The Blues look poised to end this season on a low note. It's time to consider blowing things up, and moving their top D-man would fetch a massive return. Which teams make the most sense as suitors?

By Matt Larkin

December 12, 2018

The St. Louis Blues keep writhing in quicksand, sinking toward the death of their 2018-19 season. They were widely pegged as one of the league’s most improved teams this off-season after GM Doug Armstrong made a slew of aggressive moves, signing Tyler Bozak, Patrick Maroon and David Perron and trading for Ryan O’Reilly, but nothing has worked. The Blues fired coach Mike Yeo. They’re 4-5-1 under interim coach Craig Berube. Teammates Robert Bortuzzo and Zach Sanford fought in practice this week.

At 11-14-4, the Blues are tied for 29th overall in the NHL standings. They sit nine points out of a Western Conference wildcard spot, with five teams to pass to get it. How difficult will it be for St. Louis to make the playoffs now? Consider that, last Dec. 12, the Florida Panthers were 12-14-5. They went 32-16-3 the rest of the way – and still missed the playoffs.

The Blues’ are likely toast as post-season contenders this season. It’s thus no surprise they have predators scratching at their door. Over the weekend, Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos toppled the first trade-rumor domino involving defenseman Alex Pietrangelo. He’s sidelined with a hand injury that may require surgery, which will make it even tougher for the Blues to remain in the playoff race, but the injury isn’t expected to end his season. He should still be healthy in time to present probably the best upgrade on ‘D’ anyone could find approaching the trade deadline – and he’s not even a true rental, as he has another year left at a $6.5-million AAV.

Kypreos suggests the Blues aren’t actively shopping Pietrangelo, but if Armstrong’s phone starts ringing off the hook, he has to ponder the potential return for his prized blueliner. What might the Ottawa Senators have secured for Erik Karlsson had they successfully dealt him last winter, securing an extra post-season of his play for the acquiring team? Instead, they moved him before 2018-19 with a season remaining on his contract, and the return was underwhelming to say the least. Might Armstrong view that debacle as a learning experience and listen hard to Pietrangelo offers? The Blues could obtain quite a bushel of prospects and/or picks to combine with a rising core that includes prospects Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou and Klim Kostin, and ensuring Pietrangelo doesn’t play another game for them this season would let more losses pile up, upping their lottery-ball count in the chase for Jack Hughes.

So which teams would be ideal fits for Pietrangelo? Kypreos named the Toronto Maple Leafs, but they surely wouldn’t be the lone suitor. Here are five teams that make sense from a standpoint of current contention goals and/or cap space. Keep in mind Pietrangelo’s contract includes a full no-trade clause that he’d have to waive, and he’s reportedly happy in St. Louis.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

We know the Leafs badly need to upgrade their sieve-like right side on defense. Ron Hainsey, Nikita Zaitsev and Igor Ozhiganov won’t cut it on a team with immediate Stanley Cup aspirations. The rangy, versatile, intelligent Pietrangelo would be a dream upgrade, the type of piece that could put Toronto over the top. The Leafs would have a decent chance at convincing Pietrangelo to waive his no-trade, too, considering he grew up in the Greater Toronto Area and was a childhood friend and teammate of John Tavares. The Leafs have a stocked farm system plus all their first-round picks for the next three drafts. Between picks and prospects or, as Kypreos suggests, a young roster player to offer in the mold of Andreas Johnsson, it wouldn’t be too difficult for GM Kyle Dubas to come up with an enticing package.

Fly in the ointment: The Leafs are better positioned for a one-year rental than to take on additional term. They are swimming in cap space right now, even after re-signing William Nylander, but RFA Armageddon looms this summer with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and Kasperi Kapanen needing new deals. Under the current roster structure, even if and when Jake Gardiner walks as a UFA, Pietrangelo’s cap hit would be tough to squeeze in. So, as Kypreos suggests, the Blues likely would have to take on some salary – such as Zaitsev’s five remaining years at a $4.5-million AAV – for the trade to work.

EDMONTON OILERS

The Oil aren’t knocking on the door of elite-team status. Not even close. But they look vastly improved since Ken Hitchcock took over as coach. Some of that can be attributed to lucky PDO, but ‘Hitch’ is known for overhauling teams in a hurry, so it’s a decent bet this group ends up pushing for a playoff spot with him shepherding it. There’s a case to be made that the Oilers need to get aggressive so they stop burning Connor McDavid’s elite prime years. Pietrangelo would boost an underwhelming right side and bring some offense, which the D-corps badly needs. He also had his two top-five finishes in Norris Trophy voting when Hitchcock was his coach in St. Louis, so the two would have an instant shorthand. Pietrangelo would also be a great gap-bridging mentor to top prospect Evan Bouchard, a highly similar player who was often compared to Pietrangelo leading up to the 2018 draft.

Fly in the ointment: Pietrangelo isn’t close to returning from his hand injury. He will be re-evaluated at the end of the month. The Oilers, already having lost defenseman Oscar Klefbom for weeks, can’t even ponder a deal like this until Pietrangelo’s status gets a clearer update. We don’t even know yet if the Oilers will be contenders by the trade deadline. They’d also have to clear a bit of cap space to make room for Pietrangelo. The biggest challenge for Edmonton in this case would be making the deal without including Bouchard in it, as their prospect pool isn’t one of the league’s deepest right now.

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

The Penguins and GM Jim Rutherford may look at the rubble that used to be the Chicago Blackhawks and L.A. Kings and realize every empire crumbles eventually. The Pens’ time as perennial championship contenders is running out, so they may as well keep pushing with deals for the present until it’s clear Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin can’t carry them anymore. The Pens’ relatively faceless D-Corps was a great success story under coach Mike Sullivan across their 2016 and 2017 Cup wins, but now that virtually every NHL team has copied Pittsburgh’s speed-first approach, its ‘D’ look overwhelmed at times facing quick, high-pressure forechecks. A mobile talent like Pietrangelo would instantly transform that group’s identity, giving the Pens plenty of mobility between him, Kris Letang and (when healthy) Justin Schultz on the right side.

Fly in the ointment: The Pens would likely have the desire to pursue a big fish like Pietrangelo – but not the assets. No team has emptied its cupboard of late more than Pittsburgh, which has used just one of its past six first-round picks and even traded that one away. A Pietrangelo pitch would require the Pens surrendering their 2019 first-rounder, and they’d need to clear a bunch of salary space, too. Would Phil Kessel have to go the other way, for instance? It wouldn’t be an easy trade to execute, but GM Jim Rutherford is a wizard.

COLORADO AVALANCHE

Don’t sleep on the Avs. They’ve ascended to contender status thanks to the New Best Line in Hockey and have a bushel of promising young blueline assets to dangle between Samuel Girard, Cale Makar and Conor Timmins. They’re a team on the rise in need of another star piece, and they boast oodles of cap space.

Fly in the ointment: The Avs might be the opposite of the Pens – ideally suited for a Pietrangelo deal but not necessarily motivated. General manager Joe Sakic operated very conservatively in the off-season. He’s clearly playing the long-term game, and he’s seen what happens when a rising team makes an overconfident trade: his brilliant Matt Duchene deal stole a ton of assets from an Ottawa Senators franchise that imploded instead of pursuing a championship. It’s particularly tough to imagine Sakic wanting to move Makar, a brilliant puck-mover. Might a package including Timmins, who remains sidelined with concussion symptoms, be the right compromise? Whether Sakic pursues something like this depends a lot on how close he feels the Avalanche are to Cup contention.

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

The Golden Knights and GM George McPhee have operated pretty fearlessly since becoming shockingly competitive in their inaugural season. They pursued Karlsson hard at the 2018 deadline. They gave up valuable draft picks to get Tomas Tatar. They got rid of Tatar to get Max Pacioretty. They signed Paul Stastny. They’ve handed out long-term contract extensions like packs of gum.

They teeter on the contention bubble right now, but the Pacific Division playoff slots are quite reachable, and the Golden Knights are badly in need of a bona fide No. 1 defenseman. If they’re feeling really aggressive, they do have several legit prospects in their pool even after surrendering Nick Suzuki to get Pacioretty.

Fly in the ointment: Vegas’ cap situation for next year already looks tight. William Karlsson will need a new deal as an RFA, while Alex Tuch and Nate Schmidt’s big raises kick in. Fitting Pietrangelo’s $6.5 million under the cap wouldn’t be impossible, but it wouldn’t be easy, even with the cap projected to increase to $83 million next season. Vegas has 14 main-roster players already chewing up $72.2 million for 2019-20.

https://thehockeynews.com/news/article/ ... ietrangelo

Which teams are likely to make moves before Holiday Freeze?

By Joey Alfieri
Dec 12, 2018, 10:38 AM EST

We’re exactly one week away from the NHL’s holiday roster freeze. Teams won’t be able to make a move between Dec. 19 at 11:59 pm ET and Dec. 28 at 12:01 am ET, which means there could be some fireworks between now and the 19th. So, which teams are most likely to make a move before next week? Let’s take a look.

Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers have already fired a general manager, so you’d have to think that the next step is to acquire some help that will improve their roster immediately. It’s been a disappointing year in Philly. After making the playoffs last season, they now find themselves one point away from the basement of the Eastern Conference. Sure, they could use some help between the pipes (no kidding), but they could also look to acquire a steady defenseman to compliment some of their younger players on the blue line. Their 12-13-3 record has them five points behind the Islanders for third place in the Metropolitan Division.

Minnesota Wild: Prior to last night’s huge 7-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens, the Wild had been floundering. Does one win change that? Probably not. Charlie Coyle‘s name has come up in trade rumors a lot lately, and you’d have to wonder if he’d be the one to go if GM Paul Fenton wanted to shake up his roster. Minnesota is still close enough to the playoffs that a big move could propel them back into a top three spot in the division or a wild card spot. Fenton still hasn’t made a major trade since taking over, so this could be his time to shine.

Carolina Hurricanes: Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon is already sick of seeing his team not make it to the playoffs. They clearly have a need up front. The ‘Canes have to find a way to add some scoring help (Jeff Skinner would look great in a Hurricanes jersey right now). The good thing about Carolina, is that they have an abundance of talent on defense, which means they could sacrifice some of that to get a scoring forward. The Hurricanes are two points behind the Islanders for the final playoff spot in the Metro.

Boston Bruins: Despite the fact that they’ve been hit hard by the injury bug this season, the Bruins have found a way to stay in a playoff spot. Getting healthy would help, but the quickest fix might just be for GM Don Sweeney to make a trade before Christmas. Some depth scoring would certainly help. The Bruins are probably the team from this list that’s in the best shape, but that doesn’t mean they can afford to stay quiet on the trade front.

St. Louis Blues: Doug Armstrong has to do something to get his team back on track, or it could end up costing him his job. The Blues made some significant trades this off-season, but that hasn’t translated into victories. St. Louis could use help all over their roster. Their goaltending hasn’t been good enough, their defense has been in shambles all year and their top scorers haven’t been performing. This might be a do-or-die situation for Armstrong.

Florida Panthers: The Panthers missed the playoffs by just one point last season, which means they have to make the postseason this year. Unfortunately for them, Roberto Luongo has been banged up, again, in 2018-19. Could they be in the market for a goalie? It’s clear that they can’t just keep rolling with James Reimer if they want to play games deep into April. And relying on Luongo to stay healthy is a risky proposition.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Jim Rutherford has already made a couple of moves (he acquired Tanner Pearson from the Kings and Marcus Pettersson from the Ducks), but that doesn’t mean he isn’t willing to pull the trigger on a trade again. Even though they’ve been playing better as of late, the Pens still find themselves on the outside of the playoff picture right now. Maybe they just wait it out, but a move is never out of the question for Rutherford.

https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2018/12/12/wh ... ay-freeze/

Yeah, I was thinking about Edmonton this morning since Klefbom is out. But what do the Oilers have left? Petro has to go. Steen has to go. Those are the first 2 that need to get the heck off this team. Nice job Doug, you really transitioned to a clusterfuck.

Here's the line that sticks out to me: "Consider that, last Dec. 12, the Florida Panthers were 12-14-5. They went 32-16-3 the rest of the way – and still missed the playoffs." I remain convinced that the Blues will go this route. They'll get their shit together and play their way into securing a mid first round pick for Buffalo. I can't imagine it going any other way

If they do trade Petro the deal has to be huge. One very good roster player, one top flight prospect, and two first rounders.

insideout wrote: Wed Dec 12, 2018 11:46 am Here's the line that sticks out to me: "Consider that, last Dec. 12, the Florida Panthers were 12-14-5. They went 32-16-3 the rest of the way – and still missed the playoffs." I remain convinced that the Blues will go this route. They'll get their shit together and play their way into securing a mid first round pick for Buffalo. I can't imagine it going any other way

Insideout, I'm quite the skeptic, enough so to completey expect your prediction to come true. Then talk from DA/Petro/Steen at the end of the season that they're excited for training camp and to go be SC contenders again (idiots). And then we'll hear all about Jake Allen's golf tourney. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Yeah I'm down on this team, this team seemingly had everything needed to compete, but instead come out like the NY Rangers/Toronto Maple Leafs of the early 2000s (pre cap days) that spent big but failed miserably.

39hurricane wrote: Wed Dec 12, 2018 12:16 pm If they do trade Petro the deal has to be huge. One very good roster player, one top flight prospect, and two first rounders.

Okay Doug, but you're not going to get that. Karlsson didn't get that kind of package so Petro sure as heck isn't going to get that either. A guy like Kapanen and a 1st rounder is a good starting point IMO. I think Nylander was all lined up for him but that might be off the table now. But I sure as heck don't want to get too choosy because the longer you hold onto Petro, the less you will command in a deal.

I'm envisioning Army next summer saying, "We need more production and leadership from our core. This will be their year to prove themselves." You know, just like the last 4 or 5 years.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/n ... 292360002/

The Sens got 4 humans and 2 picks. They also get an additional magical first rounder if the Sharks trade Erik to an East Conference team in 2018-19.

Kypreos and Friedman are on crack if they think Petro leaves for that deal Kyrpeos suggested. That's not NEAR enough to get Petro. I'm not saying it would cost Matthews, but something like Marner in a 1 for 1 or Nylander++++. Zaitsev alone should cost Toronto a prospect and/or 1st rounder to get rid of the salary.

I don't think Armstrong is going to trade Petro unless it's a drastic and huge overpayment which I don't see happening. I see a new coach, possibly new goaltender, Steen, Bouw, Gunnarsson, Maroon, and another forward all being gone with some newer, younger prospects or players being brought in next season.

BillP. wrote: Wed Dec 12, 2018 12:24 pm

39hurricane wrote: Wed Dec 12, 2018 12:16 pm If they do trade Petro the deal has to be huge. One very good roster player, one top flight prospect, and two first rounders.

Okay Doug, but you're not going to get that. Karlsson didn't get that kind of package so Petro sure as heck isn't going to get that either. A guy like Kapanen and a 1st rounder is a good starting point IMO. I think Nylander was all lined up for him but that might be off the table now. But I sure as heck don't want to get too choosy because the longer you hold onto Petro, the less you will command in a deal.

Karlsson didn't get that because he was going into his UFA year during an off-season. To get Petro, it would be a little higher since they'd be getting him for this season and playoffs, plus next season.

To add fuel to the fire...

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/31- ... etrangelo/

Friedman seems to be suggesting a Nylander-Pietrangelo trade was discussed.

wannabebluesplayer wrote: Wed Dec 12, 2018 12:43 pm

BillP. wrote: Wed Dec 12, 2018 12:24 pm

39hurricane wrote: Wed Dec 12, 2018 12:16 pm If they do trade Petro the deal has to be huge. One very good roster player, one top flight prospect, and two first rounders.

Okay Doug, but you're not going to get that. Karlsson didn't get that kind of package so Petro sure as heck isn't going to get that either. A guy like Kapanen and a 1st rounder is a good starting point IMO. I think Nylander was all lined up for him but that might be off the table now. But I sure as heck don't want to get too choosy because the longer you hold onto Petro, the less you will command in a deal.

Karlsson didn't get that because he was going into his UFA year during an off-season. To get Petro, it would be a little higher since they'd be getting him for this season and playoffs, plus next season.

Still don't think they'll get the moon for him. Everyone keeps saying Toronto would be the place he'd like to go if he signed elsewhere as a free agent, so Toronto might be the one to deal with since he's likely to resign with them. But yes, the more DA waits, the less we'll get. The sooner the better. Just not sure if DA is antsy to get rid of him. Chances are he isn't.

Don't forget the critical compenent is having a timetable on Petro's injury. If it is a going to be more than 6 weeks from here for recovery, he will be a trade deadline deal. IF he can come back before the ASG, he'll be dealt in the next two weeks....or as someone else suggested, not at all. Instead, other players are moved.

Something WILL happen

Interesting listening to JR on 101 ESPN just now; Everybody, Petro, Tarasenko, Steen...everyone is on the block is what a couple GM's have told him. For JR to come out with that says it is real smoke...but as he did caution, it may take awhile.

Think about how long many of our 'blockbuster trades' were rumoured first before happening: 3-6 months sometimes. I got a feeling though that something happens before the Christmas deadline, and I'm calling it as Fabbri and Petro to Toronto for a big return, then Steen gets moved too before the TDL

Petro has a no trade clause, so he would have to agree to a trade. There are also rumors that Toronto might prefer Parayko over Petro.

LOL...Cracknell was traded while at the Marlies team Christmas party!!!!

barcthespark wrote: Wed Dec 12, 2018 1:53 pm Petro has a no trade clause, so he would have to agree to a trade. There are also rumors that Toronto might prefer Parayko over Petro.

So Toronto has to be the No. 1 trade target from the Blues perspective. But I can see Army trading Parayko and resigning his captain. I can just see it. How in the world do we get a new GM before this gets uglier?

barcthespark wrote: Wed Dec 12, 2018 1:53 pm Petro has a no trade clause, so he would have to agree to a trade. There are also rumors that Toronto might prefer Parayko over Petro.

I'd think Petro would waive to go to Toronto. I'd be okay with them taking Parayko though...I've gotten to the point where I think he is what he is and not anything more is coming from him.

BillP. wrote: Wed Dec 12, 2018 2:02 pm

barcthespark wrote: Wed Dec 12, 2018 1:53 pm Petro has a no trade clause, so he would have to agree to a trade. There are also rumors that Toronto might prefer Parayko over Petro.

So Toronto has to be the No. 1 trade target from the Blues perspective. But I can see Army trading Parayko and resigning his captain. I can just see it. How in the world do we get a new GM before this gets uglier?

After a brief hiatus, I have to admit it's nice to have Army-hating Bill P back.

barcthespark wrote: Wed Dec 12, 2018 1:53 pm Petro has a no trade clause, so he would have to agree to a trade. There are also rumors that Toronto might prefer Parayko over Petro.

I'm sure Toronto would prefer Parayko due to his age the 3 extra years he has on his contract. If they traded for Petro they'd have a very hard time re-signing him without making massive roster changes. Matthews and Marner are due to get massive raises in the summer.

Dave's a mess wrote: Wed Dec 12, 2018 2:41 pm

BillP. wrote: Wed Dec 12, 2018 2:02 pm

barcthespark wrote: Wed Dec 12, 2018 1:53 pm Petro has a no trade clause, so he would have to agree to a trade. There are also rumors that Toronto might prefer Parayko over Petro.

So Toronto has to be the No. 1 trade target from the Blues perspective. But I can see Army trading Parayko and resigning his captain. I can just see it. How in the world do we get a new GM before this gets uglier?

After a brief hiatus, I have to admit it's nice to have Army-hating Bill P back.

Didn't want to hijack the Foo RIP thread and bring it up over there, but BIllP...I always thought YOU were Billy Pilgrim.

bradleygt89 wrote: Wed Dec 12, 2018 3:10 pm Didn't want to hijack the Foo RIP thread and bring it up over there, but BIllP...I always thought YOU were Billy Pilgrim.

Not only that, but this forum has a "BillP." and a "BillP" and I didn't even realize that until today.