Quoting: AC14
Pretty good write up
Few things. I think we as fans often overlook how much a culture means to an organization. I think it's why there's a large reluctance to completely bottom out.
In general I would agree we could really stand to bottom out. Normally I wouldn't say that, but with this draft class being so defense heavy if we could snag one of the top 3 defenders it could do absolute wonders for us moving forward. Realistically looking out we aren't too far off from where we need to be. However, there are some pretty sizable hurdles to get there. The consistency issues have to be addressed and in all reality I don't think it's a coaching problem at this point. But I think we have to accept they are going to stay for at minimum 2-3 years. Dvorsky will be an nhler probably at the beginning of the 25-26 season. Same with Snuggerud, although he may push the bill for the 24-25 season. With that those players are going to be leaned on and are going to have the same growing pains we experienced from a Kyrou. Thomas not as much anymore, I've been extremely happy with his play thus far and has been rather consistent..
We don't really need to add in youth to our system at the moment on the front end. Chances are at the minimum Snuggerud, Dvorsky and Stenberg will be NHL players. There's a good chance that Bolduc and Dean at least contribute to some degree throughout the next couple of seasons at the NHL level, to what degree I personally am unsure. But that's 3 more young forwards being injected in that are going to have some growing pains. I am pretty skeptical of Neighbors staying on our top line. However, he plays a style that is pretty complimentary and he could be a 3rd wheel to a line so I'll just project that out. I'd imagine the front office would want to keep Buchnevich around but for this exercise I'll go without him.
Crop of surefire guys to still be around in 3 years (Assuming no trades) Thomas, Kyrou, Schenn, Saad, Hayes, Neighbors -> 1st liner, 1st/2nd liner, 2/3rd liner, 3rd liner, 3rd liner. 2nd/3rd liner.
Youth to be injected theoretically in that time in top 9 roles: Dvorsky, Stenberg, Snuggerud
Possible additions to top 9 youth: Bolduc, Dean, Alexandrov
is this a good group? No not really, it's a pretty lackluster group to be honest with you. I think Dvo will be a good top 6 center, he is extremely creative, has a great shot, and is hard on the puck. However, he has issues of trying to do too much at times which will take time to iron out as it is with Kyrou. Snuggerud I can pretty feasibly see being a 2nd line goal scorer on a good team, but that too will take time, I think his game is pretty mature so it wont take as much time but still nonetheless. I may be higher on Stenberg than most but he plays and feels like a guy that's going to succeed. Where exactly on an NHL team that's hard to tell. He isn't overly big, not overly fast and doesn't have any outstanding tools. However they're all pretty good and he's been a pretty key piece to successful puzzles in alot of places.
Long story short, do we need to sign Buchnevich long term? No not really, but in all reality he's got to be worth more to us with what we currently have than a late 1st, a middle 6 youngish scorer and a prospect who looks pretty tilted towards offensive abilities. I'm all for the idea that we will need to replace faulk soon. But I would rather us not stick with this formula of having 3-4 Puck movers who lack ability in their own zone and just turning towards throwing Parayko out there if the other team gets a draw in our zone to try and band aid the issues.
Agree. I’m also not worried about our attack. Everything can happen, but I believe we have some very good young forwards coming in 2025/26 and next years. Still I think they’ll want to sign Buchnevich. If he would agree with something around 8 mil for 5/6 years I don’t see a problem. I think with his complex style he can do it and be part of this core… Agree It must be great package to send him out.
We will have a lot of cap space going forward (especially if we’ll trade Saad/Krug or Leddy, but still) with ELC’s or bridge deals (Snuggy, Dvorsky, Bolduc, Neighbours, …) and with cap go up it should be no problem.
And there’s still Free agency or trade when we will add forward and/or defenseman when Thomas and Kyrou are in their prime…
I’m not so calm about our defense and defense prospect but we will see what will Doug Armstrong do.
Overall I’m not so negative about Blues future. We could be in a good spot with little bit of luck. And I agree - Culture is important. They will not tear it down I think. But nice discussion here
LGB!
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