Team: 2019-20 St. Louis Blues

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 3, 2019

Published: Jul. 4, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

From zero to hero over the course of 2019; what a turnaround! Congratulations St. Louis on your first cup. If the run is to continue into next year, the Blues need to re-sign their all star goaltender being mindful of the position producing many one hit wonders (but perhaps Binnington is the real deal). They also have a pair of key pending UFA's in Schenn and Pietrangelo that they will need to decide what to do with in order to retain these key pieces of their run, or get something for them before next trade deadline arrives. With a solid foundation of young players complimented by good veterans, I expect the Blues will prepare to defend their Stanley Cup next season.

Robert Thomas is recovering from wrist surgery, so I have him out of the lineup to open the year. He would play in the middle six when he's back so for now I brought up Kyrou for another look in the NHL after his impressive AHL season. Young players pushing for roles means it's unlikely that Maroon is brought back. Hopefully the hometown hero cashes in on a solid year and playoffs, but I don't think the Blues should be the team to give him his raise. I also expect that a plethora of good defenders means Edmunson is likely on his way out to add some additional scoring punch or for prospects/pick replenishment.

In the following off season they'll need to budget around 24M to keep them both key UFA's (Pietrangelo, Schenn), and extend key RFA's (Binnington and Dunn). Pietrangelo should be easier as they can roll Bouwmeester's salary into his raise and have some of that money left over to extend Dunn to replace Bouwmeester.

RFA's
Binnington is signed to a Matt Murray esque deal at a bit over 5% of the cap, but for one year. Player bets on himself and looks to get a big raise after the season, team protects itself from overpaying for a half a season run.
Barbashev is bridged at 2 x $1.5M to be the fourth line center and work his way up the lineup.
Edmundson is trade bait to upgrade the top six forward ranks or to replenish the stock of picks/prospects as the Blues are already fairly deep on the back end. Otherwise I think they keep him around for 4 x $3.65M to stabilize the middle pairing.
Sundqvist is signed for 3 x $1.65M. Player gets security of a medium term deal, Blues hope to get a guy who scored at third line rates this season to a fourth line price in the medium term.
Sanford bridged at 2 x $1.35M. Had a great playoffs so maybe there is more than a fourth liner here.
Fabbri is a candidate to be traded to upgrade the offense. Was previously a good prospect, but has regressed the last couple of seasons due to injuries and has been passed by other young players on the Blues depth chart. Otherwise I think they retain his rights on a 1 x 1.25M.
Husso extended at 2 x 925k to develop in the AHL
Reinke extended at 2 x 925k to develop in the AHL

UFA's
Maroon likely finds a nice pay increase somewhere outside of St. Louis. I expect the Blues to be quiet on the UFA front, but could kick tires on a middle six scoring forward (Dzingel, Ferland) if they don't make the trades I have them arranging.

Trades
I think they should make the move for Gusev (who could be helped transition to the NHL by Tarasenko) and believe they have the young-ish NHL player(s) + pick(s) package to make it happen. Gusev has Panarin level upside, but shouldn't cost a ton as he's unproven and Vegas can't afford his $4M asking price. I think we see him moved for a cheaper, younger NHL ready player with second line upside plus mid pick(s).
Edmunson would be a great fit for a team like Florida who is missing that defense first big bodied guy on the left side and seems poised to challenge for the playoffs next season. A couple other teams that might look to him as part of their medium term plans would be: Detroit to have a young-ish guy to replace their older LD and provide stability to their developing team, New Jersey to bring in a poor mans Ekholm type player to pair with PK, LA to have a competent defensive minded guy to allow Doughty to play with more offense in mind. I moved him to Florida for pick & LD prospect.

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