Mayfield: Blues get a young, cost-controlled crease clearing stay-at-home type to provide the physical element Parayko lacked, which should help Dunn's game. Blues give up a NHL-ready offensive-minded defenseman with nice size, plus a versatile 2-way veteran forward who will help the Islanders on both sides of the ice, plus a 3rd round pick. An overpayment, but NYI need incentive to move the StL native they just inked to an extension--and he's precisely the player the Blues need.
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
[Note: O'Reilly deal scrapped in lieu of Hoffman trade]
Hoffman: Kostin, Walman, J-Bo and a 1st is a lot to give up, but this rounds out the top six nicely for StL--allowing Schenn to remain at C between Schwartz and Draisatl. Bouwmeester and Walman immediately open a lot of possibilities for Ottowa, and gives them the flexibility to make some hard decisions hurt a lot less. Kostin gives them a scrappy power forward prospect with size and skill, and the 1st round pick makes this an offer that will not likely be beaten. I think they take it--and Hoffman, for his part, would jump at the chance to play with Tavares and Tarasenko.
Draisatl: Parayko, Thompson, Barbashev and a 1st for Draisatl and a 3rd is a HUGE overpayment. But while Parayko has potential to be the best player in this deal, Draisatl currently IS the best player in this deal, and it will take an overpayment to get him. Thompson has size, skill and a lot of upside. Barbashev proved versatile and effective paired with talented linemates. And Parayko instantly becomes a difference maker on defense for a defensively starved club.
Sobotka and Thorburn are salary dumps. The eventual return of Gunnarsson (around Christmas, I expect) will likely force another move. Steen is paired with Thomas and Kyrou, providing some defensive stability through the rookies' growing pains, while complementing their skill with his tenacity. Steen historically has been most productive when playing more limited minutes, so this third line veteran assignment should be good for him. If Thomas struggles, Schenn returns to 2nd line C, and O'Reilly moves down to 3rd.
Finally, extending Brodziak and adding Roussel and Grabner, ensures the Blues have a viable 4th line that adds toughness and skill without sacrificing speed. Soshnikov and Blais return as reliable utility forwards. Mikkola and Reinke spell each other on the bottom defensive pairing, and Hutton returns as the #2 behind Allen.
This team's ultimate success depends entirely on Allen, but having this much firepower will ensure that Allen won't have to be perfect to keep the team in contention.
Yes, this is very nearly identical to several previous rosters I've posted. But I wanted to hammer out these deals more carefully, put a little more thought into the salaries, and work out some kinks. I'm sure it's not perfect. Poke all the holes you want, I appreciate constructive criticism. I also don't think it's realistic to expect this many moves out of Doug Armstrong. He can be aggressive, but he has proven to be very slow and methodical in making deals, and this much turnover would be very uncharacteristic of him. But--that's why I'm the armchair GM of this team. 4
There is no way the Oilers retain salary on a Draisaitl trade. Yes I agree to get a player like Draisaitl you will have to overpay but I don’t think this trade would get it done. They would need 3 pieces to get it done. A top defensemen, a young top centre prospect and a 1st. I would bet the asking would be Parayko, Thomas and a first.
No, we don't. And you might note I said previously that I don't think it's realistic that all of that happens. The point is that it is possible to pull all that off, assuming we had willing partners.
I DO think we need to add two players to our top six. Draisatl is the only player I would trade Parayko for. Buffalo may want more for O'Reilly, but they're not likely to get much more than what I've offered--though I wasn't aware that it's primarily RHD they're looking for, so the Bouwmeester idea (which I was kinda proud of) likely won't work, as has been noted. I'd offer Steen in that deal instead, but I don't think that gets much more traction--and Steen has a NMC. So, if RoR is out, I move Schenn back into the #2C role, and move everyone on RW up a line.
There is no way the Oilers retain salary on a Draisaitl trade. Yes I agree to get a player like Draisaitl you will have to overpay but I don’t think this trade would get it done. They would need 3 pieces to get it done. A top defensemen, a young top centre prospect and a 1st. I would bet the asking would be Parayko, Thomas and a first.
Thompson is one of the Blues top three center prospects, and Barbashev was playing on the Blues' top line (out of necessity, to be sure) in the 2017 playoffs. The original offer isn't very far off from your counter. But Thomas and Kyrou are untouchable, (per Doug Armstrong) , not because they are so much better (though they are), but because their particular attributes are exactly what the Blues need. Thompson has just as much upside, but he's more expendable to the Blues. If Thompson's tepid rookie season has spoiled his trade value, Kostin might be a reasonable alternative--though the Blues are really high on him, too. I'm betting that, for all our misgivings, Edmonton (rightly) values Parayko more than fans of either team might. AND, if Fabbri is healthy to start the season, even if his game is rusty, he'll more than compensate for the retained salary. When he's back up to speed, he'll be in your top 6 somewhere.
If I traded the ROR in St. Louis, I'd like to see in the transaction Parayoko or Kyrou, Bouwmeester we hardly need, our line of LHD and so crowded.
Thanks for the feedback. I didn't realize that about your defense, I just knew you needed help on D. I still think a minute muncher like J-Bo would be a huge upgrade for you, assuming he's healthy again to start the year. And Walman is a very promising defensive prospect who would quickly jump into your lineup. But if the fit isn't there, you're probably right that RoR will command a better return.
No, we don't. And you might note I said previously that I don't think it's realistic that all of that happens. The point is that it is possible to pull all that off, assuming we had willing partners.
I DO think we need to add two players to our top six. Draisatl is the only player I would trade Parayko for. Buffalo may want more for O'Reilly, but they're not likely to get much more than what I've offered--though I wasn't aware that it's primarily RHD they're looking for, so the Bouwmeester idea (which I was kinda proud of) likely won't work, as has been noted. I'd offer Steen in that deal instead, but I don't think that gets much more traction--and Steen has a NMC. So, if RoR is out, I move Schenn back into the #2C role, and move everyone on RW up a line.
I think we only need to add one player to our top 6, since Kyrou will be ready next season. Im very curious to see who will play 2nd line center next year.
Honestly i feel its overpay for Drai. They are stacked there so they shouldnt be stingy. I dont think we should way over pay. Fix the linesc u got centers and LW in wrong places. I rather keep Fabbri, and buffalo stop complaining i hate that you all want eceryone to say over pay, that honestly is a good deal, ROR is not mcdavid or the best, but y'all continue to act like he is and ask for way too much. I understand in this trade it makes sense since y'all dont need the D, but in other trades y'all are ignorant and asking for too much top quality.
So, I scrapped the O'Reilly deal and made a trade with Ottowa for Hoffman. I suspect it won't be much more popular, but it's reasonable to assume that Ottowa and the Blues have discussed the possibility anyway, as the Blues are known to have inquired about Hoffman on more than one occasion.
And Millsman, just for you, I moved Draisatle to RW. I suspect, if this all were to somehow play out like I have it here, that Draisatl and Schenn would swap assignments pretty routinely.
Thinking up all sorts of politically incorrect names for that German-themed second line.
-All 6 players in your top 6 are LHS.
-If signing Tavares, do we really need to trade for Draisaitl?
-I'd prefer signing Kovalchuk over spending assets on Mike Hoffman.
-All 6 players in your top 6 are LHS.
-If signing Tavares, do we really need to trade for Draisaitl?
-I'd prefer signing Kovalchuk over spending assets on Mike Hoffman.
--Most NHL players shoot left. It's unfortunate, but I think it really only makes a difference on special teams. It won't for long. Kyrou and Thomas both shoot right. As does Thompson, Sundqvist, Poganski, and Musil. As those players mature, that problem will fix itself. In the meantime, preferences for lefties or righties shouldn't prevent the team from icing the most skilled roster possible.
--Yes, we absolutely do need both Tavares and Draisatl. Have you not been watching the Stanley Cup playoffs? Do you honestly think adding just one player of that caliber is sufficient to compete with these playoff teams? I don't. And I don't think Blues management does, either. Frankly, I think we need at least three, and preferably five new forwards--two new top 6, two new 4th liners, the return of Brodziak, Soshnikov and Blais for depth, and lots of addition by subtraction.
--I would take a chance on Kovalchuk, too--but my expectations would be tempered, I wouldn't pay him what he will demand, and even if I would, he's shown no interest in leaving the East. He won't be a Blue.