Poll- Should the blues be done?

[clemonsonroots]

Should the Blues Add one of the following players, or are they set and in a good spot til trade deadline?

A Alexander Nikishin LHD

B Pavel Mintyukov LHD

C Kirill Marchenko RW

D Zach Werenski LHD

E other

F Hold with this roster

[zoiks]

I’ll go with 1 of the LHD plus Marchenko. This team needs to use its pile of prospects for some Ron Caron offseason action.

[Bubble4427]

Stand pat.
No question.

[Whatashame]

Every one of those players mentioned would be a help to this team. The only one who I’ve seen mentioned that the Blues were in on is Nikishin. The cost is important but I’m in on any of them.

[Army's Mom]

Marchenko is the only one who fits a need. The LHD would be an upgrade, but our LHD depth isnt an issue IMHO. I'd like to see Broberg on one PP and Parayko firing bombs on the second.

[bluetunehead]

Marchenko fills a big need as a right shot RW. I doubt it’s possible but he’s who I’d want the most. The others are all intriguing but not really a position of need.

I doubt we get any of them.

[skilles]

Marchenko fills a big need as a right shot RW. I doubt it’s possible but he’s who I’d want the most. The others are all intriguing but not really a position of need.

I doubt we get any of them.

Yeah he is probably to big of a piece for us right now, we've spent a lot of assets.

I mean I like it but I'm not sure we have the extra pieces left.

[sdaltons]

My view is that I'm comfortable with where things stand today, but if an opportunity arises to add any of those guys, or really anyone that fits what we are trying to build, and it doesn't destroy depth in another area to get it done...then we should absolutely explore said opportunity.

[Bluesfan1978]

F for me. Wait until TDL and give the new players and young players almost a season to develop and access what’s needed.

[BleedingBleu]

Should the Blues Add one of the following players, or are they set and in a good spot til trade deadline?

A Alexander Nikishin LHD

B Pavel Mintyukov LHD

C Kirill Marchenko RW

D Zach Werenski LHD

E other

F Hold with this roster

So, Bourque (RHC) & Lyubushkin (RHD) were both in areas of need and moved by Dallas within the Division (DAL->NSH). I mention this because the cost was pretty affordable (2027 2nd Round & 2028 3rd Round). That said…

Despite his individual cost being more than Lyubushkin (32), I like the addition of 6’-5” Brandon Carlo (29) more than Lyubushkin, because of the Monty factor having coached and therefore input on the trade.

I like Mavrik Bourque (24, RH, 3rd Line C) since he fits in the age range, would provide the Blues an opportunity to play RW or Center, and has shown he can put up 20/20 season. However, was this always a package deal, or were the players available individually?

The Blues made the Kyrou deal before the draft; which enabled them to acquire McMichael, Gastrin, Dagenais (#16 Pick) & McTavish in a separate acquisition. The Bourque deal obviously came at the start of Free Agency. So, the timeline was likely dictated by Dallas’ attempts to find a desirable return for Robertson, whereas the Ducks were likely motivated to acquire draft picks for McTavish.

I’d of still liked to have acquired Bourque on July 1st. I simply don’t know if it was feasible, especially since Anaheim holds their 2nd Rounder for 2027.

The flexibility to have McTavish (C/LW), McMichael (LW/C), Bourque (RW/C), Buch (LW/RW), and Dvorsky (F) is tantalizing around that Middle 6. At any point you could have or have 2 of those players on the 3rd Line, and one of McMichael, Bourque, or Dvorsky Centering it. That’s pretty sick depth.

Again, Bourque is probably worth more than a 2nd Round Pick individually and Lyubushkin‘s inclusion in the trade was probably more to take in cap space ($3.25M). Bourque was probably less available at the Draft, or at a very different price than what Nashville moved to acquire him on July 1st. All 3 of the Blues trades (McMichael, McTavish, Carlo) were made 3 days before Dallas moved Mavrik. So, I’m genuinely unsure the Blues are beating Nashville’s offer.

Would acquiring Bourque for a (protected) 2027 first round pick be worth it?

I don’t know if Bourque sees himself as a RW? He might see himself as a Center. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it could lead to complications in the locker room, especially with the value of a Center over a LW (McMichael, Dvorsky). Then there’s the potential congestion the Blues would suddenly have at Center, w/Thomas, McTavish, and Bourque/McMicheals/Dvorsky.

At a minimum, Dvorsky being 20 is just happy to be on a NHL Roster and will play wherever gets him ice time. However, would McMichael and/or Bourque be satisfied with being 3rd Line Centers and 2nd Line Wings? I call that a great problem to have, but I’m unsure how that would impact the chemistry of the Blues locker room.

It works “ok-ish” if everyone is under a long term contract.

RW Right-Shot Depth
Snuggerud (22)
*Bourque (24)
Carbonneau (20)

Center Depth
Thomas (27)
McTavish (24)
*Bourque (24)
McMichael (26)
Dvorsky (21)
Suter (30)
Finley (24)
Lawrence (18)

LW Left-Shot Depth
Holloway (25)
Buchnevich (31)
McMichael (26)
Neighbors (24)
Suter (30)
Dvorsky (21)
Stenberg (21)


RW Left-Shot Depth
Buchnevich (31)
Suter (30)
Neighbors (24)
Berggren (26)
Stenberg (21)

Others
Johnston
Toropchenko
Walker

Looks awfully tantalizing…