2017-2018 Preseason/Training Camp Discussion Thread

[Vladys Gumption]

If Fabbri isn't ready to go by the opener, I wouldn't be surprised if Kostin gets a look.

 

[STL fan in MN]

If Fabbri isn't ready to go by the opener, I wouldn't be surprised if Kostin gets a look.

I'd say Wade Megan is now close to a lock to make the team.

 

[Ranksu]

JR prediction for the opener. We're stacked.




Time for Tank. Svechnikov or Tkachuk

 

[rumrokh]

JR prediction for the opener. We're stacked.




Time for Tank. Svechnikov or Tkachuk

Assuming Blais is the only one of the kids who sticks, I'd go with something like:

Schwartz-Barbashev-Tarasenko
Blais-Stastny-Schenn
Paajarvi-Sobotka-Jaskin/Megan
Sundqvist-Brodziak-Megan/Jaskin

OR

Sobotka-Stastny-Tarasenko
Schwartz-Schenn-Blais
Paajarvi-Barbashev-Megan/Jaskin
same 4th

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

What I want to see us open with:

Schwartz-Stastny-Tarasenko
Sobotka-Schenn-Blais
Kostin-Barbashev-Thompson
Jaskin-Brodziak-Paajarvi
Sundqvist, Thorburn

What we’re likely to see:

Schwartz-Stastny-Tarasenko
Sobotka-Schenn-Blais
Paajarvi-Barbashev-Bennett
Jaskin-Brodziak-Sundqvist
Thorburn, Megan

 

[Robb_K]

I'd say Wade Megan is now close to a lock to make the team.

Yes, with all the forwards' injuries, The Blues might rather have a veteran Pro as one of the replacements, rather than adding all or 2 of Thomas, Thompson and Blais.

 

[Robb_K]

Nice drive and shot by Thorburn!

 

[STLegend]

Wow that Fabbri news hurts....

I know they want to have Schenn as 2C but I can't help but think Schwartz-Stastny-Schenn would be a great line. Maybe Sobotka-Barbashev-Tarasenko together? Vladi and Vova had chemistry when he broke into the league and I think Vova and Barbs looked good together in the playoffs. Paajarvi-Megan-Blais as the third, bit of a wolves reunion. Jaskin-Brodziak-Sundqvist would be a good possession line. Thorburn and Bennett as extras.

 

[Ranksu]

I think Thomas is faaaar faaar ahead of all them Blais, Thompson and Kostin.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

I think Thomas is faaaar faaar ahead of all them Blais, Thompson and Kostin.

I think Thomas could get a 9 game trial. But, I don't see him clicking until next season.

 

[Captain Creampuff]

JR prediction for the opener. We're stacked.




Time for Tank. Svechnikov or Tkachuk

Doesn't even have Blais making it over Sundqvist or Bennett. Okay JR.

 

[MissouriMook]

I think Thomas could get a 9 game trial. But, I don't see him clicking until next season.

I would love to see that myself, but unless something changes in the next 10 days or I am mistaken, he can't because he has yet to agree to his ELC.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

JR prediction for the opener. We're stacked.




Time for Tank. Svechnikov or Tkachuk

JR has never been the best at guessing lineups.

 

[BlueDream]

Gotta say, haven't really been impressed with JR's new role of providing "observations". Makes me not want to subscribe yet. Gonna wait it out until he posts something that looks intriguing.

 

[Dbrownss]

Gotta say, haven't really been impressed with JR's new role of providing "observations". Makes me not want to subscribe yet. Gonna wait it out until he posts something that looks intriguing.

I dont regret it. JRs articles do seem better and the access to other guys is a nice bonus.

 

[PiggySmalls]

Bunch of cuts today. Not overly surprised by those that are still on the roster. At practice again Dunn was paired with Parayko. I really liked that pairing against the Pens on Sunday and thought they had an overall solid game. Walman was paired with Prosser, I wonder if the coaches are starting to see what most of us have been discussing.

With Fabbri out this season I can see them rotating between Blais, Thompson, Kostin until they the find one that sticks. Even though Megan has had a super camp, I just don’t see him any higher then 3rd liner. I think he can succeed on a line with Sobotka-Barbie-Megan.

 

[Dbrownss]

I think it's Kostin and Blais that stay. They've been running them on their off wings, which seems odd.

 

[KirkOut]

I think it's Kostin and Blais that stay. They've been running them on their off wings, which seems odd.

I really think Kostin needs minor league seasoning. I think Blais and Tage will be the young duo that sticks. If only one, then Blais

 

[rumrokh]

I think it's Kostin and Blais that stay. They've been running them on their off wings, which seems odd.

Thompson has been better than Kostin, but Thompson also probably has more filling out to do. So I definitely understand 1. rewarding a guy who is definitely ready physically and has gradually gotten better (in general) as he knocks the rust off, and 2. giving Thompson the opportunity to hit the NHL at a more developed point in his trajectory. My guess is that Megan is likelier than both.

 

[Majorityof1]

Down to 32 players, but a lot of them are injured. To help me weed out the injuries and see who was still fighting for a spot, I broke it down like this:

Forwards (19 players, 14 spots, 3 out w/ injury, 1 questionable with injury, 1-2 cuts):
Locks: (1) Tarasenko, (2) Schwartz, (3) Stastny, (4) Schenn, (5 )Sobotka, (6) Brodziak
Probable: (7) Barbashev, (8) Jaskin, (9) Paajarvi, (10) Thorburn
Inj Questionable: (11) Steen
Still battling: (12) Sunqvist, (13) Blais, (14) Megan, (15) Kostin (16) Thompson
Inj Out: (17) Fabbri, (18) Berglund, (19) Sanford

Defense (9 players, 7 spots, 1 out w/ injury, 1 cut):
Locks: (1) Pietrangelo, (2) Parayko, (3) Edmundson, (4) Gunnarsson, (5) Bortuzzo
Probable: (6) Prosser
Battling: (7) Dunn, (8) Walman
Inj - Out: (9) Bouwmeester

Goalies (4 players, 2 spots, 1 injury, 1 to be cut)
Locks: (1) Allen, (2) Hutton
Inj-can't be cut yet: (3) Opilka
Waiting to be cut: (4) Binnington

I was surprised Binnie made it longer than Husso, but it doesn't really matter either way. I was really surprised Bennett was cut. He wasn't good, but I assumed he was a lock to sit in the press box as a one-way vet. I wouldn't be surprised if they just sent him down for to clear waivers for now, and will call him back to send him down again when Steen comes back. I was out right shocked Schmaltz was sent down. I thought he looked a ton better than Walman, and equal to Prosser (based on what I saw). He was decent when he was up with us last year. Its a tough blow for the kid. He's not waiver eligible, so there was no sneaking him through waivers shenanigans, he was plain cut.

My guesses for cuts are between Thompson and Kostin, and I am leaning keeping Kostin up. But I think they will both get sent down (either Steen is back, or they re-call Bennett until Steen is back). On defense, Walman has to be sent down.

 

[Dbrownss]

I dont disagree that Thompson has looked better...just a feeling I get looking at lines and where they are playing... i also thought Fabbri would be fine, so dont take anything I say to the bank....


It was said Binnington stayed up longer due to not being waiver exempt. Didnt want to put him on the wire yet. Husso>>>>>Binnington. Plus get him to SA asap.

Schmaltz was a shock but given we have Bort and Prosser.....I'm suprised Walman has done enough to stay but given practice lines, it may to just keep him up to work with him

 

[Splatter]

Kostin has been exciting, but I think they're going to want him to adjust to the North American game some more. Bleh seems like a lock now, and Megan is probably there with him. I like Thompson's chances, but he won't be up long if he starts the season here, I think. Eventually there's going to be an issue with him getting ice time.

 

[KirkOut]

Schwartz-Barbashev-Tarasenko
Steen-Stastny-Schenn
Paajarvi-Sobotka-Blais
Megan-Brodziak-Jaskin

xx Thorburn, Thompson/Sundqvist

is what I would try and start off with

 

[Bluesnatic27]

Schwartz-Barbashev-Tarasenko
Steen-Stastny-Schenn
Paajarvi-Sobotka-Blais
Megan-Brodziak-Jaskin

xx Thorburn, Thompson/Sundqvist

is what I would try and start off with

Very similar lines and this is who I expect.

The only difference is I'd probably switch Blais and Steen. I think Schenn and Blais compliment each other very well and I can see them clicking.

 

[Oberyn]

Man our 3rd line is gonna suck with all these injuries