Exploring Armstrong’s Options

With Marek Svatos out of the picture thanks to Nashville, General Manager Doug Armstrong continues his search for reinforcements. Given who is missing, its understandable that fans want an able scorer or two to be the addition to the roster.

Perhaps that’s not the right way to go about it.

I have little doubt, as should we all, that Army is searching under every rock and in every crack to find help for the St. Louis Blues. Now that the team has proven on the ice that they can help themselves, Doug has to help them not only “keep pace”, but exceed the standard set in the Western Conference. TJ Oshie‘s return may be on the horizon, but David Perron and Andy McDonald‘s are unpredictable. Losing the latter two means losing a combined 825 games played (235 and 590). Roughly 10 years of experience. Armstrong has been around the block more than once and knows his comparatively young club needs a veteran supplement.

Svatos may not be a stereotypical veteran, but he would have brought 316 career NHL games and 96 goals. Respectable production and far from newbie status. A low risk, potentially high reward find. Those types of deals do not come along often. Sorry if I beat a dead horse, but the NHL is not an EA or ESPN inspired fantasy world. It’s not as simple as matching need with numbers. Finding goal scorers at a mid season interval is the exception, not the rule.

Again, understandable request for assistance, but not realistic. Which is why attentions are likely to draw elsewhere.

Vladimir Sobotka has been a diamond in the rough find. Excelling in a traditional energy line role and now working out as David Backes‘ wing man sans TJ. His ability to fill in on left wing makes his return to 4th line duty delayed till 10 and 57 are back on the ice. Leaving the plumber duties to AHL filler forward Adam Cracknell. Not to say Cracknell hasn’t worked his tail off and is doing well enough because he has. However, a more tried and true centerman will help the Blues win more games.

What about an effective penalty killer to bolster a slumping PK unit? Maybe a face-off specialist to take (and win) key draws?

Ryan Johnson: Image Via Blackhawks.NHL.com

Would the front office try to snag former Blue Ryan Johnson off waivers from the Blackhawks? I had the pleasure of sitting in front of the autograph line… press section… at Wednesday’s optional skate and could swear I heard some of the brain trust mention RJ. If you read BNZ and my other work, your know I don’t like to run the rumor mill or blindly speculate. I could have misheard or be reading between the lines far too much. At this point “I’m just sayin’…” that RJ is the perfect type of guy to add.

With Jonathan Toews injury it’s not likely Johnson is put on waivers to head back to Rockford, but keep an eye on him.

Marty Reasoner: Image Via Panthers.NHL.com

Another former Blue who could be had is Marty Reasoner. As the Florida Panthers fall further behind the pace, expect GM Dale Tallon to start acquiring more assets for non essential personnel. Marty is a Plus-6 on an offensively weak squad that wins in a similar style to the Blues. Tight defensive play supporting the netminder and leading to counter attacks. With 658 career games, he knows his role and can excel in it. His 55.5% face-off winning percentage (274 wins / 494 attempts) is also another selling point.

A team like the Calgary Flames may be able to provide both a scoring winger and depth in the bottom six. Jay Feaster, the new Flames GM, is very cap savvy and will likely be looking for deals. As his reconstruction begins they may move someone like Niklas Hagman. A left winger who can score 20+ goals and has a relatively cheap price tag of $3 million per season to pay. The fact that he has a year remaining after the current season may deter the Blues.  Hard to tell with the investor situation up in the air and the current campaign not in the books. Perhaps yet another former Blue, Craig Conroy, would come back as well or perhaps a rental like Curtis Glencross?

Perhaps once Brian Burke comes around that Toronto Maple Leafs season is over one year wonder Clarke MacArthur could be added. A grinding 4th center he is not, but he may become a bargain buy scorer around the deadline as the Leafs make a mad grab for assets since they are without a first round pick once again. If Perron and McDonald are still out at the deadline, this could be a deal Armstrong considers to keep the Blues in the race.

Tinkering with the lineup is tricky business and that is why it took so long to make the “first move” by going after Svatos. The problems could clear up by weekends conclusion if the two concussed forwards are symptom free for 48 hours. Still, Army will keep working because he knows the Blues are a couple injuries away from being right back where they were. He knows the weakness and he’ll work to resolve it.

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