Anyone else like the idea of 1 year show me deal for Semin? Should be cheaper and gives him a chance to rebuild his value. Maybe playing with Tarasenko would be a draw for him.
- Gerk

I don't think so either. He's not a guy like Bill Guerin a few years ago who was a quality player who just had a down turn and needed a shot at getting his game back and showing he could still play.

Even at his best, Semin's had the reputation of being a lazy floater.

I don't think so either. He's not a guy like Bill Guerin a few years ago who was a quality player who just had a down turn and needed a shot at getting his game back and showing he could still play.

Even at his best, Semin's had the reputation of being a lazy floater.
- bcallaway

So Hitch will never do this but why wouldn't a coach sign him at a big discount and just severely manage his minutes (think Ryan Reaves). He plays the PP. He plays when you are down late in a game and in advantaged faceoff situations. Likely never surpasses 12-13 minutes in a game and some games only gets 9. If he was ok with a roll like that, it could make some sense.

So Hitch will never do this but why wouldn't a coach sign him at a big discount and just severely manage his minutes (think Ryan Reaves). He plays the PP. He plays when you are down late in a game and in advantaged faceoff situations. Likely never surpasses 12-13 minutes in a game and some games only gets 9. If he was ok with a roll like that, it could make some sense.
- stljam

wont happen in STL

HItch wants guys he trusts in all situations not just certain areas

Semin might bounce back just wont be with the Blues IMO

I don't think so either. He's not a guy like Bill Guerin a few years ago who was a quality player who just had a down turn and needed a shot at getting his game back and showing he could still play.

Even at his best, Semin's had the reputation of being a lazy floater.
- bcallaway

Hard to blame the guy from floating when his team the last 2 years has either been last or next to last in the division.

Just saying might be a cheap option for some scoring.

Man the hawks are in a pickle

Sounds like Sharp asked for something in order to waive his NTC and Florida balked at it and a deal fell apart according to JJ

Now they might be forced to trade their two time Stanley Cup winning goalie for salary relief

I am Jealous of their success but I do not envy their position right now

But Winning has caused these issues and SB is going to have to earn his paycheck over the next week or two

How I wish the blues were in this position at least once

Hard to blame the guy from floating when his team the last 2 years has either been last or next to last in the division.

Just saying might be a cheap option for some scoring.
- Gerk

NO NO NO NO

Can we stop with teh Semin talk

He is not coming to the blues

Man the hawks are in a pickle

Sounds like Sharp asked for something in order to waive his NTC and Florida balked at it and a deal fell apart according to JJ

Now they might be forced to trade their two time Stanley Cup winning goalie for salary relief

I am Jealous of their success but I do not envy their position right now

But Winning has caused these issues and SB is going to have to earn his paycheck over the next week or two

How I wish the blues were in this position at least once
- sycsam

Three cups in six years. I'll take their problems.

They're probably no worse off then after their first cup when they had to dismantle a large part of their supporting cast, deal with the offer sheet for Hjalmarsson, losing Niemi, etc.

I thought Dustin Byfuglien would be a terrific power forward and losing him was as bad as losing Saad (at that time). Don't know why coaches continue to try and put that fat toad on defense.

They seemed to find a way out of it and have kept going.

Three cups in six years. I'll take their problems.

They're probably no worse off then after their first cup when they had to dismantle a large part of their supporting cast, deal with the offer sheet for Hjalmarsson, losing Niemi, etc.

I thought Dustin Byfuglien would be a terrific power forward and losing him was as bad as losing Saad (at that time). Don't know why coaches continue to try and put that fat toad on defense.

They seemed to find a way out of it and have kept going.
- bcallaway

I agree with what you are saying but if it means losing Crawford with Darling taking over I have to say that is not going to be an easy thing to get over.

Crawford was and still is better than Niemi

Darling is not and never will be as good as Crawford IMO

Anyone else like the idea of 1 year show me deal for Semin? Should be cheaper and gives him a chance to rebuild his value. Maybe playing with Tarasenko would be a draw for him.
- Gerk

all for it. he is usually good playing for a contract. bad when signed to big long term deals.

Three cups in six years. I'll take their problems.

They're probably no worse off then after their first cup when they had to dismantle a large part of their supporting cast, deal with the offer sheet for Hjalmarsson, losing Niemi, etc.

I thought Dustin Byfuglien would be a terrific power forward and losing him was as bad as losing Saad (at that time). Don't know why coaches continue to try and put that fat toad on defense.

They seemed to find a way out of it and have kept going.
- bcallaway

He was pretty dominant at D last season. So much so there was Norris chatter before an injury and suspensions.

Thinking about it, a deal for Kessel would have been sweet. While I like a lot about say Fabbri I am not sold on him for the scouting of him trying to player far bigger than he is. That has gotten IR captain written all over it.

I still think MP has something to offer. I mean he has hands, size and speed, how is it not put together.

I have not heard yet if any have been signed but why not add the likes of either stafford or at least on the cheap one year deal for stewart? stewart and stastny click well. then move a player like steen. i am not a fan of this old core and their illusion tricks of disappearing in the off season. i think oshie was the soft target. to me steen is far worse an offender and is too often put on the point on the pp. he might have a bomb of a shot and every now and then one gets through, but he would seem better served down low where he can use his body to protect the puck and practice getting rebounds for the second season when no blue is capable of penetrating.


also on fabbri, reminds a lot of schwartz. schwartz struggled mightily in the play offs and anytime the puck came near him the wild put a body on him. after a while he stopped going deep into the corners for the puck but backed off from being hit. and a number of the hits were a bit cheap. no reaponse from the blues which would be to lay out parise and give him the extra stuff like schwartz was getting.

how in the hell does this team not win in the play offs? how do they suddenly become incapable of scoring?

if this team wants speed you have to remove berglund and consider moving the young chec.

if i hear a defnse of hitch ever again about winning something over twenty years ago i am going to puke. when is the last time he has taken a team to the conference finals at least? i think it would have been best to hire peter de boer while the blues had the chance. he polished the turd that was nj and took them to the finals when that team should have had trouble making the play offs. what would he have done with a solid team?

He was pretty dominant at D last season. So much so there was Norris chatter before an injury and suspensions.

Thinking about it, a deal for Kessel would have been sweet. While I like a lot about say Fabbri I am not sold on him for the scouting of him trying to player far bigger than he is. That has gotten IR captain written all over it.
- BluemanGuruu

The same could've been said for Ronning, St. Louis, Parise, etc. Give the kid a chance. We shouldn't be sold on anyone until we see it on the ice. Calgary wasn't sold on Hull...

Thinking about it, a deal for Kessel would have been sweet. While I like a lot about say Fabbri I am not sold on him for the scouting of him trying to player far bigger than he is. That has gotten IR captain written all over it.

- BluemanGuruu

I would have loved for the Blues to have taken a shot at Kessel but his salary is really outrageous over the next few years.

The price of a Rent-A-Car would have had to double or triple.

I like the two-way contracts made.

It would be great to see Jordan Caron finally make it, though it seems unlikely.

I would have loved for the Blues to have taken a shot at Kessel but his salary is really outrageous over the next few years.

The price of a Rent-A-Car would have had to double or triple.
- bcallaway

yeah but the leafs were retaining salary. sweeten the pot they take off a bit more. if they say would have also taken berglund in the deal then the cost is negligible.

The same could've been said for Ronning, St. Louis, Parise, etc. Give the kid a chance. We shouldn't be sold on anyone until we see it on the ice. Calgary wasn't sold on Hull...
- eggsegan

i am not saying the kid cannot play. i think he can. the question is can he do so without being injured. i think it is a fair question. he has undeniable talent but so does jeffery skinner.

the thing is and we have seen it over the years, if you are good not only do the opposing teams key in on you but a few aim for the head ala steen scoring at will until about the third head shot a few years back and tarasenko.

the blues never respond appropriately. that is all well and good but you have to get a bit dirty in the league unfortunately to survive.

Vladdy's deal is done. Sounds like 8 yrs for 60 mil

i am not saying the kid cannot play. i think he can. the question is can he do so without being injured. i think it is a fair question. he has undeniable talent but so does jeffery skinner.

the thing is and we have seen it over the years, if you are good not only do the opposing teams key in on you but a few aim for the head ala steen scoring at will until about the third head shot a few years back and tarasenko.

the blues never respond appropriately. that is all well and good but you have to get a bit dirty in the league unfortunately to survive.
- BluemanGuruu

Do you think it's worse now than when Stevens took Kariya's head and put it on a pike?

Vladdy's deal is done. Sounds like 8 yrs for 60 mil
- Gerk

about what I thought he would get

Finally ready for next season

about what I thought he would get

Finally ready for next season
- sycsam

maybe a tick higher than I origianlly thought

does anyone have the breakdown of the per year?

His cap hit is 7.5 but does it go right to 7.5?

maybe a tick higher than I origianlly thought

does anyone have the breakdown of the per year?

His cap hit is 7.5 but does it go right to 7.5?
- sycsam

Assuming Blues wanted max length contract and had to pay a bit more to get it. I'm perfectly fine with the $$.

Assuming Blues wanted max length contract and had to pay a bit more to get it. I'm perfectly fine with the $$.
- Gerk

I was thinking it woulbe be for 7 but I am ok with 7.5

Assuming Blues wanted max length contract and had to pay a bit more to get it. I'm perfectly fine with the $$.
- Gerk

Great deal. If he keeps up his production this deal is going to look just fantastic in 2-3 years

Great deal. If he keeps up his production this deal is going to look just fantastic in 2-3 years
- Yeah Boyes

yup

next up: Jaden Schwartz

How do you guys expect to be better next year? Not trying to rag but I'm a bit confused with the status quo approach