Could do a 2018 1st/ Kostin and Fabbri for Hoffman trade as well.

I think big moves like this are the only way the Blues turn themselves into a contender. With Tarasenko, Schenn, Schwartz, Peitrangelo all in their prime they cannot afford to wait for Thomas or Kyrou to become legit top line center/players. If they can bolster their blue line with one of the top defenseman in the league and get a solid two way center like O'Reilly I like their chances.

If the Blues are going to trade Parayko, do it for someone better than O'Reilly. Even if you have to spice it up to get a better center, O'Reilly doesn't make the team better.

How does Ryan O'Reilly a very good two-way center good for 50-70 points not make your team better?

And what other players are out there that are better you could actually get?

You are both right. O'Reilly will make the team better, but if you gave me Parayko for him straight up, I would be indebted to you for the rest of my life. So he will make the team better but Parayko is big price to pay. I know every Sabre fan will think STL should give Botterill a 1st and 2nd to balance the deal, but IMO this is a really good deal.

What's the difference between ROR and Stastny in terms of what they bring to the table? Nothing. We didn't do much with Stastny. Ryan O'Reilly doesnt put you over the top. Honestly, the best thing the Blues can do is hope Thomas can come in and play the 2C role outside of signing Tavares. Who knows, maybe Backstrom becomes available. I doubt that, but it could. All I know is ROR is not the way to go. Especially for Parayko. At least aim for Draisaitl if you're going to trade him (yes I know it will take more to get Draisaitl than just Parayko)

maybe Buffalo gives us something else to sweeten the deal but O'Reailly is the best center that is for sure available for trade.
Also, he is better and younger than Stastny. Same two way game with a much better scoring touch.
Very highly doubt Thomas comes in and is good enough to be a top 6 center to put this team over the hump, he will take a year or two IMO, and when he is ready O'Reilly becomes your 3c or move him or Schenn back to the wing.

I'd rather suffer another year and build up the team through the draft than trade for ROR. O'Reilly is no different than when the Blues first signed Stastny at age 28. In fact, Stastny was a better ppg player when we signed him. It's very likely ROR has a similar trajectory as Stastny had, especially in Yeo's system. So for me, it's not worth trading a 24 year old defenseman with greater promise for Stastny 2.0. I'd rather resign Stastny for cheaper and without the cost of a current roster player

I get your point, but suffering another year means another year barely missing the playoffs getting another 13-15 draft pick. If you truly want to build through the draft we need a top 5 pick, and this team will not be that bad.

blues made it to WCF with Stastny... idk how you can say "that didn't work" , the addition of another Stastny and Carlson should get you back there and maybe further.

We also had a lot more heart on that team with Backes, Reaves, Ott, and Moose. Not to mention we struggled the entire way going to two game 7's and game 6 in the WCF. When Backes left, that created a huge hole in the team. Not saying he was the greatest player, but he was a great leader. And I will say this, you can great players in the 10 to 15 range of the draft. Both Tarasenko and Schwartz were drafted in that range. Barzal was drafted in that range as well. Yeah, you're more likely to hit gold in the top 5, but nothing is a sure thing.

Reaves is coming back, and I agree Army made the wrong decision resigning Steen and not Backes. Also, know that it is possible to find high-quality players post 10th pick, but usually not centers that can make an impact immediately. But the game continues to change and depends more and more on speed and skill, Backes will have a big drop off next season, we see all these suspensions in playoffs this year that are going to really diminish hitting in the league.

It's cyclical. Hitting will come back. But speed will play a part. The more things change the more they stay the same is a cliche for a reason. Backes's drop off will come from age more than anything else. Agreed most centers don't usually make an immediate impact. That's why scouting is important. See Brayden Point as an example. 2nd round pick but huge impact on Tampa.