St. Louis Blues: Nobody Knows Doug Armstrong's Plans

The NHL’s trade deadline is only days away and many think the Blues might do something. However, despite the rumors, we really have no clue what Doug Armstrong is doing.

The St. Louis Blues are in need of a change, that much is clear. Very few fans can agree on what that change should be.

Some say it’s goaltending. They have their head in the clouds or, in some cases a place further south, and think Carey Price or even Brian Elliott are the cure. That’s right. There are actually some out there that still think Moose, who is injured for five to six weeks, can lead the Blues.

Time to move on. Goaltending is not the issue people. *deep breathes*

Anyway, some think it’s defending and others think it is scoring. Nobody is completely wrong and nobody is completely right. This is a team with issues up and down the roster, but not a team in need of a complete overhaul. So, what do you do?

That is the million dollar question. The problem becomes we have no clue what Doug Armstrong thinks.

Armstrong is clearly frustrated with this club. He’s been visibly upset at many performances, watching from the press box. Like any good poker player, however, he is not tipping his hand.

We have plenty of rumors to go on. The Blues have been hotly linked with two Ottawa Senators. They have also been associated with wanting to bring in Patrick Maroon.

All of those names would make good sense. They do not break the bank. In the case of both Ottawa players, they’re under contract for at least another season. In the case of Maroon, technically he’d be a rental player but the cost would be lower and the chance of re-signing much higher.

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Then, you’ve got the big boys – the high priced players that will cost you an arm and a leg to obtain with no certainty they’d come back this summer. Those are the ones I’d stay away from, but the pundits keep saying the Blues are showing keen interest in.

Beyond all that, you have local sources continually saying Armstrong thinks the “rental” players are far too pricey for his liking.

So, which is it? Are the Blues actually pursuing Evander Kane or Rick Nash? Is Armstrong hoarding his prospects?

The truth is, nobody knows for sure except Armstrong himself. I’m sure Mike Yeo has a clue, but even he might not know for sure.

As frustrating as that is, it is the smart move. If other teams know the Blues are begging for an extra piece, then the price rises higher. If some team has great interest in some Blues pieces, but thinks Armstrong is in no mood to deal, they might sweeten the pot themselves.

It’s a high risk, high reward game of chicken. If you push things too far, you end up with nothing. If you don’t push them far enough, you pay too much for a player you could have obtained for less.

I remain one of the few that thinks Armstrong is doing things correctly – for the moment at least. If he makes absolutely no changes to this team at the deadline, I think he has failed in his responsibilities. This team needs a change in the locker room, regardless of the outcome of the 2017-18 season.

However, if he goes all in on some high-priced rental, he’s also failed. There is no savior coming in to lead the Blues to the promised land this season. They have the talent to win if they put their heads together and work for it, but that statement is true even with their current roster. It is simply unlikely for that to happen. So, throwing away your future talents for someone who could easily leave in July is foolish.

I still maintain that the two Senators or Maroon make the most sense. They will cost less and be easier on the front office in terms of making other deals in the summer. Again, Maroon is a rental, but I’d take the Blues chances of retaining him far more than the likes of Kane or Nash.

Next: Why Do Fans Hate Jay Bouwmeester?

I do believe Armstrong will make a deal. Whether we like the trade or trash it remains to be seen. All we do know, right now, is regardless of sources or who heard what from whom, nobody truly knows what Armstrong’s plan is.

We all thought he was going to do nothing at the draft. The Blues ended up with Brayden Schenn in their lap. Perhaps something similar will happen this time around too.

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St. Louis Blues: Nobody Knows Doug Armstrong’s Plans

By Todd Panula | Feb 19, 2018

The NHL’s trade deadline is only days away and many think the Blues might do something. However, despite the rumors, we really have no clue what Doug Armstrong is doing.