Really liked the Blues yesterday. I think Sundqvist is a protected player for sure. I think the Blues will have to leave Sanford, Barbashev, and Blais unprotected. Forwards to protect would be: Schenn, O'Reilly, Schwartz, Thomas, Tarasenko, Kyrou, Sundqvist. Defense/Goaltender to protect would be: Parayko, Dunn, Krug, Binnington. I also do not know the UFA rules, but I think Army would be smart to leave Schwartz exposed and not re-sign him until after the draft. That means Blues can protect Perron. If Schwartz is exposed, Seattle won't draft him because if he is drafted he will just not re-sign with them and sign with St. Louis... it's basic reverse-psychology. As for the offseason deals for UFA, Schwartzy will sign a 6 x 6 and Binner will sign a 5 year $26.5M deal. Dunn will sign a John Marino comparable contract. I do not want Dunn signing for 6 years because Faulk and Krug will come off the books the same year, but Dunn 5 year $22.5M is pretty close to what he'd get. Sanford will sign a little lower than Sundqvist did for same term. Thomas will be a trooper and take a bridge 2 x 4. Kyrou will get the classic Blues RFA contract 1.5M AAV for 2 years. Finally, Barbashev will get around a Blake Coleman deal, so 1.8 x 3.
For the future roster, Neighbours --> Clifford, Hofer --> Husso, Alexandrov --> MacEachern.
Signings would include:
UFA Perron - 2 years $3M AAV (the man will be 34 and retire after this contract)
UFA Parayko - 8 years $7.5M AAV (Tarsenko style contract for the 1RD on this roster)
RFA Kostin - 1 year $874,125 AAV (classic 1 year RFA extension)
RFA Perunovich - 2 year $1.375 AAV (just to sign a bridge deal while Cap is a bit turbulent)
ELC Brennan Othmann (2021 1st Round Pick) 3 year $894,167 AAV contract projected to make NHL roster 2024-25.
I would be surprised if this is actually the team lineup. I've talked about Mikkola replacing Scandella so you have a more cost controlled Dman, and the fact that Scandella isn't really even that good, I don't think Binnington makes that much off of this year's play I think he makes maybe around 5, but wouldn't be surprised if it's less. Barbashev is most likely being traded to let in some room for guys like Joshua, and Alexandrov to make their way into the lineup. I'm think that Thomas route is about right. I'd be surprised if we re-sign Perron for that much being he'll be 34 by the end of his contract. I'm not sure he gets that much from us, or even in the market. If Faulk doesn't make up for it this year, I think Blues would be happy to completely with paying Seattle to take someone else rather than Schwartz, it's not a bad idea in my opinion. If we could get them to take maybe a guy like Blais, or MacEachern, or Sanford even.
I would be surprised if this is actually the team lineup. I've talked about Mikkola replacing Scandella so you have a more cost controlled Dman, and the fact that Scandella isn't really even that good, I don't think Binnington makes that much off of this year's play I think he makes maybe around 5, but wouldn't be surprised if it's less. Barbashev is most likely being traded to let in some room for guys like Joshua, and Alexandrov to make their way into the lineup. I'm think that Thomas route is about right. I'd be surprised if we re-sign Perron for that much being he'll be 34 by the end of his contract. I'm not sure he gets that much from us, or even in the market. If Faulk doesn't make up for it this year, I think Blues would be happy to completely with paying Seattle to take someone else rather than Schwartz, it's not a bad idea in my opinion. If we could get them to take maybe a guy like Blais, or MacEachern, or Sanford even.
I agree with a lot of your points, I tried to be as realistic as possible in this post with what the Blues are working with. I think Scandella is in the Blues' future plans, I mean they won't trade him next offseason after signing him to a 4 year deal. I have been in favor of trading Faulk + Sanford/Blais/Barbashev to SEA, but I think the Blues should not attach a 1st-3rd pick along with the package. The Blues need to build a better pool of prospects. Ideally, between Sanford/Blais/Barbashev I think the Blues should keep one, trade one with Faulk, and trade the other for a prospect. I am a fan of getting Cale Fleury from MTL. If Blues do this they can rock Krug--Parayko, Dunn--Perunovich, Scandella--Fleury/Bortuzzo (splitting)