A player in the coach's doghouse before being traded? Shocking! You never hear of things like that that work out for the team acquiring that player. Guess he's a dud before he even laces up his skates.
- gravey914
Yes. I have heard "of things that work out for the team acquiring that player" who had issues with his former team. It's right in my closing words of the 1st of 2 paragraphs whereby I clearly mentioned, "unless Blais had some personal dislike playing for their head coach."
But that doesn't take away from the fact the Blues stole Buch in that trade, regardless of still having to sign the potential RFA in just days after completing it. Nor does it remove the fact per even a Rangers source, that Blais for one had conditioning issues among reasons besides subpar play, which landed him in his former head coach Berube's doghouse, reducing his ice time overall, if not scratched from the lineup.
It doesn't mean that Gallant can't straighten him, his conditioning effort, & game out to positive producing means. But with word by some in St. Louis of the only roster player sent with a 2022 2nd rounder for Buch, is one they would have "disposed of," or simply later released, there has to be a reason(s) only known there which resulted in him being in their head coach's doghouse.