You are right, Steen's is not good and Bozak is 1m too high. But, this season we can afford to roll out nearly the exact team that just won the cup so I am A-OK with sticking with them. After this season they will both only have one year left on their deals, they are perfect candidates for salary dumps (trade or buyout, especially if Steen isn't agreeable to getting traded). The goal here is to create enough room to resign Petro and hopefully Schenn as they are both essential pieces to our core.

You are right, Steen's is not good and Bozak is 1m too high. But, this season we can afford to roll out nearly the exact team that just won the cup so I am A-OK with sticking with them. After this season they will both only have one year left on their deals, they are perfect candidates for salary dumps (trade or buyout, especially if Steen isn't agreeable to getting traded). The goal here is to create enough room to resign Petro and hopefully Schenn as they are both essential pieces to our core.
- Yeah Boyes

Agreed about the Steen and Bozak roles. I think it’s too early to determine if Schenn and Petro should be resigned. One of the things that Army has generally done well is allow players to grow into roles on the team.

My guess? Both players test free agency, get ridiculous contract offers, and are replaced with short term contracts in the hope that drafted players can fill roles on the team. It fits with his management model. The one concern is our defensive depth is not pretty right now.

I wish it weren’t that way, but that’s how the Blues stay competitive in the NHL without spending to the cap every year.

Agreed about the Steen and Bozak roles. I think it’s too early to determine if Schenn and Petro should be resigned. One of the things that Army has generally done well is allow players to grow into roles on the team.

My guess? Both players test free agency, get ridiculous contract offers, and are replaced with short term contracts in the hope that drafted players can fill roles on the team. It fits with his management model. The one concern is our defensive depth is not pretty right now.

I wish it weren’t that way, but that’s how the Blues stay competitive in the NHL without spending to the cap every year.
- eggsegan

With Bouwmeester towards the end of his career and Steen and Bozak coming off the books I could see both Petro and Schenn being offered big contracts. Petro especially maybe not Schenn. Lacking defensive depth it would not be a bad experience few to keep Petro if it’s not an outrageous contract that he is looking for.

I say 5 years each and just do it. 8.5 for Petro and 7 for Schenn.

They both can probably get more money or term on market but that's what I'd offer.

If it comes down to keeping one or the other it's gotta be Petro I think.

I say 5 years each and just do it. 8.5 for Petro and 7 for Schenn.

They both can probably get more money or term on market but that's what I'd offer.

If it comes down to keeping one or the other it's gotta be Petro I think.
- bluenote31

I think you're very close on the AAV but both will probably push for more term.

I think you're very close on the AAV but both will probably push for more term.
- Yeah Boyes

Question is, are they willing to take a shorter deal to stay with a team that can continually compete for the cup, while keeping the core together

We shall see if they just want money or a solid team/ownership and fan base and a chance to win it all again

I say 5 years each and just do it. 8.5 for Petro and 7 for Schenn.

They both can probably get more money or term on market but that's what I'd offer.

If it comes down to keeping one or the other it's gotta be Petro I think.
- bluenote31

I don't think there is any way that Petro signs for 8.5 per for 5 years. Unless he is willing to sign a hometown discount. He will get 10+ per for 7 years as an UFA.

That is asking for a HUGE discount if you think 8.5 x 5 is going to get it done. Trouba just signed for 7 years, 8 per. Petro would definitely get more than him on the open market.

I don't think there is any way that Petro signs for 8.5 per for 5 years. Unless he is willing to sign a hometown discount. He will get 10+ per for 7 years as an UFA.

That is asking for a HUGE discount if you think 8.5 x 5 is going to get it done. Trouba just signed for 7 years, 8 per. Petro would definitely get more than him on the open market.
- carcus

Agreed. I could easily see Toronto splashing out to bring the hometown boy home.

Schenn is two years younger than Petro, but he’s not exactly a shrinking violet, meaning expect a decline in his game after age 30.

That said, Mitch Reinke is the best right-shooting d-prospect? Yikes! Niko Mikkola is a lefty, so, there’s either a trade or a draft need should Petro choose to walk. Could Reinke slide into the top four in a year? Parayko moves up...

Interesting that the Blues are so lefty-heavy in the minors. They must identify that there is more value there?

Agreed. I could easily see Toronto splashing out to bring the hometown boy home.

Schenn is two years younger than Petro, but he’s not exactly a shrinking violet, meaning expect a decline in his game after age 30.

That said, Mitch Reinke is the best right-shooting d-prospect? Yikes! Niko Mikkola is a lefty, so, there’s either a trade or a draft need should Petro choose to walk. Could Reinke slide into the top four in a year? Parayko moves up...

Interesting that the Blues are so lefty-heavy in the minors. They must identify that there is more value there?
- eggsegan

The majority of our team is left handed ha ha ha. We have Perron, Thomas, and Sunny as our only right handed forwards

I don't think there is any way that Petro signs for 8.5 per for 5 years. Unless he is willing to sign a hometown discount. He will get 10+ per for 7 years as an UFA.

That is asking for a HUGE discount if you think 8.5 x 5 is going to get it done. Trouba just signed for 7 years, 8 per. Petro would definitely get more than him on the open market.
- carcus

If he wants that much he can pack his poop.

I don't think there is any way that Petro signs for 8.5 per for 5 years. Unless he is willing to sign a hometown discount. He will get 10+ per for 7 years as an UFA.

That is asking for a HUGE discount if you think 8.5 x 5 is going to get it done. Trouba just signed for 7 years, 8 per. Petro would definitely get more than him on the open market.
- carcus

What team can afford that price? I’m sure some could but they would be rebuilding and players might not want to go there

What team can afford that price? I’m sure some could but they would be rebuilding and players might not want to go there
- BluesDroogie

Two of the top five make over $10 million now. Those prices are bound to go up in free agency silly season. https://www.capfriendly.c...e/2020/caphit/all/defense

Will try to put up a new blog next week. Work has been nuts and I have been traveling.

All of you should keep in mind that the Arbitrator cannot award the Blues offer. Edmundson has to be awarded at least $2.55 million based on the rules of the CBA (85% of Eddy's prior year $3mm).

I am really stunned the Blues offered below what was possible. In court type settings (which Arbitration kind of is), that usually backfires. Either they didn't realize it (shame on them) or they wanted the arbitrator to feel like he/she was compromising more or they wanted to illustrate to the arbitrator that whatever he/she awarded was already going to be over what they should have awarded.

Will try to put up a new blog next week. Work has been nuts and I have been traveling.

All of you should keep in mind that the Arbitrator cannot award the Blues offer. Edmundson has to be awarded at least $2.55 million based on the rules of the CBA (85% of Eddy's prior year $3mm).

I am really stunned the Blues offered below what was possible. In court type settings (which Arbitration kind of is), that usually backfires. Either they didn't realize it (shame on them) or they wanted the arbitrator to feel like he/she was compromising more or they wanted to illustrate to the arbitrator that whatever he/she awarded was already going to be over what they should have awarded.
- Jason Millen

Eddy’s gone. It would be bad mojo to keep someone on the team after going through that type of situation. Eddy will be playing in another city, be it San Antonio or another NHL club.

Will try to put up a new blog next week. Work has been nuts and I have been traveling.

All of you should keep in mind that the Arbitrator cannot award the Blues offer. Edmundson has to be awarded at least $2.55 million based on the rules of the CBA (85% of Eddy's prior year $3mm).

I am really stunned the Blues offered below what was possible. In court type settings (which Arbitration kind of is), that usually backfires. Either they didn't realize it (shame on them) or they wanted the arbitrator to feel like he/she was compromising more or they wanted to illustrate to the arbitrator that whatever he/she awarded was already going to be over what they should have awarded.
- Jason Millen

The 85% rule only applies to Team elected arbitration so not this situation.

I don't think there is any way that Petro signs for 8.5 per for 5 years. Unless he is willing to sign a hometown discount. He will get 10+ per for 7 years as an UFA.

That is asking for a HUGE discount if you think 8.5 x 5 is going to get it done. Trouba just signed for 7 years, 8 per. Petro would definitely get more than him on the open market.
- carcus

That is where i would start.
I realize it's very optimistic. I'm just not sure id go 7 years if i were them. If he would do 7 at 8.5 then yes. And then 9.5-10 for 5 years.

How cute that Shattenkirk signed with Tampa... wasn’t that where we were trying to trade him?

How cute that Shattenkirk signed with Tampa... wasn’t that where we were trying to trade him?
- eggsegan

Ya and EDM for Taylor hall

Ya and EDM for Taylor hall
- Yeah Boyes

But I want to play for my hometown wah wah wah. Now he’s upset he was bought out. Should have played better then ya Richard

Will we ever hear from TIJ now?

Will we ever hear from TIJ now?


- carcus

I certainly hope so. I love his insight and depth of knowledge.

Would also like to know what his view is of Doug Armstrong.

Any word on Barbie’s contract?

Any word on Barbie’s contract?
- eggsegan

Read somewhere he is looking at Sundqvist’s contract as a comparison, or might try to use that as leverage for his next contract. They both scored 14 goals. Army was quoted as having said it “just takes a phone call” as for getting him signed. Not sure why the hesitation. Author also stated maybe Barby is trying to use the khl as leverage.... we all saw how that panned out for the last Blues player

Will we ever hear from TIJ now?


- carcus

He did pop in on one of the threads shortly after the cup with a "my bad dawg".

Rask is still having flashbacks of game seven. Anyone else around here having flashbacks of game seven? https://www.nbcsports.com...s-game-7-stanley-cup-loss