Blues Trade Targets
As the clock ticks down to 3pm Eastern on March 3rd, teams are scrambling to finalize deals coming out of the Olympic break. The Blues are no different. They are looking to pander off UFA parts for long term assets. In a previous blog we looked at Kariya and then revisited his options. For now let’s delve in to whom the Blues will look to buy. After all, a team can buy and sell at the same time.
Areas of Need
The Blues are losing Goalie Chris Mason, Forwards Paul Kariya and Keith Tkachuk, and Defensemen Carlo Colaiacovo and Mike Weaver to unrestricted free agency. This puts the Blues to task finding a starting goalie, a “Top 6″ and “Top 9″ Forward, as well as a power play Defenseman and a key penalty killer on the blue line.
A starting goalie and producing forwards will be the three most expensive pieces to replace come July 1st. It’s possible to address one of the three via free agency, but all three could be very pricey. Alex Pietrangelo or Jonas Junland are likely internal replacements for Colaiacovo. The penalty killing defensemen could be as well via Tyson Strachan or Ian Cole should he decide to leave Notre Dame. The Blues can likely address their defensive depth come the open market. The goaltenders available come free agency are not young and that could be a lot of money put in to a declining product. The forward pool is very top heavy and the Blues need to fill Kariya and Tkachuk’s spot. For argument’s sake, let’s say the Blues go the route of replacing forwards via Free agency and upcoming prospect players and focus on goaltending at the deadline.
Goaltending
While most Blues fans will commend Chris Mason for his work in St. Louis, those same fans realize that Chris isn’t the answer for 10-11 and beyond. It’s sad, but true. In his mid 30′s, Chris just isn’t worth the type of deal someone might toss at him on the open market. Ty Conklin has been a starter, but he isn’t the answer either. Is Ben Bishop? One year of AHL play, a starter does not make.
Where are the Blues to go? Free Agency? Possibly, but as quickly digested above, it’s pricey in a geriatric market. This leaves the Blues the trade option. An option they explored last summer when kicking the tires on the Wild’s Josh Harding. AS we also saw last summer, teams were unwilling to part with said goalie for a “fair” price. Can’t say I blame them. I also can’t blame the Blues for not overpaying. The Blues have had rumored interest in Vancouver’s top netminder to be, Corey Schneider. The common theme? A team stable in their NHL net with a capable young standout waiting in the wings. Time to acquire an asset, no?
Who fits the “criteria”?
Jonathan Bernier – Los Angeles Kings
Jhonas Enroth – Buffalo Sabres
Cory Schneider – Vancouver Canucks
Josh Harding – Minnesota Wild
Michal Neuvirth – Washington Capitals
Jonathan Bernier - Image via frozenroyalty.net
Jonathan Bernier – Los Angeles Kings
Hockey’s Future Profile
Bernier has been described as a quick hybrid goalie. In his last two season with the Kings AHL affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, Bernier has appeared in 101 games. In that time span he is 48-40-9, posting a 2.16 GAA and .926 Save %.
As stated in Kariya Blog #2, LA has the cap space and money to get in on Kariya if they cannot land someone like Poinkarvosky or Whitney. More pieces would likely need to be added, but this would allow LA to clearly define Jonathan Quick as the starter and acquire assets back for Bernier.
Jhonas Enroth - Image via InGoalMag.com
Jhonas Enroth – Buffalo Sabres
Hockey’s Future Profile
Jhonas was drafted 46th Overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2nd Round of the 2006 NHL Draft. Enroth helped to lead the Swedes to a Silver Medal at the 2008 World Junior Championships. Jhonas does lack size, he is listed around 5’10 and 180 lbs on most sites, but he plays a quick game and has good reflexes.
In his two seasons with Buffalo’s AHL affiliate, the POrtland Pirates, Johnas has appeared in 102 games. His record is 43-40-7 while posting a 2.55 GAA and .916 Save %.
While Buffalo does have a balance scoring attack, they could be looking for a rental forward to help puck pucks in the net while not hurting the team defensively. That is the way Kariya has played under coach Davis Payne. Buffalo does have the cap space to take on Kariya’s salary. Buffalo could also be looking for some assurance on the blue line in the future. They have three UFA defensemen on their roster.
Corey Schneider - Image via InGoalMag.com
Cory Schneider – Vancouver Canucks
Hockey’s Future Profile
Cory has been successful at nearly every level of play. He had a solid career at BC and has been an outstanding net minder for Vancouver’s AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose. Cory was the 2009 AHL Goalie of the Year. He is listed as 6’1 or 6’2 by most sites and about 185 to 190 lbs. HIs AHL career encompasses 120 games played while posting a 2.29 GAA and .916 Save %.
There is no disputing Cory can play, the question is taking that play to the NHL level. With the Roberto Luongo extension, Cory is now expendable to return assets. Kariya is on Vancouver’s radar, as could be Carlo Colaiacovo. The issue for Vancouver is money and taking back salary. They don’t have the room to take Kariya without moving multiple NHL players or Pavol Demitra. A prospect package could be had, but I don’t see the Blues selling off potential prospects for an unproven player at the NHL level. Consensus seems to say Schneider would be the Blues best fit, but Vancouver is not an ideal trading partner.
Josh Harding - Image via meltyourfaceoff.com
Josh Harding – Minnesota Wild
Harding has been a solid addition to the Minnesota Wild family. He has been a faithful back up to Backstrom for the last few seasons. Like the Lunogo/Schneider dynamic in Vancouver, Minnesota has the same issue with Backstrom and Harding. They have inked their veteran goalie to an extension and the young prospect is tradable.
Harding had a solid AHL career posting a 67-40-7 Record with a 2.38 GAA and .924 Save %. Harding also has 75 games of NHL experience posting a 24-35-4 record with a 2.56 GAA and .917 Save %. Harding is by far the most experienced goalie of this bunch with a total of 193 profesional games played.
This trade is a difficult one to make at the deadline since the Wild are less than five points out of 8th place like the Blues are. At the same time, it can be said that if the Wild are to make it, Backstrom will carry them there. Is Harding needed for today? Or can he bring back assests to help now and later? MInnesota has six free agent forwards on their roster, four of those are UFAs. They will need young and cheap offensive producers. Could this be a destination for a Perron, Palushaj, McRae? This deal is more likely to happen during the summer than by Wednesday, but we shall see.
Harding is my personal pick.
Michal Neuvirth - Image via Washington Post
Michal Neuvirth – Washington Capitals
Neuvirth has been part of the Caps revolving door of goalies this season. He has shared some time with Theodore and Varlamov. It is very possible Neuvirth ends up log jammed behind Varlamov since it seems the team wants to go forward with Varlamov. The Caps need to address some issues on their blue line. A place the Blues might be able to help.
Neuvirth has 33 games of experience with the Capital’s AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears. In those games Neuvirth has a 2.27 GAA and a .921 Save%. In his 22 career NHL games Michal has a 11-5-0 record while posting a 2.80 GAA and .910 Save %.
Neuvirth is one of the lesser known names in goaltending prospects to the average Blues fan. Do take note, Neuvirth lead the Hershey Bears to a Calder Cup Victory over Schneider’s Manitoba Moose last season. Both goalies posted a 2.11 GAA and Nuevirth barely edged Schneider in Save %, .926 to .921., in 18 Playoff games. Neuvirth is listed at 6′- to 6’1 and right around 190 lbs.
I am not sure the Blues could go “wrong” with any of these goalies. All have upsides and downsides. What will determine the deal is the price of the player(s) heading back. I the asking price is Lars Eller or Alex Pietrangelo, you rework the deal or walk away. If this involves Backes, Oshie, Johnson, Berglund…you rework the deal or walk away. The Blues cannot afford to give up future key core pieces to roll the dice on the goalies above. A second level prospect like Palushaj, Cole…that could be doable. Only time will tell where the Blues go for a goalie, or if they even do make a deal.
