That's part of the beauty of this team is the three lines are somewhat interchangeable as far as ice time goes, though I would imagine the Bashie line will still be the "top" line as those two play the hardest minutes.
I am curious as to who plays on the left with the duo of Bashie. Could end up being Schwartz.
this x1,000
I also predict two "Holy Jumpin's" & @ least three different variations on "why wouldn't he" and one "thanks for comin" & "nine of hearts" each
Also praying to all that I know is holy, for a replacement catch phrase for "hockey sense"
Obviously subject to change as the Blues could still pick up a free agent or make a trade, but based on Armstrong's latest comments it sounds like he's not afraid to roll with what we have.
Because of the net we can see the Tank highlights and see him play in the world juniors. For the umpteenth time I will describe Tarasenko as Oshie with speed which makes him a superior scoring threat. It wouldn't surprise me if he leads the team in scoring but certainly in the top 6 in goals scored. He captained the WJC team, he averaged almost a point a game with limited ice time this past season in the KHL. Everything says this kid is the real deal. Now he has to prove it.
Tarasenko has been guaranteed a spot, Schwartz has not.
I'm not sure how true this is. I do believe Tarasenko will certainly merit a spot.
Tarasenko has been playing in a man's professional league at probably above the AHL level for the past 4 years and is a top performer in that league in terms of scoring. He's got the body for the NHL (which is not to say he won't grow stronger). Frankly, other than transitioning to the speed of the NHL game (which every player has to do) and the smaller ice surface, he's ready.
Schwartz still needs to improve his physical strength to play in the NHL fulltime. He doesn't lack for skill or sense, and there's every chance he'll be an injury call-up for a skilled line this season. And there's nothing to say that he can't play well enough to force the team to keep him in the line-up, although I highly doubt they do anything but give him big minutes in Peoria.
Reading between the lines, I think the Blues felt his development was much better served getting out of college and into a pro league (the AHL). If this were 5 or 6 seasons ago, he'd be in the Blues line-up almost certainly. But the depth and skill the Blues have now gives the team the luxury of bringing him along more slowly. Remember Pietrangelo's developmental path? That paid off handsomely.
All that said, its pretty easy to envision both players being full-time NHL players by season's end. But if I had to bet, I would say Schwartz sticks with the Blues after one AHL season. Tarasenko may not have been told he has a spot in so many words, but he's proved a lot more in his career to this point to say that he's NHL ready. The bigger question for him will be whether he can earn a top 6 spot. That will have more to do with his ability to integrate with his linemates and be consistent on defense.
I'm not sure how true this is. I do believe Tarasenko will certainly merit a spot.
Tarasenko has been playing in a man's professional league at probably above the AHL level for the past 4 years and is a top performer in that league in terms of scoring. He's got the body for the NHL (which is not to say he won't grow stronger). Frankly, other than transitioning to the speed of the NHL game (which every player has to do) and the smaller ice surface, he's ready.
Schwartz still needs to improve his physical strength to play in the NHL fulltime. He doesn't lack for skill or sense, and there's every chance he'll be an injury call-up for a skilled line this season. And there's nothing to say that he can't play well enough to force the team to keep him in the line-up, although I highly doubt they do anything but give him big minutes in Peoria.
Reading between the lines, I think the Blues felt his development was much better served getting out of college and into a pro league (the AHL). If this were 5 or 6 seasons ago, he'd be in the Blues line-up almost certainly. But the depth and skill the Blues have now gives the team the luxury of bringing him along more slowly. Remember Pietrangelo's developmental path? That paid off handsomely.
All that said, its pretty easy to envision both players being full-time NHL players by season's end. But if I had to bet, I would say Schwartz sticks with the Blues after one AHL season. Tarasenko may not have been told he has a spot in so many words, but he's proved a lot more in his career to this point to say that he's NHL ready. The bigger question for him will be whether he can earn a top 6 spot. That will have more to do with his ability to integrate with his linemates and be consistent on defense.
Armstrong said before that signed him that if they signed him, it won't be for him to play in Peoria.
Armstrong said before that signed him that if they signed him, it won't be for him to play in Peoria.
Maybe its just a semantics argument, but I don't think this is the same as telling Tarasenko he's got a spot on the team. There are also quotes where he's said that Vlad will have to beat someone out of their spot in the line-up.
Bottom line, I think we all know that he will, so whatever Armstrong told him....I think its just academic. I just personally don't believe this front office operates that way. I think they treat the players pretty fairly, and with no favorites (at least in contrast to some organizations). I also think Vlad knows he is good enough to win a spot on his own merit.
No point in arguing about this. Whether you want to admit it or not Tarasenko is a lock to be on the opening night roster. No chance he goes to Peoria unless he comes to camp 30 pounds overweight and literally has the worst training camp you could ever imagine... And that won't happen.
Since we have apparently expressed interest in Shane Doan, where do you see him fitting in a lineup here?
Put McDonald back at center and give him Doan and Stewart as his protection(sort of like the Tkachuk-Demitra-Mellanby line from way back when).
Steen gets the LW spot on the Backes line.
Steen Backes Oshie(Hitch get's his shutdown line back)
Perron Berglund Tarasenko(I think we all know Hitch is quietly planning on having these 3 together given his "put Tarasenko with players who can handle the puck like he does" comment; should be a line with decent chemistry as well)
Doan McDonald Stewart(everybody gets to see that "playmaking center" they've been screaming for)
Sobotka Nichol Langenbrunner(I think we all know this is the planned 4th line for next year with Reaves getting the occasional game to spell Lang's)
I'm sticking with what I said on page one as far as the forwards go, but I'm changing up the defense a little..
Trade dags, cole, and draft pick to BUF for regehr
I'm sticking with what I said on page one as far as the forwards go, but I'm changing up the defense a little..
Trade dags, cole, and draft pick to BUF for regehr
Regehr is on the last year of a 4.02m cap hit with a nmc. Calgary had to talk up Buffalo last summer to get him to waive. Cole is on the last year of his elc.? Stat wise Regehr hasn't much offensive upside. I guess I am just wondering your insight on him
Regehr is on the last year of a 4.02m cap hit with a nmc. Calgary had to talk up Buffalo last summer to get him to waive. Cole is on the last year of his elc.? Stat wise Regehr hasn't much offensive upside. I guess I am just wondering your insight on him
I could be wrong, but I thought what the blues need is a big, physical, defensive dman that can play along side petro, wouldn't regehr be a possibility?
I could be wrong, but I thought what the blues need is a big, physical, defensive dman that can play along side petro, wouldn't regehr be a possibility?
Regehr is way past his prime and Cole would be a better option. It's also been said that they are looking for a shooting defenseman. They only defensemen that we know we have been after were Garrison and Carle. We were probably interested in Bouwmeester as well. Regehr does not match any of those players.
Last edited by bleedblue1223: 07-18-2012 at 02:45 PM.
Regehr is way past his prime and Cole would be a better option. It's also been said that they are looking for a shooting defenseman. They only defensemen that we know we have been after were Garrison and Carle. We were probably interested in Bouwmeester as well. Regehr does not match any of those players.
That's until cole proves he can play top minutes or we make a deal. From russells play last season and in the playoffs he could be a solid option and play the 2nd PP unit. If schwartz can prove he's the real deal and play defensively and distribute the puck to steen and Stewart or dags, he could be a great option as the 3rd line center and a part on the 2nd PP unit. Im pretty sure he was a center for Canada in the last two world junior tourneys. That leaves guys like langenbrunner and porter in the press box barring injuries.
Yeah. He played really well last season, but numbers will be against him. I like him because he can play 3rd/4th line minutes, instead of just 4th line. Not a lock, but will definitely have a pretty good chance.
I could see Schwartz starting in Peoria and Porter and Reaves being the extras.
I think his chances are actually pretty good, but it would be as an extra healthy scratch guy until injuries occur. I don't think he's competing with Schwartz, who is fighting for a spot in the top 9 (top 6) and would benefit from seasoning in the AHL. With Crombeen gone, Porter has a decent chance.
That's until cole proves he can play top minutes or we make a deal. From russells play last season and in the playoffs he could be a solid option and play the 2nd PP unit. If schwartz can prove he's the real deal and play defensively and distribute the puck to steen and Stewart or dags, he could be a great option as the 3rd line center and a part on the 2nd PP unit. Im pretty sure he was a center for Canada in the last two world junior tourneys. That leaves guys like langenbrunner and porter in the press box barring injuries.
We did not re-sign Langenbrunner to put him in the Box.
