I doubt that Doug Armstrong would send off Barbashev for a 1st round pick straight up that's probably going to be at the end of the 1st round, but you may be onto something there. Maybe toss in a few somewhat touted/slightly above average prospects, you could be forseeing the future from all that I can tell.

I'm pretty sure Armstrong would GLADLY trade Barbashev straight up for a '23 1st, considering the reported asking price for Barby is a 2nd + prospect.

The Bruins don't currently have a 2nd round pick this year or next, and their prospects are among the worst in the NHL. I could see the Blues potentially being interested in Brandon Carlo to add some sorely needed defensive prowess to their blue line, though I'm not sure the Bruins would want to give Carlo up if they're trading for Barbashev to help improve heading into the playoffs.

Doug Armstrong always gets a prospect, no matter how bad, in these types of trades. It's a thing. Either way, I'm a Blues fan which probably means that I'm overvaluing Barbashev which in turn means that your offer is fair.

I've read speculation on Montgomery knowing/liking Barbashev, II think it was an Athletic story on Monty as Blues asst being great with the Russians due to his KHL days, do you recall hearing stories about that?o

Don't care about late 1st, I'd prefer him to adding Gavtrikov for that 1st. No chance Carlo is moved now.