I actually dont mind this but I think you will get the most production out of Backes at RW

but I like where you are with these lines

That third line would be tough as heck to play against
- sycsam

yes. Please move Backes back to the wing. I wouldn't even mind giving him a shot at wing with Stastny. Or he has to be a Bergeron type center but we need scoring and I would like to give him a shot to be a better version of Brouwer/Bickell at wing.

Schwartz - Stastny - Backes
Steen - Lehtera - Tarasenko
Fabbri - Brouwer - Jaskin
(Berglund/Ott) - (Brodziak/Ott) - Reaves
Paajarvi (and one of Berglund/Ott/Brodziak from game to game) extra

Schwartz - Stastny - Backes
Steen - Lehtera - Tarasenko
Fabbri - Brouwer - Jaskin
(Berglund/Ott) - (Brodziak/Ott) - Reaves
Paajarvi (and one of Berglund/Ott/Brodziak from game to game) extra
- bluenatic411

No chance berglund is a 4th liner

if he is a 4th liner they will have traded him

I dont see Fabbri being up until mid year unless he tears it up in camp

and again that would force a berglund trade IMO

Jaskin deal seemed like it was done to be cap friendly for this year. Knowing he could potentally break out and get an offer sheet next year.

Blues should have more $$ for him and Schwartz next year with Backes, Brouwer and Ott all coming off their contracts.

Jaskin deal seemed like it was done to be cap friendly for this year. Knowing he could potentally break out and get an offer sheet next year.

Blues should have more $$ for him and Schwartz next year with Backes, Brouwer and Ott all coming off their contracts.
- Gerk

And Gunnar

and a likely trade of Berglund to make room for Fabbri and Barbashev

Schwartz - Stastny - Backes
Steen - Lehtera - Tarasenko
Fabbri - Brouwer - Jaskin
(Berglund/Ott) - (Brodziak/Ott) - Reaves
Paajarvi (and one of Berglund/Ott/Brodziak from game to game) extra
- bluenatic411

Backes has no business on the top 6 if they really want to fix this team.

Berglund doesn't hit, at all. He's too soft for the 4th line.

Its a travesty to break up Paulie and Jaskin as well.

Fabbri will likely get ice time, but it will be in the wake of an injury.

Quick preface: Tarasenko's recent interview made me actually have a little optimism in this team. He wants multiple cups, he wants to be a leader, and he sounds like he wants the players to be held accountable.

I've been out of town on a ton of business and haven't been able to frequent the sight as much as I usually do. I'm not sure if this is common knowledge at this point, but a friend of mine was in the Blues' locker room and snapped a photo of the updated lines on the whiteboard. Here's how it looked:

Schwartz-Lehtera-Tarasenko
Steen-Stastny-Brouwer
Berglund-Backes-Jaskin
Ott-Brodziak-Reaves

Hitch has the STL line as the line 1. This brings up an odd scenario about the position of #1 center. I think we all believed that Stastny would center the top line upon his signing before last season started. I don't have to tell you guys that what we saw was an asinine amount of line juggling that resulted in Stastny never getting top line minutes, which I believe gave Blues' fans a skewed perspective of his production

Don't get me wrong, I have high hopes for Lehtera. Though he declined in the second half of the season, it was clear that there is potential in him to be a diamond in the rough, and his presence certainly aided Tarasenko's breakout season. However, why doesn't a player like Stastny have a more defined role? Sure, he might not be a #1C on every team in the league, but there he is a heck of a player-maker, has good vision on the ice, and a pretty high hockey IQ. Doesn't it make sense to give him some semi-elite, speedy, scoring wingers and build the top line around him?

Stastny has a hometown crowd now. With the rapid dissatisfaction of Backes as a leader, is there not a better time to shift some of that leadership to a hometown player? I'm not saying Stastny should be captain, but doesn't it make sense to give him some more responsibility on this team as a #1C, while the team tracks Lehtera's development?

I'm shooting from the hip here, but I believe the Blues have three main issues (besides leadership and accountability):

1) 1st line RW. The team basically needs a top 6 forward with top line potential. A semi-elite, scoring RW who's still growing; who will play for a deal. No idea who this is, but it's not Troy Brouwer.

2) 3rd line conundrum. I believe Backes still has value on this team as a forward, but not a captain. This is the last year of his contract; if he's proving himself, keep him or let him leave at the end of his contract; if he's not proving himself, trade him mid-season or at the deadline. We remember Backes' production as a winger, but the alternative center is Berglund...

The million dollar question (in my mind): What happens to line 3 when Fabbri is ready?

3) 2nd paring Defenseman. Gunnarsson just isn't that guy, but he could be for other teams. CBJ was rumored to be looking for a 2nd paring defenseman and I don't know why we didn't at least here notions of the Blues looking into that. Shattenkirk needs a partner and I'm honestly not 100% sold on any of our defensive prospects.

Thoughts? Criticisms? Firing squad?
- RobShouts

I disagree with you on some points, though you raise some interesting questions. For one, Fabbri isn't a shoo-in center in the NHL. He also has the ability to go back to junior and postponing that valuable ELC. I am excited about his potential, but it seems premature he's going to displace a top 9 winger on this team in training camp--and more importantly--still have enough in the tank by March to be a factor. You don't mention Rattie, who has paid some dues, gotten a taste of the NHL and not looked bad. I want to see him given most of a full season here to see if he can score at the NHL level--as he's coming up for RFA after this season, I believe. He might even solve your perceived dilemma of a scoring RW (although, candidly, Tarasenko is the #1 RW in terms of ice time, and whatever way one arranges paper lines means virtually nothing when it's ice time that matters on this team. Ditto Stastny, who was tied for 5th in forwards in ice time last year.)

I am no Gunnarson hawk, but he is playing for a UFA contract this season, so it might be the worst time to trade him. At the least, he buys Lindbohm some growing pains time on the 3rd pairing and minors time for Edmundson and Parayko. It would be nice if the Blues filled their 4-6th slots with those guys in the years to come, provided that is not a reach for their ability levels.

Real reason I got on to post was about the Kesler contract extension--wow. I would think that might take Backes out of Blues' plans as they are remarkably similar players. Which would be a shame as playoff failure is not all DB's fault, but if he/his agent's going to expect that type of money and term, I would have to say thanks but no thanks, and begin looking for a new home for him.

Backes has no business on the top 6 if they really want to fix this team.

Berglund doesn't hit, at all. He's too soft for the 4th line.

Its a travesty to break up Paulie and Jaskin as well.

Fabbri will likely get ice time, but it will be in the wake of an injury.
- WhatAboutBawb

I can't say I disagree with you with most of this. Backes had 58 points mostly playing the shutdown center role. He's much more productive at the wing also. I'm excited to see what he brings this year after another disappointment, a contract year, and the fact that he doesn't have to babysit Oshie all year long. That said If he moves to wing he's more than capable of playing with Stastny or on the third line in my opinion.

Real reason I got on to post was about the Kesler contract extension--wow. I would think that might take Backes out of Blues' plans as they are remarkably similar players. Which would be a shame as playoff failure is not all DB's fault, but if he/his agent's going to expect that type of money and term, I would have to say thanks but no thanks, and begin looking for a new home for him.
- Firebrand

I thought the same thing as soon as I saw Kesler's contract.

Trade David Backes right now. Get something good for him and move on, because he can't get that kind of contract from the Blues going forward.

I disagree with you on some points, though you raise some interesting questions. For one, Fabbri isn't a shoo-in center in the NHL. He also has the ability to go back to junior and postponing that valuable ELC. I am excited about his potential, but it seems premature he's going to displace a top 9 winger on this team in training camp--and more importantly--still have enough in the tank by March to be a factor. You don't mention Rattie, who has paid some dues, gotten a taste of the NHL and not looked bad. I want to see him given most of a full season here to see if he can score at the NHL level--as he's coming up for RFA after this season, I believe. He might even solve your perceived dilemma of a scoring RW (although, candidly, Tarasenko is the #1 RW in terms of ice time, and whatever way one arranges paper lines means virtually nothing when it's ice time that matters on this team. Ditto Stastny, who was tied for 5th in forwards in ice time last year.)

I am no Gunnarson hawk, but he is playing for a UFA contract this season, so it might be the worst time to trade him. At the least, he buys Lindbohm some growing pains time on the 3rd pairing and minors time for Edmundson and Parayko. It would be nice if the Blues filled their 4-6th slots with those guys in the years to come, provided that is not a reach for their ability levels.

Real reason I got on to post was about the Kesler contract extension--wow. I would think that might take Backes out of Blues' plans as they are remarkably similar players. Which would be a shame as playoff failure is not all DB's fault, but if he/his agent's going to expect that type of money and term, I would have to say thanks but no thanks, and begin looking for a new home for him.
- Firebrand

I agree in the Blues won't pay that for Backes. However, he isn't a greedy guy and I think will take a cap friendly deal to stay here if the season goes well and he isn't let walk.

I disagree with you on some points, though you raise some interesting questions. For one, Fabbri isn't a shoo-in center in the NHL. He also has the ability to go back to junior and postponing that valuable ELC. I am excited about his potential, but it seems premature he's going to displace a top 9 winger on this team in training camp--and more importantly--still have enough in the tank by March to be a factor.
- Firebrand

I was a fan of most of what you said. That said, if the Blues are counting on Fabbri to be a factor late in the season, they are in trouble.

Kesler's contract is a joke. Some of the comments about price and term being necessary are asinine. At his age and with his style of game, they would've been better off paying him for a shorter term, assuming their finances/ cap situation could handle it...

I was a fan of most of what you said. That said, if the Blues are counting on Fabbri to be a factor late in the season, they are in trouble.

Kesler's contract is a joke. Some of the comments about price and term being necessary are asinine. At his age and with his style of game, they would've been better off paying him for a shorter term, assuming their finances/ cap situation could handle it...
- eggsegan

You can't count on guys like Kesler or Backes to play at a high level into their mid 30s with the way they play. It is crazy that the Ducks just signed him to that long of a deal...

Will Backes be willing to accept a 2 or 3 year deal? He was willing to sign an offer sheet before. I know that some time has passed since then, but I don't see him as a guy that will pass up a big, long payday. Heck, he might want to leave after the team disappointment and him being at the front of it as the captain.

If it was me, I would be shopping him right now before the season starts. Unless they can agree on an extension right now that works for the Blues.

Im thinking something more like...

Steen-Stastny-Jaskin
Schwartz-Lehtera-Tarasenko
Berglund-Backes-Brouwer
Ott-Brodziak-Reaves
- WhatAboutBawb

I think that's what we'll end up seeing. The Lehtera line will likely continue to get most of the offensive zone starts while the other two lines are used more defensively. I would really like to see Fabbri end up in Berglund's slot or at least let them split time for the first few weeks of the season.

I would give them a B this off season mainly because of the contracts they were able to sign. One thing about Armstrong, he rarely overpays. Only Stastny is slightly overpaid out of necessity as a UFA.

Going into the offseason I was hopeful for a '15 first round pick or a speedy top 6 winger but looking at the moves that were actually made, the Blues really weren't in position to do either one. Oshie alone wasn't enough for a mid first rounder and there's no way Chi deals with us for Saad, even if we did have the assets and cap space to pull it off. Irwin over Butler, maybe but at least Butler is familiar with the team and has shown an ability to step in when needed.

You can't count on guys like Kesler or Backes to play at a high level into their mid 30s with the way they play. It is crazy that the Ducks just signed him to that long of a deal...

Will Backes be willing to accept a 2 or 3 year deal? He was willing to sign an offer sheet before. I know that some time has passed since then, but I don't see him as a guy that will pass up a big, long payday. Heck, he might want to leave after the team disappointment and him being at the front of it as the captain.

If it was me, I would be shopping him right now before the season starts. Unless they can agree on an extension right now that works for the Blues.
- carcus

I'm really on the fence on Backes. My first inclination is to move him but for a guy whose best years are behind him entering the final year of his deal, what are you really going to get? Taking a pick is going to hurt too much short term. The best course of action might be to extend him for a couple years and let him take a reduced role in the bottom 6.

I'm really on the fence on Backes. My first inclination is to move him but for a guy whose best years are behind him entering the final year of his deal, what are you really going to get? Taking a pick is going to hurt too much short term. The best course of action might be to extend him for a couple years and let him take a reduced role in the bottom 6.
- fattyboubatty

I agree the Kesler contract is ridiculous and a bad omen for Backes's next contract; but if we were to trade Backes our biggest need would immediately become for a player just like Backes. A power forward capable of putting up 25+ while playing Selke level defense. I'd say start negotiating with Backes now. If we can get a hometown discount and 6.5m over 4 years, awesome. That 2m raise is easily covered by replacing Ott with a cheap 4th liner after this year anyways.

I agree the Kesler contract is ridiculous and a bad omen for Backes's next contract; but if we were to trade Backes our biggest need would immediately become for a player just like Backes. A power forward capable of putting up 25+ while playing Selke level defense. I'd say start negotiating with Backes now. If we can get a hometown discount and 6.5m over 4 years, awesome. That 2m raise is easily covered by replacing Ott with a cheap 4th liner after this year anyways.
- Antilles

I agree about trading him. The problem is, he's not going to be as much of a power forward the longer he goes into his 30's. If he demands 6.5 for four I'd let him walk. I wouldn't want to go higher than 6 for two years and if he wants more term, drop the salary down in years three and four.

I expect that we're going to see some growing pains defensively this fall. We're effectively replacing the last pair, which will lead to miscues, misreads, and miscommunication.

I just hope that everyone stays calm. My guess is that the Blues may struggle early. Backes is a notoriously slow starter, and he'll be relying (most likely) on two new wings.

A curiosity will be how much the STL line focuses offensively to the detriment of the d-side and how much Hitch will let them get away with it early.

I expect that we're going to see some growing pains defensively this fall. We're effectively replacing the last pair, which will lead to miscues, misreads, and miscommunication.

I just hope that everyone stays calm. My guess is that the Blues may struggle early. Backes is a notoriously slow starter, and he'll be relying (most likely) on two new wings.

A curiosity will be how much the STL line focuses offensively to the detriment of the d-side and how much Hitch will let them get away with it early.
- eggsegan

It will be a big plus if the top pair of Pietrangelo and Bouwmeester can bounce back and have solid seasons. Both of them were well below expectations, especially Bouwmeester.

If he's not in the gym this summer getting himself in top physical condition, i'll be very disappointed. He needs to start earning the salary he's being paid.

It will be a big plus if the top pair of Pietrangelo and Bouwmeester can bounce back and have solid seasons. Both of them were well below expectations, especially Bouwmeester.

If he's not in the gym this summer getting himself in top physical condition, i'll be very disappointed. He needs to start earning the salary he's being paid.
- bcallaway

I agree last year was a rough year for Jay Bo

But I think its a little harsh to question his physical condition, he has always been one of the most fit guys in the NHL.

Until last year so hopefully he can stay healthy.

I agree last year was a rough year for Jay Bo

But I think its a little harsh to question his physical condition, he has always been one of the most fit guys in the NHL.

Until last year so hopefully he can stay healthy.
- sycsam

It's not really harsh. He suffered a leg injury last year, the first significant injury he's had that broke his consecutive game streak and once he came back from it, he was bad.

He's hitting the age now in this sport that he'll have to intensify his conditioning just to maintain his skill level.

The Blues need substantial ice time from him that is high quality. I'm hoping he's embarrassed by his performance last season.

It's not really harsh. He suffered a leg injury last year, the first significant injury he's had that broke his consecutive game streak and once he came back from it, he was bad.

He's hitting the age now in this sport that he'll have to intensify his conditioning just to maintain his skill level.

The Blues need substantial ice time from him that is high quality. I'm hoping he's embarrassed by his performance last season.
- bcallaway

I don't think last year had anything to do with conditioning for JBo.

He had a groin/leg issue. As long as that is healed, I don't think conditioning will be an issue from him.

He wasn't good last year, but he was playing hurt.

WHY does no one want Stastny centering Schwartz and Tarasenko? I know Lehtera has the chemistry with Vladi but it's clear that Stastny should be centering our two best offensive players. Right?

I don't think lady yeast had anything to do with conditioning for JBo.

He had a groin/leg issue. As long as that is healed, I don't think conditioning will be an issue from him.

He wasn't good last year, but he was playing hurt.
- carcus

What is lady yeast?

Sounds like some kind of infection.

What is lady yeast?

Sounds like some kind of infection.
- bcallaway

hahaha, that is a great auto correct by my phone.

last year

WHY does no one want Stastny centering Schwartz and Tarasenko? I know Lehtera has the chemistry with Vladi but it's clear that Stastny should be centering our two best offensive players. Right?
- rjwc5f

If it works, you go work it.

You can look at it this way, if the STL line is dynamic, why break it up? And if Stastny is centering Steen & Backes or someone else, it isn't like he is centering plugs.

Personally I want two lines that are really dangerous. I think the best way to get that is to have Stastny centering the other top line.