Next year:

Kunitz-Sid-Kapanen
Rattie-Malkin-Hornqvist
Dupuis-Sutter-Bennett
Comeau-Goc-Spaling

Would be a nice balanced attack...my understanding is that Rattie is primarily a RW however. If one of Rattie or Kapanen can play LW I really like that top 6. Bennett could stay with Sutter in theory. Maybe still go after a cheap rental with some size grit to sprinkle in.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

It's not terrible, but you have to keep in mind, can Kap and/or rattie continuously play at the top 6 level for how young they are. Rattie looked ok during his call up, but he wasn't replacing anyone in the top 6 that's for sure. with Kunitz and dupuis still playing good hockey, I would just much rather see the pens trade for a current top 6 NHLer who is still on the young side (let's say 28 and below). I personally think the pens have the best chance this year since 09 to win the cup and the right player could set them over the top

Then again if it is just dumoulin for rattie, you do that trade immediately before Armstrong realizes what he's signing

I know, why female dog about the past that won't change, but this conversation would be non-existent if they would have freaking drafted Brandon Saad or Forsberg instead of collecting D-men that can't crack the big club line up.

I know, why female dog about the past that won't change, but this conversation would be non-existent if they would have freaking drafted Brandon Saad or Forsberg instead of collecting D-men that can't crack the big club line up.
- Doogs

And yet...

I know, why female dog about the past that won't change, but this conversation would be non-existent if they would have freaking drafted Brandon Saad or Forsberg instead of collecting D-men that can't crack the big club line up.
- Doogs

Not drafting a forward, to me, was also a big reason why Shero was fired. That and his loyalty to Bylsma. But you know what's worse than not drafting Forsberg? Trading him to Nashville for Martin Erat!

Not drafting a forward, to me, was also a big reason why Shero was fired. That and his loyalty to Bylsma. But you know what's worse than not drafting Forsberg? Trading him to Nashville for Martin Erat!
- stevens87

This

I would certainly take a look into a potential Dumoulin for Rattie trade, but I don't think it would be the answer this year. But I like that trade because it's two teams dealing from their strengths to fulfill their weakness in the prospect pool. You could still look into making another trade to help with the top 6 situation this year (and perhaps beyond as well).

Not drafting a forward, to me, was also a big reason why Shero was fired. That and his loyalty to Bylsma. But you know what's worse than not drafting Forsberg? Trading him to Nashville for Martin Erat!
- stevens87

I disagree... I think not firing Bylsma after the Boston embarrassment was the reason Shero got canned. Ray went to bat for his friend and that was a mistake.

You should read Dejan Kovacevic's column about the ownership asking Disco to change some things and he flat out refused.

And yet...
- usethe1-2-2

Bite me

Ryan Wilson: Blues Forward That Penguins Could Potentially Target
Blues Forward That Penguins Could Potentially Target
- Ryan_Wilson

Since I know you love him so much, we'll send you Hodgson.

Since I know you love him so much, we'll send you Hodgson.
- dadeadhead

Telling that on a team with not much going for it he is still a guy that is expendable.

A logical trade proposal? You do realize that this is Hockeybuzz right? We'll have none of that around here thank you very much.

A logical trade proposal? You do realize that this is Hockeybuzz right? We'll have none of that around here thank you very much.
- acdc1206

Can we please get back to the malkin for backes, oshie, and a couple 1st round picks please

Forget it. Blues aren't dealing Rattie.

Barbarshev is a Hitchcock type player. Rattie isn't. So Rattie getting moved is very plausible. Barbashev getting moved is much less so.

Blues already have Petteri Lindbohm for Jackman's spot next year. Lindbohm probably deserves to be playing this year, he was great in camp and looked solid in the game he did get this year. So value might be fair in your proposal, but I think it's much more likely Blues would trade Rattie for a draft pick. Blues are likely more worried about replacing the first we gave to Buffalo, than trading for someone who will be needing NHL ice anytime soon.
- Antilles

Very good point that Rattie is not really a Hitchcock type player. Barbashev is a Center and is still in juniors so he doesn't help us much right away.

Rattie is like their 3rd or 4th best forward prospect. Their fairly stacked on defense too. Not sure how much Dumoulin would appeal to them in the short term other than an NHL ready injury call up. In summary, I could see us targeting a guy like Rattie, but not sure Dumoulin alone will get him here.

Still riding the train for a Dumoulin based trade to get Jurco. But I'd be happy with either of these trades.

i like these lines kuntiz crosby dupis 2nd ryan malkin hornquist 3rd jagr kesler spaling
4th comeu goc dowine matta martin 2nd pairing harrington scuds 3rd paring puilot borts.

Very good point that Rattie is not really a Hitchcock type player. Barbashev is a Center and is still in juniors so he doesn't help us much right away.

Rattie is like their 3rd or 4th best forward prospect. Their fairly stacked on defense too. Not sure how much Dumoulin would appeal to them in the short term other than an NHL ready injury call up. In summary, I could see us targeting a guy like Rattie, but not sure Dumoulin alone will get him here.

Still riding the train for a Dumoulin based trade to get Jurco. But I'd be happy with either of these trades.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

The blues D prospects look to be nothing more than 5th or 6th dmen. Saying that the blues are stacked on defense prospects is like saying the pens are stacked on offense prospects. The blues have some solid d prospects, but nothing special going into the future. With gunnarsson and Jbo underperforming this year, the blues could use a good D prospect with top 4 potential. remember when Ian cole looked like a solid d prospect and he has come nowhere near a top 4 d man

i like these lines kuntiz crosby dupis 2nd ryan malkin hornquist 3rd jagr kesler spaling
4th comeu goc dowine matta martin 2nd pairing harrington scuds 3rd paring puilot borts.
- Palmer117

Can't tell if sarcasm or serious... Dear goodness I'm hoping for sarcasm

Bite me
- Doogs

Can't tell if sarcasm or serious... Dear goodness I'm hoping for sarcasm
- drummer829

If it is not sarcasm, then we have a real problem on our hands. No logic or reasoning skills + keyboard =

No Dupuis, Comeau filling in on the top line. Beau still on the third.

Goc with Sill and Adams... Poor poor Goc

The blues D prospects look to be nothing more than 5th or 6th dmen. Saying that the blues are stacked on defense prospects is like saying the pens are stacked on offense prospects. The blues have some solid d prospects, but nothing special going into the future. With gunnarsson and Jbo underperforming this year, the blues could use a good D prospect with top 4 potential. remember when Ian cole looked like a solid d prospect and he has come nowhere near a top 4 d man
- drummer829

Fair point. Their defense is pretty deep at the NHL level so they really only need bottom pairing guys at the moment. But yea, don't get me wrong...Dumo is pretty undervalued around these parts. I think this would be a great trade for both teams and the slight edge going to the Penguins.

No Dupuis, Comeau filling in on the top line. Beau still on the third.

Goc with Sill and Adams... Poor poor Goc
- usethe1-2-2

Strong 3rd line is important, but it doesnt have priority over the first line.... BeauDangles (tm) should be on the top line.

On the bright side, Lemieux and Morehouse are getting an in person look at Comeau on the top line today....maybe, just maybe, they will feel compelled to tell JR to do something about it.

edit--- God, Comeau AND Spaling in the top 6

Strong 3rd line is important, but it doesnt have priority over the first line.... BeauDangles (tm) should be on the top line.

On the bright side, Lemieux and Morehouse are getting an in person look at Comeau on the top line today....maybe, just maybe, they will feel compelled to tell JR to do something about it.

edit--- God, Comeau AND Spaling in the top 6
- YouMeAndDupuis9

12 - 3 -1, 60gf, 35ga. Maatta probably back tomorrow. Now is not the time to panic.

Remember that time on November 3rd where Johnston said that They'd like to get Harrington "in a game or two in the next couple of weeks" and then sent him down 5 days later without playing?

I give Johnston the benefit of the doubt in wanting to have guys play and learning about what he has, but at some point he has to expand out from the 20 skaters that he already knows about, and see some other guys in the organization.

Silver lining is that this team has be remarkably healthy in the early going, but organizationally I'd think that you'd want to better know what you have in reserves.

The blues D prospects look to be nothing more than 5th or 6th dmen. Saying that the blues are stacked on defense prospects is like saying the pens are stacked on offense prospects. The blues have some solid d prospects, but nothing special going into the future. With gunnarsson and Jbo underperforming this year, the blues could use a good D prospect with top 4 potential. remember when Ian cole looked like a solid d prospect and he has come nowhere near a top 4 d man
- drummer829

I'm not sure how you rate Dmen, but Jbo and Gunnarson aren't underperforming at all this year. I guess you just look at points. Jbo has been carrying Pietro so far and Gunnarson is just getting up to speed after missing multiple months due to surgery. He's looked real good the last few games. Also, Ian Cole has been excellent most of the year, and that's with Jackman as a partner, so props to him.

Also, the Blues don't need to move Rattie, b/c they think of things in terms of top 9 minutes, not top 6. Rattie will be a regular winger with either Stastny or Lehtera next season. I wouldn't be surprised to see one of the Blues current NHL wingers moved as opposed to swapping prospects.