No disrespect to any of the players you mention, because they're all valuable pieces, but I think I'd go Parayko, Sundqvist, Schwartz, Thomas. (I rate Sundqvist ahead of Schwartz only because the Blues need centers at the moment.)
I think it's pretty unrealistic to expect a repeat of BInnington's debut season. It was one for the ages. Last season, he had a bad stretch around midseason, but overall was really good. Not great, but really good. Still among the top 10 goalies in the league I would say. This year, I thought he was on a similar path as last year, maybe a little better than last year. (I don't think the defensive support is as good around him.) But then we've seen this recent dip by in his play - again he has looked a little tired to me lately.
I don't get out as much as I used to. In this age of blogs and the 24/7 internet, not as much free time on the road. But I do miss Tom Reid's Hockey City Pub in St. Paul. Love walkig around in Vancouver. There's a little sandwich shop right across the street from the team hotel in Calgary. And Sherlock Holmes in Edmonton. (If you recall the Quarantine Chronicles from the summer, I was half-tempted to break my quarantine and head over there!)
Don't get me wrong, I think Mikkola is a valuable asset. But I guess I'm not as high on his play lately as some others. I know plus-minus isn't the end-all, be-all but he's minus-7 for the season and minus-5 over his last six games. And his playing time has actually dipped lately _ just 11:29 and 10:13 over the last two games. He's gaining valuable experience, but I certainly don't play him over Scandella.
I get it, Dunn hasn't been great this season. But I don't think this is the point in the season where you suddenly insert Walman into the lineup and start playing him 17 minutes a game.
I don't know what to make of it. Not many details. Are the leagues considering a merger? Would they play in the spring? The fall? Would they use CFL rules? If it would help both leagues survive, I'd be all for it.
And what would make you think of this on the 10th of March, 2021?
Althought not as skilled, Walker has some Schwartz-like qualities. Quick skater. Plays bigger than his size. Not afraid to work down low or along the boards. If Sundqvist returns this weekend, it'l be interesting to see if Walker stays in the lineup somewhere.
Somebody's got to turn on that light right?
Kostin was back in the lineup Wednesday for Avangard Omsk in the KHL playoffs. He played only 9:28 about half of his usual playing time lately, but did have 5 hits. Has anyone seen anything definitive on what Petro's injury is? Sundqvist is expected back over the weekend. Nothing new that I know of on Schwartz.
I don't disagree with what you're saying. I mentioned in an earlier answer that I don't think Binnington is getting the kind of support he got much of last season. And all of the intense, close games results in more mental fatigue over time I would think.
I wonder going forward if the new TV deal will boost revenue and help bump up the salary cap, making not next year but moving forward. For the fans, I would think ESPN would be more readily available than NBCSN. But I also have to say, I think most Blues fans enjoy the local broadcasts on FSM more than the national games.
I know nothing of the DeAngelo situation. Is he that good? And no, back surgery would not be good if it comes to that. on Parayko. When it comes to shaking the bushes for talent, nothing Armstrong might do would surprise me. I learned that pretty quick on this beat.
Well, you're not alone on that. Armstrong said in his Zoom call at the start of the West Coast trip that he's never seen these many injuries, at least in terms of injuries where players would be sideliend for relatively long periods of time. The $$$ number has gone down since Tarasenko returned, but there was a time when the Blues had something like $30 million of playroll sidelined.
Well, we probably won't have to worry about what to do with Schwartz for a little while yet. But Berube has lots of options when that happens. For example, does he reunite Schwartz, Schenn and Tarasenko. Drop Kyrou down to third line, or move him onto the Schenn line and drop Hoffman to third line? As they say, those are nice probblems to have.
It's all a blur now, but there was one game _ i foget where _ when there did seem to be a lot of players sllipping or losing an edge.
Barry, by Zoom standards it was pretty remarkable. I had to play through my tape a few ties to make sure he indeed made the remark about "wearing the Note again." I've always liked the Tarasenko media sessions in part because he wears his emotions on his sleeves You always know where he stands, what he;s feeling. The sparkle in his eyes talking about his return and his family and being around the team nearly jumped off the Zoom. It was very noticeable.
Paranko would of course be the most important player to come back. How would you rate the rest? Maybe Sunny next because of all the minutes and roles he plays (especially PK). Schwartz w his tenacity , then Barbashev and Bozak ( about equal w multi roles), then Thomas even though he's maybe top 6 forward,, lastly de la Rose?