Wondering What The Blues Will Do Next 48 Hours

I want us to trade for an RFA Top 6 Forward. That’s not exactly easy, because nobody really has those up for sale unless you wanna pay out the ass. If that fails, look for at least a top 9 forward in free agentcy. Ville Leino would be ideal, but I’m guessing he’s going to be out of our price range.

I want a defensive D-Man. But, make no mistake, that doesn’t mean I don’t like our current core. If we were forced to, I wouldn’t be reluctant to run with Petro/Shat/Polak/Jackman/Cole/Nikitin next year. Perfect world, we make a move to get a solid defensive D-Man, and run with 7 quality defensemen, altering playing time. Honestly, I wouldn’t be against trying to sign Brewer again as long as it’s short term and not excessive money, as he basically fits the void he left.

I would also like for us to be open minded at any possible buy lows. The Blues seem to be able to find guys that need a change of scenery and help them excell. While I doubt Atlanapeg would be willing to part with Bogosion, I wouldn’t be against keeping an eye on Turris in Phoenix, though I’m not sure what the price would be for him. Course these are grand examples, when if we do make a move like this, it will be much less markey.

I want us to go ahead and lock up D’Agostini to a contract for a year, maybe 2, at around 2 mill, and see if he can play his way to a better deal. On the Oshie front, I honestly wouldn’t be against letting him test free agentcy. If anyone wants to go over the threshold that means we get a 1st and a 3rd, I’d let him him walk (unless it’s a team you think that first will only result in a bottom 5 first round pick I suppose). I love Teej, but he is our 7th best forward right now when we are healthy. And that’s if you put him above Dagger, which isn’t a complete slam dunk.

Oh, and I want someone to, you know, buy the fucking team so we don’t have to deal with penny pinching. Though I don’t expect that to happen.

Besides looking for loose change in the hotel couches? Probably not a lot. I don’t see them being very active. They’ll probably use their draft picks and call it a weekend.

If Army is making a move at the draft to improve the roster, I’m hoping the priority goes:

1) Top six forward: Names that jump out to me are Parise and Spezza, although i’ll be pleased with anybody that fits the top 6 mold. In the case of Team America’s Parise, whether or not a deal could be reached could alter the return greatly. Generally speaking, return would need to be 2 or 3 picks (one or two of this years 2nd rounders and next year’s first) plus one of our top prospects (and any team would be stupid not to try and pry one of Jaden, Tank, or Allen) although i’d certainly hope Army could talk them off those three if it ever came to that.

2) Vet left Dman: I don’t have any particular guys in mind but anybody that could be had straight up for one of the later 2nd founders or a 3rd would be alright by me.

3) Backup Goalie: Even if the Blues go with Bish backing up Jaro Water, that oughta be an improvement over Conk. With rumblings involving Bobrovsky and Varlamov, guys who could certainly fill damn nicely as a starter for an extended timeframe if Halak ever hurt himself, something might be workable but I see other teams willing to offer more since the Blues have a perfectly sensible option with Big Ben. If the right offer (None of the org’s top 3 kids and only one or two picks) came along, though, id jump on it.

would look good in the Note.But if we have to trade Oshie to get him, I might cry

I would like to see the Blues trade for immediate help at 3rd line forward position ( someone who wins the majority of faceoffs would be a huge ++++ ) or a Veteran D with those extra picks the Blues have via trade this past season. I also would like the Blues to have Ben Bishop be the backup to Halak.

..and draft either Ryan Strome or Sven Bärtschi, I’d say just keep all the picks and bring as many new prospects into the organization as possible.

I’ve seen a mock where Bärtschi falls to 20th overall, with the implied possibility that he falls even further if the ‘Yotes don’t take him there… and if he could somehow fall to the Blues as 32nd overall, I’d be turning handsprings. Bärtschi is exactly what the Blues need in the organization… a skilled, fast LW who is already over here and committed to playing in North America.

/Asylum’d

Oshie gets his walking papers. Hearts asploding all over STL tonight.

NHL channel shows a pre draft show at 5 pm CST. Versus has the draft at 6pm CST for those wondering like me.