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Join Blues beat writer Jim Thomas for his live chat at 1 p.m. Wednesday

Get your questions ready and join in at 1 p.m. Wednesday for our weekly Blues chat.

3rd & 7 37yd

I recall seeing many chats the last few years that the "mojo" in the locker room during the 2019-20, 2020-21 wasn't quite what it should be. Did Chief pretty much confirm that today?

by timothy mark 6/1/2022 7:36:04 PM
He certainly confirmed it for 2020-21. The mojo was good for the 2019-20 season - until the Edmonton Bubble, that is. I get the impression a lot of the Blues didn't want to be there.

by jthomas 6/1/2022 7:37:18 PM
Jim:

Regarding Kyrou and his inconsistent play - I think fans should look at the huge improvement Robert Thomas made in the past two seasons, and see the possibility that Kyrou could realistically follow a similar trajectory.

Jordan is still a young man who is growing physically and needs another year or two to reach full physical maturity and strength. This applies to his mental game as well.
And I say, watch out when he does! He will be in the same class as the best players in the game and the Blues will be a constant Cup contender as a result.

Cheers to you, Tom, and Gordo for a great season of hockey coverage!

by Robert 6/1/2022 7:37:53 PM
Well put. And I'll add this. What kind of player was David Perron as a youngster? And what kind of player is he now?

by jthomas 6/1/2022 7:38:34 PM
Can Schenn take our young guns Kyrou and Thomas and teach them to body check? I’d be shocked if they combined for more than one body check for the two series. You’d think they’d at least accidentally bump into someone sometimes…

by 0xcharlie 6/1/2022 7:44:44 PM
Yeah, I get where you're coming from. And you don't have to hit like Schenn or Barbashev to be effective. Just get in somebody's way.

by jthomas 6/1/2022 7:45:35 PM
I think if you look at what other teams like the Avalanche have in the way of UFA, then you get where Armstrong is coming from. There will be movement in the top teams. The Wild have big time cap problems from buying out two contracts and the Avalanche have 11 players they need to sign as free agents. Armstrong usually makes a move and I expect some but I see the Blues as a competitive team with their leading competitors having cap issue to solve and as in Buchnevich teams will give up good players to free cap space.

by Liz 6/1/2022 7:45:57 PM
Yeah, for sure. The Blues are in pretty good shape roster-wise for this coming season. As I mentioned in one of my recent articles, one of the underrated things about Armstrong (and asst. GM Ryan Miller) is the Blues never have too many expired contracts in any one offseson.

by jthomas 6/1/2022 7:49:25 PM
I think that Colton Parayko is this decade's Erik Johnson. Good but not foundational defenseman miscast as an anchor of a team. Prone to severely boneheaded mistakes that cost his team (Parayko with his repeated delay of game penalties late in playoff games (happened in 2019 against Dallas as well), and Johnson with whatever stupidity that happened on the golf course that tore up his knee and cost him a season). Under this cap system, can you get a true number 1 defenseman without trading Parayko?

by Scott Stewart 6/1/2022 7:50:19 PM
While I appreciate your frustration, Parayko isn't going anywhere. I think he's much more highly-regarded by the Blues and around the league as he is by the fandom in St. Louis.

by jthomas 6/1/2022 7:51:34 PM
Who do you see being available for trade from the current roster given some of the young kids coming up the system (Neighbors in particular), and what would you give up to get Matty T assuming he would sign a long term 9MM a year extension?

by Jlitty 6/1/2022 7:51:57 PM
I've certainly been wrong before, but at present I don't see anything in terms of a burning desire by Doug Armstrong to make a big trade. Not to say he isn't always looking around. But after squeaking into the playoffs last year and getting swept in the first round, he has put the Blues back on the map. Why tear that up?
I don't know what it would take to get Matthew Tkachuk. But one reader earlier in this chat suggested that Taraseko and Krug wouldn't be enough.

by jthomas 6/1/2022 7:57:54 PM
Are there any rumblings on the Robert Thomas/Jordan Kyrou front regarding the sexual assault charges recently settled with Hockey Canada? It seems like this could become a very serious issue for the players and Blues.

by Phil from Louisville 6/1/2022 7:58:07 PM
Haven't heard anything. Remember, we're talking a bout 8 players here. Not the entire eam.

by jthomas 6/1/2022 8:03:42 PM
Why were there no questions to Army and Chief at the season ending presser about the Colorado series or Kadri and Binnington's injury?

by Phil from Louisville 6/1/2022 8:03:58 PM
I think there were some questions on the topic. But I think the general tone of the questions were forward looking.

by jthomas 6/1/2022 8:05:23 PM
I know that Nazem Kadri is public enemy number one in St. Louis, but I also believe that he is the type of player that the team would love to have. He is in the mold of Brayden Schenn, and the team would be better off with a few more players of his ilk.

While I am disappointed in the sequence of events around Kadri in the series, I believe we would welcome our players getting under the skin of the opponents like he does, and the Blues might be a better squad as a result.

Thanks for the chat and the chance to express my thoughts…

by Robert 6/1/2022 8:06:07 PM
If I were a fan, I wouldn't be too crazy about adding a player who has been suspended - what it is it? - six or seven times? I don't think Schenn is that type of player.

by jthomas 6/1/2022 8:07:28 PM
Colorado has 6 top ten drafted players on their roster. The Blues have one (Scheen). The Blues have been very consistent over the years while Colorado bottomed out for several years, which allowed them to draft so high. Personally, I would prefer having a competitive team each season but as a person covering the team, which would you prefer?

by Luke 6/1/2022 8:08:00 PM
Speaking mainly from experience in football, it's more fun covering a winning team.

by jthomas 6/1/2022 8:08:52 PM
According to Capfriendly Matthew Tkachuk is a restricted free agent so he probably isn't going anywhere. Where the Avalanche have cap space of $20 million, they have 11 unrestricted free agents some who are making $4-5 million now. So they have work to do to hold onto their players

by Liz 6/1/2022 8:09:14 PM
Thanks for the input.

by jthomas 6/1/2022 8:09:35 PM
JT, I believe JR asked Army about the other coaches. Do you see the other coaches returning? I think Steve Ott has done a great job controlling the PP, Montgomery has done a good job with the PK and Van Ryn has done a good job with the defense. I know that there are several head coaching openings. I would think Dallas would be foolish not to interview Ott. If we do lose one of the coaches, who do you see as a possibility of taking over their role?

by Todd 6/1/2022 8:10:23 PM
Armstrong sounded like he wouldn't be surprised if one (or more) of his assistants at least attracted some interest (interveiws. etc.) Other than the possibiliity of Drew Bannister moving up from Springfield, not sure who Armstrong would be considering. But he did say he was putting together a list.

by jthomas 6/1/2022 8:14:56 PM
Thoughts/insights on the Canadian 17-18 national junior scandal? Any concerns for Thomas and Kyrou? What about Makar?

by FunBobby 6/1/2022 8:15:02 PM
We're talking about 8 out of a possible 25-30 Team Canada juniior members. And I don't think all of the 8 were members of the junior team. The lawsuit has been settled. I know the NHL is now looking into it, but not sure what the league would do at this point since the suit has been settled.

by jthomas 6/1/2022 8:18:31 PM
For all you Parayko haters, if you trade him, who plays his minutes and assumes his role? The team would be best served by finding him a true #2 d partner and not having him play with 5-7 type defenders. Jim, your thoughts please.

by Blake 6/1/2022 8:18:51 PM
I think he's a good, to very good player. And at this point in his career this is who he is. If you're expecting him to develop into a big hitter or 15-goal scorer at this point in his career, it's almost certainly not going to happen. (Especially since he rarely plays on the power play - in terms of not being a big scorer.) Again, I think he's held in higher regard outside of St. Louis than in St. Louis. The Blues coaches hold him in high regard. I don't know what else to say.

by jthomas 6/1/2022 8:22:01 PM
How can Bednar(understandably) say “reputation has nothing to do with it” when defending Kadri for the Binnington incident? The NHL disciplinary suspension length is usually based on reputation for a repeat offender, which Kadri is. He was traded from Toronto for it. He deserved and got 8 games for the Faulk hit last year. And again, this year, knocked a key player from the opposing team from post season play, albeit far leas egregious this time. Raffi Torres got suspended for climbing over the boards late in his career because of previous actions.

Then some moron posts anti Muslim remarks (reportedly) and the narrative changes completely to Kadri becoming the victim, but the on ice situation was unchanged. Do you think that dynamic changed the possibility of him getting a suspension? Did you as a media member ever get to see the comments? I don’t doubt they happened, just curious on your take .

by Gary in Boulder 6/1/2022 8:23:01 PM
I didn't expect Kadri to be suspended. But I was astounded that he didn't get penalized. I thought he'd get at lest 2 minutes.
It was more than as you put it "one moron" - and even one comment like that is too many. There is too much hate in this world. And over a game? A sporting event? It's despicable. And yes, I saw at least some of the comments - they were on social media.
But I too thought it strange that Kadri somehow became a sympathetic figure in all this. And unless I missed it, I can't recall one time where he said something like "I feel bad for Binington" or I hope he's OK."

by jthomas 6/1/2022 8:28:05 PM
On Chycrun, you said earlier in the chat that the game today is mobility on defense. Chycrun brings that, with size, some skill, and some grit.
His analytics haven’t been great on a bad team. When I’ve seen him play the Blues, he’s looked dominant at times.

by Tom 6/1/2022 8:29:04 PM
Thanks for the input on Chycrun. Much appreciated. I noticed him a lot more in '20-21 than I did this past season - and more on the offseson end.

by jthomas 6/1/2022 8:31:01 PM
What do you think Matthew T's interest is in coming to the Blues?

by Ballfour 6/1/2022 8:31:04 PM
All things being equal, I think he'd love to play for his hometown team.

by jthomas 6/1/2022 8:31:31 PM
Gordo said in his chat Friday that the players were removed from that lawsuit as defendants before it was settled.

by Liz 6/1/2022 8:31:51 PM
OK, thanks.

by jthomas 6/1/2022 8:32:02 PM
I think the angst about Parayko reminds me of the comments I would make about a young Chris Pronger. I would frequently watch games and yell to anyone who would listen (usually my brothers), "You can always count on Pronger to take a stupid penalty at the wrong time!" Parayko does a lot more good than harm.

by Andy 6/1/2022 8:32:22 PM
Thanks for chiming in.

by jthomas 6/1/2022 8:32:43 PM
Thoughts on the Blues D corps, specifically a 1-10 breakdown. Do you think they keep Scandella, do they resign Leddy, are Mikko and Peronovich the only guys younger than Parrayko next year?

by Sctdog 6/1/2022 8:34:01 PM
With just 24 minutes left on the chat, don't think I could do justice to a 1-10 breakdown. But I think Faulk has been the team's best defensemen this season and last. Mikkola improved dramatically and with continued improvement (get a little stronger, improve his puck play) could be an every day top 4 guy.
If you trade Scandella, you'd have enough money to re-sign Leddy. But I don't think there's much of a trade market for him.
And yes, Mikkola and Perunovich are the only D-men younger than Parayko.

by jthomas 6/1/2022 8:39:47 PM
Do you think Parayko's play was affected by fatigue? He's played a lot of hard minutes under some constantly changing partners and parameters. Your thoughts?

by Answermandan1 6/1/2022 8:39:49 PM
Interesting. You're not the only reader who thought Parayko looked tired in Game 6. I wondered if the reader was referring to the sequence where Parayko and Leddy were on the ice forever - preceding the first Colorado goal. Or if the reader was taklking about the entire game.

by jthomas 6/1/2022 8:41:53 PM
If we didn’t have any stats in size, weight, contracts, etc but just performance and usage is Parrayko a top 2-3 D on the Blues? I think if he was 6,2 and had the same stats he would take less heat, but everyone sees a giant and wants a Pronger.

by Sctdog 6/1/2022 8:42:12 PM
Could be, could be.

by jthomas 6/1/2022 8:42:27 PM
Binnington is a clown. Throwing the empty water bottle was the act of petulant baby. If he was that and wanted to make a statement, he should have confronted him like a man. Otherwise, he should have made the professional choice and kept walking. Frankly, the league should have fined him. I hope he continues to play like he did this postseason, but overall, his conduct in an embarrassment for the franchise.

by Ivan 6/1/2022 8:42:33 PM