This is the realistic way, nice.
But Merrill is bad

Fair offer for Buch at 50% retained too. Good job
Also Merill can be acquired for as low as a 4th i feel

No, it's not a good, fair offer. It's not. The Blues are not Chicago or San Jose. You can't just throw low round draft picks and random meh at them and get a to pline player with some term and retention. At least not in STL. Try offering what they'd want. Not what you want to give up.

thats beyond fair lmfao

(sigh)

It's "fair" to you. Which is not what fair means. But hey, you keep holding your breath for this fair trade.

Realistically what do you think the Blues want for Buch?

First of all, let's remember the Blues do not want to trade Buch. So he would need to be pried away.

More than anything they'll want a legit top 4 young or young enough Dman/D prospect, and the sooner to contributing the better. For the Rangers - who happen to have a few of those on board - this is even more important, as they seem intent on not trading their 24 1st and will definitely require retention.

The rumor about Dolan not wanting the Rangers to trade their 24 1st has been debunked for a while now. It's definitely on the table.

As for the dman, they do have Miller who fits the mold of what you want, but a big change to their D-core right before the playoffs isn't a good idea in my opinion. If I were Drury I'd be open to moving Miller in the right trade but not right before the playoffs. Beyond Miller, there's Schneider who can probably fit the mold of what the Blues want, as he has a lot of promise and will be top 4 caliber soon, would you be open to a 1st + Schneider for Buch with retention?

I would guess that your 24 1st and Schneider would definitely get Army's attention, yes. I cannot promise you he takes it, but it would certainly start some length of conversation. Most of your fellow Rangers fans seem decidedly un-eager to offer up Schneider. I can only recall seeing it once. Out of what has to be 100 or more AGMs by now. I'm probably lowballing that guess.

I mean I also don't want to trade Schneider but I wouldn't mind if it's for the right trade. For a rental he's off the table but for a player with term like Buch or a sign and trade, I wouldn't mind parting ways with him. You have to give up something good to get something good.

I feel temporarily renewed in faith for humanity that someone understands this. Go in peace, brother.