St. Louis Blues Fans Getting Their Wish With Ty Rattie

Ty Rattie is officially a member of the St. Louis Blues after July 13, 2016. At least that’s what we’re hoping

Some people will see that and think I’ve fallen off the deep end. They’ll say “wtf are you talking about? He was already with the Blues,” and they’ll spell out w-t-f because they’re polite and do not curse.

Yes, he was in the St. Louis Blues’ system and played several games with the team, but he was just as much a member of the Chicago Wolves as well. Barring anything unforeseen, that will not be the case in 2016-17.

The Blues continued their evolution into a smaller, yet faster team by rewarding Rattie for his strong efforts with the big club. As first reported by Jeremy Rutherford and also NBC, then confirmed on the Blues‘ own site, Ty Rattie has been given a one-way contract.

He isn’t going to be paid what his fans think he’s worth. He won’t even be paid as much as his annual average value was last season. However, his $650,000 is guaranteed and he is on a one-way deal.

While that does not mean he could not be sent back to the AHL, it means it is much less likely that will happen. In all honesty, I tried to understand the waivers rule, but it is a bit confusing. Basically, Rattie should be exempt from waivers due to the low number of games played in the NHL. So, if the Blues wanted, they could send him back to the AHL with no penalty of losing him. However, his one-way contract does guarantee him the full amount of salary owed regardless.

$650K isn’t much in the grand scheme of things, but when the Blues are fitting the bill regardless, it does factor into things when deciding where to play him. It should mean he’s at least a bit more likely to stay in the NHL.

It should mean that he’s going to get a real look, both in camp and during the season. While Ken Hitchcock is under no pressure to develop anyone or look to the future, he also is transitioning what kind of team he wants to play with.

While four goals isn’t exactly going to set the world on fire, Rattie looked much more comfortable in the NHL game once he got his feet wet and some goals under his belt. He plays exactly the kind of style both Hitchcock and Mike Yeo have told the press they want to play.

He has speed, tenacity and despite a lack of size, is hard to get off the puck. That’s exactly the style the Blues are going for as they rid themselves of some of the larger, more bruising players they’ve featured in the past.

More from Editorials

• St. Louis Blues Need Kasperi Kapanen To Be On Best Behavior
• Hayes’ Debut And Other Bold Predictions for the St. Louis Blues
• St. Louis Blues Captaincy Is Suddenly A Huge Problem For 2023-24
• St. Louis Blues National Games Cause More Problems Than They’re Worth
• St. Louis Blues Brayden Schenn Has To Be An Impact Player In 2023-24

Rattie would fit well with any line. Personally, I’ve hated when Hitchcock plays skill players such as Rattie or Jaskin on the fourth line. It isn’t the place to showcase their talents given the guys they were playing with in the past. That isn’t the case as much now.

With Kyle Brodziak and Scottie Upshall manning the fourth line, it is easier to see a bit more offense coming from the bottom three. So Rattie could play anywhere from the bottom line to the second and fit in as long as his talents show he’s as good as we all want him to be.

Given the speed and skill they both possess, a line of Rattie and Robby Fabbri could be pretty dynamic. The fact that the team’s own website still lists Fabbri as a center gives you plenty of options about who the third man on that line could be too.

Rattie deserves a solid look. He’s definitely going to get it if Alexander Steen does not return by the start of the season and barring a trade that brings in an extra forward.

The Blues are going quicker and younger and he fits both. With his signing, the Blues have 14 forwards on the roster and are still expected to add Vladimir Sobotka as well (it’s still not official for crying out loud?), which would make 15. That means, on any given night, three forwards will be sitting out.

Rattie could very well be one of them. Or perhaps they demote him so he keeps playing. At this point though, and I apologize for the crudeness, it’s time to piss or get off the pot.

We all love Ryan Reaves, but he doesn’t fit the mold the Blues are going for. Magnus Paajarvi can spell some guys, but he just doesn’t seem to be an every day player. Who knows what Sobotka is at this point and Jaskin is still a question mark himself.

Next: Blues Top 30 Draft Picks Of All Time: 19-11

The Blues might as well see what Rattie has. Give him a good, long run with the second or third line and see if he has what it takes or cut bait since he’s on just a one-year deal.

They’ve shown him a bit of faith with the structuring of the contract and now it’s up to him to deliver on it. I think he will.