St. Louis Blues 2010 Offseason Thread

[JCShutout]

Good points popeye. I didn't really know much about Dago. I wasn't too impressed with his production (duh), but admittedly I didn't see or hear much of him (which also tinted my perspective). I'm just not expecting much I guess. Looks like Sobotka is similar in that he was an AL scorer, but I don't know much else.

[st.lewis11]

I'd prefer Backes with the C, but would also be ok with Jax getting it. As for Oshie geeting an A, would the rumors of his night life bar-hopping be any concern at all?

[MrCrowesGarden]

Good points popeye. I didn't really know much about Dago. I wasn't too impressed with his production (duh), but admittedly I didn't see or hear much of him (which also tinted my perspective). .

Part of the message board conspirators believe the Blues traded Palushaj for D'Agostini as part of a "good faith" move that was a precursor to getting Halak.

The basic theory is that Montreal didn't know which goalie they were going to ride into the playoffs, so they made a trade where they look like the heavy favorites... only to send the Blues one of Halak/Price in the offseason.

It then looks like Halak and D'Agostini for Eller, Palushaj, and Schultz.

[JCShutout]

Interesting thought mccrowes. and st.lewis, oshie's off ice immaturity is a concern for me as well.

EDIT: Mckensie is saying there is a rumor of Souray for Brewer..

[TheoSqua]

I don't really care about Oshie's night life antics so long as he keeps putting out so much effort on the ice. But yeah, as for giving him a leadership position that's a bit risky. Then again, it might be what causes him to step up and start leading by example.

Still, i'm 8 months older than Oshie and if I were single and in the shape he is with the money he's making being a minor celebrity you bet i'd be bar hopping all the time. I can't really blame the guy.


As for the Blues offseason plans. I'm not sure the Blues can afford everything i'd want. The defense I think could use another solid D-man, but trading Jackman or Brewer and signing a guy like Martin still weakens our D-Line.

Right now the team has:
Johnson - Polak
Jackman - Brewer
Pietrangelo - ?????

So if we don't add another D-Man, 4 of our 6 defensemen are going to be young and have under 3 years NHL experience. If we add another defenseman and move Brewer or Jackman, you're still in the same boat.

I'd be reluctant to have guys like Cole, Stachan, or Weaver be your 6 and 7 d-men without a couple solid veterans. In a perfect world the Blues would sign a guy like Martin, keep Brewer and Jackman, let Pietrangelo get his feet wet without depending on him, and then have Strachan/Weaver as a solid 7th defenseman with someone like Cole playing in the AHL and being called up for injuries.

The average goals scored/goals against last season was 232. The Blues were below average in both being 225/223. That said they have to have a much better goal differential next season if they hope to improve their record significantly enough to make the playoffs. You figure the offense is bound to rebound a bit from a few career low seasons (the team averages 2.95 goals per game under Payne which comes out to 241 goals over a season ) but with the loss of Tkachuk and Kariya I think you have to get at least some offensive help just to hit the 240-245 goals you expect to stay the same as last season.

So imo the Blues have to add one solid D-Man and at least one top-6 forward in order to exceed last season's totals.

In a perfect world those two guys would be Paul Martin and Illya Kovalchuk. But that's a good bit of money...

[st.lewis11]

Just clarifying how I feel about Oshie, I have no problem with his nightlife. He's young, and is one of those "work hard, party hard" guys, and seems to be a great teammate. Would this qualify him as a capable "A"? I wouldn't know either way. He does show some leadership on the ice, but I suspect that wearing the "A" might command a different type of respect.....but what the heck do I know?
As Theo just said, I'd also be the same way.

[JCShutout]

I also don't mind Oshie's night life and antics in general, except that I would hesitate to give him a C or A with those antics. Captains and Alternates are guys who should lead on and off the ice IMO. Osh might be that guy in the future, but not right now, and that's not a knock on him. I'm very glad he is on the team. That off ice leadership is part of why I appreciated Walt in recent years, and why I'd be happy with either Backes or Jax wearing the C next year.

I'm also assuming, like Theo, that we won't get everything we want, and I'm assuming Kovalchuk is off the table. (I would be giddy if proven wrong)

I think a Martin type D man, and a Stempniak/Demitra type forward is possible. I figure those types of players would cost around $5 or $6mill combined. In a perfect world, we'd nab Weaver too.

Part of why I'm big on the Stempy bandwagon is because he is responsible defensively. So if he's scoring 25 ish goals, he can play on a top line, and if he isn't, I would feel comfortable with him on the third line. Not to mention his relative youth.

EDIT: Strickland says Cola likes stl enough to want to stay here, but will test free agency. AS says he will bring other offers back to the blues before signing anywhere. Makes sense. Set your price for Cola and if he bites, great. If not, good luck and thanks for the solid seasons. I'd rather have Martin, but Cola for less would be a solid resign.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Andy-Str ... 30/5/29118

[TheoSqua]

Blues resigned Alex Steen for 4 years. Sounds like he took less money to get the 4th year, so it's likely in the 4 years 10-12m range. Great signing if that's the case.

[Popeye_Card]

Whoa. Gonchar to Sens happened fast. Pitt must not have even been in the ballpark.

3/$16.5 is still a pretty good deal.

[JCShutout]

Blues resigned Alex Steen for 4 years. Sounds like he took less money to get the 4th year, so it's likely in the 4 years 10-12m range. Great signing if that's the case.

13.4 per hockeybuzz. That's a lot for a guy with 1 20 goal season (the 4th year has me slightly worried), but we'll see.

Looks like Martin to Pitt, 4 years, 22mill, wow.

It would be nice to resign Cola and snag a 2nd line scorer.