Final cuts

[TampaBlues78]

Who makes it, who doesn’t ??

Did last nights game seal some fates? There was a couple bad bounces, that seem to usually go against us. 2 goals off of blues skates and an empty netter… we win 3-2…

Of the you guys who has stood out during games?

Is today going to be the next round of cuts?

[TruBlueFan_1970]

I think Stenberg has made a great impression, but no room for him this year. And while I’ve been down on him, I do think Lindstein had one of his better games, against a real NHL lineup. Won’t make the team, but I saw glimpses of what everyone has been saying about him. And while he won’t make it, I thought Skinner looks as good/better than Kessel, who may be looking over his shoulder. Here’s my guess on final roster. Has a cap perspective twist, and just guessing at lines so take with a grain of salt.

Buch-RT-Snuggs
Holloway-Schenn/Suter-Kyrou
Neighbours-Schenn/Suter-Joseph
Toro-Bjugstad-Walker
Extras: Sunny & Texier (gets us close to cap)
PTO continued: Lucic

If Lucic gets up to speed, Texier gets waived and Lucic is 14th forward.

Fowler- Parayko
Broberg-Faulk
Tucker-Mailloux
Kessel

[Frank Barone]

Lucic looked extremely slow last night. I don't see how he can play in the NHL at this point. If the other team gets the puck when he is on the ice, it is practically a 5 on 4 because he can't get back to help. He had all summer to get into shape and this is the result. He's had a great career, but time catches up to all of us and when it happens with professional athletes it is obvious.

[TheJackBurton]

I can see them potentially holding onto Stenberg at this point and seeing what he can do for a few games, as he hasn't really done anything to hurt his chances.

Dvorsky hasn't done anything to hurt his chances but I think he gets sent down to get some more seasoning for about 20 games or so, and once he dominates he'll be brought up for good.

Everyone else on the bubble gets sent down.

[blues2112]

Lucic looked extremely slow last night. I don't see how he can play in the NHL at this point. If the other team gets the puck when he is on the ice, it is practically a 5 on 4 because he can't get back to help. He had all summer to get into shape and this is the result. He's had a great career, but time catches up to all of us and when it happens with professional athletes it is obvious.

Agree 100 percent.

[STL fan in MN]

I think Stenberg has made a great impression, but no room for him this year. And while I’ve been down on him, I do think Lindstein had one of his better games, against a real NHL lineup. Won’t make the team, but I saw glimpses of what everyone has been saying about him. And while he won’t make it, I thought Skinner looks as good/better than Kessel, who may be looking over his shoulder. Here’s my guess on final roster. Has a cap perspective twist, and just guessing at lines so take with a grain of salt.

Buch-RT-Snuggs
Holloway-Schenn/Suter-Kyrou
Neighbours-Schenn/Suter-Joseph
Toro-Bjugstad-Walker
Extras: Sunny & Texier (gets us close to cap)
PTO continued: Lucic

If Lucic gets up to speed, Texier gets waived and Lucic is 14th forward.

Fowler- Parayko
Broberg-Faulk
Tucker-Mailloux
Kessel

Agree with pretty much all of this. Out of all of the guys that started camp on the outside looking in, it might just be Skinner who currently has the best shot of making the team. I find that a little surprising but maybe I shouldn’t. He was very solid in Springfield last season. I, and I would assume most, would consider him a career minor leaguer type but it goes to show that oftentimes, there’s really not a huge separation between a fringe NHLer and top-AHLer. Anyone else think he might just steal the #7 job from Kessel?

In the end though, my guess is the roster will be what you have above. Dvorsky, Stenberg and Kaskimaki have all looked good but we don’t need any of them yet and all could use some more seasoning. I bet we see all 3 at some point this season though.

Also, we should probably distinguish what exactly we’re talking about - the official 23-man roster the Blues will submit to the league next week or the actual 23 guys that’ll be on the roster a day or two later. Because if we’re talking the 23-man roster sent to the league, it will include Krug and thus only 22 of the guys listed above.

That’s for Cap purposes though and I think most of us are more interested in which players will actually be on the team once the games get going. But just saying - expect at least one of Snuggy/Mailloux to technically not make the team…but then be added back to the roster the next day once Krug is placed on IR or LTIR.

I’ve been rooting for Lucic but he was just bad last night. Sounds like there’s a good chance he gets into the last 2 preseason games as well but unless he finds another gear (or 2 or 3 more gears really), I just don’t see it. I like the idea of Looch but he’s just been an absolute non-factor so far. Then again, Texier hasn’t really shown much either so I guess we’ll see. And both JR and DeFranks have now both directly stated what I suggested a week ago - that the PTO could be extended to the regular season so that tells me it’s something they’re clearly discussing as an option. So I’d agree with you that that could happen…unless they get enough data these last 2 preseason games to be able to make the call on wanting to sign him or not.

[Harry S Deals]

What i would like to see is

Buch Thomas Snuggerud
Holloway Suter Kyrou
Neighbours Schenn Stenberg
Walker Sunny Bjudstad/Torop/Joseph

I feel like Stenberg has been the best option out of Texier, Joseph, Lucic, Dvorsky for that 3rd line spot. To be an effective 3rd liner you have to be able to check and produce that eliminates Texier, Joseph and Lucic. Im also a little down on Toropchenko its make or break for him.

What the Blues will probably do is different, they will most likely keep it conservative and go with Texier and Joseph and send the AHL guys down.

Id also keep Kessel up he looked pretty good, good enough for the 7th spot.

Stenberg is most likely the first winger call up, still unsure about Dvorsky I also like Skinners game

[DawgDad]

Every player is unique, but I note that Lucic and Maroon are virtually the same age.

7th D: Most likely will be a rotational spot between the Blues and Springfield. Kessel, Skinner, Schueneman, perhaps others. Hopefully not too many at once.

Stenberg is getting close. I think, though, the clear candidate for first callup is Dvorsky, with a Blues center moving to wing. If DD comes up Stenberg possibly should get in some games at center in the A. If Schenn and Suter are healthy and firing on all cylinders then slide DD over to 3RW or down to 4C if it's short term. Long term, he needs to be ready to play center, to push Schenn or Suter over. I hope those guys make that difficult while DD still elevates his game.

I like Joseph as an energy player, he just has no offensive game and that leaves a hole. He may still be the most serviceable "best of the rest" for now.

[dhsux]

Lucic looked extremely slow last night. I don't see how he can play in the NHL at this point. If the other team gets the puck when he is on the ice, it is practically a 5 on 4 because he can't get back to help. He had all summer to get into shape and this is the result. He's had a great career, but time catches up to all of us and when it happens with professional athletes it is obvious.

Agree 100 percent.

That's where I'm at too.

While his plus side is desirable for his mates I do believe the game is past him and now too high a price to pay for what he brings.

[2forDiving]

Lucic looked extremely slow last night. I don't see how he can play in the NHL at this point. If the other team gets the puck when he is on the ice, it is practically a 5 on 4 because he can't get back to help. He had all summer to get into shape and this is the result. He's had a great career, but time catches up to all of us and when it happens with professional athletes it is obvious.

Agree 100 percent.

Me too. I was at the game waiting for him to do something to justify a spot on the roster and I just didn’t see it. He was too slow to get to the puck or make a hit and when he had the puck he just didn’t do much with it. I guess I was left wanting more from him other than he’s a great guy to have in the room.

[DawgDad]

Lucic looked extremely slow last night. I don't see how he can play in the NHL at this point. If the other team gets the puck when he is on the ice, it is practically a 5 on 4 because he can't get back to help. He had all summer to get into shape and this is the result. He's had a great career, but time catches up to all of us and when it happens with professional athletes it is obvious.

Agree 100 percent.

Me too. I was at the game waiting for him to do something to justify a spot on the roster and I just didn’t see it. He was too slow to get to the puck or make a hit and when he had the puck he just didn’t do much with it. I guess I was left wanting more from him other than he’s a great guy to have in the room.

If they want him in the room hire him as a coach.

The idea of a Lucic is fine, in the past he was a more skilled Maroon. This team needs to look forward, not set anchor.

[seattleblue]

Lucic looked worse the game prior and he didn't look great last night. I've been assuming all he needs to do is make one single play out there so everyone can go "See!" but he can't make one single play. And again if your team needs an "enforcer" in the modern era you probably aren't tough enough to win the Cup, so if anyone is like "ahh what will happen if we don't have the tough guy?" then maybe that's accidentally revealing about the team itself.

I assume that he will make a single play in one of these two games and the talk after the game will be how great he is and we're going to sign him. This feels like fetch absolutely being made to happen.

Texier was born to be replaced by an up and coming prospect like Stenberg. Otto Stenberg is going to be a real NHL player but Texier is filler. Texier for the opponent is like taking batting practice, you get reps on just defending a guy you're going to be able to defend.

It seems pretty clear to me that Stenberg is going to get some games this year.

[Harry S Deals]

Every player is unique, but I note that Lucic and Maroon are virtually the same age.

7th D: Most likely will be a rotational spot between the Blues and Springfield. Kessel, Skinner, Schueneman, perhaps others. Hopefully not too many at once.

Stenberg is getting close. I think, though, the clear candidate for first callup is Dvorsky, with a Blues center moving to wing. If DD comes up Stenberg possibly should get in some games at center in the A. If Schenn and Suter are healthy and firing on all cylinders then slide DD over to 3RW or down to 4C if it's short term. Long term, he needs to be ready to play center, to push Schenn or Suter over. I hope those guys make that difficult while DD still elevates his game.

I like Joseph as an energy player, he just has no offensive game and that leaves a hole. He may still be the most serviceable "best of the rest" for now.

Stenberg looked a lot better than Dvorsky and so far the Blues have shown no indication they will play Dvorsky at wing. At this point Dvorsky lacks the foot speed to get the puck, he isnt a great forechecker hes strength is when he possesses the puck in the O zone hes a great passes and shooter. The Blues may feel differently but Id go with Stenberg first if its on the wing, he has really good speed, tenacity on the hunt and he can make plays. Monty mentioned hes been a good fit on every line they've tried him with. Looks like another late first round steal by the Blues

[seattleblue]

As predicted, Dvorsky is going to get negged incorrectly.

[netboy65]

Lucic looked extremely slow last night. I don't see how he can play in the NHL at this point. If the other team gets the puck when he is on the ice, it is practically a 5 on 4 because he can't get back to help. He had all summer to get into shape and this is the result. He's had a great career, but time catches up to all of us and when it happens with professional athletes it is obvious.

Agree 100 percent.

Me too. I was at the game waiting for him to do something to justify a spot on the roster and I just didn’t see it. He was too slow to get to the puck or make a hit and when he had the puck he just didn’t do much with it. I guess I was left wanting more from him other than he’s a great guy to have in the room.

I would hope the Blues are just letting other teams get a look at him so he could maybe catch on somewhere, but it appears this may be the end of the line

[STL fan in MN]

As predicted, Dvorsky is going to get negged incorrectly.

I see it coming too. But I also see the slower pace and foot speed issue. It’s just something he’s going to have to continue to work though…which is perfectly normal at his age. But I’ll note that he’s trying to adjust to the NHL as a C, which is much harder than doing so as a wing. And the Blues system placed even more responsibility on the C than most teams actually. It’s a lot. So while I could see Stenberg maybe get called up first or even play more total games for the Blues this season, I still wouldn’t value him more than Dvorsky longterm. And I value Stenberg quite a bit!

It’s just that Stenberg’s trying to break into the team at an easier position and one where we have an opening. One of Bjugstad/Sunny is already going to get forced out of position most likely because we have 5 Cs for 4 spots. Dvorsky would make 6.

I’ll just say I’m very happy with how our top-7 prospects all looked in camp this year so far. Snuggy, Dvorsky, Carbo, Stenberg, Lindstein, Mailloux and Jiricek all looked good IMO. Stenberg and Jiricek the most in terms of looking better or at least farther along than I thought they’d be right now. Those steps are encouraging.

And that’s not even mentioning Kaskimaki who appears on the cusp as well. And Fischer, Ellis, Stancl, Pekarcik etc that absolutely have NHL potential as well. I’ll be watching Springfield more closely this season than most years. We’re going to have a lot of talent there.