When it comes to the Blues I've decided I have to look forward. Looking back is only a recipe for acid indigestion. The trouble is there is almost no way to accurately look forward with this team. However, I'll do my best by mixing my predictions with my preferences.
Say Goodbye To St. Louis
These are the unrestricted free agent players that should be moving on:
Andy McDonald
Scott Nichol
Jamie Langenbrunner
Jeff Woywitka
Andrew Murray
McDonald was the highest paid forward on the Blues this season, which pretty much tells you everything you need to know about this team's inability to score.
Nichol never found his way back into the lineup once the chemistry of the CPR line asserted itself.
The other three? Thanks for the memories.
With Restrictions
Here is where things get dicey. The Blues have some players who are restricted free agents that they will need to take care of but they can't be profligate.
Alex Pietrangelo should get pretty big money. Hopefully the Blues can keep it around the $5 million/year range. We shall see.
As for the other notable RFA's (Berglund, Shattenkirk, Stewart, Russell, Cole), none of them deserve to have the money truck backing up for a huge payday. Of the five only Shattenkirk can make a legitimate claim for a raise. If I were the Blues I would try to resign all of these five, but maybe only Shatty gets a deal of any length.
Trade Bait
Off the NHL roster you have to make some players available, especially if you want to try to secure a scorer. There is precious little offense available in the UFA market, so the only hope of a real upgrade will be in the trade market. And to get quality, you'll have to move quality.
T.J. Oshie
Alex Steen
Jaroslav Halak
David Perron
It hurts me to put Steen on this list, and, by far, he would be the player I'd hate to see leave the most. However, he is the type of player for whom you could get a lot back.
I almost didn't put Perron on this list because I really wonder about his straight up trade value. He seems to be the type of player you could only really move for another enigmatic underachiever. Sometimes a change of scenery is what players need.
I like Oshie as a player, but I think he is overvalued in St. Louis. Maybe another team would overvalue him as well.
And Halak? Well, we have a surplus of goalies coming up through the system, and Jake Allen didn't look out of place during this spell in the Blues net. Jaro is now a movable asset.
Without Restrictions
Of the UFAs on the roster only Jordan Leopold deserves another contract. I've liked Leopold in his short time in St. Louis and wouldn't mind seeming him return as long as the price is right.
As for the rest of the league.... well, I don't know if there has been a suckier bunch of free agents in years. Mike Ribeiro is the biggest catch out there and someone is destined to overpay for his services. It won't be the Blues. Ryane Clowe is just the sort of enigmatic forward we have too many of already. And, while there may be serviceable pieces among the ageing vets, the hell if I know which ones to favor.
I think we won't be alone in this assessment of the free agent market, which is why I think the trade market may be a busy one this summer.
Lord knows Blues fans need to see some sign of a pulse from the organization.
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