So the asking Price for Harding

by Henry Miller's Used Penis on Jul 2, 2009 2:23 PM CDT

And why I'm scratching my head.

Apparently a big part of the asking price for Harding was an established NHL forward.

According to the Post's JR:

"Mark: JR, just how close were the Blues to getting Harding from Minnesota? If the Wild were asking for too much in return, I'm glad the Blues didn't go with that option but just what was it the Wild were asking for? Perron? Eller? More than that? Any idea what the Blues were countering with? Jeremy Rutherford:
Minnesota starter Niklas Backstrom is coming off offseason surgery, and so the Wild weren't crazy about the idea of dealing Harding. Reports in Minnesota suggested that if the Wild traded Harding, they were looking for an "established NHL forward" not a prospect or draft pick. The Blues then decided to go the free-agent route."

So does this mean the Blues could have traded Boyes for Harding? If that's the case then it should have been done, done and done. Or could they have moved Kariya for Harding? Even quicker would be my done. Opens up a spot for one of the youngsters, opens up the bank for a free agent signing.

Why wouldn't the Blues consider this? I don't get it. Instead we are going into the season with basically two solid back ups. Maybe Mason can figure out how to be a starter all by himself heading into the season. It didn't work in Nashville as you'll recall (and hasn't for that club the last two seasons).

Man, I'm a bit afraid here.

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Comments

I think the Blues have decided that Mason is the starter, period.

If you bring in Harding you have a replay of this past season’s Legace/Mason unpleasantness, with possibly Mason in the role of “disgruntled holdover.” And no one wants to see Mason’s gruntles out of whack.

by Rich of GASL on Jul 2, 2009 3:59 PM CDT reply actions

Mason was brought in to back up and he's not getting younger.

If Mason had that kind of problem I’m sure he could be traded but Mason’s more a team player than Manny was. Manny was upset about the money also.

The point is rather than go out and attempt to get a real starter or someone with more upside the Blues are taking a risk on Mason that historically isn’t there. What he did last season he did in the past when Vokun was injured in Nashville. What Mason hasn’t done is proven he can take the mantle of being the man from the start.

by Henry Miller's Used Penis on Jul 2, 2009 10:08 PM CDT reply actions

Yes, but with a guy like Conklin...

Mase shouldn’t have to start 38 games in a row or whatever it was the last part of the season. Conklin is a well-established back-up, and actually has a pretty damn good record and decent save %. He can get the nod many more games than we would be comfortable giving Holt/Bishop.

by Washoo on Jul 3, 2009 12:00 AM CDT up reply actions

As our D improves do you think this will help polish our average goalies a bit? Knock them up a notch or two?

Dum spiramus tuebimur

by spectr17 on Jul 3, 2009 12:47 AM CDT reply actions

it should, but it hasnt worked in the past. roman turek anyone?

by bzgea2 on Jul 3, 2009 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions

No thanks.

Been there; done that. Cost us a Cup.

Let's go Blues!!!

by Milo. on Jul 4, 2009 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions

we dont need to trade boyes or anyone else to open up a roster spot for a youngster, unless you really think its vital that two of the following: winchester, cam, dj king, bj crombeen, and yan stastny HAVE to play every night.

by bzgea2 on Jul 3, 2009 9:27 AM CDT reply actions

I was meaning

for some of the more skilled players because thus far the Blues have a set up they seem to enjoy employing where come the third line they start giving up skill for character guys. We could legitimately ice four solid lines and intersperse your ‘big’ guys throughout adding a strong forecheck to skill.

What I’m not liking about Boyes is his backcheck and defensive play. Fine if he’s a goal scorer but he needs to net forty or more if that’s the case. Some nights he looks dominate with his offense as far as stickhandling and controlling the play. When he has bad days it’s glaring.

But I guess something this year that should change a lot from what we saw last season is the transition game should be much improved.

The reason I mentioned giving up Boyes is you then are changing salary and while Boyes gives you about a half a goal to a goal a game depending how you look at it Harding can keep a goal or two from going in on most nights. Goaltending usually wins the Cup not goal scoring.

As far as Mason being better because he doesn’t have to start 38 games in a row, well that’s not what I’ve seen historically. Historically he’s looked good taking the mantle in the second half which he has done twice now. Historically he has been given the starters mantle once going into a season and was horrible that season.

Yes Conklin is a great back up goaltender. You won’t here me say different. He is also old.

I’m calling for an elite starter of the types that give teams a chance to win every night. It’s like baseball if you have a lot of good starting pitching you’ll have a winning team even if you don’t have hitters so it is with goaltending. Great goaltending invites risks to be taken because of the confidence the players have in the netminder. Which increases defensemen offensive output.

My big thing is why wouldn’t you trade a Kariya or a Boyes for a Harding? Or why wouldn’t you sign a guy like Harding to an offer sheet?

Well Hannu’s back so I guess this answers the questions about the pure confidence the Blues have in Mason.

by Henry Miller's Used Penis on Jul 4, 2009 1:10 PM CDT reply actions

I’m fairly certain Kariya would not have been acceptable return in that deal. Gut feeling. Boyes? I wouldn’t trade him for Harding. Nor would I move any of the young guns. Backes? Yes. lesser prospects, sure. But not EJ, AP, TJ, DP, or PB.

by MMouse on Jul 5, 2009 5:23 PM CDT reply actions