yes, we need more depth at center. i would give berglund 1 more season after this one. if he doesnt shape up to the 55-60 point player we expected, then hes out. ive given up.
Berglund has been playing strong hockey for a couple weeks now. He seems to have responed to the challenge Hitchcock made to guys after the All-Star break. Stewart has had a couple moderately better games, the Boston game being his best, but has overall played worse this season and has far fewer components to his game outside of offensive production.
His season will likely be over by March 11 or March 17 and what I expect is for him to go to Peoria for the final few games and playoffs so the Blues can head into the offseason with a solid sense of where he projects next year
I was under the impression he wasn't eligible to play in the AHL playoffs since he wasn't on their roster by a certain date. I could be wrong because I don't know all the rules and exceptions so hopefully somebody who knows more can shed some light on that.
I don't like the idea of Schwartz going to Peoria after this college season. I don't think we really have space for him on our roster, and if he's as NHL ready as many people think, it would be stupid to burn a year of his ELC in the minors next year. Unless we are damn sure we can trade some of our wing depth for a top LHD, I would rather he stay in college one more year, then take AMac's spot the following season.
I'm fairly confident he could play with either Peoria or the Blues since the Blues own his rights. I know players do this sometimes so I know it's legal. I'll either have to check the CBA later or have someone chime in who knows it chapter and verse. Also I think he can play on an ATO w/o burning a year, pretty sure but not 100% sure. I don't think Armstrong would be talking about it if it were going to burn a year of his contract, otherwise they'd just bring him up to the Blues where the roster size post-deadline is unlimited.
Probably not this season but I can't wait to see Schwartz in the 'Note. Talk about dominant two-way hockey with him, Oshie, Steen, and Backes up front. Wow. Perron, Berglund and Tarasenko will be able to play a two-way game as well.
What a core. What a top 9 it'll be.
Schwartz will fit in perfectly on this team and he's gonna be a gem.
I'm fairly confident he could play with either Peoria or the Blues since the Blues own his rights. I know players do this sometimes so I know it's legal. I'll either have to check the CBA later or have someone chime in who knows it chapter and verse. Also I think he can play on an ATO w/o burning a year, pretty sure but not 100% sure. I don't think Armstrong would be talking about it if it were going to burn a year of his contract, otherwise they'd just bring him up to the Blues where the roster size post-deadline is unlimited.
I'm sorry, I should have been more concise. I don't want to burn a year of his ECL NEXT year if we aren't -sure- he's going to make the NHL roster. So what he does at the end of this year has more to do with where we project him to be next year. I know he can play in Peoria on an ATO for the rest of this season without burning a year of his ELC, but next year I don't see him beating out AMac/Perron/Steen as a top 9 LW. If we want to play him at Center, then perhaps we slot him in as our 3rd line guy. I was working under the impression that he would be a LW in the NHL though, and next year (Unless AMac retires) we don't have room for him. So why have him leave college this year if he's going to play in the AHL next year? I'd rather have him stay in college for another year and mature more physically then have him go through the same process in the AHL while we "waste" a year of his ELC. Just my opinion.
I'm sorry, I should have been more concise. I don't want to burn a year of his ECL NEXT year if we aren't -sure- he's going to make the NHL roster. So what he does at the end of this year has more to do with where we project him to be next year. I know he can play in Peoria on an ATO for the rest of this season without burning a year of his ELC, but next year I don't see him beating out AMac/Perron/Steen as a top 9 LW. If we want to play him at Center, then perhaps we slot him in as our 3rd line guy. I was working under the impression that he would be a LW in the NHL though, and next year (Unless AMac retires) we don't have room for him. So why have him leave college this year if he's going to play in the AHL next year? I'd rather have him stay in college for another year and mature more physically then have him go through the same process in the AHL while we "waste" a year of his ELC. Just my opinion.
It actually doesn't matter after this year because it's whatever comes first, age 27 or seven years and once you have two post draft years the clock's already ticking toward 27. So next year him staying in college wouldn't save a year of owning his rights.
He has hockey sense and skillset to play in the NHL right now, that's pretty obvious. The issue is his size relative to bigger bodies and that's what they'll want to see if he can play in Peoria some games before the summer. It'll help them plan for the offseason better.
[QUOTE=EastonBlues22;45262239]I don't think there's any chance that happens.[/QUOTE
I don't know all the rules about his eligibility for the playoffs and whether his use this year does/does not use up a year of his initial captivity by the Blues.
But if they could use him in the playoffs, and he really impressed at Peoria against AHL pros, and Steen doesn't return, would you be opposed to Schwartz joining the Blues for the playoffs? He wouldn't have to come in as a savior, but if he could chip in on the offense, why wouldn't we use him?
I don't think there's any chance that happens.[/QUOTE
But if they could use him in the playoffs, and he really impressed at Peoria against AHL pros, and Steen doesn't return, would you be opposed to Schwartz joining the Blues for the playoffs? He wouldn't have to come in as a savior, but if he could chip in on the offense, why wouldn't we use him?
Yes because of the financial issues within the team. I just don't think the Blues can afford to lose a year of ELC at this point. Plus, we are playing very well w/o Langs, DAgo and at some point those guys will be back with the Blues. I don't think he is enough of an upgrade over either player when it comes to playoff hockey.
Yes, I know we all prize the prospects, but it becomes a different game in April and I am not sure that he will be ready for that type of a grind. The physical toll is huge and since he has been playing college, I don't think he will be ready for that kind of a grind.
Yes because of the financial issues within the team. I just don't think the Blues can afford to lose a year of ELC at this point. Plus, we are playing very well w/o Langs, DAgo and at some point those guys will be back with the Blues. I don't think he is enough of an upgrade over either player when it comes to playoff hockey.
Yes, I know we all prize the prospects, but it becomes a different game in April and I am not sure that he will be ready for that type of a grind. The physical toll is huge and since he has been playing college, I don't think he will be ready for that kind of a grind.
I see your points, but I'd be in favor of letting Armstrong and Hitchcock make the call to use him this year if they thought he could help. I've been waiting for the Blues to win a game in the NHL finals since 1968 and I worry about our offense, especially without Steen. Langenbrunner will be back for the playoffs and will help, but I doubt D'Agostini will be back. The playoffs begin in 5 weeks and we haven't heard a peep about D'Agostini.
People might remember Rick Ankiel's meltdown in the world series years ago and say that throwing a guy into a pressure situation might hurt his progress. That's a legitimate concern, but I don't see that Schwartz would be under nearly as much pressure as Ankiel was. Being one of five skaters on the ice isn't nearly as much pressure a being a pitcher in baseball.
Not that I think Schwartz will be as good, but I remember Ken Dryden playing goal for Montreal in the playoffs after college and playing only twenty games or so in the minors. Now that was putting a young guy under pressure. Montreal had a great team, rabid fans, and they put a raw rookie in goal.
The Blues live and die by how well they're playing their system, and Schwartz has zero experience playing it. It doesn't matter how good Schwartz looks in the AHL, there's no chance that he'll get the call for the playoffs over someone like Grachev or McRae should it come to that.
Yeah the utility is getting a good sense of how much finishing work he may or may not need in Peoria. Remember, he's the highest drafted forward prospect the Blues have kept in decades so he's got the ready-to-go skill. He's Sobotka-sized and doesn't play a physical game, more like McDonald. A summer with Ayotte will help.
I don't think it would make much sense to burn the first year of his ELC and have him play for the Blues yet this season. That scenario only makes sense if Schwartz is so good that he's an obvious better choice over what the Blues already have that it would be worth it to them to burn a year of his contract for just a handful of games.
If he were to go to Peoria on an ATO for the rest of this season though, he would absolutely be eligible for the playoffs. IMO, that's the scenario that makes the most sense to me. That way he abd the Blues can see how his game translates to the pro game and they can get a good idea where Schwartz will slot within the organization for next season. He's got absolutely nothing left to prove in college and IMO, in a few of the games I've seen of him this season he's looked bored out there a bit.
People might remember Rick Ankiel's meltdown in the world series years ago and say that throwing a guy into a pressure situation might hurt his progress. That's a legitimate concern, but I don't see that Schwartz would be under nearly as much pressure as Ankiel was. Being one of five skaters on the ice isn't nearly as much pressure a being a pitcher in baseball.
I wasn't talking about mental - hope I didn't mislead you there. I am really wondering about the physical side of things. Just a different game in the playoffs, everyone finishing checks..... Playing games every other night that are battles for every inch of the ice. He doesn't get that intensity over playing every other night in college.
Strickland, among others, have speculated that Rylan Schwartz might sign here too. Does anybody have any interest in him? Does he have the tools to succeed in the NHL in any capacity?
Strickland, among others, have speculated that Rylan Schwartz might sign here too. Does anybody have any interest in him? Does he have the tools to succeed in the NHL in any capacity?
He's been quite impressive alongside his brother, but We'll have to see how he plays without him before making the call. I too think it's pretty likely he gets a Peoria contract like Chase Polacek got last year to prove himself.
So he can play games in Peoria this year without it taking away a year of his contract?
Correct. He can be signed to an ATO (amateur try-out) for the rest of this season in Peoria and then his actual ELC (entry level contract) won't start until next season.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday CC plays best-of-three against Michigan Tech. If they lose, season over. If they win, they're still well on the outside looking in of the Pairwise so they pretty much have to win their conference tournament to get the auto bid.
The tourney is single elimination next week, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. CC could be done the 10th, 11th, 15th, 16th or 17th.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday CC plays best-of-three against Michigan Tech. If they lose, season over. If they win, they're still well on the outside looking in of the Pairwise so they pretty much have to win their conference tournament to get the auto bid.
The tourney is single elimination next week, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. CC could be done the 10th, 11th, 15th, 16th or 17th.
They beat Michigan Tech 5-2 and 2-0 on the 2nd and 3rd, so it is safe to say they will probably win the series. All the games are in Colorado Springs as well.
Strickland, among others, have speculated that Rylan Schwartz might sign here too. Does anybody have any interest in him? Does he have the tools to succeed in the NHL in any capacity?
I'm sure Rylan will get some offers but I guess we'll see if he thinks the offers are good enough or if he thinks he can get a better offer a year later after playing his Dr year at CC. I also wouldn't be surprised if the Schwartz brothers decide to either leave or stay at CC together. Who really knows though. I'm just speculating there.
As for Rylan's NHL potential, I think he has an outside shot at an NHL career but I'm not overly high on him. He's certainly worth signing to a deal though putting him in the AHL and then see if he develops into something. Personally, I question how he would do without Jaden feeding him pucks. If Rylan does turn pro I'm sure he'd be interested in singing with the same org as his brother yet at the same time, the Blues have a deep prospect pool so he also might be better served by signing with a team with a shallower depth at forward within their org.
If Schwartz turns pro next season and doesn't make the big club, having Rylan with him at Peoria would make it a lot better for him IMO. I really do think we need to move Peoria to a bigger city though. Don't want to offend anyone from there, but if we had the team playing at the Family Arena, I think it would be a lot better for the minor league players and the Blues. Would be nice to see some of the prospects, they would be a lot closer for emergency call-ups, and can get acclimated with the city and team a lot faster.
I do wonder what type of player Rylan would project to be though. Might as well try to sign him, maybe they'll be our version of the Sedins.
Jaden Schwartz is a leader and that means he'll be fine whether he's with his brother or not. Rylan kinda cooled off after a hot start and probably the Rylan/Jaden comparison is more like Steve Kariya compared to Paul. Rylan will probably get a pro contract but they're not the same caliber of player.
