Team: 2021-22 St. Louis Blues

Initial Creation Date: Aug. 4, 2021

Published: Aug. 11, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Thomas and Beauvillier contracts values come via Evolving-Hockey's contract projections.

Beauvillier has been mentioned by Rutherford as a potential piece in a Tarasenko to Islanders trade. Acquiring Beauvillier allows the Blues to keep Kyrou and Thomas together on the third line, and also allows them to move up accordingly when injuries occur without damaging the roster. Scandella and Leddy have similar 5v5 profiles so he'll be able to eat similar minutes in New York but is unlikely to have the same power play impact. That said, Scandella is probably their best option over guys like Gardiner, Simek, Kulak, assuming Pittsburgh (foolishly) won't trade with a division rival, and Scandella's acquisition cost here is low given what defensemen are going for these days. He's also a guy you can push down the lineup with a Bolduc, Aho, or Dobson emergence. Not a lot of LHD available, especially with Dunn likely staying put in Seattle. Blues take on Komarov's salary to help the Isles out and also beef up their fourth line. Would also be willing sub in Clutterbuck as I think the two are mostly comparable but Isles fans seem like favor the latter.

In my opinion the Blues need another true defensive defenseman to pair with Parayko, but one who can handle bigger minutes than Bouwmeester did in the shutdown pair's prime. Pettersson is the best option for my money. He plays moderately tough minutes in Pittsburgh and has had solid underlying results. Pittsburgh also needs to shed some salary and probably wouldn't mind making room for POJ. Pettersson has been mentioned as the odd man out here by Rossi. This gives them a depth RHD to act as their seventh/push Friedman and they get a decent pick.

Open to all thoughts and criticisms!

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