Maybe it's just me, but I would rather see what the kids can do and sign a Riley Nash to be 3c with Thomas as 2 c instead of trading for ROR. If for no other reason, if we fail then we can get a better pick in what projects to be a blue chip center heavy draft by current indications

I tend to agree. But, there are two issues. 1) Armstrong would never admit to doing a mini rebuild and having a bad season. There will be some sort of desperation move. 2) We're not quite bad enough to get into that conversation of the top 5-10 picks. Even if we went with what you're suggesting, our defense is good enough and Jake will probably bounce back where we finish just on the outside of the playoffs like this year. Which would be absolutely the worst outcome for next year. Unless we move off some contracts like Bouw, Gunn, Berglund, Sobotka and Steen we're in a sort of window of our own making right now.

I don't disagree. We're in possibly the worst position right now. Essentially the same as LA after winning the cup. Just good enough to get in, not good enough to get a high enough pick. So we'll see. If we could somehow move Steen's contract to get ROR, then I wouldn't be too opposed to it as long as we're not giving up a ton on the side.
I don't think Jake bounces back. This is who he is and he's too much in his own head. I want to see what Husso can do

Idk - people said similar things about Corey Crawford his first two years as the full time goalie and he bounced back. I think moving him is a good idea though because if he doesn't bounce back he'll lose all value.

But for Allen we're moving into year 4. He couldn't take the reigns from Elliott, struggled this year with Hutton (year before he went on amazing run though before Nashville), and he's shown flashes of being a quality goalie. Problem is he gets in his head and can't shake labels. Brodeur helped a lot when working with him and maybe hiring his old goalie coach from juniors reverted those changes.

I agree completely with the keep the prospects and let them play stance. We could be in the top 10 of the lottery just from losses to central division teams alone. The division is going to be loaded next year and we aren’t ready to compete.

Best case scenario, Blues are about 3 to 5 years away from a championship.