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Latest on the Blues
Could Blues right wing Troy Brouwer join the Canucks this summer?
STLTODAY.COM: Jeff Gordon examined the pressing roster issues facing the St. Louis Blues this summer. He claims the club would like to re-sign pending UFA Troy Brouwer but he isn’t sure they can afford to win a bidding war for his services. It could prove difficult to re-sign captain David Backes, especially if he seeks a long-term deal comparable to the six-year, $41.25 million contract of Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler.
Gordon also speculates RFA left wing Jaden Schwartz might have to accept less money if he hopes to land a long-term extension. He’s coming off a two-year bridge deal worth $2 million in 2014-15 and $2.7 million this season. Blues GM Doug Armstrong might also wish to re-sign forward Alex Steen to an extension. He’ll be a UFA next summer and will earn $6.5 million in actual salary next season.
The Blues could consider trading defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, who’s also a year away from UFA status and could seek a big raise. Center Patrik Berglund could also attract some interest in the trade market. Gordon doubts the Blues will move defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, citing his no-trade protection and the remaining three years on his contract. He also believes the Blues would be better off retaining free-agent center Kyle Brodziak than bringing back Vladimir Sobotka from the KHL.
SPORTSNET: Luke Fox cites an interview Troy Brouwer recently had with Vancouver’s News 1130 radio in which the winger admitted he thought about joining the Canucks. “I have thought about it, for sure. Family & friends, playing for my hometown, it would be an experience for sure.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: You can bet Canucks GM Jim Benning’s ears perked up when he heard Brouwer’s comments. Doesn’t mean Brouwer’s a certainty to sign with the Canucks, but the prospect of playing for his hometown team could give them the edge. It depends, of course, on how much the Canucks are willing to invest in free agency this summer. It’s believed their top target is Boston’s Loui Eriksson. If they ink him for, say, around $6 million annually on a four-year deal, there might not be enough room in the budget for Brouwer.
As for Schwartz, I can see the Blues offering him a long-term deal at $5.5 million annually. If Backes really wants to remain with the Blues, he’ll have to leave some money on the table. The Blues last offer was three years at $5.5 million per season. If he wants a deal comparable to Kesler’s, the Blues will likely balk. It’s widely assumed Shattenkirk will be dealt this summer. Berglund’s frequently mentioned as a trade candidate but the Blues have been reluctant to part with him.
Latest draft speculation
SPORTSNET 960 (VIA TODAY’S SLAPSHOT): Elliotte Friedman reports speaking with a couple of scouts who mused over the notion of the Toronto Maple Leafs attempting to acquire Mitch Marner’s London Knights’ linemates. ‘Would Toronto ever consider trying to get all three of those guys?’ They’ve already got one, they’ve got Marner. Arizona has (Christian) Dvorak. They could draft Tkachuk.” Friedman said he’s not stating the Leafs will try this, but felt it would be interesting if they tried to trade for Dvorak and selecting Tkachuk with the first-overall pick, though that would mean giving up on drafting Auston Matthews. Friedman also believes it’s “extremely likely” the Columbus Blue Jackets retain the third-overall pick.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Acquiring Christian Dvorak from the Coyotes and selecting Tkachuk first overall is an interesting trade scenario, but one I doubt is going to happen. I believe the Leafs intend to use that first-overall selection for Auston Matthews. Yes, having Marner’s London Knights line skating for the Leafs seems like an exciting prospect. However, just because they play well in junior doesn’t mean they’ll enjoy the same success at the NHL level.
Rouyn held that line at bay for most of the final … and 90% of the Rouyn line-up will likely never play a game in the NHL.
Leafs drafted 3 Belleville Bulls in 1989. That didn’t work well. Recreating junior teams isn’t a viable team building plan.
What a waste of a draft that was !
In all fairness, Rouyn-Noranda was one of the only teams in the entire CHL who could manage that, and all three goals were scored by a member of that line (2 from Tkachuk, one from Dvorak). Not that I think that it is a good idea this scenario, simply because taking Tkachuk that high would be nuts, this coming from a Knights fan. Trading for Dvorak is possible, though I am not sure if they did that, if he would even end up playing with Marner considering he is a centre and Matthews and Kadri seem to be the one-two punch going forward for Toronto.
Remember who made the suggestion…
Its really not all that crazy to suggest. Mark Hunter, the head of scouting for the leafs is also 1/2 owner of the Knights, he was the manager who brought Dvorak and Tkachuk to the Knights, he is a great evaluator of talent. The Coyotes covet hometown boy Mathews, I could see the Leafs doing a deal to swap picks and sending a guy like VanRiemsdyk who is 27 and a little old for the Leafs re-build and another couple sweeteners for Dvorak and Max Domi and there you go, a bunch of former Knights on the Leafs.
So if JVR is too old for Leafs rebuild, is he not then too old for Coyotes rebuild as well?
I’m sorry but Arizona is NOT trading multiple, young assets at the start of a rebuild.
“he is a great evaluator of” (junior) “talent”. Hunter has proven nothing as an NHL scout.
How many former Knights are in the NHL compared to othher programs? Id say being one of the best success rates of guys moving on from the CHL to the NHL kind of speaks to how well Hunter has done evaluating talent.
What the Hunters have proven is that they are great at diddling the major junior rules on drafting and building a team and negotiating “sweetheart” deals.
Blues have some choices to make with Backes, Brouwer, and Schwartz. They can’t afford all 3 unless major salary moves out elsewhere (Stastny or Shattenkirk).
I think Brouwer will find another team offering more $ for more years than the blues. I think they will try hard to resign Backes at under 6M. If they sign Backes I could see them trading Schwartz for draft pick / prospects. Tough to move on from a good young player but Backes gives them a better shot at deep playoffs runs and chance for a cup.
Likely to move Shattenkirk as well. I think they stand pat with their goalies for next season.
Who do you think Blues should try and retain for best chance at a cup in next 2-3 years?
Unfortunately StL has to cut ties with Backes & Brouwer. It’s not the cap hits each will demand specifically it’s the term of said contracts which are problematic for StL. Teams will line up to pay Backes 6 to 6.5 for 5 or 6 years & Brouwer 4.5 to 5 for 5 years.
You can’t allow a young player like Schwartz to be moved to accommodate those 2 contracts which in the last few years of those deals will most likely be a serious burden.
Unfortunately in this cap world, success forces teams in cap hell; that was for Littlebear, to make hard decisions. The good teams except this & move on.
If StL were to let Backes go & trade Shattenkirk they could accommodate Brouwer’s contract demands & even at 5 years if you could get him signed at 4 to 4.5 would be manageable. Parayko is ready to assume far more responsibility so trading Shattenkirk makes a ton of sense & the return even though he’s 1 year from UFA status would be significant.
Not sure why everyone wants to get rid of all St.L UFA and Shattenkirk, is your objective to be competitive from year to year or win the cup and be competitive. Would the blues have a better chance with Brouwer and Backes or without them? Can they replace them assets with player(s) that will make them a cup contender and with Steen and Shattenkirk with one season left. If im St.Louis and i think by adding an additional piece or two would but me over the hump that could potentially bring home the Cup, i be doing everything in my power to do so because the city and their fans deserve it. The main piece you have to move is Lehtera and his 4.7m contract, easier said then done.
Blues have to keep either Backes or Brouwer-
Patrik Berglund – Blues can trade him, if they can find a club that considers him a top 6 forward. If not, then he won’t bring much in trade.
Tough news about Tom Lysiak and Rick MacLeish
You are right berglund is another trade option. But most trading partners would be sending salary back the other way. With Schwartz I think there is greater opportunity to get more cap relief and pick up some decent draft pick or prospect.
You wonder if there is a coach somewhere that can wrestle Berglund out of his slumber. The guy has the size and speed to be a force.
Ottawa couldn’t do it with Greening who had size and speed to burn (he won the fastest skater twice at team trials) and Chiasson, also good size and fast – both just never realized what they had going for them and played soft. Wouldn’t surprise me to see Ottawa simply walk away from Chiasson and let someone else try.
George – Sens have had some promising young players the past few years that seem to have plateaued faster than expected.
George not meant as any slight, just related to the conversation. Neither Greening or Chaisson have posted the offensive #’s Berglund has posted. Berglund in his 3rd full season scored 22 goals & 52 points. He has played his NHL career in numerous roles from 2nd line LW to 4th line cnter he even has had brief appearances as a 1st line C for which he certainly isn’t suited but his quantity & quality of minutes have declined significantly since that break through season.
He is a great example of what a player can & can not do giving the opportunity. Chaisson has had endless opportunities in scoring roles & with PP time but has done nothing regardless.
Once again, I was only comparing the players in reference to their “size and speed” qualities and the fact that big and fast don’t always add up to consistency/production. Greening did score 17 goals and added 20 assists in his first full year in the league – and then nada. Chiasson had 13 goals and 35 points in his first full season in Dallas. But the reasons for optimism soon dissipated.
Berglund at 3.7 for 1 more season would make a decent 3rd line C for numerous teams who can move around the line up as injuries dictate. He’s a big body, great skater but appears to be missing a few tools from his tool box.
Sabres should look at Schwartz since they have both assets and cap relief that can go back St Louis’ way.
I think Schwartz is going to be a stud. His injury has set him back a bit in what may have been a serious break through season & with so much depth in StL his quality of ice time is some what limited; 2nd unit but should StL lose Backes, Brouwer & Shattenkirk that is a ton of quality ice time to be redistributed.
That’s if you consider a player who turns 24 in June that scored 28 goals & 63 points in 2014-15 & 25 goals & 56 points in his 1st full season capable of having a break through. Schwartz looks to have 30 goal 70 point potential in a walk.
Striker – i agree, Blues should do everything possible to lock him up. He would fetch a nice return if traded.
I’d try to keep Backes, not Brouwer. I think both may price themselves out of STLs comfort zone, but if I had to choose one it be Backes.
You’re right sad day in hockey.
I try to look at the positives Yankee. I the pre cap era the have teams could just buy all these players. The cap has seriously leveled the playing field & the parity created is a positive for all hockey fans not just the rich teams.
I’m sure looking forward to this summer; probably the best UFA market in years, numerous teams having to solve ap issues being forced to allowed players to walk as UFA’s or trading existing players to be cap compliant, especially if expansion is moving forward with play starting in 2017-18. Better yet if by 2 teams as opposed to 1.
I’m starting to get the inclination that expansion might be delayed by 1 season with play commencing in 2018-19. I’m adapting to the hints starting to circulate or being referenced now by the NHL. I’d say we are still about 90% a go for 2017-18 but some doubt entering my mind now.
I agree there are a lot of teams facing serious cap issues. I think once more teams figure out how to manage the cap the more parity there will be.
Problem I have is that there is only so much money to go around and with salaries rising teams are going to face tough decisions. Like STL. If both Backes and Brouwer get raises, where are they going to fit Schwartz in ? If they move Shattenkirk or Bouwmeister then who replaces them ? You’re losing some good players to be replaced with cheaper unknowns. They could be lesser talents or they could become Rusts or Sheerys. You are taking a risk all because of the cap.
Like the economy it’s quite possible the middle class players are phased out or have to take a pay cut. The cap needs to rise to cover inflation or rising salaries. If you can stay competitive with an internal cap ceiling, good for you. Cap hell hurt Chicago , TVR is no Johnny Oduya.
It should be a very interesting off season indeed !
Were totally on the same page.
It’s to bad Stan didn’t acquire Hamhuis instead of Ladd. I like van Reimsdyk but he wasn’t ready for the role & minutes; 23:53 TOI/GP, he was asked to play at such a young age. Although we will never know for certain I think Chicago would have advanced significantly further if not won the cup had they addressed the #4 D spot.
Although a Bruins fan I have a ton of teams I like. The majority with a few minor exceptions. Montreal, Calgary, Carolina & New Jersey & I’m softening to a few of these teams. I own a black Chicago 3rd jersey & when not playing Boston in the cup finals I wear it otherwise I wear Bruins black. Ha-ha!
He overpaid for Ladd. If I was Van I would have jumped at Marko Dano for Hamhuis but to add a 1st, has to be one his worst moves.
I like the original 6 teams, maybe because I grew up at that time.
You & me both. Lived in New Brunswick. There were only 6 teams in the NHL back in the early 70’s & the 1st 25 NHL games I ever attended were all in the old Boston Garden a short drive away when borders barely existed. Bobby Orr, Espisito, Cashman, Sanderson, Buyck, Hodge, etc. Been a Bruins fan ever since.
And i bet their payroll was less the a million dollars ! Heck of a team !
Another way for the Leafs to get Tkachuk is trade for the 4th pick from the Oilers. Although beside Rielly I don’t see what else the Leafs have that the Oilers would want, and no way the Leafs are trading Rielly.
You would have to think the Blues want to take another good run at the cup and moving Shattenkirk and not being able to resign Backes and Brouwer would certainly hinder that and at the same time do you want to sign both to long term contracts? Personaly I would love to see them take another run because the window is closing. If they could move Lehtera with his 4.7m contract about to kick in and if they think they could do it without Shattenkirk who could bring back some valuable less expensive pieces. Also hear they going to announce the returning of Hitch today not sure if that the best move, didn’t like the handling of Elliot, look no further then San Jose when they ditched Mclellan. Team is so close you would want them to take one more run.
These dreams of Toronto acquiring all these linemates makes for a feel good story but really the chances of these types of things playing out are very unrealistic & make little sense.
Toronto will draft Matthews. They will sign 2 UFA’s, 1 forward & 1 D & they will trade for a goalie. They may trade up but it won’t be to 4 it will be moving from Pittsburgh’s 29th or 30th pick moving nominally higher potentially but not essentially.
Toronto isn’t as far away as many of you think. They are in a full rebuild & will stay the course time wise; 3 or 4 more years, but I see Toronto stepping up significantly this year points wise & actually being in the playoff hunt the season following. By no means a serious contender but the foundation & systems put in place by the management & Babcock are going to bare fruit very quickly.
I laid a wager for Toronto to make the playoffs last season at 40 to 1 & will take what ever this seasons odds are as well as I think in today’s NHL anything can happen year to year.
I can see the Leafs moving up to get the Islander’s 1st using Pittsburgh’s 1st and both 2nds if they like someone. It’s a 10 spot jump but NYI doesn’t have a 2nd of their own, and may look to restock after using assets to trade up last year. Id only like to see the Leafs do this if Fabbro is on the board, otherwise pick a goalie with the 29th/30th or another defenceman and move on.
Agreed that getting the 4th is unrealistic. Zero chance the Leafs unite Marner with Tkatchuk AND Dvorak. Pie in the sky stuff.
I would like to see the leafs move Pittsburgh’s pick to in or around the 15 spot to get a shot at 1 of the solid D prospects available.
We have the Stamkos factor as well. Buds keep saying they are focused on the rebuild, but you know the Leafs will be all over it if Stammer leaves TB and shows ANY desire to play in Tronna. Rebuild – Schmebuild – if you can get a guy like this to build around, you do it. Especially since Tronna has an open #1 center position available. Leafs would do what the Sabres did least year – get an established #1 center to take the heat off their top draft choice, placing Matthews in the #2 center position.
Agreed it’s a distinct possibility. What are Toronto’s playoff chances if they did the following. Now by no means am I saying this is going to happen & numerous cap issues would need to be addressed through trades & buyouts to potentially make it work but here’s dreaming in techno color.
Toronto signs Stamkos & a player like Hamhuis as a UFAs, they trade for Shattenkirk & Andersen from Anaheim. Are they a playoff team now? I would say in a walk.
Now obviously they would move some assets out but not necessarily any A prospects; Nylander, Marner etc, or high 1st round picks but some B grade prospects & late 1st or 2nds. I don’t consider this killing the rebuild. All other rebuilding continue’s.
Toronto is going to draft Matthew’s, Marner & Nylander & numerous other solid prospects are already in the system & Toronto has a bushel of picks.
Striker what are they giving up for Shattenkirk & Andersen?
I just don’t believe the Leafs will be as patient as they as they say they will be.
Again Scott that’s dreaming in techno color but I would assume something along these lines.
Komorov & a pick of some nature. It maybe not even have to be that high a pick. Say like Washington’s 2nd, possibly even Toronto’s 3rd although that’s potentially tied up in futures currently with 2 teams; Det & NJ, but could even be a pick in 2017 or beyond. Someone yesterday proposed Pittsburgh’s 1st & Kapanen? Again nothing overly devastating to the rebuild.
As for Shattenkirk that’s a little more challenging even though facing UFA status in 1 season. He fits well with Toronto’s cap situation this season until they can get Michalek, Greening & Robidas off the books to sign him long term. He will be in high demand by numerous teams if StL decides to move him.
Toronto will buy out Cowen; creating a 650K credit against the cap next season & 750K cap hit the season following, Robidas being injured isn’t eligible for a buyout but he & Horton will be put on LTIR on opening day but their cap hits count against the cap until then, so Toronto has to account for their cap hits over the summer & Toronto submits it’s 23 man roster the day prior to the start of the season.
No team is allowed to exceed the cap in the summer or by more than 10% in future seasons of the current cap. That’s called tagging in the CBA.
I don’t really know what to suggest Toronto give up for Shattenkirk. That’s why I said dreaming in techno color. They don’t have the pick currently as Pittsburgh’s is to late & they can’t risk giving up their 1st next season. Perhaps it can be addressed with quantity; Pittsburgh’s 1st this season & Ottawa’s 2nd in 2017, instead of quality a higher pick this season?
I would say it will cost who ever buys Shattenkirk; should he be moved, a 1st round pick in the 12 to 17 range, a solid prospect but not necessarily a stud like Nylander or Marner or a top 6 roster player at forward or #5 Dman on an ELC or bridge contract. Essentially a younger guaranteed NHL player in the 22 to 24 year old range making very little salary.
Kapanen is a ” C ” prospect remember ? :>) Who wants a ” C ” prospect ? Sam Bennett, Mitch Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers, they are only ” C ” prospect too.
If the Leafs are to give up assets I would definately consider moving Kapanen. While he has a high upside, a lot of the prospects do and you need to give up something in order to get something.
Yankee did you really just compare kapenan to ehlers,Bennett and even marner??? Lmao you are a donkey!! OMFG!
Sure striker start getting ready for the stanly cup parade in 10 or 12 years if everything works out for them,never to early to dream!
Spud.
Not a Leafs fan. Was dreaming for Toronto fans in techno color, giving an example that Toronto isn’t necessarily 5 years from being competitive again. Ask most Toronto fans & they all honestly believe Stamkos is signing in Toronto.
I really like what Shanahan, Hunter, Dubois & Babcock have accomplished in the blink of an eye. Toronto has a very bright future.
You’ll notice I deliberate left out Lou. This hiring made ZERO sense to me. Old school & well past his best before date which expired about 10 years ago but get that he’s there to mentor Dubois.
Remember who the GM is though, you know something crazy will happen at the draft for Leafs.
You can never underestimate the stupidity of a GM. Many are like 10 year old boys in the toy department at Wallmart with 50 bucks in their pocket. They can’t wait to spend it, can’t decide what they want, they final decide only to get home & wish they had bought something else.
They are also under pressure to win now. They will gamble with the Boss’ money on a guy they “think” can help them quickly. Not many five year plans left in owners’ vocabularies. They want it now, especially if they control more than the gate.
TO has enough prospects now they need to trade up for more quality. Pits first and a second should get them into a mid first round pick. They also have a lot of prospects that are potential assets once they decide who is moving up. There is no reason to reunite the Knight’s line. Marner could end up playing with better players like Nylander, Matthews, JVR and/or Kadri?
The big focus should be goaltending. The Shanaplan will stay the course.
Here’s your horrible fantasy arm-chair Leafs GM trading. lol:
To Toronto: 4th overall pick + Eberle
To Edmonton: JvR + Pitt’s 1st + Gardiner + Dermott
To Toronto: Dvorak + 7th overall pick
To Arizona: Kapanen + Kadri + Eberle
To Toronto: Andersen
To Anaheim: 7th overall pick
Dvorak was drafted 58th overall, while Kapanen was drafted 22nd overall. With Dvorak winning the Memorial Cup, his worth obviously went up, so giving them Kadri is kinda evening it out, and Eberle for their 7th overall.
Edmonton is looking to improve their defense. Gardiner is quick, still young and improving greatly. Then giving them JvR is for Eberle+, is improving their forward position after losing Eberle. Dermott is improving their dman prospect pool. Essentially it is JvR for the 4th overall. And the rest for their Eberle.
Then we trade the 7th overall for Andersen, so that our goaltending is set.
Laich – Matthews – Komarov
Tkachuk – Dvorak – Marner
Leivo – Bozak – Michalek
Leipsic – Greening – Lupul
—————————
Rielly – Percy
Zaitsev – Hunwick
Corrado – Harrington
—————————
Andersen
Bernier
I figured to put Laich and Uncle Leo with Matthews, to protect him. But then we have a all-rookie 2nd line. But that line-up is just to show where we’re at with the future of; Matthews, M
Oh, and keep an eye out for a trading of Nylander. Because we’re eventually going to have to set Matthews up with someone. Or put him on wing with Matthews.
I know that Hunter is a huge fan of Tkachuk, but I can’t see the Leafs taking him #1. Far more likely that they would trade the pick and try to stock up with a package that could include some really good assets from Arizona. Before Maloney was let go, Toronto trading the Matthews pick for a package that might include SOME of the 7th overall pick, Max Domi, Strome, Dvorak would not seem that outragous. Perhaps even taking Smith in a deal of goalies? BUT the show in Arizona is currently being run by Tippett and the young GM with very little track record. I don’t see them going out on a limb when they are already sitting pretty happy in terms of prospects. Don’t forget that Tkachuk was also born in Arizona. So they get a local boy to promote as a potential future captain. That will keep management happy. But for a deal that would land Arizona both Matthews and Tkachuk, that would take one heck of a lopsided offer.
Another consideration is huge amount of publicity that the Leafs have enjoyed thanks to the Matthews coronation. Don’t forget how the team suffered for years under the scrutiny of the Kessel deal. If they were to trade away Matthews perhaps even the appeal of getting Domi, Strome and Dvorak would not be enough to warrant the risk.