Realistic Offseason

Team: 2024-25 St. Louis Blues

Initial Creation Date: Mar. 14, 2024

Published: Mar. 14, 2024

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

The Blues remain inconsistent and have taken down 2 very good teams in their past 2 games. The combination of Binner and Hofer is truly an elite goalie tandem at this point. They're single handily winning games for this team. While it's great to see wins, it is almost impossible to catch Nashville, Vegas, or LA for a playoff spot so the Blues are just hurting their draft stock. I see the Blues drafting in the 9 to 14 range. If they get near 9 I would love to see them get a top ranked dman like Buium, Dickinson, or Silayev. The odds of them falling to 9 are low but you never know.

Going into the offseason, the biggest debate will be what happens with Buch. I think at the minimum he will want an 8x8 deal, which he deserves. I simply wouldn't sign him for that. I think the max term I would feel comfortable giving him would be 5 or 6 years, and he won't be happy about that. I think a lot more teams will be interested in him in the offseason and I think one of those teams will be Buffalo. Buffalo is loaded with prospects and they really need to push for the playoffs next year. A true top line winger and solid veteran presence to help guide the younger players on their team would be massive.

I think the Blues attempt to trade one of Krug, Faulk, or Leddy in the offseason. Leddy likely is the easiest to move due to his small contract and him playing top line minutes all year.

Pretty much all UFAs will likely walk for nothing which is a bummer but I just don't think they're a part of the long term answer here.

Lastly, I think the team looks to move one of Hayes or Saad to open up a spot for a younger player. If the right move doesn't present itself though they don't have to be moved.

Also, if Hayes is traded I would bring in a temporary 2C until Dvorsky is ready. In this case that is Stephenson. In this scenario, Stephenson gets a deal similar to when Taylor Hall signed in Buffalo on a 1 year 8 million. It's an overpay for sure, but the goal is to boost Stephensons value after a rough year this season. The Blues could move Stephenson to a contender at the deadline to continue to boost their future assets.

I debated playing Dean but for his development I think it would be better if he got time as the 1C in the AHL as opposed to the 4C in the NHL. Also, it will be a make or break year for Alexandrov and it would be nice to see him in a full time role.

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