St. Louis Blues: Free Agents to Consider Part II
By Todd Panula
As we inch closer to the opening of free agency, the plot seems to get more and more muddled for the St. Louis Blues. However, we continue to attempt to clear it up by looking at another crop of potential free agents for them to bring in.
Much of the St. Louis Blues fortunes in free agency are going to be determined by what they can do with their own players, both restricted and unrestricted. The salary cap going up, down or staying the same is also going to have a big impact.
These names forthcoming continue to be looked at more in the vacuum. However, with free agency getting closer, we are also going to attempt to be realistic as well in what the Blues can actually bring in.
Pipe Dream – Eric Staal
Regardless of whether David Backes returns or not, the St. Louis Blues could do with an upgrade at the center position. If they are forced to go with their current roster, they’ll be fine. However, giving the team the flexibility to move Vladimir Tarasenko away from his partnership with Jori Lehtera and still keep Paul Stastny on the second line could prove invaluable.
A clear upgrade would be the Blues bringing in Eric Staal. Staal is an unrestricted free agent, so the only thing standing in the way is the price tag. Well, the list of teams with more cash lining up ahead of the Blues might be a problem too.
Outside of the money issue, the problem with Staal could be production. He is only 31, but he is coming off the worst year of his career since his rookie year.
He had 33 points with the Carolina Hurricanes until his trade. In 20 games with the New York Rangers, he only had three goals and six points.
On one hand, it seems unlikely that a player who regularly scored 60 or more points would hit a wall in his early 30’s and go on the decline. However, can you afford to take the risk when he is going to demand a lot of money.
Backes is 32 – a year older than Staal – and is looking for as much as a $2 million raise. Staal already made $9.5 million with a cap hit of $8.25 million. He might not look for something as high as $2 million, but most players are looking for at least one more big pay day once they get into their 30’s.
It would be fantastic for the Blues to be able to bring in a player of Staal’s quality. Even if he is in decline and can’t hit the 70’s in point production, it could be a vast improvement.
His price tag could be as high as $10 million if he gets a raise and is unlikely to dip below $8 million, even if he takes a cut. He is also a minus player, which is something the Blues don’t necessarily need.
Even so, it would be a big upgrade for Staal to play with the likes of Tarasenko from what he had in Carolina. It could be a great partnership. Unfortunately, the funds are just not likely to be there.
Sure you could, but why? – Brad Richards
Brad Richards is the oddest choice the Blues could make on this list, but he may actually be the most affordable. He made $3 million with the Detroit Red Wings, but with declining production the last two seasons, he might be able to be convinced to sign a lesser deal (perhaps incentive laden) and sign with a team that has a chance to win.
That last part might be a clear incentive for Richards. He’s closer to the end of his career than the beginning and he’s already spent the last two years in Chicago and Detroit, so clearly he has an interest in trying to get a ring before he is done.
The positive Richards brings is playoff production. While his regular season numbers have been in decline over the last two seasons, he has put up good numbers in the postseason. He had one off year with the New York Rangers and a reasonably bad performance with the Red Wings, though the entire Detroit squad didn’t have a good playoff round. Outside of that he has always scored double-digit points if his teams have played 10 or more games.
In terms of the subject heading of why would the Blues sign him, it boils down to numbers. He’s 36 years old right now and age catches up to everyone. He had a relatively steep drop off in production in 2015-16, though he admits nobody on the Red Wings was firing on all cylinders.
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He could fill a veteran void in a third line type of role if the Blues were unable to come to terms with both Backes and Troy Brouwer. However, if he did not take a paycut from what he already made in Detroit or sign another short term deal, then the funds might be better suited going to younger players already in the Blues’ system.
The roster spot might be better served by going younger too. Ivan Barbashev and Ty Rattie need to be given a good look and giving a roster spot to a 36 year old might take away that opportunity.
Option that makes sense – Loui Eriksson
Loui Eriksson is an interesting option. He is 30, but is likely to bring the most production. The problem will be cost with him.
He falls into a similar category as Backes. He made $4.5 million in 2015-16 and is likely going to seek a raise.
You could ask why they should pay the money to Eriksson if they aren’t that willing to give Backes his raise. Production would be the key.
Backes is a steady player, but saw a bit of a dip in his scoring this past season even though the offensive pressure was taken from him. Eriksson is a bit more hit or miss, but gives you a greater return if he hits. Eriksson has scored 60 or more points five times in his 10 year career.
The downside of Eriksson is the same things that have been detractions against Backes. He has yet to have a breakout year in the playoffs, though he has only seen the postseason three times.
Despite the downfalls, Eriksson would be a solid addition to the team. He is not a vast improvement in every way, but he bring a good skill set.
He is good on the powerplay, regularly contributing double-digit points, and is also a decent penalty killer as well. He is also coming off tying his own record for most points in one season.
The Blues were clearly very interested in acquiring him. Apparently, the rumored trade to send Kevin Shattenkirk to Boston for Eriksson was closer than any of us realized.
Eriksson might best be suited for a top line role, but could also benefit playing with Stastny and Fabbri or even Stastny and Brouwer if both could be signed.
Eriksson has only seen the playoffs three times and not in the last two seasons. This could be beneficial if the Blues want to use their playoff success and consistency as a bargaining chip to lower his price.
Final look
Again, the Blues financial handcuffs make signings difficult. Change is not always a bad thing and bringing in fresh blood might be what the doctor ordered.
Losing Backes is not a preferred option, but if the Blues cannot swing a deal with either him or Brouwer then they could have decent replacements with anyone on this list. All the players could fit in with the squad as well even if they can bring back one of those two names.
Staal is clearly the unlikeliest of the names. He might be more likely than Johnny Gaudreau and some of the names we will explore in the future, but the money is just not likely to be there.
Richards might still be productive, but it’s a gamble. His age is catching up with him and if he did not take a cut, then the risk might not be worth the gamble.
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Eriksson is the best fit. The Blues don’t necessarily need help on the wings, but if he can score 60 points for the team, it would be worth it. Clearly they have interest and being able to bring him in without giving up a piece in a trade would be a coup for the Blues.
As always, time and the situations with the Blues own players will dictate whether these players are brought in. Stay tuned for more and let us know who you would like of these players or others in the comments below.