So wait... you think the Blues would boost their PP by trading Schwartz away to gain Ritchie (to say nothing of the monstrous gulf in their 5v5 worth)? I find it hard to believe anyone could imagine this trade is reasonable. Which is odd, because the other offers are at least in the ballpark or better.

St. Louis probably says no, but I think I’d rather not do that trade anyways and risk losing Ritchie to Seattle and keep our pick and Lauko who’s looked fantastic in the AHL. Every other trade is good. Protect Terry over Smith.

Ritchie is the 3rd piece in the deal. The trade is somewhat solid, the logic in the explanation is not.

That being said. Blues decline, if they were selling they could likely do better. Better off extending him though.

Admittedly any trade involving Ritchie would be an attempt to pull the wool over another GM's eyes, so to speak. No, Ritchie isn't very good at 5v5, but maybe another GM that values power forwards and whose team needs help on the PP could be convinced to swap one of their middle 6 forwards for Ritchie. To be fair though, Schwartz is likely to walk in the offseason and the Blues would still get a decent prospect and 1st out of this trade, as well as the opportunity to keep Ritchie beyond this season if he plays well.

Bjork and Terry are the basically same player. Just opposite shots. A straight swap of the two and a change of scenery and new opportunity would do both of them good. But i’d imagine the Ducks would want a pick or a young d man instead.

The trade only so much as approaches solid if the Blues are set for a total teardown rebuild. In the current context, it's pure lunacy. Your second set of sentences is spot on, though.





1- Exactly.

2- The Blues PP has been humming after they started the season in a slump. I'm not sure how you think it needs so much help as to give into this swindle. They have two strong units+ already. And plenty of "power forward" types, with more on the way.

3- No idea how you got that idea. His extension is in the works now and will probably be done before the playoffs arrive.