Been a while since I’ve posted much, given the circumstances, it might be that way for a little bit longer. Though I do promise a very interesting backup goalie post in the near future. Hoping to have it done this weekend.
In the meantime I will do my best to post a few pieces of news and thoughts till life outside BlueNoteZone settles down…or the Draft…whichever comes first.
So here is some randomness for your Friday afternoon. Yes, there is some speculation,but also foundation for a foray
- – -
Wouldn’t the Blues be a better team if they had drafted Paul Stastny? A question (and its many deviates) I am thoroughly sick of. Yes, the St. Louis Blues wasted an opportunity to draft a “local boy” who just happens to be a US Olympian and an outstanding centerman.
What if he came “home”? To stay and play… more than in one of Colorado’s four visits a season.
The belief persist are the hockey world that Paul still actually wants out of Colorado. Given his father’s comments following the Chris Stewart trade, there are potentially understandable reasons why Paul would like to pack his things and go.
Would Avs GM Greg Sherman talk turkey with Doug Armstrong again? Sure he would, for the right price.
Surely Sherman knows that Army is not going to part with Alex Pietrangelo, Stewart, David Backes or Kevin Shattenkirk. What about RFAs TJ Oshie and Patrik Berglund? What about cap friendly all around performer Alex Steen?
Seeing as much attention is being thrown Steen’s way in the media as a potential captain in 2011-12, I don’t see Steener leaving town. But Oshie and Berglud? You bet. Cheap, young and a ton of upside still to pull from their maturing hockey hearts and minds.
Would the Blues do it? Maybe. Maybe not. The Blues balked at sending Oshie away from once captain and future Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Pronger. Would a slightly over paid “1a” type centerman be received any better? Three words: Public Relations Nightmare.
Moving Berglund would be more easily digested by the flocks Oshie-hards, but be a bigger determent to the future of the club. Especially if his second half and World Championships performances foreshadow his near future prowess.
Computer chair GM’s can debate all day that the Blues could send “Cole, Schwartz and next years 1st” to get him. But let’s be real. This isn’t NHL 11. We aren’t matching meters. The Avs will want a quality replacement + more.
Armstrong has “promised” nothing big to shake up the core, but time will only tell if that prognostication holds true.
Are the Philadelphia Flyers a trading partner? Lots of blue bleeders have yearned for Scott Hartnell, Jeff Carter or even Ville Leino as cap cast offs. Never going to happen right? Maybe.
One hole the Blues have to resolve is in added a top two pairing left handed defenseman. They also need quality NHL depth at the forward position. The Flyers are likely looking to bring someone in as a true number 1 netminder to give the “BOB” time to mature.
No… I am NOT advocating trading Jaroslav Halak. Wash your minds of such nonsense.
Word is the Flyers could easily hit the free agent market for a netminder and send other parts packing to clear cap space. Ilya Bryzgalov, Semyon Varlamov, Tomas Vokoun… there are some recognizable names out there that Paul Holmgren will be attracted to. If they do ink a starter, expect the likes of Brayden Coburn and Matt Carle to be shopped.
Two left handed, top two pairing defensemen. Ville Leino will likely not fit in the budget. How to do they Flyers get something before they lose him? A trade.
Yes, that is where my train of thought is going.
The rights to Leino and Coburn for the rights to Berglund or Oshie and Nikitin?
Even a moderate net savings helps a cap ceiling team. Even a moderate net cap gain helps a cap floor team. Win/Win?