The St. Louis Blues were rumored to be involved in trade action at the NHL Entry Draft. When nothing happened, it felt like it all got held up by one man.
The St. Louis Blues, among many other teams, were rumored to be involved in trade talks at the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. As we all know now, nothing major happened.
Chicago got an insurance piece in goal and an aging, but effective, defenseman. Other than that, no players of note swapped sides. While these sorts of talks peter out all the time, this one felt different. It felt like it was all being held up by one man – John Tavares.
Through no fault of his own, Tavares has become target number one for half the league as we are around a week from free agency. Despite rumblings that he may well re-sign with the New York Islanders, interest in the 27 year old center could not be higher.
So, with so little activity at the draft, would it not be safe to assume that almost everyone is waiting on Tavares’ decision? Most expect Tavares will announce whether he will pursue free agency or simply re-sign within the next few days. That might mean the league will go on hold until he does.
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While watching the SportsNet braodcast of the NHL Draft, they kept saying Ryan O’Reilly‘s name was being heavily discussed. You have to assume the Blues were in on that. So, while discussions don’t mean deals, it feels like everyone held off for the purpose of going all-in on the free agent prize.
In one way, it makes sense. If you can lure in Tavares, you’re only giving up money. O’Reilly would be cheaper on the wallet but much more expensive in giving away prospects or players.
The rumors going around seemed like Buffalo was asking for a current young player, a prospect and a pick. That’s a rather steep price to pay up front even if you’d be saving almost $4 million in cash.
The question now is whether Buffalo will still be interested in dealing O’Reilly. It seems unlikely they will be that interested in second or third round picks. So, do they ask for more current talent now that the draft is somewhat out of the equation? I would assume yes, but you never know for sure.
My only main issue with this line of overall thinking is potentially missing out on a good trade when a player will almost assuredly not sign. There are many in this position, but even though the Blues have money, their actual chances at Tavares are very small.
I suppose you do have to wait. If you pull the trigger on a trade and Tavares does enter free agency, you look a bit foolish then. However, if you come to the realization that he probably won’t sign in St. Louis, no matter how much money they have, then you’d be better off.
Who knows if the Blues were even in on the O’Reilly talks. That is a high price to pay for someone with a lack of scoring consistency. Nothing against Dominik Bokk, but I’d rather have traded that pick than two prospects and a player or whatever the Sabres might ask for.
Next: Rumor Patrol For Parayko Trade Talk
Or maybe all of us are wrong. Maybe it is all a large game of chicken these GM’s play to drive down the price later. One way or the other, it will not be comfortable for the Blues to enter 2018-19 with only one center cemented at his spot.
Hopefully, the Blues are not waiting for a dream that will never come true and passing up others.