I think he's shown enough that he deserves a shot at making an NHL roster at some point. He's an unrestricted free agent after this season, so he could get a chance elsewhere if not with the Blues. Prior to his call-up, his numbers were excellent in Springfield (8-1-1, 2.16 GAA, .925 save %) which makes you believe that what he accomplished in St. Louis wasn't a fluke.
Tarasenko has always had leadership skills. But I still think O'Reilly was the right choice.
Walker and Joshua are on the taxi squad, and Torpchenko is back in Springfield, so you'd have to move players off the "varsity" roster to do so. Which is easier said than done.
In theory, a defensive D is the bigger prioriity. But that's assuming Mikkola shows he can't handle a top 4 roll - which isn't the case at the moment.
Not aware of any rift between Armstrong and Berube. There iis a lot of talent on this team, particularly up forward. And now that they're all healthy, I think that does raise the expectations for this team.
I think we've all seen that COVID has a life of its own. So we'll see. But with 14 Blues already making the COVID list - 12 of which remain on the active roster - the math favors the Blues at least in the near future. Once you're on the COVID list, you are not tested for 90 days. And if you're not tested, you can't test positive. Brandon Saad was the firist Blues player on the COVID list - Oct. 21. So he doesn't have to be tested again until the end of this month. All of the other remaining Blues who were subsequently on the COVID list are further down the road in terms of their next test.
Alternating is not a given. Berube normally is very reluctant to change a lineup if the team is playing well. So at the moment, Brown has the upper hand. I think he's a better defensive player than Kostin, seems a little more likely to get to the net than Kostin. I think Kostin has maybe a better overall skill set in terms of shot, skating ability, etc., and is more phsyical. But I'm hesitant to say who has the greater upside at this point. Contract situation is basically a non-factor. Both are scheduled to be RFAs after this season, with Brown being aribtration eligible.
I don't know if you'd consider them "important" players but perhaps Bortuzzo or Scandella would be part of a package. Schenn? I don't think so.
Is Giordano helping you out that much defensively?
To be determined. Trade deadlnie isn't until March 21 so we've got some time to let that one marinate.
Sorry for the delay. There was a phone call I had to take. No where were we?
I think Brown maybe has gotten more attention in terms of coverage because he is from St. Louis. But on the ice, Kostin played in 18 of the Blues' first 19 games. If not for the injury, he might still be playing. So I think he was given plenty of opportunity to make his mark earlier in the season. Brown, for now, has made the most of his opportunity.
It's certainlyl possible. Along those lines, however, it would help if he scored more goals.
I have nothing to do with picking the 3 stars, and to be honest with you, I'm not exactly sure how they are picked. Personally, I pay very little attention to the three stars. I guess the players do, but I dont think it's something they obsess over.
Wouldn't say that. But Brown obviously has passed him in the lineup for now.
Berube made it a point in the buildup to the game that it was important to get off to a good start, He also stressed that the team that wanted iti more - in the adverse weather conditions - would probably win the game. Looks like the team got the memo. Keep in mind, too, that the Blues went 6-1-1 against the Wild last season. They beat them by scores of 7-3 and 4-0 ni the fnial 2 games of the 2020-21 regular season. And the Wild had lost 4 straight entering the game. So it could be simply a case that the Wild have been struggling lately and the Blues are simply a bad matchup for them.
I'm not gonig to rule out what you're saying. Every player likes touches and chances to score. And it's easier to do so when you're on the power play. Based on the morning skate, Schen and Saad could get limited PP time or none at all. They were both alternating.
Fair point. But technically, at least, the line that gets the most minutes iis usually considered the first lnie.
O'Reilly also routiinely blames himself for everything but global warming.
Right now, you've got to keep Kyrou and Thomas with him. The trio has combined for 3 goals and 4 asssits in each of the past two games. Barbashev and Buchnevich put up some really good numbers with Tarasenko, but nothing like that.
I think he's shown enough that he deserves a shot at making an NHL roster at some point. He's an unrestricted free agent after this season, so he could get a chance elsewhere if not with the Blues. Prior to his call-up, his numbers were excellent in Springfield (8-1-1, 2.16 GAA, .925 save %) which makes you believe that what he accomplished in St. Louis wasn't a fluke.