From zero to hero over the course of 2019; what a turnaround! Congratulations St. Louis on your first cup. If the run is to continue into next year, the Blues need to re-sign their all star goaltender being mindful of the position producing many one hit wonders (but perhaps Binnington is the real deal). They also have a pair of key pending UFA's in Schenn and Pietrangelo that they will need to decide what to do with in order to retain these key pieces of their run, or get something for them before next trade deadline arrives. With a solid foundation of young players complimented by good veterans, I expect the Blues will prepare to defend their Stanley Cup next season.
Robert Thomas is recovering from wrist surgery, so I have him out of the lineup to open the year. He would play in the middle six when he's back so for now I brought up Kyrou for another look in the NHL after his impressive AHL season. Young players pushing for roles means it's unlikely that Maroon is brought back. Hopefully the hometown hero cashes in on a solid year and playoffs, but I don't think the Blues should be the team to give him his raise. I also expect that a plethora of good defenders means Edmunson is likely on his way out to add some additional scoring punch or for prospects/pick replenishment.
In the following off season they'll need to budget around 24M to keep them both key UFA's (Pietrangelo, Schenn), and extend key RFA's (Binnington and Dunn). Pietrangelo should be easier as they can roll Bouwmeester's salary into his raise and have some of that money left over to extend Dunn to replace Bouwmeester.
RFA's
Binnington is signed to a Matt Murray esque deal at a bit over 5% of the cap, but for one year. Player bets on himself and looks to get a big raise after the season, team protects itself from overpaying for a half a season run.
Barbashev is bridged at 2 x $1.5M to be the fourth line center and work his way up the lineup.
Edmundson is trade bait to upgrade the top six forward ranks or to replenish the stock of picks/prospects as the Blues are already fairly deep on the back end. Otherwise I think they keep him around for 4 x $3.65M to stabilize the middle pairing.
Sundqvist is signed for 3 x $1.65M. Player gets security of a medium term deal, Blues hope to get a guy who scored at third line rates this season to a fourth line price in the medium term.
Sanford bridged at 2 x $1.35M. Had a great playoffs so maybe there is more than a fourth liner here.
Fabbri is a candidate to be traded to upgrade the offense. Was previously a good prospect, but has regressed the last couple of seasons due to injuries and has been passed by other young players on the Blues depth chart. Otherwise I think they retain his rights on a 1 x 1.25M.
Husso extended at 2 x 925k to develop in the AHL
Reinke extended at 2 x 925k to develop in the AHL
UFA's
Maroon likely finds a nice pay increase somewhere outside of St. Louis. I expect the Blues to be quiet on the UFA front, but could kick tires on a middle six scoring forward (Dzingel, Ferland) if they don't make the trades I have them arranging.
Trades
I think they should make the move for Gusev (who could be helped transition to the NHL by Tarasenko) and believe they have the young-ish NHL player(s) + pick(s) package to make it happen. Gusev has Panarin level upside, but shouldn't cost a ton as he's unproven and Vegas can't afford his $4M asking price. I think we see him moved for a cheaper, younger NHL ready player with second line upside plus mid pick(s).
Edmunson would be a great fit for a team like Florida who is missing that defense first big bodied guy on the left side and seems poised to challenge for the playoffs next season. A couple other teams that might look to him as part of their medium term plans would be: Detroit to have a young-ish guy to replace their older LD and provide stability to their developing team, New Jersey to bring in a poor mans Ekholm type player to pair with PK, LA to have a competent defensive minded guy to allow Doughty to play with more offense in mind. I moved him to Florida for pick & LD prospect.
St. Louis adds another scorer to their top six giving them more options for each of the top two lines. Tarasenko can help him with the transition from elite KHL player to hopefully all star NHLer.
Previously a great prospect but mired by injuries, Vegas gets a guy that likely fits better into their cap situation who still has second line upside. They also get draft mid round draft choices to account for giving up the player with more perceived upside based on recent performance.
St. Louis moves out a great middle pairing defender to replenish their prospect pool (Gildon is a large LD with perhaps a bit more offensive upside than Edmunson had but is several years away), pickup a draft choice, and save cap in the future to keep Schenn and Pietrangelo long term.
Las Vegas is only in the market for RD's, and you don't have anyone in that category with trade value roughly equivalent to Gusev that might appeal to them (with the possible exception of Robert Bortuzzo).
Las Vegas is only in the market for RD's, and you don't have anyone in that category with trade value roughly equivalent to Gusev that might appeal to them (with the possible exception of Robert Bortuzzo).
Vegas also needs bottom six depth with upside and I figured Fabbri would be the Haula replacement on the third line for super cheap. I still think if he is & stays healthy he can be a fast skating buzz saw type 0.5ppg guy as soon as next year.
In addition to Bortuzzo, the Blues have Mitch Reinke on RD who looks like is ready for at least a chance on the bottom pair in the NHL after 45 points in 76 games in the AHL last season. Perhaps Vegas could swap Gusev for either of those guys with a second to off set the age difference (in Bortuzzo), or upside difference (in Reinke).
A lot of effort put into this, very nice work. I worry about the LD, specifically Bouw and Gun staying healthy. I liked the Pouliot signing and think he could be a decent bottom pair guy for us. I definitely think we should take a chance on Gusev.
A lot of effort put into this, very nice work. I worry about the LD, specifically Bouw and Gun staying healthy. I liked the Pouliot signing and think he could be a decent bottom pair guy for us. I definitely think we should take a chance on Gusev.
I also think they did great acquiring Pouliot for league min as I think he still has #4/5D upside (still 100 games to go until that 300 GP mark where you know for sure what the player is at this level). Dunn can easily play on either of the top two pairings already if need be, I just put a puck mover on each of my pairs. I think they can cover one of the two older guys getting hurt but they maybe add one more depth guy either via trade near the deadline or a veteran UFA signing who's okay eating popcorn most nights for a chance at a cup.
McDavid, Connor
250 000 $)
BDeRousse89 a aimé ceci.
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