bulk up, last season. If he did, could it have taken away from his play?
Yep and he thought it slowed him down, so he’s altered his training regimen this Summer according to Army.
ScalesofJustice
Forum User
Posts: 269
Joined: 24 May 2024 21:28 pm

Re: MacTavish Deal I don't know

Post by ScalesofJustice »

Cardsfanforlife wrote: 26 Jun 2026 20:00 pm 2 1sts???? Jesus christ keep kyrou ... Mason is mid 6 player at best.
Yup
UMR-alum-05
Forum User
Posts: 1332
Joined: 21 May 2026 07:22 am

Re: MacTavish Deal I don't know

Post by UMR-alum-05 »

Well you could look at it like our centers are

Thomas, Suter Dvorsky and Finley

Or you could look at it like our centers are now

Thomas, McTavish, Dvorsky and Suter

One is significantly better than the other by every statistical metric. I'll let you decide.

Oh by the way to make the improvement, they didn't lose any NHL roster players.
UMR-alum-05
Forum User
Posts: 1332
Joined: 21 May 2026 07:22 am

Re: MacTavish Deal I don't know

Post by UMR-alum-05 »

ScalesofJustice wrote: 26 Jun 2026 23:43 pm
Cardsfanforlife wrote: 26 Jun 2026 20:00 pm 2 1sts???? Jesus christ keep kyrou ... Mason is mid 6 player at best.
Derp
hornetfb52
Forum User
Posts: 382
Joined: 24 May 2024 19:09 pm

Re: MacTavish Deal I don't know

Post by hornetfb52 »

hmoss859 wrote: 26 Jun 2026 22:58 pm Horrible overpay

Dude seems disinterested
No…No it’s not
icon
Forum User
Posts: 6948
Joined: 23 May 2024 17:18 pm

Re: MacTavish Deal I don't know

Post by icon »

2forDiving wrote: 26 Jun 2026 23:36 pm
CheapSeat wrote: 26 Jun 2026 23:04 pm I thought I read somewhere that the team asked him to bulk up, last season. If he did, could it have taken away from his play?
Yep and he thought it slowed him down, so he’s altered his training regimen this Summer according to Army.
Slugs like him are slow, no matter what their training regimen.