After the rumors of the St. Louis Blues preparing to offer a contract to their destined second-line center, Mikael Granlund will not be taking his talents to the 'Lou. Instead, he signs a three-year-deal for $7 million AAV with the the Anaheim Ducks.
The Blues looked like they were all-in on trying to get Granlund, and it would have been a perfect pick-up. Instead, they now have to look elsewhere to try and fill the remaining gap in their roster.
Earlier today, they lost out on retaining Radek Faksa and acquired his replacement in Nick Bjudstad. That fixes the fourth line, but that does not fill out the missing piece at 2C.
Going forward through free agency, there are a few more names on the board but nothing of the caliber of Granlund. The Blues surely missed out on a golden opportunity, and now the question is what the Ducks offered more?