I agree. Picking up Kapanen for virtually nothing, and same for Vrana, was a great way to keep The Blues afloat until they can fix their defence situation, and the younger prospects are ready to contribute significantly at a high level. And, IF they thrive in this new atmosphere, and turn around their games, that would be a great bonus.big d note wrote: Fri Mar 03, 2023 10:36 amYeah, if nothing else they should help the team stay afloat and sell tickets for the next few years while we wait for these prospects and 1st round picks to develop. Hopefully they can smooth out the dip.Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Fri Mar 03, 2023 9:45 amAdding Kasparen and Vrana for nothing more than their cap space and a bag of pucks is a great move by Army, imo. Low risk, high reward moves. If they don't work out, then they are gone after next year anyway.BillP. wrote: Fri Mar 03, 2023 8:29 am Armstrong is amazing. You pick up a player like that for peanuts? The guy is a damn good player, a guy that scores goals, highlight reel goals. love the deal. Damn. Army is going to plug this team up with trades and FA and keep all his picks. Blues will be a WC contender again next year with a deep prospect pool. Way to go Doug!!
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
452So, the 2023 trade deadline has come and gone (barring any stragglers that came in just under the wire and haven't been announced yet), what are people's opinions of Armstrong's moves this year? I actually like them, trading away almost all of our pending UFAs (Can't blame him for not moving Greiss), adding a couple of 1st round picks in a super-deep draft, and picking up some low risk, medium-high reward players (Dean, Blais, Kapanen, Vrana) for the near and medium future. It would have been nice to do something to address the cap-heavy defense, but IMHO, those are more likely to be moves over the Summer, since none of them would be merely rentals, and we weren't looking to clear the cap space immediately for a big splash (Meier, Chychrun). Along with a likely top-10 pick and at least a chance at a lottery pick, I think we're set up pretty well heading into the Summer.
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
453
Made his big moves early and then sat back and let the game come to him...
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
454So in other words: "I'd put the current Blues roster up against any other non-playoff team out on the golf course"?RAFritchey wrote: Fri Mar 03, 2023 2:22 pm... I think we're set up pretty well heading into the Summer.
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
455Basically 3 first round picks added when you include Dean. You picked up a nice piece in Kapanen, a former first round pick himself. You got Vrana at zero cost, a high end scorer who essentially replaces Tarasenko. I’m sure Army will fill out the forward group thru free agency. If successful, this team will look pretty good next year, and to have our prospect pool beefed up at the same time is a feather in Army’s cap.RAFritchey wrote: Fri Mar 03, 2023 2:22 pm So, the 2023 trade deadline has come and gone (barring any stragglers that came in just under the wire and haven't been announced yet), what are people's opinions of Armstrong's moves this year? I actually like them, trading away almost all of our pending UFAs (Can't blame him for not moving Greiss), adding a couple of 1st round picks in a super-deep draft, and picking up some low risk, medium-high reward players (Dean, Blais, Kapanen, Vrana) for the near and medium future. It would have been nice to do something to address the cap-heavy defense, but IMHO, those are more likely to be moves over the Summer, since none of them would be merely rentals, and we weren't looking to clear the cap space immediately for a big splash (Meier, Chychrun). Along with a likely top-10 pick and at least a chance at a lottery pick, I think we're set up pretty well heading into the Summer.
Grade: A
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
456Ditto. Very curious to see how many of those three first round picks we actually make. Hopefully we don't have to touch them to get rid of contracts. Either make the selections or trade them for useful players. Good work around the deadline after a turd of a season.RAFritchey wrote: Fri Mar 03, 2023 2:22 pm So, the 2023 trade deadline has come and gone (barring any stragglers that came in just under the wire and haven't been announced yet), what are people's opinions of Armstrong's moves this year? I actually like them, trading away almost all of our pending UFAs (Can't blame him for not moving Greiss), adding a couple of 1st round picks in a super-deep draft, and picking up some low risk, medium-high reward players (Dean, Blais, Kapanen, Vrana) for the near and medium future. It would have been nice to do something to address the cap-heavy defense, but IMHO, those are more likely to be moves over the Summer, since none of them would be merely rentals, and we weren't looking to clear the cap space immediately for a big splash (Meier, Chychrun). Along with a likely top-10 pick and at least a chance at a lottery pick, I think we're set up pretty well heading into the Summer.
...but whatever, the Blues won the Cup!!!!!
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
457Just taking this trade deadline as a snapshot I would say he did pretty decent. I'm not ecstatic about the Barbashev trade because really all we did was gain a player who might become Barbashev but who is younger. The Kapanen and Vrana moves were very shrewd. The O'Reilly/Acciari deal was good and everyone is tired of hearing my thoughts in moving Tarasenko.RAFritchey wrote: Fri Mar 03, 2023 2:22 pm So, the 2023 trade deadline has come and gone (barring any stragglers that came in just under the wire and haven't been announced yet), what are people's opinions of Armstrong's moves this year? I actually like them, trading away almost all of our pending UFAs (Can't blame him for not moving Greiss), adding a couple of 1st round picks in a super-deep draft, and picking up some low risk, medium-high reward players (Dean, Blais, Kapanen, Vrana) for the near and medium future. It would have been nice to do something to address the cap-heavy defense, but IMHO, those are more likely to be moves over the Summer, since none of them would be merely rentals, and we weren't looking to clear the cap space immediately for a big splash (Meier, Chychrun). Along with a likely top-10 pick and at least a chance at a lottery pick, I think we're set up pretty well heading into the Summer.
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
459Jakub Vrana is gonna be a GREAT acquisition for us!!!
Now now, the Canadian Government has apologized for Bryan Adams on SEVERAL occasions!
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
460Bill Armstrong said he turned down an offer for two later first round picks for Chychurn and liked the Ottawa higher pick more. I’m guessing that was the Blues
Just a Russian propaganda account
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
461Oh boy, I would be really disappointed in Army if that really was him with that offer. What a bust of a deal that would have been. This isn’t Denis Potvin. Talk about overrated, what the heck would he do for us? Sick of these overrated offensive defensemen. See Krug. These guys just disappear. Give me someone that can actually defend, that’s a skill you never lose.Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Sat Mar 04, 2023 8:31 am Bill Armstrong said he turned down an offer for two later first round picks for Chychurn and liked the Ottawa higher pick more. I’m guessing that was the Blues
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
462Essentially Tarasenko’s replacement. Just need him to stay healthy. He had shoulder surgery too by the way
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
463But Vrana didn't have the shitty StL dr's to ruin his shoulderBillP wrote: Sat Mar 04, 2023 8:45 amEssentially Tarasenko’s replacement. Just need him to stay healthy. He had shoulder surgery too by the way
This is going to be a GREAT acquisition!
Now now, the Canadian Government has apologized for Bryan Adams on SEVERAL occasions!
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
464Kap and Vrana were both first rounders tooBillP wrote: Fri Mar 03, 2023 4:45 pmBasically 3 first round picks added when you include Dean. You picked up a nice piece in Kapanen, a former first round pick himself. You got Vrana at zero cost, a high end scorer who essentially replaces Tarasenko. I’m sure Army will fill out the forward group thru free agency. If successful, this team will look pretty good next year, and to have our prospect pool beefed up at the same time is a feather in Army’s cap.RAFritchey wrote: Fri Mar 03, 2023 2:22 pm So, the 2023 trade deadline has come and gone (barring any stragglers that came in just under the wire and haven't been announced yet), what are people's opinions of Armstrong's moves this year? I actually like them, trading away almost all of our pending UFAs (Can't blame him for not moving Greiss), adding a couple of 1st round picks in a super-deep draft, and picking up some low risk, medium-high reward players (Dean, Blais, Kapanen, Vrana) for the near and medium future. It would have been nice to do something to address the cap-heavy defense, but IMHO, those are more likely to be moves over the Summer, since none of them would be merely rentals, and we weren't looking to clear the cap space immediately for a big splash (Meier, Chychrun). Along with a likely top-10 pick and at least a chance at a lottery pick, I think we're set up pretty well heading into the Summer.
Grade: A
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
465Kap and Vrana were both first rounders tooBillP wrote: Fri Mar 03, 2023 4:45 pmBasically 3 first round picks added when you include Dean. You picked up a nice piece in Kapanen, a former first round pick himself. You got Vrana at zero cost, a high end scorer who essentially replaces Tarasenko. I’m sure Army will fill out the forward group thru free agency. If successful, this team will look pretty good next year, and to have our prospect pool beefed up at the same time is a feather in Army’s cap.RAFritchey wrote: Fri Mar 03, 2023 2:22 pm So, the 2023 trade deadline has come and gone (barring any stragglers that came in just under the wire and haven't been announced yet), what are people's opinions of Armstrong's moves this year? I actually like them, trading away almost all of our pending UFAs (Can't blame him for not moving Greiss), adding a couple of 1st round picks in a super-deep draft, and picking up some low risk, medium-high reward players (Dean, Blais, Kapanen, Vrana) for the near and medium future. It would have been nice to do something to address the cap-heavy defense, but IMHO, those are more likely to be moves over the Summer, since none of them would be merely rentals, and we weren't looking to clear the cap space immediately for a big splash (Meier, Chychrun). Along with a likely top-10 pick and at least a chance at a lottery pick, I think we're set up pretty well heading into the Summer.
Grade: A
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
466But Chychrun is good defensively. It's ok to be good at both. Right now those draft picks both are in the late 20s range. At least 2 years of a strong all around D might be worth 2 picks in that range. I'd have been curious about what other moves a deal like that would've spurred.BillP wrote: Sat Mar 04, 2023 8:40 amOh boy, I would be really disappointed in Army if that really was him with that offer. What a bust of a deal that would have been. This isn’t Denis Potvin. Talk about overrated, what the heck would he do for us? Sick of these overrated offensive defensemen. See Krug. These guys just disappear. Give me someone that can actually defend, that’s a skill you never lose.Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Sat Mar 04, 2023 8:31 am Bill Armstrong said he turned down an offer for two later first round picks for Chychurn and liked the Ottawa higher pick more. I’m guessing that was the Blues
...but whatever, the Blues won the Cup!!!!!
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
467Trading two late picks for a proven talent is never a bad idea.Dave's a mess wrote: Sat Mar 04, 2023 10:50 amBut Chychrun is good defensively. It's ok to be good at both. Right now those draft picks both are in the late 20s range. At least 2 years of a strong all around D might be worth 2 picks in that range. I'd have been curious about what other moves a deal like that would've spurred.BillP wrote: Sat Mar 04, 2023 8:40 amOh boy, I would be really disappointed in Army if that really was him with that offer. What a bust of a deal that would have been. This isn’t Denis Potvin. Talk about overrated, what the heck would he do for us? Sick of these overrated offensive defensemen. See Krug. These guys just disappear. Give me someone that can actually defend, that’s a skill you never lose.Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Sat Mar 04, 2023 8:31 am Bill Armstrong said he turned down an offer for two later first round picks for Chychurn and liked the Ottawa higher pick more. I’m guessing that was the Blues
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
468Trading two late picks for a proven talent is never a bad idea.Dave's a mess wrote: Sat Mar 04, 2023 10:50 amBut Chychrun is good defensively. It's ok to be good at both. Right now those draft picks both are in the late 20s range. At least 2 years of a strong all around D might be worth 2 picks in that range. I'd have been curious about what other moves a deal like that would've spurred.BillP wrote: Sat Mar 04, 2023 8:40 amOh boy, I would be really disappointed in Army if that really was him with that offer. What a bust of a deal that would have been. This isn’t Denis Potvin. Talk about overrated, what the heck would he do for us? Sick of these overrated offensive defensemen. See Krug. These guys just disappear. Give me someone that can actually defend, that’s a skill you never lose.Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Sat Mar 04, 2023 8:31 am Bill Armstrong said he turned down an offer for two later first round picks for Chychurn and liked the Ottawa higher pick more. I’m guessing that was the Blues
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
469Intriguing second line
Buchnevich-Thomas-Kyrou
Vrana-Schenn-Kapanen
Saad-Brown-Blais/Leivo
Toropchenko/Walker-Alexandrov-Pitlick
Buchnevich-Thomas-Kyrou
Vrana-Schenn-Kapanen
Saad-Brown-Blais/Leivo
Toropchenko/Walker-Alexandrov-Pitlick
Just a Russian propaganda account
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
471There's enough there for Army to turn this into something during the off season. Do that and still keep all our picks is ideal.Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Intriguing second line
Buchnevich-Thomas-Kyrou
Vrana-Schenn-Kapanen
Saad-Brown-Blais/Leivo
Toropchenko/Walker-Alexandrov-Pitlick
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
47213 points in 89 college games. Yawn..................his name is too hard to call during a hockey game anyway.BluesSK wrote: Blues sign Malmstron
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
473I think if we can find a solid, stay at home Dman it will be just what the doctor ordered.BillP. wrote: Tue Mar 07, 2023 7:02 am13 points in 89 college games. Yawn..................his name is too hard to call during a hockey game anyway.BluesSK wrote: Blues sign Malmstron
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
474GOD damn... starting to lose hope the Blues can crack a top five pick... there are a few teams out there sucking with amazing precision
Re: Blues 2022-2023 season thread
475I know nothing about this kid specifically, but I'm all for taking chances on as many large, defensive defensemen as possible right now.BluesSK wrote: Tue Mar 07, 2023 7:13 amI think if we can find a solid, stay at home Dman it will be just what the doctor ordered.BillP. wrote: Tue Mar 07, 2023 7:02 am13 points in 89 college games. Yawn..................his name is too hard to call during a hockey game anyway.BluesSK wrote: Blues sign Malmstron
...but whatever, the Blues won the Cup!!!!!