Seems like a lot to give up for a guy that’s been a shell of himself, but i kinda like the concept, especially if you shore up the D, ditch ritchie, and put together a decent fourth line.

Yeah I honestly wasn’t too sure what the value on tarasenko would be, he’s still been elite when on the ice but injuries have plagued him the last 2 years. I might’ve overpaid but when making a team I’d prefer to overpay than underpay on a guy.

I’d argue that the D and 4th line in this would be pretty good, lazar was the life of the 4th line and Kuhlman looked effective when he played, the question mark is Frederic.

For the defense, Merrill analytically was in the 99th percentile for even strength defense last year, they were missing a true left handed shutdown defensemen and I think he can greatly fill that need. bringing Reilly back is a must, he fit perfectly with carlo.

I was kinda going back and forth on ritchie. He had a decent regular season, I think getting him back for 2.3 could be a bargain, but worst case scenario it’s only a 2 year deal so they could find a way to move him next offseason. 1x2.3 for a bottom 6 forward shouldn’t be hard to find a taker

On Tarasenko: I get that, but i mean, he’s a sniper that’s scored 7 goals in the last two seasons. That’s just tough to put much value on. If STL wanted to grab a first rounder and move on from him, I think it’s an interesting concept. If they want to eat 50%, and go for real value, I also think it’s an interesting concept.

4th line: that 4th line stinks out loud, and it’s mostly because of Kuhlman. I just don’t see the appeal, and he definitely isn’t a LW. Bring back Kuraly. Simple, easy, effective.

D: don’t care about the analytics when it comes to d men. Literally zero. That D is thin, and still lacks the shut down guy. Reilly would be better suited for third pair (and that contract is too much). You could find better than Merrill, and then throw them up with Carlo.

Ritchie is not an NHL hockey player. He is flat out horrible. Whats worse, he’s lazy. Lazy players can’t be counted on to buy into the system. It was a major lapse of judgment to dress him in the playoffs, and it may have cost them a chance to play against tampa. Don’t qualify, don’t mess with him, just see ya later. I would be pissed if they brought him back at league min.

I mean, Kase can just be thrown out. Bruins won't qualify him neither do the Blues.
If Boston were the destination my proposal would be:

DeBrusk + Frederic + 3rd for Tarasenko. Pick can be upgraded if Blues retain.

I get the feelings about ritchie, it just seems that they like him too much to let him go, I tried to incorporate a little bit of what I think will happen (they bring him back) plus what I want to happen (tarasenko).

We’ll have to disagree on Kuhlman, I thought kuraly sucked last year, but now that I think about it my reasoning for them brining back ritchie is probably the same reason that they’ll bring back kuraly, my preference was kuhlman but if kuraly can have a resurgence then sure.

On merril, I don’t think they’ll find someone better for that value, he’s always been a pure shutdown D and they already get plenty of offense from McAvoy grizz and Reilly. Reilly I can see getting as low as 2.5, he did have 31 assists so they won’t get him back for pennies. I know points isn’t the best way to evaluate players, but it does get them paid regardless.

If you’re judging players off last year more heavily than on the last few years, i think you’re going about it wrong. Shortened off-season, shortened season, no pre-season. Just doesn’t make sense to make judgments off of that.

Good point. I use that same logic when people try to completely write off Debrusk. I still think he can be moved for a more consistent, more talented forward (or some good picks, I’ve had some AGMs with him getting traded for 2nd + 3rd). I still think it could be beneficial to move him, but he’s also not this worthless offensive black hole that people think he is now

Replace Freddy with a pick or Ritchie or something else and you got a deal. I wanna keep Freddy

If you want to change Freddy to a 1st then sure. Change him to a 1st. Blues don't want Ritchie