Summer Moves

Not a fan of the Hutton trade as much as I love Hutton when he was here.
Drouin is very talented, but has a tendency to give up on plays. Besides, think we have reached our French Canadian threshold with Blais and Perron.
Personally, for smaller assets I'd rather go after Kreider. He's the perfect blend of old school heaviness and modern day speedster that would thrive here in St. Louis.

Three things:
1. Hutton has two years left, which gives the Note an opportunity to sign Binny to a bridge deal and evaluate. He's better than the riff raff available as UFAs. He's also fairly cheap.
2. Blais and/or Perron could both be selected by Seattle. Blais is a replacement level player. I love his tenacity, but he's not an integral cog we cannot live without. Drouin gives you a fast scorer who is signed for term. Tarasenko also had a tendency to give up on plays. Berube ain't gonna let him do that. Neither will Schenn, ROR, or Steen (if he stays). I don't look at your correct perception as a problem. Rather, I see it as an opportunity to get an already very good player and with some motivation, help him become a stud.
3. I'd love to acquire Kreider. As you say, he's the perfect Blue. I just don't want to have to give up the assets it would take to acquire him. We HAVE to maintain at least one 2020 first round pick.

I get Hutton's value. That stated, I think you can use the assets you'd use for Hutton to get something else. Neck, maybe Edmundson with a 2nd or 3rd gets you Kreider. I don't think youd have to give up a first for him. Fleury has shown potential, but hasnt done it consistently. While they do need a young defenseman in their system, Fleury may not be the long answer.
I just don't Drouin. I'm sure Berube would be harder on him, but also not sure Montreal is willing to give up on him. Kreider is likely gone so it's a more viable option. Tarasenko was inconsistent with his play for awhile. I'll give you that, but he always showed flashes of that defensive play. Drouin hasn't done that playing for a defensive coach in Julien.

I just threw the Blais and Perron thing in there as a joke.

I get you on Fleury's incosistency. I hate passing up huge defensemen though. Would love Hague and Phillippe Meyers too. I knew you were messing around with the Frenchies. Just wanted to hear myself chat I guess.

Hague is my number one choice if we were going after a prospect. I love his overall game.