Bleedin' Blue » Chris Stewart http://bleedinblue.com A St. Louis Blues Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More Fri, 17 May 2013 15:08:11 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 St. Louis Blues Offseason Moves – Who Will Go and Who Will Stay? http://bleedinblue.com/2013/05/16/st-louis-blues-offseason-moves-who-will-go-and-who-will-stay/ http://bleedinblue.com/2013/05/16/st-louis-blues-offseason-moves-who-will-go-and-who-will-stay/#comments Thu, 16 May 2013 12:58:49 +0000 Alex Hodschayan http://bleedinblue.com/?p=4243 The St. Louis Blues are set to have a somewhat busy offseason, but it won’t be in search of new players. Blues GM Doug Armstrong has indicated that his focus is going to be on keeping the current team together. To do that, Armstrong is going to have to get Tom Stillman to open up [...]

St. Louis Blues Offseason Moves – Who Will Go and Who Will Stay? - Bleedin' Blue - Bleedin' Blue - A St. Louis Blues Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

]]> The St. Louis Blues are set to have a somewhat busy offseason, but it won’t be in search of new players. Blues GM Doug Armstrong has indicated that his focus is going to be on keeping the current team together. To do that, Armstrong is going to have to get Tom Stillman to open up his checkbook.

So what exactly does Armstrong have to do in the next month or so….

Player Cap Number 2012-13 Salary FA Type What Should the Blues Do?
Alex Pietrangelo $3,167,000 $787,000 RFA Pietrangelo is a must sign player.  Armstrong will most likely lock him up beofre free agency begins.
Chris Stewart $3,000,000 $3,000,000 RFA Chris Stewart earned another contract with the Blues, but at a price.  Armstrong will look to lock him up on a budget.
Jake Allen $2,450,000 $787,000 RFA Jake Allen isn’t going anywhere, but I would expect him to be on a two-way contract again.
Patrik Berglund $2,250,000 $2,400,000 RFA Berglund was spotty all season and in the playoffs.  I think Armstrong gives him a one year prove it deal, but could be used as trade bait.
Kevin Shattenkirk $1,300,000 $875,000 RFA Shattenkirk is in the same boat as Pietrangelo, he is a must sign.  Armstrong will lock him up quickly.
Kris Russell $1,300,000 $1,300,000 RFA Kris Russell has run out of room with the Blues, but Armstrong is not willing to sacrifice depth.  Russell will most likely be back on a one year deal.
Ian Cole $1,300,000 $875,000 RFA Ian Cole will be back with the Blues, but he won’t get much of a raise.  Consider him the secenth man out back.
Tyler Shattock $900,000 $640,000 RFA Shattock should be back in the AHL next season, but isn’t essential to anyone.  Armstrong won’t let him go for nothing though.
Cade Fairchild $875,000 $637,000 RFA Fairchild should get another two-way contract.  With time to develop he could make the NHL team.
Philip McRae $854,000 $787,000 RFA McRae was seen as close to the NHL a few seasons ago, but there is no room on the roster for him now.  He could be moved, but will probably be back in the AHL.
Evgeny Grachev $817,000 $787,000 RFA Grachev has been close to the NHL and played a decent amount of games with the Blues last season.  I don’t think they will give up on him yet.
Paul Karpowich $800,000 $680,000 RFA With Binnington coming up, I would expect the Blues to move or let Karpowich walk, unless Halak or Elliott is moved
Brett Sonne $660,000 $660,000 RFA Sonne is a solid AHL guy, look for him to be with the Chicago Wolves next season as he will be a cheap signing for Armstrong.
Anthony Nigro $592,000 $600,000 RFA Nigro is a lot like Sonne, I see him getting another deal with the Blues, but it is probably his last.
Jay Barriball $578,000 $578,000 RFA Barriball might get moved or they could let him walk.  He isn’t of much value to the team.
Taylor Chorney $575,000 $575,000 RFA Chorney is considered a guy that could be called up if needed.  I think Armstrong re-signs him to a two-way deal.
Stefan Della Rovere $570,000 $550,000 RFA Della Rovere will probably be kept around as well.  He has some upside, but won’t be in the NHL soon.
Andy McDonald $4,700,000 $4,200,000 UFA McDonald’s time as a Blue has almost surely come to an end.  With his play this season and in the playoffs, it looks like age has taken its tole on Andy Mac.
Jamie Langenbrunner $1,500,000 $1,250,000 UFA Langenbrunner will probably need to hang up the skates.  He seems happy with St. Louis and could be made part of the coaching staff.  If he wants to play, look for him to be leaving town.
Scott Nichol $700,000 $650,000 UFA Nichol was injured at the end of the season and it didn’t look like he was missed.  Looks like Nichol will be leaving town at the end of the year.
Jeff Woywitka $700,000 $700,000 UFA Woywitka is probably on his way out of St. Louis.  He never earned a spot on the roster and looks to be extra weight at this point.
Andrew Murray $600,000 $600,000 UFA Andrew Murray is on his way out of town as well.  He never proved that he could play in the NHL and was extra weight for the AHL team.
Adam Cracknell $550,000 $550,000 UFA Cracknell has earned the right to stay with the Blues, but the question will be if Armstrong thinks he is needed.  I think we will see him back on a two-way deal and will be called up when needed.
Mike McKenna $525,000 $525,000 UFA McKenna played fairly well without Allen in Peoria, but he seems like an extra guy if Halak and Elliott are here to stay.  I think he will be looking for a new home.

So who do you think the Blues should resign? Do you think we nailed it above or do you think Armstrong will be making other moves? Let us know if the comments below or on Facebook.

LET’S GO BLUES!

-Alex Hodschayan

]]> http://bleedinblue.com/2013/05/16/st-louis-blues-offseason-moves-who-will-go-and-who-will-stay/feed/ 0 Stanley Cup Playoffs 2013: Who Will Be the St. Louis Blues’ MVP? http://bleedinblue.com/2013/04/29/stanley-cup-playoffs-2013-who-will-be-the-st-louis-blues-mvp/ http://bleedinblue.com/2013/04/29/stanley-cup-playoffs-2013-who-will-be-the-st-louis-blues-mvp/#comments Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:37:58 +0000 Alex Hodschayan http://bleedinblue.com/?p=4147 The St. Louis Blues have been through their fair share of ups and downs this season.  Coach Ken Hitchcock has told the local media that he believes the struggles the team had at certain points of this season will help them in the playoffs, but who will be the hero for the Blues this year? [...]

Stanley Cup Playoffs 2013: Who Will Be the St. Louis Blues’ MVP? - Bleedin' Blue - Bleedin' Blue - A St. Louis Blues Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

]]> The St. Louis Blues have been through their fair share of ups and downs this season.  Coach Ken Hitchcock has told the local media that he believes the struggles the team had at certain points of this season will help them in the playoffs, but who will be the hero for the Blues this year?

Apr 23, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie Brian Elliott (1) makes a save against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period at the Scottrade Center. The Blues defeated the Avalanche 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Brian Elliott has had an incredible April and has shown that he still has the ability to lead this St. Louis Blues team.  After what happened last season in the second round, Elliott has something to prove to both the Los Angeles Kings and the fans of the St. Louis Blues.   If Elliott falters at any point, don’t be surprised to see Jaroslav Halak back in net for the Note.

Jay Bouwmeester will be making his playoff debut in the NHL tomorrow night and could prove to be a major difference maker for the team.  With Bouwmeester in the lineup the Blues seem to have more confidence and Alex Pietrangelo has more room to play his game.  Could Bowmeester be the star of the playoffs this season?  Maybe, but without the experience of being in the postseason before, don’t be surprised if Bouwmeester makes a few big mistakes.

David Backes is the fearless leader of the Blues and will need to be ready to play a very physical game for the rest of the season.  Backes’ presence on the ice needs to be known at all times and look for him to finish all of his checks.  If Backes can use his body as a weapon, he could be the player who stands out at the end of the year as the guy who made it all possible.  Look for Backes to put his best effort forward.

Apr 19, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Chris Stewart (25) prepares to shoot against the Dallas Stars during the second period at the Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Another candidate is Chris Stewart.  Coming on a hot shortened season, Stewart and the skill and size to be a guy that is made for the playoffs.  With his wicked backhander and big checks, Stewart could be the hero for the Blues.  Look for Stewie to show his size, but the true measure of his play will be how many pucks he puts in the back of the net.

Vladimir Tarasenko came out of the gate extremely hot this season but has fallen off since his great start.  His skill and experience could help him to be a difference maker in the playoffs, but will his rookie status hold him back?  Let’s hope that Tarasenko can put up big numbers and help lead the Blues to victory.

There is no telling how much longer the Blues’ season will last, but, no matter the outcome, one player will come out on top and be the guy that stands out as the clear leader of this team in the postseason.  Tune in tomorrow night as the Blues faceoff against the Kings.

LET’S GO BLUES!

-Alex Hodschayan

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