The Blues have won 7 out of their past 8 games and are really heating up under Bannister. The powerplay has greatly improved, the forecheck has been active every game, and the defense has been sound. On top of that we're getting great goalie play from Binner and Hofer. So what will the Blues do at this upcoming deadline? Realistically, if the Blues are in a playoff spot, they can't afford to sell. They don't really have too many players to sell off at this years trade deadline so all the more reason I think Army will hold on to most, if not all, of his pending UFAs. For example, why trade Scandella for a late round pick when he would be an important part of your defense and PK in the playoffs, it's just unlikely Army makes that type of move. At the same time, this is still a "retooling" team. The Blues are over performing given their current roster and it could fall apart at some point. So because of that, Army will unlikely shell out picks or prospects for rentals at the TDL (at least hopefully).
Here's what I think is the best case scenario given what Army will likely do. I think the Blues will sign Snuggerud at the end of his college season and he will join the roster if the Blues are still pushing for a playoff spot or are already in the playoffs. Secondly, I think Army needs to look at upgrading on Kapanen in the middle 6 RW. This would hopefully come in the form of a younger player in need of a change of scenery and a player that could be a part of the Blues long term future. It would be nice to get more of a two way player who can play a physical, Blues style of game.
What I would do if I was Army: Sell high on vets. Trade guys like Hayes, Saad, Leddy, Faulk, etc... who aren't vital for this team and let younger players like Bolduc, Snuggerud, Perunovich, and Kessel take their place in the lineup. That unfortunately will likely not happen and the Blues will roll with their vets.
Below are some of the players I think the Blues could target if they look to add a middle 6 winger. I think Kapanen, Blais, Alexandrov, and one of our 2nd round picks could be in play in any of the trades.
A player I would like the Blues to target that would be free is Collin Graf out of Quinnipiac University. He currently has 38 points in 24 games and looks like a rare case of an undrafted college free agent that could actually be a difference maker.
Question for Blues fans: What do you think this team does at the deadline? What do you hope they do at the deadline?
Fans of teams I "traded" with: What are your thoughts on the players I'm interested in? How much would it cost to get them or are they even worth the trade?
A combination of these players getting traded in the deals below. The players below could cost more or less than the Blues players put out there but I'm not really doing mock trades here, just seeing who the Blues could be interested in.
Krebs isn't a 4th liner, period. Yet that's all he'll ever be in Buffalo. He's already played with Neighbours and Blais before and Army knows him. Would be the perfect buy low player.
Another buy low candidate. Raddysh has put together good seasons in the past but has REALLY struggled this year. Could probably be had for next to nothing but I don't know if Chicago would help the Blues push for the playoffs.
This is the ideal player the Blues need. But also VERY unlikely that Columbus would give him up as the Blues also really don't have much that Columbus needs. But maybe Voronkov would want to come to the Blues to play with Buch.
Sprong has never really been given a great chance in the top 6. The Blues could offer that and have the money to extend him at about 5x5. Even if the Blues don't trade for him, he should be a free agent target this offseason.
Kaliyev doesn't play as physical as you would like him but he has a great shot and would add a solid scorer to our middle 6. Unlikely LA trades with the Blues as they will be competing with them for a wild card spot but still.
Nashville has a TON of what the Blues should be interested in. Parssinen is very underrated and not really given a big role with Nashville, the Blues could change that.
Novak would be a great 3C or maybe even push Schenn to the wing on the 2nd line. The Blues should be interested in him as a free agent if he makes it there.
Trenin is like Torpo, those 2 on the same line would be terrifying for opposing teams.
And glass could use yet another change of scenery.
I would love to get Cuylle but that's very unlikely.
I'm not the biggest fan of Kakko but I would still take a chance on him if he could be had in a fair deal. The last time we traded for a winger from the Rangers it worked out nicely :)
Voronkov is pretty at home with Chinakhov and Marchenko in Columbus. There's really no reason for them to be trading away anyone under 24 beside Boqvist.