Jones

I get that hobbyist analytics hangers-on are all "herp derp Jones is so overrated derp", but the rest of the NHL rightly views him as a #1D, and so if you want him you have to pay prices commesurate with acquiring a #1D. Two B-list-at-best prospects, a 2nd, and a cap hazard/reclamation project isn't even in the same universe.

So be it; frankly, Jones is far from my first choice (I don't see him as a good enough #1 D, being in the analytics crowd). I wouldn't offer any more than what I posted - frankly, I would rather see Ghost in that top pairing than spend more to acquire Jones.

Blues can't do that trade. Doesn't make sense cap wise.

You're assuming that they're resigning some of the UFAs? With Schwatrz, Bozak, and Hoffman off the books they would have room ... or are some of the RFAs more expensive than I think? (I assumed having space for Kyrou was important, but otherwise Dunn is the only one I expected to be moderately pricey.) But I do acknowledge that Jake isn't cheap, so maybe he doesn't fit their desired cap allocation.

They also have Thomas to resign. Him and Kyrou will likely get similar contracts. Don't see Bozak resigning but the Blues have already expressed interest in resigning Hoffman because he was a big reason for their powerplay success. If a Voracek trade were involved at all at a minimum Tarasenko would have to go the other way (or moved to a different team). Armstrong doesn't like cap hits of 8+ though especially not in the flat cap Era.