Let's Go Blues

OPTIMEGUS wrote:

not_a_wings_fan wrote: I hear where you are coming from, but I don't see the Blues as being 5-7 years away from dominant play.
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In my mind the better idea is to package oshie/bergie/perron and some other considerations for a top line guy - the team is better today, there is room for another young player, and you still have blueline depth.

The Blues could definitely build up a team that dominates! Stockpiling all those picks is just an overwhelming temptation to me. Say EJ goes for 4 picks. Then Pietrangelo goes for more picks, etc. The time to stop is when we have a core that is good enough to win a cup over a long period of time. Do we have it now? If not, how do we get it? Trading Oshie/Berglund/Perron for anything that is comparable to their potential value is not worthwhile. Make the other team overpay. In my opinion, 4 firsts for EJ, knowing AP is his replacement, is overpaying.

If think stocking up on high picks builds greatness, I hope you are a kansas city royals fan.

DaDitka wrote:

OPTIMEGUS wrote:

DaDitka wrote:

In my mind the better idea is to package oshie/bergie/perron and some other considerations for a top line guy - the team is better today, there is room for another young player, and you still have blueline depth.

I love all three of the kids named, but this is a far better plan then unloading EJ for picks.

I just don't understand trading any of those three for a top line guy. You can just sign one in July.

Who?

Just off the top of my head... Kovalchuk.

Loui Erikkson (RFA)

cprice12 wrote: Just off the top of my head... Kovalchuk.

I know we've all talked at great lengths about him, but he is the biggest name and he;ll have plenty of suites say I believe while I'm sure we'll take a run, the odds are more against then in favor of him wearing a Bluenote next year, so who else is the obvious 'answer' out there in free agency.

I'm all for signing free agents rather then trading in house talent, we're just seeing fewer and fewer of the top guys hitting the open market.

I'd trade Petro and Berglund if we could get good return...but I wouldn't trade Oshie, EJ or Perron unless we were absolutely wowed with an offer.

Trade:
- I'm not sold on Petro. He may put up decent offensive numbers in the NHL, but his defensive skills are severely lacking.
- Berglund should probably be traded. I know he's young and he has talent, but I just don't see him getting over the hump and staying there. He's too inconsistent and even when he is playing well, he's not dominating. He may be worth more in a trade than he is on the ice...but, then again...he's only making $765k next year, so that means we'll probably keep him.
- And of course...Brewer and Jackman.

Keepers:
- Oshie is the kind of quality, high energy, depth guy you need on a good team. This is what you want in a depth player. What do you not want in a depth player? See Winchester.
- EJ has all but proven he is going to be a superstar in the league. He's one of the few untouchables in my mind. Any realistic offer willing to be made should be turned down if it involves EJ.
- Perron has way too much talent to let go. I'd give this kid a couple more years to develop before thinking about trading him. He has the most raw talent on the team. You have to see if that pans out.

glen a richter wrote:Loui Erikkson (RFA)

Good call, but it's still a mater of him being restricted.

That's no different then teams out there talking about signing EJ this offseason.

DaDitka wrote:

cprice12 wrote: Just off the top of my head... Kovalchuk.

I know we've all talked at great lengths about him, but he is the biggest name and he;ll have plenty of suites say I believe while I'm sure we'll take a run, the odds are more against then in favor of him wearing a Bluenote next year, so who else is the obvious 'answer' out there in free agency.

I'm all for signing free agents rather then trading in house talent, we're just seeing fewer and fewer of the top guys hitting the open market.

There isn't much out there as far as "top 10" guys go. Kovalchuk is "the guy". Signing him would be ten times bigger news than signing Kariya was...and I think the Blues should open up their wallets and go for it.

Free Agents I'd like to see us make offers to, (hopefully we can net one) :
- Kovalchuk, Ilya
- Marleau, Patrick
- Nabokov, Evgeni
- Frolov, Alexander

Frolov isn't a "top 10" guy, but he is a guy I wouldn't mind having on the team.

But goaltending is another major issue that needs addressed if we don't resign Mason.
List of Free Agent goalies:
http://www.nhlnumbers.com/freeagents.ph ... &type=none

cprice12 wrote: Free Agents I'd like to see us make offers to, (hopefully we can net one) :
- Kovalchuk, Ilya
- Marleau, Patrick
- Nabokov, Evgeni
- Frolov, Alexander

Marleau is a guy that needs a passer on his line. Without Thornton, the guy cannot put the puck in the net. See the first part of last season.

Now the other three would be great for us IMO. I'm a huge Frolov supporter; get his attitude in check and he's a valuable player.

He's an RFA, but I'd love to have Josh Harding on our team. I think he deserves a shot and I think he'd run with it like Craig Anderson did in Colorado.

I'm a little leery signing over 30 FA. I would like to get a guy, like a Frolov or someone who is on the rise and just needs some room to work, a change of scenery, etc. We don't need a Kariya, part deux.

I don't think anyone on your list other than kovy is all that much of an upgrade or worth the money.

Marleau is a good player, but without a slick playmaker he's no better than what we have. I pray we take a pass on Marleau cause that would be a disaster imo. The price would be way too high for a guy who won't score over 25 goals on this team.

not_a_wings_fan wrote:I don't think anyone on your list other than kovy is all that much of an upgrade or worth the money.

Marleau is a good player, but without a slick playmaker he's no better than what we have. I pray we take a pass on Marleau cause that would be a disaster imo. The price would be way too high for a guy who won't score over 25 goals on this team.

I've said for two seasons now that Marleau is a glorified Brad Boyes. No playmaker = no goals scored.

Some of the better deals could be Stempniak, Svatos, and Plekanec, hoping that they outperform their contracts.

OPTIMEGUS wrote:Some of the better deals could be Stempniak, Svatos, and Plekanec, hoping that they outperform their contracts.

Considering how thin the class is, I think Stempniak is going to cash in BIG.

cprice12 wrote: There isn't much out there as far as "top 10" guys go. Kovalchuk is "the guy". Signing him would be ten times bigger news than signing Kariya was...and I think the Blues should open up their wallets and go for it.

Free Agents I'd like to see us make offers to, (hopefully we can net one) :
- Kovalchuk, Ilya
- Marleau, Patrick
- Nabokov, Evgeni
- Frolov, Alexander

Frolov isn't a "top 10" guy, but he is a guy I wouldn't mind having on the team.

But goaltending is another major issue that needs addressed if we don't resign Mason.
List of Free Agent goalies:
http://www.nhlnumbers.com/freeagents.ph ... &type=none

Nabokov and Frolov are about what I'm expecting. And they are both nice additions, but you'd still be banking on a huge rebound by Boyes and you'd have to resign Steen and hope he can match a career year.

Money won't be the problem.......items of interest will be.

As has been said here already, stay the hell away from Marleau