Halak to the Blues

[deadphish]

If we apply the "best player acquired" axiom, we win this trade. But then there's that whole time/panning out thing. Today we won something though.

[deadphish]

Obviously the team needs to ice the best group possible, but I wonder how much low renewals for STH had to do with this trade? Something had to be done to jump start the excitement of this rebuild again.

The upside for Eller was always "could be the Danish Forsberg". The upside for Halak is in NHL playoff proof already, shutting down Sindy and Gino simultaneously. Yup, we win.

[strocklen083]

But the contract he wants will be huge. I guess they're using their "Kariya money" on Halak?

I can't believe people aren't jacked up about this trade.

I'm hoping they use their "Mason money" in signing him.

I'm not bashing the trade by any means. I just reserve my right to judgement based on performance and not instant analysis. We've gone through too many of these "goalies of the future" and none have panned out.

Don't forget the kid hasn't even played a full season as a true #1 goalie and he got hot just at the right time to take his team deep in the playoffs. I'm not trying to discount his post-season accomplishments. But also not cleaning the cream out of my jeans quite yet.

[deadphish]

I'm not trying to discount his post-season accomplishments. But also not cleaning the cream out of my jeans quite yet.

Are you still cumming?

[JPonder94]

I'm not trying to discount his post-season accomplishments. But also not cleaning the cream out of my jeans quite yet.

Well I guess that I'm in the group that is already on his third pair of jeans in the last hour.

The guy has fundamentals that Blues fans have been praying for since Turek's first season. He plays hard and hardly ever gets out of position. I think this was the right move.

[big d note]

I give this trade 3 dancing carrots:

This is franking sweet! Halak put up some great numbers last year and was awesome in the playoffs. I like Eller, but it's worth it. No more Tkachuk, Mason, Kariya... I think they can find the cash to sign Halak. I'm pumped!!

[strocklen083]

#1. After watching a couple highlight videos I've noticed that he gives out quite a few rebounds. I hope that doesn't become and issue in the future.

#2. Who takes Eller's spot on the NHL roster. I assumed, like many, that he was a given to make the squad this coming year. I can't think of anyone else on the AHL roster as NHL-ready as he was. I find it doubtful they go out and sign a guy given the money Johnson, Perron, and Halak will be demanding. Maybe that spot turns into another one of those "low hanging fuit" situations.

[JPonder94]

#1. After watching a couple highlight videos I've noticed that he gives out quite a few rebounds. I hope that doesn't become and issue in the future.

#2. Who takes Eller's spot on the NHL roster. I assumed, like many, that he was a given to make the squad this coming year. I can't think of anyone else on the AHL roster as NHL-ready as he was. I find it doubtful they go out and sign a guy given the money Johnson, Perron, and Halak will be demanding. Maybe that spot turns into another one of those "low hanging fuit" situations.

Have we decided that Drazenovic is a pure-AHLer? How about Sonne's development?

[SIU LAW]

FYI – it was not a given that Eller would be on the team right out of the camp. I know that surprises a lot of people (myself included), but JR said somewhere (maybe one of his chats) that his sources were hinting that they felt Eller may need more time in the AHL

Now, he may have came into camp and proved them wrong, but as of a month or so ago, the Blues' brass were suggesting he would start in the AHL this season.

[strocklen083]

BTW....Isn't it nice when the Blues make a trade with a city that actually cares about hockey. I've found 5 times more information/articles/opinions from Montreal outlets than St. Louis media.

[cprice12]

If Halak isn't a flash in the pan, this is a good deal for us.
Eller may turn out to be a pretty good NHL forward, but I'll swap a good forward for a young franchise goalie any day.

Let's hope it pans out.

I'm excited.

[JPonder94]

Eller may turn out to be a pretty good NHL defenseman, but I'll swap a good d-man for a young franchise goalie any day.

...defenseman?

[Leedog]

Both teams traded supposed depth for a supposed weakness. It's the way trades are supposed to work. The Habs couldn't keep both goalies, and the Blues are just teaming with young scorers (if you believe the hype JD has been cramming down our throats).
Interestingly enough, people are talking about Kariya money going to sign him, I'm thinking this might open the door for a return of PK, at a much lower price of course.

[Krigloch the Furious]

woot!
Do the Blues finally have a "star" goalie???
It's a step in the right direction.
Eller wont be a great player, at least I dont think he will.
But a young playoff experienced goalie? I like.

[purple_haze]

oh JALAK!!!!! i think this is a win!!! FRANK MASON!!!

[cprice12]

Eller may turn out to be a pretty good NHL defenseman, but I'll swap a good d-man for a young franchise goalie any day.

...defenseman?

As soon as I posted it I realized what I had done. Don't know why I typed in defenseman. Brain fart I guess.

[WaukeeBlues]

Wow. I really don't know about this one.

Not sure what to think about this, but you're betting an awful lot of what you've been selling the Blues fanbase on (the scoring youth movement) for a goalie who was not so well-liked until one playoff run with a middling team. I'm going to let this sit for a bit, but this smacks of desperation.

This.

How many times have we seen goalies strike it rich in the postseason and just collapse? Okay, I will admit, I was one of those that said that the Blues need to get busy and make some trades, but this one makes me a little on edge and yes- smacks of desperation. I'm on the fence. We shall see.

I guess Mason isn't coming back and we're not drafting Campbell.

[big d note]

Eller may turn out to be a pretty good NHL defenseman, but I'll swap a good d-man for a young franchise goalie any day.

...defenseman?

As soon as I posted it I realized what I had done. Don't know why I typed in defenseman. Brain fart I guess.

The original TSN article called him a defenseman too for some reason. I checked again and they fixed it now, but when I first saw it I was cornfused.

[Jeffro]

How many times indeed, Joe Sobek? Name some, please.

[stlmark]

This douche bag gives 2 to this deal! Hate to deal Eller, but a #1 is worth it.