Recap of Thursday up
- stljam

We have a blogger.

Perhaps we should share duty as the Blues bloggers this season. You know so we have more than one a week.

We have a blogger.

Perhaps we should share duty as the Blues bloggers this season. You know so we have more than one a week.
- BluemanGuruu

Guruu

I didn't have access to the Dallas video so no blog from me on it. Stats sheets can be misleading as seen by Elliott playing pretty well in the loss last Thursday. Basically, I'd only feel comfortable writing about something I actually watched otherwise its too much assumption, conjecture, etc.

Hitchcock calling Rattie out and challenging him?

Per JR - “With young players, you’re looking for growth,” Hitchcock said. “There is no question of what he does well. He’s got an innate ability to be able to find the net. He’s got this gift. The puck follows him around the ice in the scoring areas. He knows the quiet spots to go to find loose pucks to score goals. That’s a given.

“(But) with all young players, you’re talking about your value system, and the value system for me is in his growth. The only way you get the puck back in the National Hockey League is you have to check it back. Nobody’s going to give it to you. That’s going to be the deciding factor when he gets to stay here full time.”

Butler and Fraser reportedly on waivers. No real surprise there. Add Whitney and Bissonette to the non-roster players and you have 29 players fighting for 23 spots in camp? Fabbri and Lindbohm as unlikely and one Climie still to be sent down leaves 26 for 23 spots....

Butler and Fraser reportedly on waivers. No real surprise there. Add Whitney and Bissonette to the non-roster players and you have 29 players fighting for 23 spots in camp? Fabbri and Lindbohm as unlikely and one Climie still to be sent down leaves 26 for 23 spots....
- stljam

Lindbohm has looked good so far, and has been a pleasant surprise to Hitch and co. I still think that they are looking to trade Leopold, and Lindbohm could be the 7th if they can make a deal. Butler as your 8th in Chicago and the Blues are still very deep.

On Fabbri, maybe it is just me, but watching him several times already and he looks like he belongs on the team right now. Lindstrom as well. I know it is a long shot that Fabbri even gets a 9 game look, but I wouldn't be opposed to having Porter go through waivers. I wonder if they are willing to put Magnus on waivers? If he is not going to have a role as he doesn't have a top 9 spot, I could see them trying to send him down as well. Probably not worth it for a 9 game look at Fabbri, but if they think he will legitimately help the team and stay all year, then it probably would be worth it.

This is what I would like to see if they can trade Leopold. Who needs a defenseman?

Lines 1-3 are not really 1, 2, & 3 but 1a, 1b, 1c all playing basically the same minutes with the 4th line getting minimal ES time and being the main SH forwards. (Ott & Lapierre)

Gives plenty of cap space for moves as well in the future if needed.


CAPGEEK.COM ARMCHAIR GM ROSTER
CapGeek Armchair GM Roster
FORWARDS
Alexander Steen ($5.800m) / Paul Stastny ($7.000m) / Joakim Lindstrom ($0.700m)
Patrik Berglund ($3.700m) / David Backes ($4.500m) / T.J. Oshie ($4.175m)
Jaden Schwartz ($2.350m) / Jori Lehtera ($2.750m) / Vladimir Tarasenko ($0.900m)
Steve Ott ($2.600m) / Maxim Lapierre ($1.100m) / Ryan Reaves ($1.125m)
Peter Mueller ($0.700m) / Magnus Paajarvi ($1.200m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Carl Gunnarsson ($2.950m) / Alex Pietrangelo ($6.500m)
Jay Bouwmeester ($5.400m) / Kevin Shattenkirk ($4.250m)
Barret Jackman ($3.167m) / Ian Cole ($0.825m)
Petteri Lindbohm ($0.637m) /
GOALTENDERS
Brian Elliott ($2.500m)
Jake Allen ($0.800m)
BONUS OVERAGE
$700,000
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2014-15)
SALARY CAP: $69,000,000; CAP PAYROLL: $66,328,333; BONUSES: $913,333
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $2,671,667

Lindbohm has looked good so far, and has been a pleasant surprise to Hitch and co. I still think that they are looking to trade Leopold, and Lindbohm could be the 7th if they can make a deal. Butler as your 8th in Chicago and the Blues are still very deep.

On Fabbri, maybe it is just me, but watching him several times already and he looks like he belongs on the team right now. Lindstrom as well. I know it is a long shot that Fabbri even gets a 9 game look, but I wouldn't be opposed to having Porter go through waivers. I wonder if they are willing to put Magnus on waivers? If he is not going to have a role as he doesn't have a top 9 spot, I could see them trying to send him down as well. Probably not worth it for a 9 game look at Fabbri, but if they think he will legitimately help the team and stay all year, then it probably would be worth it.
- carcus

Patience is a luxury afforded teams that are in the Blues current position. See the Red Wings of years ago. No reason to rush things imho.

I would never want Lindbohm being the 7th. He is what? 21? He needs to be gobbling major minutes and continuing to develop, in Chicago imho. If he stays, he has to play @ 15 minutes a night or so imho which isn't likely to happen even if they move Leopold. The only way I see him staying up is if Gunnarsson is on IR and he gets managed minutes and a semi-regular shift depending on the game situation.

As far as Fabbri, no reason to rush him. Is he really going to take minutes from Schwarz, Tarasenko, Stastny, Oshie, Backes, Lehtera or Steen? I don't think so and Lindstrom may be ahead of him as well. I'd rather him play A-line minutes on his junior team for one more year and aim for a top six role next year. I'd literally talk to him and set that goal for him. Of course, I would keep him in camp and give him the last two home preseason games before having the conversation and assigning him. Let him bulk up and continue to develop.

Patience is a luxury afforded teams that are in the Blues current position. See the Red Wings of years ago. No reason to rush things imho.

I would never want Lindbohm being the 7th. He is what? 21? He needs to be gobbling major minutes and continuing to develop, in Chicago imho. If he stays, he has to play @ 15 minutes a night or so imho which isn't likely to happen even if they move Leopold. The only way I see him staying up is if Gunnarsson is on IR and he gets managed minutes and a semi-regular shift depending on the game situation.

As far as Fabbri, no reason to rush him. Is he really going to take minutes from Schwarz, Tarasenko, Stastny, Oshie, Backes, Lehtera or Steen? I don't think so and Lindstrom may be ahead of him as well. I'd rather him play A-line minutes on his junior team for one more year and aim for a top six role next year. I'd literally talk to him and set that goal for him. Of course, I would keep him in camp and give him the last two home preseason games before having the conversation and assigning him. Let him bulk up and continue to develop.
- stljam

What a luxury to have?

Too many guys ready for the NHL.

We are starting to sound like Blackhawks fans. We are going to have some really good players in Chicago this year.

Leo can go and Butler can be our 7th.

If you have a take for Leo I think you have to look hard at moving him. Same goes for Lapyy and Reaves.

I wouldnt mind a true four line team with no pluggers.

A fourth line of Porter Ott Paajarvi is pretty good in my eyes.

Patience is a luxury afforded teams that are in the Blues current position. See the Red Wings of years ago. No reason to rush things imho.

I would never want Lindbohm being the 7th. He is what? 21? He needs to be gobbling major minutes and continuing to develop, in Chicago imho. If he stays, he has to play @ 15 minutes a night or so imho which isn't likely to happen even if they move Leopold. The only way I see him staying up is if Gunnarsson is on IR and he gets managed minutes and a semi-regular shift depending on the game situation.

As far as Fabbri, no reason to rush him. Is he really going to take minutes from Schwarz, Tarasenko, Stastny, Oshie, Backes, Lehtera or Steen? I don't think so and Lindstrom may be ahead of him as well. I'd rather him play A-line minutes on his junior team for one more year and aim for a top six role next year. I'd literally talk to him and set that goal for him. Of course, I would keep him in camp and give him the last two home preseason games before having the conversation and assigning him. Let him bulk up and continue to develop.
- stljam

Well, maybe I didn't make myself clear.

If they can trade Leopold, I would think Lindbohm can step in as he has looked like he can play at this level now. They also have Butler who can play at the NHL level. So if they are looking for some cap relief to give them some extra space, I think it is more doable now. I doubt that they actually trade Leopold, but I would like to see it.

As for Fabbri, yes I realize that it is not likely. But if they believe that a couple of guys won't be claimed if sent through waivers, I would be all for giving him a shot as he has earned it from his play so far. And he would play over anyone that he is playing better than at the moment. That would be up to Hitch who sits when he plays.

Well, maybe I didn't make myself clear.

If they can trade Leopold, I would think Lindbohm can step in as he has looked like he can play at this level now. They also have Butler who can play at the NHL level. So if they are looking for some cap relief to give them some extra space, I think it is more doable now. I doubt that they actually trade Leopold, but I would like to see it.

As for Fabbri, yes I realize that it is not likely. But if they believe that a couple of guys won't be claimed if sent through waivers, I would be all for giving him a shot as he has earned it from his play so far. And he would play over anyone that he is playing better than at the moment. That would be up to Hitch who sits when he plays.
- carcus

I like Leopold and also wouldn't mind seeing him moved AFTER Gunnarsson has shown himself to be healthy. I really have to believe that 4 of our D-men will eat over 90 of the 120 minutes in a game. The rest should be able to handle 10-15 minutes a game depending on the situation.

I hear what you are saying but I would rather have these 18-21 year olds on a lesser team playing over 20 minutes night, night in and night out rather than maybe playing 14 minutes, maybe 17 minutes, maybe sitting a game. Give them > 20 minutes of prime ice every night. Just my opinion which isn't worth a starbucks coffee though.

I like Leopold and also wouldn't mind seeing him moved AFTER Gunnarsson has shown himself to be healthy. I really have to believe that 4 of our D-men will eat over 90 of the 120 minutes in a game. The rest should be able to handle 10-15 minutes a game depending on the situation.

I hear what you are saying but I would rather have these 18-21 year olds on a lesser team playing over 20 minutes night, night in and night out rather than maybe playing 14 minutes, maybe 17 minutes, maybe sitting a game. Give them > 20 minutes of prime ice every night. Just my opinion which isn't worth a starbucks coffee though.
- stljam

True.

This is what I would like to see if they can trade Leopold. Who needs a defenseman?

Lines 1-3 are not really 1, 2, & 3 but 1a, 1b, 1c all playing basically the same minutes with the 4th line getting minimal ES time and being the main SH forwards. (Ott & Lapierre)

Gives plenty of cap space for moves as well in the future if needed.


CAPGEEK.COM ARMCHAIR GM ROSTER

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2014-15)
SALARY CAP: $69,000,000; CAP PAYROLL: $66,328,333; BONUSES: $913,333
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $2,671,667
- carcus

Look at you rippin' it up with the armchair roster. I remember a time, not long ago, where you weren't interested in looking at the payroll.

Lookin' good, Carcus!

I still don't like our goaltending situation.

I still don't like our goaltending situation.
- carcus

Channel your championship winning Chris Osgood or Mike Vernon though unfortunately that was a different era.

Channel your championship winning Chris Osgood or Mike Vernon though unfortunately that was a different era.
- stljam

Crawford? Niemi? Fleury? Osgood? Those are all within the last 6 years. Having a stud goalie who wins multiple Stanley Cups is rarer than the goalie who catches lightning in a bottle for the playoffs.

Let us remember that Niemi beat a Flyers team backstopped by Brian Boucher and Michael Leighton IN THE FINALS!

Crawford? Niemi? Fleury? Osgood? Those are all within the last 6 years. Having a stud goalie who wins multiple Stanley Cups is rarer than the goalie who catches lightning in a bottle for the playoffs.

Let us remember that Niemi beat a Flyers team backstopped by Brian Boucher and Michael Leighton IN THE FINALS!
- eggsegan

Yeah, but we have to get through a lot of good teams with better goaltenders IMO. In many cases, just as good forwards & defense, if not better. That is going to be hard to do with our tandem I think.

Now, if we score like crazy (which we might with our lineup) then we just might do it with inferior goaltending. We definitely need to be a good puck possession team.

This is what I would like to see if they can trade Leopold. Who needs a defenseman?

Lines 1-3 are not really 1, 2, & 3 but 1a, 1b, 1c all playing basically the same minutes with the 4th line getting minimal ES time and being the main SH forwards. (Ott & Lapierre)

Gives plenty of cap space for moves as well in the future if needed.


CAPGEEK.COM ARMCHAIR GM ROSTER
CapGeek Armchair GM Roster
FORWARDS
Alexander Steen ($5.800m) / Paul Stastny ($7.000m) / Joakim Lindstrom ($0.700m)
Patrik Berglund ($3.700m) / David Backes ($4.500m) / T.J. Oshie ($4.175m)
Jaden Schwartz ($2.350m) / Jori Lehtera ($2.750m) / Vladimir Tarasenko ($0.900m)
Steve Ott ($2.600m) / Maxim Lapierre ($1.100m) / Ryan Reaves ($1.125m)
Peter Mueller ($0.700m) / Magnus Paajarvi ($1.200m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Carl Gunnarsson ($2.950m) / Alex Pietrangelo ($6.500m)
Jay Bouwmeester ($5.400m) / Kevin Shattenkirk ($4.250m)
Barret Jackman ($3.167m) / Ian Cole ($0.825m)
Petteri Lindbohm ($0.637m) /
GOALTENDERS
Brian Elliott ($2.500m)
Jake Allen ($0.800m)
BONUS OVERAGE
$700,000
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2014-15)
SALARY CAP: $69,000,000; CAP PAYROLL: $66,328,333; BONUSES: $913,333
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $2,671,667
- carcus

Barring any trades, Jaskin makes the team over Mueller, and Lindbohm, while making huge strides in camp, will still go back to his home club this year.

In my opinion, Paajarvi, Lapierre, Leopold, and Jackman are all expendable.

Barring any trades, Jaskin makes the team over Mueller, and Lindbohm, while making huge strides in camp, will still go back to his home club this year.

In my opinion, Paajarvi, Lapierre, Leopold, and Jackman are all expendable.
- fattyboubatty

Agreed