St. Louis Blues Should Not Overlook The Wings In 2018-19
By Todd Panula
The St. Louis Blues top priority for the summer of 2018, as it has been for years, is up the middle. However, they cannot be short-sighted and pass up any talented wings that might be available.
The St. Louis Blues have been clear that they are looking for help up the middle. However, since that is a need for the majority of teams in the league, centers are harder to come by. They do not grow on trees as the saying goes.
So, instead of throwing arms in the air and saying hope is lost, the team might need to get creative. Being creative includes looking at positions that you don’t have a pressing need, but could still upgrade. So, the Blues might need to look at wingers for help.
We discussed how a duo of Vladimir Tarasenko and Artemi Panarin should be every Blues fan’s dream. However, that includes making a trad and Columbus being willing and Panarin wanting to re-sign and so much more. That’s far away, if it ever materialized. There are quicker ways to help.
Jordan Kyrou
The first, and easiest for the Blues, would be to promote Jordan Kyrou. I do not say this lightly, since I am a firm believer that he needs to earn a spot in training camp. I am not one for rewarding potential on its own merits.
That said, this kid could be extremely dynamic if given the opportunity. While I’ve said over and over that junior hockey production does not always translate, it is hard not to salivate over this guy.
He has speed, slick hands and a nose for the net. Despite a lack of size, in today’s standards, he is not afraid to go to the dirty areas. That is something the Blues sorely need.
You cannot expect him to be a 100 point guy, because those do not exist anymore. If you got a rookie season somewhere between those of Robby Fabbri or Alex DeBrincat, you’d be ecstatic.
James van Riemsdyk
This one seems odd since I’ve been against the idea in the past. That was mostly when the idea involved trading for him.
Now, James van Riemsdyk is a free agent. He is still relatively young, at 29. If you can get him on a reasonable contract, he would be a fantastic second-line wing or even a third if Fabbri regains full health.
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van Riemsdyk’s main flaw has been consistency over time and health in the earlier parts of his career. He’s rarely missed more than a handful of games in one season though.
He can get you at least 20 goals, with the occasional 30 goal season sprinkled in as well.
van Riemsdyk won’t appease the fans demanding top-line players, but the Blues could still slot him there. He doesn’t solve the problem of St. Louis having too many left-handed shots, but if he scores, you can overlook it.
Patrick Maroon
This one has most Blues fans split down the middle.
From a production standpoint, you have those complaining that the Blues already have too many players of Patrick Maroon‘s ilk. He has only scored 20-plus goals once and his point totals are nothing to write home about either.
The proponents of the move talk about his intangibles. He sticks up for teammates, he is a bull in front of the net and he creates space for the more skilled players. The cost is the big issue for him.
If St. Louis can get him at a reasonable price, then you should surely enter into negotiations. While Maroon is from St. Louis, it is unlikely he would give them a home-town discount. That said, he should be interested in playing here.
He knows the town and knows the fans and knows what to expect. He also knows how Edmonton is doing, since he is rumored to have interest in returning, so he should know that for all their talents they don’t seem to be able to get it all together.
So, check out a new team and new teammates. The travel in the Western Conference sucks, but it beats the cost of living on the east coast.
Adding to Marooon’s benefits for coming to St. Louis would be defined roles. Get to the front of the net, win puck battles in the corners and bring some energy that Vladimir Sobotka used to show, but has not had since returning from Russia.
Michael Grabner
Michael Grabner will not jump off the page for anyone, but could be an upgrade over some of the team’s bottom-six forwards. The Blues have a plethora of those players. If you can trade some off and get Grabner at a discounted rate, you, at least, get fresh blood.
Sometimes teams need fresh faces and vice versa.
Grabner has been semi-consistent in his late 20’s. He’s scored in the high-20’s for goals the last couple seasons, though he could not keep the momentum going after being transferred from the Rangers to the Devils.
Still, he brings a toughness that some of the other players do not show in those roles for the Blues.
"A handy specialist who brings speed, penalty killing acumen and tremendous even-strength scoring on bottom-six assignments. Flopped as a deadline rental with the Devils, so he’ll come cheaper than anyone would’ve thought even three months ago. – Matt Larkin, Hockey News"
Nobody would claim the Blues are Cup contenders with his addition, but you need to tweak the mix. If he can help the penalty kill, which has faltered, and add some scoring touch, then so much the better.
Final Thought
Adding a center is still the team’s top priority. They need to find someone to play the top spot or at least give you a one-two punch with Brayden Schenn. That will not come cheap though.
However, even if that trade is made, the Blues need change. If you can add speed, you add it. If you can find scoring, you get it.
Next: Blues Offseason As Confusing As We've Ever Seen
St. Louis needs a lot. While they are not as far off as many would contend, they are not one player away either.
In the NHL draft, you take the best player available, regardless of position. St. Louis might want to take a similar approach as the offseason progresses. If a wing is the best available, you still take it.