Don’t sell low on Schwartz, not a good idea. Guys have bad seasons all the time and they almost always rebound.

I get what you're saying, and I agree that he'll likely return to 15-20 goals. However, I don't think I am selling low. Klefbom is a top four, perhaps top pairing LHD. The Oil could use Schwartz right next to Drai. Sanford gives them the ability to move Khaira if they want (and have been rumored to). Walman is a replacement LHD at a cheaper rate who likely starts the year in Edmonton. Perhaps adding the pick is unnecessary??

I’d rather trade Schenn imo. Schenn has more value, less term, and I think he’s worse than Schwartz. Schwartz is a first-liner when right and one of the games elite play drivers. Schenn is a good top-6 player but he’s way more replaceable than Schwartz. Now if Schwartz plays like this next year, it would probably be a good idea to maximize value while you still can.

About a month ago, I was all for moving Schenn. With the chemistry he has with ROR and Tarasenko and how lethal that line combo has been, I'd keep him for next year. If he doesn't get back to a 60-plus point pace, then I move him at the trade deadline. Signing Skinner and Ferland allows this, as they can be expected to play well one line up. Make sense?

Yeah, but if push comes to shove I’d rather trade Schenn than Schwartz. I also think it’s possible we sign both as well as Pietrangelo and just leave Schwartz and Schenn as the top 6 left wings. I don’t really think we have a left-winger prospect that’ll be as good as either of them.

We have no left wing prospects. I agree, which is why I'd go after Skinner and Ferland. Skinner's speed to go with Thomas and Kyrou would be a blazing fast, scary second line. Ferland to me is the prototypical 3rd line winger, and he's not a tooth fairy either. We have too many pillow-soft players already.

We might not have a “top-6” left wing prospect but I think Kostin can fill Ferlands roll for a 5th of the price.

I agree, but I'd like both of them on the team. I also don't think Kostin plays much next year in the NHL. I think he'll be one of those three time call-up guys just to get his feet wet.

The thing that scares me about Ferland is that this is really his first big year and also just signing veteran physical players in general. Physical players tend to fall off HARD after their 3rd contracts. Also, we’re gonna have to hand out big contracts to Schenn, Pietrangelo, Thomas, Dunn, and Kyrou so that cap hit is scary

I don't see us re-signing Petro. Schenn will cost about $7 million. The other three youngsters likely sign bridge deals around $3-4 million. Your point about Ferland is well-taken, and one I didn't consider. My thought is we need some heft playing Winnipeg and Nashville all the time. Plus, he does give some offensive contributions.

What really scares me cap-wise is what Colt55 is going to cost when his contract is up!

Personal opinion, I keep Schwartz and Schenn through next year. Schwartz will likely rebound and we need Schenn's physicality up front. I would shy away from Ferland, especially at this price. I like Klefbom, but don't think it's worth giving up Schwartz for. If you're going to give up Schwartz go for a bigger fish like Hampus Lindholm, Cam Fowler, or Shea Theodore. Besides, I'd like to Kostin can do before we go signing another physical forward. In fact he'd be the perfect linemate with Schwartz and Thomas next season.

Another thing regarding cap...I can see Perron being again made available for Seattle to draft. I love the Frenchy but man, his concussion issues scare me from a monetary position, let alone my fear for the man's personal health in the future. He may have to "Chris Pronger" the career.

Colton is a machine. I’ve seen some very smart hockey people argue that he’s a top 5 defenseman and imo he’s maybe the best pure defender out there. Dunn is also fantastic but he still needs to work on puck management.

Hey, Chops. Good to hear from you. I also agree that Schwartz rebounds, but I'm gambling here. Klefbom is a good LHD and signed about the same length as Parayko. I like those two together. Cam Fowler's contract is a huge "no" for me. If the Knights were willing to deal Theodore (I'd first check their temperature), I'd be shocked. Lindholm is the wild card here, and I like the guy; just not sure he gets dealt this early in his career yet.

The big Colt is the best we've had since Pronger. I just wish he played with Pronger's offensive skills and his addiction to personally enjoying dismembering the opponent.

Again, Klefbom is good, but I'd rather hold on to Schwartz. Theodore will be much harder to get, but Vegas is in some serious cap trouble for next season. They'll need to clear space so I think a deal could be made since Schmidt is locked in for term. I think Fowler can be his normal self, Ducks are all bad this year. I get the term and money is an issue, but he's a splid defenseman.
Here's my thing with Klefbom, he's a really good defenseman , but is really that much better defensively especially when paired with Parayko? I mean, Edmundson and Parayko shut down Mcdavid, MacKinnon, Rantanen, Matthews, Marker, everyone they encountered. Why not keep them paired together and for cheaper?

Yeah, Parayko isn’t exactly dripping with puck skills, but he is a monster when he decides to join the rush. Honestly, I don’t think he needs to change his game anymore physicality wise. He has added more grit but I’d rather him stay on the ice than take dumb penalties. He frustrates opponents enough with his superb gap/rush coverage.

You make a good point with keeping Eddy. My motivation for moving Edmunson is that he's a perfect fit for Montreal, and I like the idea of putting Cale Fleury alongside Dunn in a year. I only acquired Schultz for cap purposes. He only plays one year for the Note and make the money doable for Pittsburgh. I acquired Hallander from Pittsburgh, as I see him as a cheap third line center in about a year who has more upside than what Bozak brings each night. I also don't like SunnyQ at center nearly as much as I do on the wing, and Hallander enables the Blues to move him to the wing once Hallander is ready. That's a long, round-about way of explaining moving Eddy. I apologize for the long-windedness.

I agree with the Sundqvist part. He's definitely auited better on the wing. I would like to keep Bozak if for no other reason just to give Seattle another choice of players to take. Petro is the interesting one for me. I would like to keep him, but at the same time we could get a decent return for him then I'd see what Reinke can do at the NHL level.
I do think Edmundson can be our version of Mattias Ekholm in a few years. So if ee can sign him to similar term and dollar, why not?

That Skinner contract is ugly

Can't see any of these trades happening, the Habs one maybe but the rest are total pipedreams favored to the Blues.

If Eddy can become Ekholm, I'll take it.

A 30+ goal scorer with wheels is costly. I'll be surprised if he signs for less than $8.5.

I don't doubt he gets that much but he is incredibly streaky as a lot of goal scorers are. He's having a career year in his contract season. I'll say that I would not want the Blues to chase Skinner at anything over 7m/yr.