I get that hobbyist analytics hangers-on are all "herp derp Jones is so overrated derp", but the rest of the NHL rightly views him as a #1D, and so if you want him you have to pay prices commesurate with acquiring a #1D. Two B-list-at-best prospects, a 2nd, and a cap hazard/reclamation project isn't even in the same universe.

So be it; frankly, Jones is far from my first choice (I don't see him as a good enough #1 D, being in the analytics crowd). I wouldn't offer any more than what I posted - frankly, I would rather see Ghost in that top pairing than spend more to acquire Jones.

Blues can't do that trade. Doesn't make sense cap wise.

You're assuming that they're resigning some of the UFAs? With Schwatrz, Bozak, and Hoffman off the books they would have room ... or are some of the RFAs more expensive than I think? (I assumed having space for Kyrou was important, but otherwise Dunn is the only one I expected to be moderately pricey.) But I do acknowledge that Jake isn't cheap, so maybe he doesn't fit their desired cap allocation.

They also have Thomas to resign. Him and Kyrou will likely get similar contracts. Don't see Bozak resigning but the Blues have already expressed interest in resigning Hoffman because he was a big reason for their powerplay success. If a Voracek trade were involved at all at a minimum Tarasenko would have to go the other way (or moved to a different team). Armstrong doesn't like cap hits of 8+ though especially not in the flat cap Era.

I think it's far more likely we'll see Bozak return than it is Hoff comes back. And I'm quite fine with that.

I don't. Bozak is great in a 4th line c role and I think a different team will offer him more. Blues need scoring. I think there could be better alternatives to Hoffman and he's not my first choice. I'd move on from Bozak though if he doesn't accept anything less than or equal to a 2 year, $2 mil contract.

The Blues need to get their defensive game back in form as much if not more than they need scoring. I could definitely see them bringing back Bozak on a 1 or 2 x.2.5.

Agree fully on Hoff. His PP goals don't make up for the rest of his play, but someone will pay him.

A fully healthy Parayko should help along with Sunny when he returns. The other issue is the Blues need to change their offensive game a little. They need to be more aggressive carrying into the zone like Thomas and Kyrou were doing. If they're going to keep that style though, they should try to move up and get Lysell. The motor on that kid might be the best in the draft.

If they execute the dump portion of their game like usual, it opens up more space to carry the puck in. We need to be careful not to lose more size and spicy mustard (so to speak). We're already a bit smaller than the Cup team, and Lysell isn;t going to help next season anyway. I don't a major overhaul, just some reasonable health, a few smart moves and a regular preseason. The huge ddrop in the amount of actual practive time this past season hurt us, we're a system team that relies on rhythm. The shrimpy "preseason" and the schedule crunch (with repeated layoffs because other teams couldn't follow rules! yay!) hurt the Blues more than most teams. And then you pack on all the injuries, and it was actually a wonder they made the playoffs. So yeah, I'm not ready to dramatically alter the way we try to play just yet. We just need to play our way better.

I dont think altering the way we change our offensive strategy is "overhauling" and am not suggesting we stop the dump and chase game at all, but we also need some speed to play the dump and chase game. This is why I'm adamant about getting a guy like Miles Wood who could do both well and possibly give Perron and ROR more space.

Or Palat. Or Killorn. Or, in my widest dreams, Bertuzzi.

If the Blues could get Palat for a low price (3rd and c level prospect), I'd be all for it. Unfortunately Bertuzzi would require more than what the Blues are willing to offer.

Unless Yzerman gets a Krug wild hair, yeah.