Keeping Petro

Hot take: Perron is easier to replace internally than Allen (and gives us a better chance to shed Faulk at the Expansion Draft)

Perron's production at $4m would be hard to replace. I really dont see us being able to dump Faulk, although I am all for it. He has a full NTC, so he would have to agree. I do think he is better than he is playing, but for someone to commit to that contract would be tough.

No Movement Clause is the one that forces protection in the exp. draft.

Perron is having a stellar year, maybe his best ever. Makes me think he may not be able to repeat, and with Kyrou/Kostin/Blais/Sanford providing cheap production, I could see a scenario where we sell high on Perron, but it may not be very likley - paradoxical for a GM to trade a guy for overperforming.

Normally I would agree with you, but Perrons numbers have been that way the last 3 years. So it's not just a this year thing. 17-18 - 66 pts / 18-19 - 46pts in 57 games / 19-20 57 pts in 63 games. Granted he had injuries last year, but PPG production was there.

I like Sanford, but I need to see more. He just now has become consistent for a long period. Need to see more before I trust him to put up Perron numbers. I dont see Blais putting up a lot of numbers. my opinion, but I see a ceiling of a good 3rd liner who bangs and can throw in maybe 35 pts +/-. Havent seen nearly enough of Kyrou or Kostin, obviously I love their upside, but I have seen too many "great prospects" come through and not work out for me to trust that they will put up those numbers either. Time will tell, I hope so!!

That is a hot take, because forwards are generally much more reliable performance wise than goalies. Maybe you're correct about replacing them internally, just because who knows with Husso, but we're paying nearly the same in cap hit for two guys- one who is nearly a PPG player in the past three seasons (Perron) and one who is a backup goalie (Allen)- a very good backup goalie, sure, but still a backup goalie. One of those guys is getting vastly underpaid for his role, and one overpaid for his role. I think in general, it's much easier to replace the latter than the former, knowing how unpredictable goaltending can be, and how many teams, including the Blues, have just found good goalies on the scrap heap. I would much rather move Allen and give Husso a shot or sign someone like Smith, Elliot, or *gulp* Crawford for half the price than try to replace Perron. Even if Seattle takes him, that's a year away for a team that's in prime cup contention mode.