Jason Millen: Turnover keyed the turnaround, bringing calm and stability Turnover keyed the turnaround, bringing calm and stability

Every fandom has its fan police. I just don't understand not wanting as many people as possible to share the joy.

I do police the stupid wrestlemania hooting during the games. GET OFF MY LAWN!

- bodiva88

I'll be in the minority. I don't want too many fans as it has a negative impact on me personally (increased ticket prices, harder to get extra tickets, more demand for charity acutions, etc). It's the same reason that I hope the NHL always stays at most the 4th major league.

They need to be high enough to survive but not so high as to get even worse with pricing, poor game times thanks to tv, etc. There is already too much of this for my liking. Selfish I realize but honest.

I don't mind the bandwagon fan at all btw. I just want the NHL to stay more right-sized for me, lol.

Remember Johson righted the ship early on for a week before letting softies in and getting shelled. For a brief second the Blues looked and played better.

I'm not sure it was roster turnover as much as balancing egos in the dressing room.

Allen traditionally has started the season well. This year he left off how he had played from November to February the season prior--horrid. I went from defending him to just shocked. I am still shocked with how he has dealt with this all.

Binnington did great in his first play offs. I see some concerns in his game. I'm afraid bc pundits have placed his contract at X and I can't get on board to locking up and paying for such a short body of work.

You can't probably trade Steen so we probably should move Bozak.
Do you bring Berglund back on the cheap? Maybe convince him of being on a two-way helping the kids and proving himself? Sure teams would stay away.

Asset management must certainly happen. A lot of good, young, inexpensive talent knocking on the door. If you can't fit you need to restock the cupboards.

Remember Johson righted the ship early on for a week before letting softies in and getting shelled. For a brief second the Blues looked and played better.

I'm not sure it was roster turnover as much as balancing egos in the dressing room.

Allen traditionally has started the season well. This year he left off how he had played from November to February the season prior--horrid. I went from defending him to just shocked. I am still shocked with how he has dealt with this all.

Binnington did great in his first play offs. I see some concerns in his game. I'm afraid bc pundits have placed his contract at X and I can't get on board to locking up and paying for such a short body of work.

You can't probably trade Steen so we probably should move Bozak.
Do you bring Berglund back on the cheap? Maybe convince him of being on a two-way helping the kids and proving himself? Sure teams would stay away.

Asset management must certainly happen. A lot of good, young, inexpensive talent knocking on the door. If you can't fit you need to restock the cupboards.
- BluemanGuruu

Johnson started with an average game, then a stinker, then two good games, then the rest stinkers before he was waived.

Allen handled 2019 like a pro imho. In doing so, he earned a lot of respect from yours truly (not that he cares).

Just say no to Berglund. I'm glad he is doing better mentally but please no.

More thoughts on the roster later this week.

How did Doug Armstrong not win GM of the Year?

Even based on the regular season, what the hell is the criteria for the voters?

I am one of the many people that were saying blow it up last November/December. I was totally on board with the idea to get the best draft pick and trade off some players. I did not rationally think how all the changes last summer could take time to come together. I am so glad I was wrong and glad they don't listen to fans like me that let my emotions get the best of me. I can't believe we wont the Stanley Cup! It was an amazing ride and I will remember it for the rest of my life. I do put it in perspective when it comes to other events in life, but as a sport I love to watch, it was unforgettable and created some great memories with my kids and family.
Have a great summer and enjoy this upcoming year as the defending Stanley Cup champs.

How did Doug Armstrong not win GM of the Year?

Even based on the regular season, what the hell is the criteria for the voters?
- Taynos

The voters probably didn't take into account that not doing anything significant at the deadline was really the best move for the Blues.

Sweeney went out and got Johanssen and Charlie Coyle at the dead line which were legit improvements.

DA's moves were all in the offseason and he deserves a lot of credit for how it all worked out.

Had the voting taken place after the playoffs - Armstrong wins hands down.

But really, what did Armstrong do? His franchise was saved by a 25-year-old goalie...

How did Turgeon not get elected to the HHOF again?

How did Turgeon not get elected to the HHOF again?
- Jason Millen

Dale Hunter probably had something to do with it...

Congrats on your CUP win...

Johnson started with an average game, then a stinker, then two good games, then the rest stinkers before he was waived.

Allen handled 2019 like a pro imho. In doing so, he earned a lot of respect from yours truly (not that he cares).

Just say no to Berglund. I'm glad he is doing better mentally but please no.

More thoughts on the roster later this week.
- Jason Millen

Allen gets props no doubt, but how was he going to handle it? He's almost out of the league in some ways. I think he still has upside.

Berglund on the cheap is an excellent depth player. Especially if you can hide him in San Antonio.

Allen gets props no doubt, but how was he going to handle it? He's almost out of the league in some ways. I think he still has upside.

Berglund on the cheap is an excellent depth player. Especially if you can hide him in San Antonio.
- BluemanGuruu

LeBrun wrote that the Blues have received interest in Allen. He also said that they’re going to keep him. The article I read suggested that the Blues will allocate about $9 million to the goalie position.

Was it Antilles that mentioned next summer’s expansion draft? Gotta think that plays a part...

LeBrun wrote that the Blues have received interest in Allen. He also said that they’re going to keep him. The article I read suggested that the Blues will allocate about $9 million to the goalie position.

Was it Antilles that mentioned next summer’s expansion draft? Gotta think that plays a part...
- eggsegan

The expansion draft doesn't matter with the goalies as much, as of right now Binnington would likely be protected and Husso/Allen would be exposed then.

The expansion draft doesn't matter with the goalies as much, as of right now Binnington would likely be protected and Husso/Allen would be exposed then.
- .....

What are your thoughts on that? If they keep Jake, then expose him in expansion, might they be keeping him for that sole purpose? If they trade Jake and bring in a short term back up as a bridge to Husso (or someone else), they’d have to expose another goalie, right? By keeping him, they’re protecting Fitzpatrick, no?

What are your thoughts on that? If they keep Jake, then expose him in expansion, might they be keeping him for that sole purpose? If they trade Jake and bring in a short term back up as a bridge to Husso (or someone else), they’d have to expose another goalie, right? By keeping him, they’re protecting Fitzpatrick, no?
- eggsegan

Fitzpatrick would be exposed, he would have played more than 2 pro seasons at that point. Allen will be here this year and depending on how Husso responds he could be the backup the following year.

Fitzpatrick would be exposed, he would have played more than 2 pro seasons at that point. Allen will be here this year and depending on how Husso responds he could be the backup the following year.
- .....

I don’t understand paying a backup $4.5 million. The only reason I can fathom that is an expansion draft. Did you see the contract that Eliot just signed with the Flyers?

I don’t understand paying a backup $4.5 million. The only reason I can fathom that is an expansion draft. Did you see the contract that Eliot just signed with the Flyers?
- eggsegan

Paying Allen 4.35 next year isn't the worst thing, and his contract will be easier to move or eat the following season if everything goes to plan. If you get rid of him this off season, they are just going to have to pay around 2 million or something to a backup that isn't as "proven" as Allen has been. He played great as the backup in the past, should be a decent safety net for Binnington.

I'm more surprised now with the Gunnar signing.

Very Blues friendly deal for Carl Gunnarsson - 2 years, 1.75mm AAV. I wonder if there is a NTC/NMC.

Edmundson's deal could get curious as could Binnington's imho.

Very Blues friendly deal for Carl Gunnarsson - 2 years, 1.75mm AAV. I wonder if there is a NTC/NMC.

Edmundson's deal could get curious as could Binnington's imho.
- Jason Millen

No problems with this deal. #6/7 left-shooting d-man that has decent mobility and a good first pass. Probably will spell Bouwmeester/ Eddie.

Also gives Blues a more mobile option to sit Eddie against smaller, speedier forward groups.

I’m guessing that Edmundson gets a bridge deal for fear that his mobility will decline.

Happy with bringing Gunnar back. A rotating 6-7 of Gunnar and Bortz is quite fine by me. Eddy has to come back. The only player I see them not signing maybe is Fabbri. Our bottom 6 should stay. Hopefully Maroon takes a hometown discount but should see a raise. Going to be an interesting summer.

Hopefully one of these days I get to see the cup in person. (frank). I NEED to see it.

Very Blues friendly deal for Carl Gunnarsson - 2 years, 1.75mm AAV. I wonder if there is a NTC/NMC.

Edmundson's deal could get curious as could Binnington's imho.
- Jason Millen

What a great deal to get Gunnarsson back for 2 years under 2 per.

I thought he was going to be gone for sure. Players love playing in St Louis.

I still wonder if Maroon will sign with us. I can see us doing something like 2 years 4.5 total. He probably could get a little more going elsewhere, but is a little extra worth it to leave home?

Any chance Binnington signs for around what Allen's deal currently is? Just over 4 per for 4 years? We could handle Allen's cap hit at least for this year if Binnington signs a deal like that.

What a great deal to get Gunnarsson back for 2 years under 2 per.

I thought he was going to be gone for sure. Players love playing in St Louis.

I still wonder if Maroon will sign with us. I can see us doing something like 2 years 4.5 total. He probably could get a little more going elsewhere, but is a little extra worth it to leave home?

Any chance Binnington signs for around what Allen's deal currently is? Just over 4 per for 4 years? We could handle Allen's cap hit at least for this year if Binnington signs a deal like that.
- carcus

I think Maroon has the same options he had last summer. Take more money/term to play elsewhere; or sign in St. Louis for the best the Blues can fit under the cap, somewhere in the 2-2.5 range. I think the Blues want a 2y deal, he pushes for a 4y deal, and he comes back on a 3y deal.

I think Binnington gets a 2 year deal for around 4m, similar to Matt Murray's contract after his Cup win. Two years from now, if Binnington keeps up his level of play, Blues get a cheap backup to replace Allen, Binnington gets a big raise.

...

Any chance Binnington signs for around what Allen's deal currently is? Just over 4 per for 4 years? We could handle Allen's cap hit at least for this year if Binnington signs a deal like that.
- carcus

My guess is 4 x $5m or just under.

Antilles: Binnington should fire his agent if he makes less money on his next deal than Allen.

My guess is 4 x $5m or just under.

Antilles: Binnington should fire his agent if he makes less money on his next deal than Allen.
- eggsegan

Then Blues just take him to arbitration. Matt Murray is a perfect comparable, and Binnington gets awarded around the same. Unless Binnington can come up with a RFA who got a contract for 5m with less than 60 NHL games played total, he isn't getting that number in arbitration. RFA's don't get paid based on how much someone they are playing better than makes. They get paid based on how much players who had similar numbers at the time of signing their contract got.

Binnington isn't going to get an offer sheet, so Blues hold all the power here. What's more, it's in Binnington's best interest to sign a short term deal if he wants to bet on himself. 2 more years of similar play, he is a UFA getting 8yx7m.