wannabebluesplayer
Registered User
- Apr 16, 2012
- 1,359
- 466
I wouldn't say fiscal responsibility is the only reason we miss out on free agents, but I think it is the most common one. The perception at the time (as I remember it) was that we were chasing Lacavalier and Filppula before settling on Roy, and that Lacavalier want too much of a financial commitment (in the form of term) and that Filppula wanted to stay in the East.
There are always going to be factors that are out of the control of any GM, but in Army's case I think he is more conservative than most when it comes down to players who are considering the Blues as an option in free agency. He tends not to give out bad contracts to players who aren't already a part of the roster. Now players he is "re-signing"? That is probably a different story based on your perspective.
If I remember correctly, Lecavalier's contract with the Flyers was ridiculous and didn't they end up buying him out? I know Armstrong has missed on some while overpaying some (Stastny) but that's also FA. You tend to have to overpay a bit. @MissouriMook is spot on with his assessment that Doug has a little too much loyalty to players he's re-signing. He doesn't tend to spend ridiculously in FA but more with players he's already acquired or drafted. As much as I personally don't like the Steen contract, it's not an awful one. He's not a buyout candidate. Bouwmeester is the only one in that regard, but if he comes back healthy next season, he's still very useful. Plus, he only has a year left. Berglund's and Sobotka's aren't awful but they aren't good. Sobotka's is definitely movable and I do believe Berglund's is as well, even with the modified NTC. I think if Armstrong wanted to, he'd find a team Berglund is willing to go to and would want him.