That's true but gagner is still young and it takes centers longer to develop defensively, especially on a team like the oilers. He might not have much of an impact this year but I believe he could in the future.
- fattyboubatty

Army won't make a move unless it impacts the current roster. Unless it's that high pick or prospect that a gm would get fired for giving up. Or it's a package to better the roster. The time for young guys to just be handed ice-time is over.

Don't you guys have enough wingers?
- Ihatebrianburke

The bottom-six is lacking in size and our secondary scoring has been pretty suspect as of late. I think he'd compliment a 3rd line well

That's true but gagner is still young and it takes centers longer to develop defensively, especially on a team like the oilers. He might not have much of an impact this year but I believe he could in the future.
- fattyboubatty

Gagner is young, but been in the league a long time. He already makes 4.8mil a year, and that seems like way too much for a player who at 24 might develop into a valuable piece but certainly wouldn't be to this team under this coach right now. Add to that the fact you can't teach size, and it just doesn't seem to make sense for the Blues to trade for him.

Army won't make a move unless it impacts the current roster. Unless it's that high pick or prospect that a gm would get fired for giving up. Or it's a package to better the roster. The time for young guys to just be handed ice-time is over.
- Note67

Well like I said, I watch Stewart play against tough defensive teams, and he becomes completely invisible at best, or he ends up jeopardizing the entire team. Compared to jaskin, he can't swing a sack of s***. I would trade him for a bag of pucks but if you could get a first rounder or a guy who has real value like Gagner, all the better.

Barkov is a center, not a RW; and wouldn't create space like Stewart would. Also very unlikely they throw 3 forwards that young all on the same line together.
- Antilles

Huberdeau has played the wing since he came into the league and Drouin is a winger too

Huberdeau has played the wing since he came into the league and Drouin is a winger too
- Ihatebrianburke

Der. I meant with Barkov and Huberdeau, my mistake.

Gagner isn't a fit on the Blues. Hitchcock wants his centers large and very good defensively. Gagner is neither.

I'm not sure who these "lots of big fellas" people keep talking about the Blues having are. Backes? He is a center, and already has wingers who play great with him. Berglund? Also a center, and not really someone who makes space out there. Sobtoka, Roy, Oshie, Schwartz, Steen & Tarasenko make up the rest of our top 9 with Stewart gone, and are all 6 foot or smaller.
- Antilles

Lol...I guess they look massive to us Oilers fans.

Stewart and Cole to Philly for Couts and another piece.

Stewart and Cole to Philly for Couts and another piece.
- jbold

umm, are you banned from Leaf threads or something?

Congrats on your new writing position.. Very proud of you!! And I completely agree that Stewart needs to be gone!!

Congrat's on the new gig Randall! Blues fans need someone to voice their pleasure and pain! Go Blackhawks

Again, I'd like to thank you all for welcoming me here.
I'll have another post up tomorrow preparing for tomorrows game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Thanks everyone, for the welcome.

I don't see myself leaving here anytime soon. I'm pretty much here for the long run.

As for a return on Stewart, the Blues would need to get a center or a center prospect back in return. So for Pittsburgh we would be looking at Sutter. Edmonton really doesn't have a center that would fit with the Blues.
- Randall_Ritchey

Welcome, and just don't overdo it. I think the last few tried/promissed too much, and then couldn't handle it.

I'm definitely good with moving Stewart, even if it's mainly just for a pick or two. I would love to see Jaskin up here full time.

Gagner isn't a fit on the Blues. Hitchcock wants his centers large and very good defensively. Gagner is neither.

I'm not sure who these "lots of big fellas" people keep talking about the Blues having are. Backes? He is a center, and already has wingers who play great with him. Berglund? Also a center, and not really someone who makes space out there. Sobtoka, Roy, Oshie, Schwartz, Steen & Tarasenko make up the rest of our top 9 with Stewart gone, and are all 6 foot or smaller.
- Antilles

Steen, sobotka and tarasenko are all 200lbs and up. Steen is 212 and tarasenko is 220. That's heavy.

Welcome, and just don't overdo it. I think the last few tried/promissed too much, and then couldn't handle it.

I'm definitely good with moving Stewart, even if it's mainly just for a pick or two. I would love to see Jaskin up here full time.
- BleedBlueSTL

I second this. We dont need something everyday, we just need something. And I'm with you, would love to see Jaskin full time, we know Hitch loves the guy and compares him to Marian Hossa (we can only hope). I think he is ready for the big time and he would definitely take the spot if Stewart were to move on.

Steen, sobotka and tarasenko are all 200lbs and up. Steen is 212 and tarasenko is 220. That's heavy.
- ystoil

lol. Gagner is 200+ too. That doesn't make him, or the Blues you listed, big guys in the sense of creating space for other players.

A Blues Blogger. Hot diggity. Welcome.


Chris Stewart has the size, skating ability, hands and skill set to be one of the best pure goal scorers in the NHL and he simply just doesn't want it.

It's an incredible waste of talent because of the vacuum that exists between his years.

He is what he is, he's been around long enough and had the change of scenery that would have sparked a change if there was one coming.

I would move him and his salary off my books because I think Jaskin can fill his role and then some.

Next season the cap goes way up and big market teams will be spending again and the Blues will be looking for some creative salary relief. A better utilization of his 4.2 M salary will benefit the Blues.

Congrts on the Blogging position.

And yes the Blues should trade Stewy. We know he can be a game breaker when he wants to. But I think right now he has the most value he could have as a trade target. He makes too much cash for how inconsistent he is, and as a UFA after next season, you know someone is going to offer him more.

Trade him since I assume some team will think they can turn him around with a year left on his contract.

Congrts on the Blogging position.

And yes the Blues should trade Stewy. We know he can be a game breaker when he wants to. But I think right now he has the most value he could have as a trade target. He makes too much cash for how inconsistent he is, and as a UFA after next season, you know someone is going to offer him more.

Trade him since I assume some team will think they can turn him around with a year left on his contract.
- DDM-Coga

Ill take him in TOR

Ill take him in TOR
- BoTtLePoLiCe

Think thats the worst palce for him to wind up. He is a better version of Clarkson, I dont see him thriving in Toronto since it was always rumoured for him to be a big party guy.

Having him back in his hometown wont mess well if thats his issue

Thanks everyone, for the welcome.

I don't see myself leaving here anytime soon. I'm pretty much here for the long run.

As for a return on Stewart, the Blues would need to get a center or a center prospect back in return. So for Pittsburgh we would be looking at Sutter. Edmonton really doesn't have a center that would fit with the Blues.
- Randall_Ritchey

I give it a month...haha

Ill take him in TOR
- BoTtLePoLiCe

As pitiful as the Eastern Conference is, he would probably thrive.

Stupid article. Stewart only scores against the weak and this is why he sucks?

Okay.

Tarasenko = 12 of his 17 goals were against Florida, Edmonton, Calgary, Minny, Dallas & Islanders.

Schwartz = 8 of his 16 came against 'weak' teams.

You are right that Stewart does not play a 200 foot game. Yet he manages to score with limited ice time.

Oshie = 10 of his 12 goals were against junk teams.

Stupid article. Stewart only scores against the weak and this is why he sucks?

Okay.

Tarasenko = 12 of his 17 goals were against Florida, Edmonton, Calgary, Minny, Dallas & Islanders.

Schwartz = 8 of his 16 came against 'weak' teams.

You are right that Stewart does not play a 200 foot game. Yet he manages to score with limited ice time.

Oshie = 10 of his 12 goals were against junk teams.
- dan_77

That has as much to do with Hitchcock than anything else...they beat good teams 2-1.

The problem is the Blues DON'T beat the best teams. See their record against the top in the West.