Jason Millen: Blues 1st travels with the Cup and RFA thoughts Blues 1st travels with the Cup and RFA thoughts

I think some players are being overvalued. Pat Maroon stepped up but I don't think he's worth more than $1.75m and Fabbri ain't worth a million let alone more at this point. Fabbri has more upside but he's full of ifs.

Binnington's full of ifs still as well. But a decent signing would be good. I don't think Husso has to worry to much. Get back on track and play your way. If I'm both of them I'd worry about Colton Ellis who to me looks amazing.

In a cap league you have to accept age as a realistic forecast into a player's value. Nothing says that more than Steen who you were right about back when he extended.

Always pay attention to shooting percentages when signing players. A shooting percentage that surges higher than the norm and a career high in goals is fools gold.

Despite the Blues supposed toughness this game is still trending towards speed and skill. I think you value players who have skill but lack scoring consisting on your fourth line.

Sundqvist is a potential 25g-40pt player. Speed, toughness and skill that caps out. Thinks the game well but not in my creative category. Pat Kane is in my highest level of creative category to give you an idea.

I think now is the time to consider moving some players while the Cup gives them an extra perceived value to other teams. Perhaps Edmundson should be on that list. Save cap space get some prospects or picks.

The elephant in the room is going to be the upcoming expansion draft and cba. Hard to make certain moves in that case.

But to be daring I was hoping the Blues would have made a play at the goalie the Hawks got. That's my preface bc, go sign Binnington now and offer sheet Tkachuk. Then you can trade Calgary or eat the picks and make moves to free the cap space.

Interesting to think of Sundqvist as one of this generation’s models of the power forward. The one role that Sunny doesn’t fill that power forwards generally do is the willingness to drop the gloves. While it’s less necessary in today’s NHL, that role is going to have to be filled by someone else, especially with Kadri, Shaw, and Perry joining the divisional party.

In my opinion, the Blues will have to work to replace Maroon’s cycle possession and that’s about it. Can Jordan Nolan or Mac Mac work that role? Probably...

Let’s assume Binnington, Edmundson, Fabbri, Sanford, Sundqvist and Barbashev take $14 million of cap space. You are only left with about $2.5 million for Pat Maroon as I believe you have to save $500,000 or more of cap space to start the year.

I feel like your numbers are off. Capfriendly has the Blues at 14m in space. If we use up all that space on the players you list, we could send down Pouliot, Schmaltz, & MacEachern to have 2m in space to sign Maroon, which would leave us with nothing to spare.

I like Edmunson but if he has value in the trade market it is worth exploring. It will be hard to pay him like a top 4 D when we have Dunn, Bo, and Gunny pretty much slotted in on the left side. Some tough decisions for sure before even factoring in what's coming next season with the expansion and expiring contracts.

These deals are making me nervous about Petro and Schenner being up next summer. If I'm Schenn I'm asking for Hayes money minimum.

These deals are making me nervous about Petro and Schenner being up next summer. If I'm Schenn I'm asking for Hayes money minimum.
- Yeah Boyes

I’d sign Schenn yesterday for Hayes money. The Hayes contract sucks, but hopefully a few of the other deals since then keep Schenn’s deal affordable. Schenn is a solid value at $7 million (especially compared to Hayes), but you don’t want to have to pay him more than that.

I’d sign Schenn yesterday for Hayes money. The Hayes contract sucks, but hopefully a few of the other deals since then keep Schenn’s deal affordable. Schenn is a solid value at $7 million (especially compared to Hayes), but you don’t want to have to pay him more than that.
- GSimp1

When Schenn is on his game he reminds me of Adam Graves.

I’m glad to see him move to the wing, though maybe working with O’Reilly will help him improve in the face off dot. With regard to contract, I’m not sure that a mid-market team like the Blues can consistently afford to pay a second-line forward $7 million. They might have to let him go for that money and allow a younger player to step into that role.

Goofy, random thought: anyone think O’Reilly is actually more dangerous without Tarasenko on his line? Seems like he elevates the play of players like Sanford and Perron. Also, he seems versatile enough that he can play with just about anyone.

One of the slickest set ups of the year was the O’Reilly-to-Perron-back-to-O’Reilly for the high-slot ripper...

Here is why I will always be a fan of Kevin Hayes, he saved our season.

https://youtu.be/wt0IhrZSAgQ?t=1m28s

Here is why I will always be a fan of Kevin Hayes, he saved our season.

https://youtu.be/wt0IhrZSAgQ?t=1m28s
- Yeah Boyes

Just unreal! Very possible that none of this happens if they go up 3-0 there and probably win Game 5. Amazing to think about!

When Schenn is on his game he reminds me of Adam Graves.

I’m glad to see him move to the wing, though maybe working with O’Reilly will help him improve in the face off dot. With regard to contract, I’m not sure that a mid-market team like the Blues can consistently afford to pay a second-line forward $7 million. They might have to let him go for that money and allow a younger player to step into that role.
- eggsegan

Good call on the Adam Graves comparison. As for the money, I would not have thought $7 million was a good deal 6 months ago, but win a Cup with Schenn being a key player, have the cap go up a bit, and have some brain-dead contracts like the Hayes one handed out, and Schenn now looks pretty good to me at $7 mil.

Good call on the Adam Graves comparison. As for the money, I would not have thought $7 million was a good deal 6 months ago, but win a Cup with Schenn being a key player, have the cap go up a bit, and have some brain-dead contracts like the Hayes one handed out, and Schenn now looks pretty good to me at $7 mil.
- GSimp1

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying he probably won’t get that. I’m saying I’m not sure the Blues can meet that wage demand for a #2 center.

Suspect they want to get #6 on a cap friendly deal to get to the expansion draft and give blues options with Jay likely retiring next year.

With Dunn, Bow, and Boom boom Gunnarson all locked up for next year with the potential to bring a rhd up next season. I wonder if they are playing hardball with Eddy. I like him a lot for his physical play. We need someone like that. But, where does that leave him? He was scratched in favor of Bortz in the finals. He has to show more apparently

The longer free agency goes on it seems that Maroon might just stay here on a team friendly deal. Blues don't need to make changes necessarily.

BLUES ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!

I'll never get tired of writing that

The longer free agency goes on it seems that Maroon might just stay here on a team friendly deal. Blues don't need to make changes necessarily.

BLUES ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!

I'll never get tired of writing that
- BluesDroogie

Droogie, I appreciate your thought. I worry that by not changing anything, they will struggle to meet the challenges of the other teams’ new additions.

If Colorado finds a goalie...

Droogie, I appreciate your thought. I worry that by not changing anything, they will struggle to meet the challenges of the other teams’ new additions.

If Colorado finds a goalie...
- eggsegan

Understood. Blues tread water while everyone else bolsters their team. Scary. The central definitely got stronger, especially Dallas.

Droogie, I appreciate your thought. I worry that by not changing anything, they will struggle to meet the challenges of the other teams’ new additions.

If Colorado finds a goalie...
- eggsegan

One of the most slickest trades was getting rid of EJ. Petro is better. Colorado needs a goalie and more defense. They can run and gun but if you slow them down they are not a team. They start to falter

Here is why I will always be a fan of Kevin Hayes, he saved our season.

https://youtu.be/wt0IhrZSAgQ?t=1m28s
- Yeah Boyes

Not once but twice. His name should go on the cup. He was an honorary Blue that night.

Sanford 2 years 1.5M AAV per Jeremy Rutherford. Maybe just a smidge high? the price you pay for winning the cup, if you're making between the leg assists in the SCF you can get overpaid by 500k per year

Sanford 2 years 1.5M AAV per Jeremy Rutherford. Maybe just a smidge high? the price you pay for winning the cup, if you're making between the leg assists in the SCF you can get overpaid by 500k per year
- Yeah Boyes

This fits within the $14 million estimate on the combined Edmundson, Binnington, Sanford, Fabbri, Barbashev, and Sundqvist. Right in line.

I was thinking closer to $1.25-$1.33 but it's in the ball park.

This fits within the $14 million estimate on the combined Edmundson, Binnington, Sanford, Fabbri, Barbashev, and Sundqvist. Right in line.

I was thinking closer to $1.25-$1.33 but it's in the ball park.
- Jason Millen

Do you think there’s any chance that Ferland might take Big Rig’s spot should he chase the cash? Seems like a long shot, but...

Droogie, I appreciate your thought. I worry that by not changing anything, they will struggle to meet the challenges of the other teams’ new additions.

If Colorado finds a goalie...
- eggsegan

Colorado has a great goalie in Grabner. He started shakey but got back to his game. Colorado improved their forward ranks a lot.

But moving Barrie and betting on two young dmen is a big time gamble. It would be like us having moved Petro ahead of Parayko's second season and having drafted a really good dman, think Petro's first NHL taste. You could see his potential but he was getting killed.

Sanford 2 years 1.5M AAV per Jeremy Rutherford. Maybe just a smidge high? the price you pay for winning the cup, if you're making between the leg assists in the SCF you can get overpaid by 500k per year
- Yeah Boyes

That deal at two years is right. He's shown flashes and now he just needs ice time and show consistency. Players like him are why signing Maroon is based more on emotions than practicality.