I haven't followed the prospects this year. Some publications are indicating that the Russian we got at 16 in exchange for Rundblad was one of if not the top offensive prospect in the draft. Fell because of signability issues, though there is a quote by the kid that he wants to play in the NHL...
Tarasenko has two more years left on his KHL contract, but said Friday, "I don't know where I can play next year, but if I can buy out contract (in Russia), I will come to North America. But we will talk about this when I come back to Russia."
Davidson liked the sounds of that.
"Music to my ears," he said. "We'll see where that goes. We want to be respectful to everybody."
Kekalainen added: "If his name was Walt Smith, he would have been long gone at 16."
Good moves in the first round. A solid, safe player, and a slightly risky top talent.
Strickland gushes about Tarasenko (with good reason), saying he'll go back to Russia, will probably be here in 2 years.
He also mentioned that Paul Martin is looking at us as a FA destination. Not sure how he could know that (tampering? or something?), but he blogged it. No other info on that. Martin's a solid player. I'd take him at 2-2.5mill, but wouldn't we have to move Brewer or Jax?
Strickland commenting on a possible deal for Steen, and pondering aloud on possible captaincy changes and other things.
Expect Alex Seen to sign a deal in the range of three years in the neighborhood of $3 million a year.
Are the Blues considering changing Captains heading into this season? Don't be completely surprised if this were to happen. Other teams have done so in recent years with superstar players such as Partick Marleau and Mike Modano. It didn't seem to affect things too much in San Jose or Dallas especially with the Sharks who went on to finish another season with over 100 points. In no way am I suggesting Eric Brewer is a bad Captain and can no longer fulfill the role that come with wearing the C. I do think it's time for a new crop of players to step up and take on more responsibility though. A changing of the guard in a way might be a positive thing with a New Head Coach and GM in place. With Paul Kariya and Keith Tkachuk no longer inside the dressing room, now appears to be the perfect time to transition into a new era. I'm sure Barret Jackman would be given serious consideration but I think it's safe to say David Backes would be the logical choice when/if this happens.
Many think AS is a mouthpiece for Blues management, and it seems like when he comments about this kind of stuff, it usually happens (though I'm too lazy to look anything up exactly), so I could see the signing and the change. He does make a good point about it being the right time. With Walt and Paul gone, and the way Backes started stepping up in interviews etc last year (planned I'm sure), this would make sense. I would guess Jax would wear an A, probably Brewer the other A so as to not disrespect him.
If Backes can get to the 20-25 goal level (he had 17 last year) then he will be a great #6/7 forward (If he stays at 15-20 goals, he's very valuable, so that's not a knock on him). Considering his intangibles (and his tangible intense hitting), he's a good choice for leader, especially if we want to continue to be that team that succeeds by outworking other teams (and with our inability to spend to the salary cap, we will need to be that team to be successful, and we can be that team imo).
So some thoughts, presuming we resign Steen Engine, I think its possible to average 25 goals/player out of Oshie, Perron, Berglund, Steen, Boyes, Backes and MacDonald, with Berglund being the biggest question mark. That's some improvement from almost everyone, but you've gotta think the kids will improve, Boyes will rebound, Steener should be able to repeat with increased ice time (PK's spot), and MacD scored 24 in an up and down year (though, his assists were missed most)
That's a solid 7, complimented with McClement, and a bunch of guys who can adequately round out the 3rd and 4th line.
If we're not confident in Berglund, and want a 3rd line spot for him, I could see us sign one more guy, maybe Stempniak, who seemed to show that he had some goal scoring ability still in him when he went to phoenix. With him in the fold, we would not have to rely on Berglund as much, and I think he would fit into that 25 goal/player average. If we can get Stempy and Steener for about $6mill combined, it might be worth it, but I would not be unhappy with management if they did not sign another guy. Too many guys means reduced ice time, and while guys like Oshie, Backes and Steen can be great shutdown guys, you want to give them a chance to be scoring line players.
When Boyes' contract is up, I see Tarasenko just right out replacing him, if all goes well.
The D needs improvement, but Petro is a rookie, Junlund went back to Europe, and I think we're looking at Martin coming in (from an earlier Strickland-Martin would be solid at $2 mill imo). A D of EJ, Jax, Brew, Petro, and whomever we resign/sign should be adequate enough to repeat last year's production, which, with some increased offense, should have us competing for a #5-8 playoff spot, which is fine with me for this year. Once Brewer and Jax are off the books (next yearI think, I can't seem to find a list of contracts), the kids will have grown and we can be poised to hopefully make a run at being a legit contender.
Hockeybuzz.com has an excellent salary and cap tracker for each team. I believe Brewer's deal ends this season, Jackman next.
As for captain, I think Backes is the fan choice, but watching the Blues' dynamic, Jackman should be the captain. He's the heart and soul of the team, been here the longest, always stands up for his teamates, worn the A the longest of the current crop. Only thing is that he's a bit of an irritator towards the opposition--a Pronger-lite--with his mouth and antics. Not sure if you want that from your captain when it comes time to chat with the refs. Anyway, I'd personally go Jackman C, McClement and Backes A's. Maybe give an A to either Oshie or Johnson.
I'm holding out hope that maybe Dago can surprise this year like Steen last year, though Steen is a stout D player that Dago will never be. I wouldn't be shocked if we see one more semi-major trade though that shakes up the roster a bit before August. I'm not seeing a big FA signing.
thanks popeye. i was a bit lazy, had to get going. im on my cell now at the airport.
i see your point about jax and it makes sense. i wonder if backes is too young, as are any of the kids, but if you give jax the C, you've probably got to commit to him for beyond next year, which i would be happy to do, at 2mill/year tops. If any of the kids are ready, its backes. i would be wary of giving oshie or ej an A this year. just seems too soon.
is dago d'antonisti (spelling)? i dont expect much ut of him or svoboda (spelling, damn being on my cell phone!) other than hopefully being solid 3rd/4th liners.
we'll see. whether a trade or a signing, i think we're going to go get a solid guy, in addition to resigning steen and couple of our Dmen. should be a fun thursday and friday.
I personally don't mind commiting to Jackman for a little while. He's signed for two more seasons, and it is ok to carry a D only D man as long as the rest of your D can pile up some points. Jackman and Polak right now make an outstanding PK pair. If he's your leader--which he is--and he can keep pucks out of the net--which he does when he's not forced into turnovers--then he is an OK player for $4MM.
Yes, Dago is D'agostini. Showed a scoring touch in the AHL, but if he can't put up 50+ points, he's useless even as a 3/4 line guy because he's a Boyes-esque pylon on D.
I don't really consider Backes as part of the youth. He and McClement, and a lesser extent Polak kinda represent a bridge between the vets and the young core (EJ, Perron, Oshie, Berglund). I don't mind giving one letter to a vet, one to a tweener, and one to a kid--gives equal representation across the team. Toews and Crosby just won Stanley cups captaining at their ages. Oshie or Johnson can have an A.
Popeye_Card wrote:I personally don't mind commiting to Jackman for a little while. He's signed for two more seasons, and it is ok to carry a D only D man as long as the rest of your D can pile up some points. Jackman and Polak right now make an outstanding PK pair. If he's your leader--which he is--and he can keep pucks out of the net--which he does when he's not forced into turnovers--then he is an OK player for $4MM.
Yes, Dago is D'agostini. Showed a scoring touch in the AHL, but if he can't put up 50+ points, he's useless even as a 3/4 line guy because he's a Boyes-esque pylon on D.
I don't really consider Backes as part of the youth. He and McClement, and a lesser extent Polak kinda represent a bridge between the vets and the young core (EJ, Perron, Oshie, Berglund). I don't mind giving one letter to a vet, one to a tweener, and one to a kid--gives equal representation across the team. Toews and Crosby just won Stanley cups captaining at their ages. Oshie or Johnson can have an A.
I am stupid excited about this season. I'd go Backes C, with Jackman and Oshie getting an A. I was on the Jackman bandwagon last year, and I will be again this year, and he may deserve the C over Backes, but Backes feels right for the job.
I am on one hand super excited for the upcoming season. Can't wait to see how this Halak deal is going to work out for us.
On the other hand, super bummed that I made the executive decision to not renew my season tix. Really beginning to regret that, and it isn't even July yet.
Popeye_Card wrote:I personally don't mind commiting to Jackman for a little while. He's signed for two more seasons, and it is ok to carry a D only D man as long as the rest of your D can pile up some points. Jackman and Polak right now make an outstanding PK pair. If he's your leader--which he is--and he can keep pucks out of the net--which he does when he's not forced into turnovers--then he is an OK player for $4MM.
Yes, Dago is D'agostini. Showed a scoring touch in the AHL, but if he can't put up 50+ points, he's useless even as a 3/4 line guy because he's a Boyes-esque pylon on D.
I don't really consider Backes as part of the youth. He and McClement, and a lesser extent Polak kinda represent a bridge between the vets and the young core (EJ, Perron, Oshie, Berglund). I don't mind giving one letter to a vet, one to a tweener, and one to a kid--gives equal representation across the team. Toews and Crosby just won Stanley cups captaining at their ages. Oshie or Johnson can have an A.
I am stupid excited about this season. I'd go Backes C, with Jackman and Oshie getting an A. I was on the Jackman bandwagon last year, and I will be again this year, and he may deserve the C over Backes, but Backes feels right for the job.
