Looking at this d-corps without Pietrangelo just reinforces to me that we are no longer a serious cup contender without him on the team

I thought Blias was at least middle 6 FW if not a top 6 FW.
I know he got injured this year, did that set him back alot?

Yeah it did set him back, but really it's more of a function of the Blues having a glut of forwards that would be considered middle 6. Sanford has the 2nd line spot on lockdown at this point whereas that spot belonged to Blais at the start of the season.

I think Blais (or to be specific his RFA rights) are a prime trade target for the offseason to be honest. He has more value to another club than he does to the Blues.

I think Scandella-Parayko is fine as the shutdown line and a scoring pairing of Dunn-Faulk is really good. But yeah, losing Pietrangelo is going to hurt no matter which way you slice it.

Interesting, Johsson from Leafs for Blias???

Why wouldn't Petro sign with the Blues ?

Would make some sense depending on how the defense is shaping up for the Blues.



$$$$$

If you're interested I put together another option where the Blues do resign Petro. Wanted to run both scenarios to see how the team might play out.

I think if Petro leaves, we don't need to worry about signing a guy like Gudas. Use that money to get Dunn to sign longer term and figure out a way to add a bona fide top-4 D after the picture is clear beyond the expansion draft.

I'm not sure what Scandella will be looking for, but 4x3 seems a little risky. He's been a good fit so far but he's still depth D as far as I'm concerned - would be fine with 3m x 2 yrs.

Army is not doing his job if money is an issue.

Bozak (5M) is replaceable by the likes of Sundqvist and Barbashev and backup goalies contract can't be standing in the way of signing your 1D.

Accomplish those things and i can easily see how 11M cap hit fits under the cap. Heck, after a couple RFA's i still have 4M to sign a LHD.

I mean money is definitely the issue. Blues' modus operandi has been to pay players lower salaries so they can afford depth across all 4 forward lines and 3 defensive pairings. They are anti top heavy. Paying Pietrangelo $10.0 just does not fit into the organization strategy. It could be done, but it's not what the Blues do. BOS has adopted a similar strategy for whatever it's worth.

Aside from that, no question that moving Bozak is on the table.

I get that, but usually in these situations the organization wants to make a commitment to a player who captained your team to a stanley cup & is a key core piece for the team. Exception if you will.

I could see the Blues passing on guys like Schwartz and Perron in the future if the money isn't right, avoiding the idea that the "band has to stay together", but Pietrangelo is the one guy you don't want to let go IMHO.

I do agree with you that Pietrangelo is the one guy you don't want to lose above all others. But if you give the captain the huge deal, what's to stop Dunn holding out this offseason for more cash? What about Thomas and Kyrou next year? I'm not saying the Blues end up like the Leafs, but there is organizational momentum to this kind of stuff -- "if he's getting paid, why not me?"

To me, no player is bigger than the organizational philosophy of keeping top end salaries low and spreading the wealth among more players. Even Pietrangelo. There are only a few clubs that have been able to successfully obtain that kind of organizational mojo over time and it should be protected.