Blues Offseason

[simmer2]

Rumors are swirling and the GM has been on the phone quite a bit recently. Nobody is safe, and prospects are starting to get worried.

There have been some conversations around Quick but based on valuations so far, he will be staying a Blue.

If you need a salary dump and want good prospects or picks, let me know!

[simmer2]

The Blues have made three trades so far early in the off-season, with lots more to come.

To Ottawa

28th Pick 2012 Draft
Conditional 1st in 2013

To St. Louis

Dan Boyle

We wanted a top d-man and Boyle played top minutes with the Sharks. He is getting older but still has a couple solid years and will be worth his rating.

To Dallas

John Moore (22nd Overall in 2010)

To Blues

Jonathan Ericsson
$1mm
3rd Rndr 2012

We wanted the immediate ratings, and while John Moore is a good young player we like Ericsson's upside still and is only 28.

To Leafs

Tyler Johnson
Robbie Czarnik

To Blues

Benoit Pouloit

While Pouloit is a UFA this year, he'll have decent ratings and I am hoping he gets signed by an NHL team. He is a solid 3rd/4th liner.

[simmer2]

Add one more deal to the mix. It took forever as do most trades with Dave, but at least both of us were having a drink while it was going down.

To Columbus

JT Miller
Jonathan Bernier
55th Overall pick 2012

To Blues

Thomas Vanek

[simmer2]

One more, another blockbuster with the Jackets.

To Jackets

Adam Larsson
14th overall pick in 2012

To Blues

Rick Nash

I'm a huge fan of Nash, and to get a top liner is big for me at this point...I don't have much else to work with so they are needed!

[simmer2]

NEXT MOVES

Jonathan Bernier - MOVED
Vladislav Namestnikov (28th overall 2010) - AVAILABLE
Mark McNeill (18th overall 2010) - AVAILABLE
JT Miller - MOVED
Greg Nemisz - AVAILABLE
Matt Puempel (24th overall 2010) - MOVED
3rd and 31st Picks if the prices are right

And please don't ask me what I want for them...put together a reasonable offer and then we can talk.

[simmer2]

To Flyers

Mark McNeill
2nd Rndr 2013

To Blues

Patrick Elias

[simmer2]

To Dallas

Vladislav Namestnikov

To Blues

Brooks Orpik
54th overall, 2012 pick
$2mm

We wanted a top shutdown guy to play with Boyle, and needed a 2nd rounder to fulfill a commitment. Paying $5.5mm for Orpik next year is solid value...but I think Dallas value-wise wins this deal.

To Sharks

Fienhage
Wellman
2 4th Rounder

To Blues

Martin Havlat

The band-aid is on a UFA contract, so moving a decent prospect in Wellman and some picks is fair value. Just need to decide if I am going to sign him or not. I am hoping his re-rate is terrible so I can sign him at a good grid-rate and somehow doesn't get injured next year.

[simmer2]

One more trade, this one involving the 3rd overall pick:

TO DALLAS

#3 Pick

TO ST LOUIS

Ryan Strome
#19 pick
2nd (13')

I was not planning on moving the pick but Turd and I had been talking for a couple weeks and finally came to a deal. Guarantees he will get a top player...I like Strome as much as any available at #3 and get an extra mid pick. I think both sides are happy with the deal.

[simmer2]

Well it has been an interesting last few days as the Blues acquired Carlson only to turn around and move him. Here is how the deal went:

TO SHARKS

John Carlson
Anders Nilsson
2 3rd Rounders in 13'

TO BLUES

Jordan Staal

We recognized a shortage of quality centers in the league and had a glut of d-men. While we really like Carlson and his contract, we also know that Staal is a top center defensively and is great offensively.

We may have paid a bit much but think it helps our squad in the long term.

Thanks Logan for the deal!

[TurdFerguson]

Good deal for both sides I think. Not sure the prospect was needed by the blues though.

Good job gents.

[Slava]

So....any update on realignment?

[simmer2]

Why a realignment? Still a long ways to go Vic...still have Bergeron on my team!

[Slava]

I see whats amassing there though. Between the Wings, Jackets and Blues this is a pretty brutal division!