The St. Louis Blues are a good, young team. The lineup has several up-and-coming players who could become NHL stars soon enough.
And because of that, new GM Alex Steen may need to get his ducks in a row as soon as possible. The reasoning behind that assessment is evident. The Blues have several RFAs who could become the target of offer sheets.
In particular, one player comes to mind: Jake Neighbours.
The 24-year-old is in the final year of his two-year bridge deal. He’s got a $3.75 million cap hit, on that looks good given Neighbours’ track record.
He was coming off back-to-back 20-goal seasons last year. However, the former first-round pick managed just 15 goals in 69 games. You would have to think that playing another full season should help Neighbours get back to his career highs.
If that’s the case, he should become an attractive offer sheet target. While Neighbours won’t be getting Leo Carlsson money, a team out there looking for a young, top-six winger could see an opportunity in Neighbours.
That’s why Alex Steen has to move as soon as possible. Neighbours could have signed an extension on July 1. He didn’t. But that doesn’t mean the organization won’t be moving to get him under contract, and preclude the entire offer sheet conversation.
Blues have another potential offer sheet target
Neighbours is not the only offer sheet candidate on the Blues’ roster. Another young forward could become an RFA next summer. Jimmy Snuggerud could also become a prime offer sheet target.
The 22-year-old had a solid breakout year last season. Jos 31 goals and 51 points should be enough to land him on multiple teams’ radars. Since he’ll be ending his entry-level contract (ELC) next summer, he will need a new contract.
So, who’s to say another team, any team, can’t make a bold move and attempt to pry Snuggerud away?
Like Neighbours, Alex Steen has to get Snuggerud signed sooner rather than later. The Blues can’t afford to let either of Neighbours or Snuggerud end next season without a contract in place. The risk of an offer sheet is just too great.
And the Blues are the team responsible for making offer sheets part of the new normal. Since offer sheets are no longer part of the nuclear options, more and more teams will be looking to capitalize on other teams’ vulnerabilities.
St. Louis has an opportunity to take care of business long before any issues arise. Let’s see if that’s the case.
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