Category Archives: St. Louis Blues
Could the Flyers and Blues swing a deal?
Flyers were involved in trade talks prior to offer sheeting Shea Weber. I think things could heat up with St. Louis this summer.
— Dustin Leed (@D_LEED) June 4, 2013
St. Louis Blues looking to make changes
The St. Louis Blues haven’t been overjoyed with Swedish centre Patrik Berglund or winger David Perron this season, but they might not investigate trading either player until the summer.
They could move Alexander Steen or rookie Jaden Schwartz to centre for Berglund, who’s a restricted free agent July 1.
I thought Berglund might go for Calgary Flames defenceman Jay Bouwmeester, but if the Blues just got Jordan Leopold from the Buffalo Sabres for two draft picks (they plan on seeing how he’ll look with Kevin Shattenkirk, rather than Wade Redden), that likely means they’re out of the Bouwmeester sweepstakes.
Is Halak on the trade block
Two scouts told me tonight that Jaroslav Halak was on the block, so I asked Doug Armstrong. His answer: “He’s not going anywhere.”
— steve simmons (@simmonssteve) March 21, 2013
Blues looking for a d-man
Speaking of the Blues, sources around the league say GM Doug Armstrong is on the lookout for a left-handed, top-four type blueliner, a guy who can play with either Alex Pietrangelo or Kevin Shattenkirk on either of the top two pairings.
Should Blues Consider Stastny ?
There’s some talk of Colorado maybe looking to move center Paul Stastny. Reports suggest he could be expendable with the addition of Ryan O’Reilly.
We’ve asked this question for several years, how would Stastny look in St. Louis?
Obviously he comes with a contract that pays him $6.6 million for one more season. That’s a lot for a budget team like the Blues and obviously some dollars would need to be shipped out to make room for this type of contract.
Blues may bring Arnott back to help
Perhaps one way to solve new problems is with old answers, literally and figuratively.
With Vladimir Tarasenko, Alex Steen and Andy McDonald out of the lineup with injuries, with veteran leader Jamie Langenbrunner out for the season — and with just 27 games remaining in the regular season — the Blues are considering bringing back center Jason Arnott.
Blues and Leafs On Each Other’s Radar?
Sources out of Toronto have the Blues and Maple Leafs on each other’s radar. One player whose name continues to pop up, not just with St. Louis, is forward Nikolai Kulemin.
A former 30 goal scorer, Kulemin is playing a different role with Toronto and could maybe use a change of scenery. The 26 year-old Russian has just 12 points this season but has been used primarily in a defensive/PK role. He’s seen limited PP action.
He put up 38 points in 36 KHL games this season. Kulemin is a childhood friend of Pittsburgh superstar Evgeni Malkin as the two played together before coming over to the NHL.
Rangers, St. Louis Blues and Senators are among several teams looking for a defenceman
THIS N’ THAT: The talk has increased in the last few days as the schedule hits the halfway point and teams are starting to get desperate to make moves. Sources say the Rangers, Flames and Philadelphia Flyers are among those making phone calls. “Teams are thinking they’ve got to do something now if they’re going to stand a chance,” said a league executive Friday … The Rangers, St. Louis Blues and Senators are among several teams looking for a defenceman before the April 3 deadline … The Penguins won’t have C Evgeni Malkin back from a concussion Saturday vs. the Montreal Canadiens Saturday at the Bell Centre, but he is making progress. Many GMs think Pittsburgh’s Ray Shero will deal for Calgary’s Jarome Iginla.
http://www.ottawasun.com/2013/03/01/calgary-flames-bone-headed-pitch-to-sign-rfa-ryan-oreilly-backfires-spectacularly
Kevin Shattenkirk Target Of Philadelphia Flyers For Daniel Briere?
Thank you to Travis over at Broad Street Hockey for bringing this piece of wackiness to my attention. As usual, Flyers GM Paul Holmgren wants to make a splash by the trade deadline, especially since the Flyers are not a particularly successful team right now. They are 9-11-1 on the year and are in 10th place in the Eastern Conference. Something needs to be done. But what? How about trade Daniel Briere for defensive help? Sure, stands to reason.
Teams interested in Briere?
According to sources, Armstrong has been asking for forward Danny Briere. He isn’t the only one. Boston inquired about Briere last week, among others.
Briere, 35, is one player who isn’t going anywhere. The Flyers have not asked Briere to waive his no-trade clause, and it isn’t clear whether they’re interested in moving him, but he provided an answer Tuesday.
Blues in the trade market with Halak out?
The listless Blues fell to the Kings 4-1, extending their losing streak to five games. Never on Ken Hitchcock‘s watch has this team suffered such a dramatic downturn.
Now the Blues head out onto the road, starting Wednesday night at Detroit against the surging Red Wings.
Uh, oh!
This debacle left fans wondering if the general manager Doug Armstrong needs to so something. (Since he was in Toronto watching the Maple Leafs and Flyers play, the rumor mill started churning for real.)
No contender has more salary cap space to work with right now. Does Armstrong need to give the team’s chemistry a jolt?
Blues snap up Redden
It didn’t take long for the blues to scoop up Wade Redden. It seems that he has signed a 1 year deal worth 800,000.hockeytraderumors.com
— hockeytraderumors (@hockeytraderumo) January 18, 2013
Murphy on Leafs: Luongo not the only option
But what we have to consider here is that the Leafs are looking at other options; options that may not cost as much as Luongo in the short term and long term.
What about Jaroslav Halak in St. Louis? He went 26-12-7 last season with a 1.97 GAA and .925 save percentage and still sits second on the depth chart behind Brian Elliott. Or what if Nonis and company felt like Jonathan Bernier was ready for prime time but never got the chance to show it behind Jonathan Quick.