DA's Big Trade

[dhsux]

Right now, some 25 games in.

For me, I take the same risk DA took then and do the same deal today.

I know Zach is doing pretty good but I guess I'm seeing less risk with Logan and that big RHD return being still worth it.

......how do ya'll view the Bolduc for Mailloux trade today?

[Pierre McGuire]

I still don’t mind the trade, sometimes you have to take risks. Bolduc is just a guy, Mailloux is a need down. He might not be 100% NHL ready at this point but looking 2 years down the road, he might provide a nice little punch on the backend.

[TruBlueFan_1970]

I hope people don’t view me as comparing these two trades from the actual talent level of the players, but more using it as a similar example of a potential hockey trade.

Today, Blues are losing the trade, as Bolduc is, and should continue to be, a 20 goal scorer. Maybe more, but not sure yet. Mailloux has 20+ NHL games and is super raw.

My comparison (again not talent level!!!) is when we dealt Shanny for Pronger. Talented and proven scorer for a raw, but higher sought after position, defenseman in Pronger. He was cursed, booed, and criticized unmercifully. In the end Shanny was an awesome power forward who had a great career. Pronger became a HOF defenseman. Both won cups and had great careers.

Today we lost a solid 20 goal scorer. If LM can become a solid top 4 Dman and have a good long career, it becomes a good trade. If he becomes a top 2 Dman, we can say we won.

My two cents.

[Frank Underwood]

Mailloux is finding his game and looks way more comfortable. RHD was a massive need for the Blues, and for most teams in the league, so that needs to be considered as well. Finally, we have a ton of prospect depth at wing, and the trade will make more sense if/when Springfield starts playing better and Stenberg, Stancl, and Pekarcik start pushing for a spot. Then you’ll have Carbonneau in a year or two. As others have pointed out in the past, at some point you have to pick and choose where you allocate your cap dollars, and RHD is definitely a priority over wing.

[rangergiff]

ZB was a loss, not gonna argue it wasn't. That said, our pipeline has guys to replace him. Where we were thin was RHD. One of the most coveted positions. No one can be 100% sure how this works out until a couple of season have gone. For me it was worth the risk. Dealing from strength for an area of need is what GMs do. If LM can be a steady top 4 defenseman then it was worth the cost even if ZB scores 30 goals at some point. LM was projected to go in the top 10 his draft year, after falling because he did something stupid and requested to not be drafted at all. Montreal took a chance and it worked out for them as it netted them ZB when they had plenty on young D. If LM works his way into a top pair defenseman then we won this trade hands down. GM's take chances sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. I would rather Army take the chance then be the Cardnals front office of the past and be risk averse. I like our odds in this one.

[Tony Palazzolo]

Right now, some 25 games in.

For me, I take the same risk DA took then and do the same deal today.

I know Zach is doing pretty good but I guess I'm seeing less risk with Logan and that big RHD return being still worth it.

......how do ya'll view the Bolduc for Mailloux trade today?

I don't think you can put in the win/loss. This is not a zero sum transaction. Both teams traded from strength to fill a need. You could pick any day and rate both players. Some days the trade will look better and others not so good.

Now the question is this...who in this organization would you bring up to fill the RD position if the trade wasn't made?

[dhsux]

Right now, some 25 games in.

For me, I take the same risk DA took then and do the same deal today.

I know Zach is doing pretty good but I guess I'm seeing less risk with Logan and that big RHD return being still worth it.

......how do ya'll view the Bolduc for Mailloux trade today?

I don't think you can put in the win/loss. This is not a zero sum transaction. Both teams traded from strength to fill a need. You could pick any day and rate both players. Some days the trade will look better and others not so good.

Now the question is this...who in this organization would you bring up to fill the RD position if the trade wasn't made?

I get that....I just wondered if you would make the same trade or not today... should have been more explicit.

[Tabasco Flowers]

Mailloux is finding his game and looks way more comfortable. RHD was a massive need for the Blues, and for most teams in the league, so that needs to be considered as well. Finally, we have a ton of prospect depth at wing, and the trade will make more sense if/when Springfield starts playing better and Stenberg, Stancl, and Pekarcik start pushing for a spot. Then you’ll have Carbonneau in a year or two. As others have pointed out in the past, at some point you have to pick and choose where you allocate your cap dollars, and RHD is definitely a priority over wing.

This. Some folks fail to understand the scarcity of big, mobile RHD.

[skilles]

Still the same for me.

Glad we have Mailloux in the system, still think Army way over estimated the market for Mailloux and got schooled on the return.

I wouldn't expect my opinion to change as its not based on future play as much as market value at the time of the trade.

[Boomac]

Mailloux is finding his game and looks way more comfortable. RHD was a massive need for the Blues, and for most teams in the league, so that needs to be considered as well. Finally, we have a ton of prospect depth at wing, and the trade will make more sense if/when Springfield starts playing better and Stenberg, Stancl, and Pekarcik start pushing for a spot. Then you’ll have Carbonneau in a year or two. As others have pointed out in the past, at some point you have to pick and choose where you allocate your cap dollars, and RHD is definitely a priority over wing.

This. Some folks fail to understand the scarcity of big, mobile RHD.

Agreed. It sucks to see Bolduc go but if LM develops into a #3-#5 guy and Bolduc ends up being a middle 6 winger it'll end up being a good hockey trade.

Plus our potential future blueline depth gets much deeper in talent and potential. Broberg, LM, Lindstein and Jiricek may not be the Makars and Schaeffers but Florida's cup runs shows you can win with a bunch of #2-#4 guys instead of one true stud.

I also believe that if half of our prospects reach their potential, we will have more than enough capital to trade for a true difference maker or two when our window opens back up.

[Cahokanut]

It will never be good.
Both players had a value at the time of their trade that included what the teams thought their futures might be. Bolduc had and still has more value.

Regardless of Mailx last few games of consistent interference and playing to the line. We should of gotten more for what we gave.

[skilles]

IMO Mailloux had more like a 2nd round pick value but I am glad we have him.

[TAFKAP]

Still the same for me.

Glad we have Mailloux in the system, still think Army way over estimated the market for Mailloux and got schooled on the return.

I wouldn't expect my opinion to change as its not based on future play as much as market value at the time of the trade.

I respectfully disagree.

If that's the standard then Keenan deserved to be fired immediately for trading a 100 point winger for a lanky scrub who couldn't get out of his own end.

[ghostlyshark008]

Given how much RHD is coveted around the league, if you were looking for a young player to fill the Blues’ needs without some of the warts that LM came with, then good luck. Those players aren’t available for trade.

[Old_Goat]

My view of it has not changed. I thought it was a good move then and I still feel that way.
Once again: I liked Bolduc before he got into an NHL game whilst others were saying he was a bad pick for a couple of years, was sorry to see him go, but understand that you cannot keep them all, the Blues have other forward prospects whom have looked promising on the WJC stage, the Blues were/are short D prospects with aging D on the current roster. Mailloux is big, good skater, physical, received good comments from credible source -- Rob Ramage, whose job is assist young Canadiens' prospects in their journey to the NHL.
And yes, I was enthused about the Pronger trade when we got him. Liked Perron immediately for his ability to protect the puck, shoot and hound on the forecheck. Always felt that Bouwmeister was solid.
Mailloux will be fine...some of the fans' anxiety is nothing new.

[skilles]

Still the same for me.

Glad we have Mailloux in the system, still think Army way over estimated the market for Mailloux and got schooled on the return.

I wouldn't expect my opinion to change as its not based on future play as much as market value at the time of the trade.

I respectfully disagree.

If that's the standard then Keenan deserved to be fired immediately for trading a 100 point winger for a lanky scrub who couldn't get out of his own end.

lol Pronger was a #2 OA pick.