Confirmed with Link: Vrana @50%
- Thread starter Linkens Mastery
- Start date
PocketNines
Cutter's Way
I appreciate that Vrana has to put his best foot forward but it's honestly pretty annoying that he decides to score at a 55-goal pace during the key tank stretch (with Kapanen now a 40-goal scorer too apparently) because I don't even slightly believe he's going to score anything close to 55 goals next year when we will be trying to win
BrokenFace
Registered User
This may sound harsh, but I'm not interested in extending Vrana next year unless he looks like an absolute game breaker. With all of the off-ice issues he's had, I worry about him being the model player now that he's on his 3rd team only to lose focus once he signs a long term contract. I still think he's trade bait for next year's TDL.
- Jul 4, 2014
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I don't disagree about jumping into a long-term deal, but to the degree that extending him allows us to do so at a discount to his real value and keep the term down I would be on board. That obviously assumes that he has proven to that point to continue to be an asset on the ice and not a liability off the ice. I wouldn't even consider extending him until January, and only after a healthy and productive first half of next season.
ChicagoBlues
Sentient
- Oct 24, 2006
- 14,264
- 5,444
I'm excited about Vrana. 55 goals is silly, but 40 is certainly reasonable. 35 goals becomes almost probable.
Perhaps he is outperforming his norm, but I don't think so. I take this at face value and support Vrana 100%.
Love and protection envelops Vrana. He will be fine.
As far as re-signing him, we wouldn't visit that idea until January anyway, so......
Perhaps he is outperforming his norm, but I don't think so. I take this at face value and support Vrana 100%.
Love and protection envelops Vrana. He will be fine.
As far as re-signing him, we wouldn't visit that idea until January anyway, so......
LogosBlue
Registered User
- May 16, 2018
- 174
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I like the kid. And I'm all about second chances. He looks absolutely ecstatic when scoring and too happy being given any opportunity. I hope he takes that opportunity and runs with it. I guess I'm in the camp of resigning him and I definitely see this kid scoring 40 goals next year.
Vrana's got the talent to be the teams best player, with Kyrou and Thomas. I can't see anybody giving him over $5M/yr...so if the Blues can get a $9M/yr player for a 40% discount, I'm all for it. He's just got to earn it and dedicate himself to his career and not waste this opportunity.
Ted Hoffman
The other Rick Zombo
- Dec 15, 2002
- 29,242
- 8,674
No, I'm not expecting anyone to come back and say "holy shit, was I wrong," but
There's a whole lot of "oops" there.
There's a whole lot of "oops" there.
Oh, I think we figured out why. If MV63 had to earn his way to the top line and not just have a spot given to him, ... well, the same should probably apply for the older guys - and maybe not everyone wants to admit it, but there's only 4 guys who can play wing on the top-2 lines and Vrana did little to nothing to merit being put on one of them.
Majorityof1
Registered User
I figured it out earlier from the 63, but I still want to know why!?!? What does MV stand for.Well at least I finally know who MV63 is now.
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TheOrganist
Don't Call Him Alex
- Feb 21, 2006
- 3,921
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Linkens Mastery
Conductor of the TankTown Express
I think he is suggesting that neighbours is treated as golden child and keeps getting gifted opportunities. Which may be true, bc Jake plays way we want and does what coaches want. It’s about messaging to all of our young kids about expectations, and Jake plays right way.
Reality Czech
Registered User
- Apr 17, 2017
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Jake deserved the chance and he's making the most of it. He's in the mix every game, plays physical, stands up for his teammates and has a lot of potential left to unlock. Vrana on the other hand has gotten on his coach's bad side at literally every stop he's had and still doesn't seem to get it.
Exactly. From defranks:
The last time Vrana was on the ice for a Blues goal was Nov. 19 in Anaheim. Since then, the Blues have been outscored 8-0 with him on the ice.
According to Natural Stat Trick, Vrana is the Blues’ worst forward defensively, as St. Louis allows (per 60 minutes at 5 on 5) 5.59 more shots, 5.62 more scoring chances, 3.66 more high-danger chances, 1.12 more expected goals and 1.49 more goals with him on the ice than with him off the ice. All of those figures are worst among St. Louis forwards with at least two games played.
You could put any three names in this discussion.
Vrana .32 points per game -5
Blais .25 points per game -5
Kappy .30 points per game -1
Toropchenko .30 points per game -1
All these guys need to go.
Vrana .32 points per game -5
Blais .25 points per game -5
Kappy .30 points per game -1
Toropchenko .30 points per game -1
All these guys need to go.
There is a difference between guys who lack talent and guy who won’t work. Guy like Torpo can still be effective in lesser role. Vrana can’t unless he decides to care.
Reality Czech
Registered User
- Apr 17, 2017
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True, but at least Blais hits guys (currently 8th in the league), and Torpo and Kapanen can kill penalties and be a pain in the ass to play against. You can give any of those 3 guys 8-12 minutes a night and not worry about it. If Vrana isn't scoring, he brings literally nothing else to the table. That's why he's the first to go.
Lou pointed out that he was on the ice for two goals against in the first period; he finished with 8:59 ice time in just 11 shifts (the last of which was his penalty) and has been a minus-2 in each of the past four games he's played in.
Oberyn
Prince of Dorne
- Mar 27, 2011
- 14,422
- 3,980
You realize not every player on the roster is going to produce at a point per game clip? Blais and Toropchenko make peanuts, their points per game are reasonable for their role and cap hit.
I realize it and I get it, however Kappy, Blais, and Torp all suck as well.
I am not sure there is anyone of the Blues roster, outside of Neighbours, Thomas, and CP, who I would build around, and while CP has been pretty solid this season, I doubt he wants to stick around for what is shaping up to be a long rebuild.
Oberyn
Prince of Dorne
- Mar 27, 2011
- 14,422
- 3,980
Kapanen is overpaid but can be a serviceable bottom six player. Blais and Toropchenko are decent 4th liners but nothing special. Obviously you are not going to build around these players but you need 23 bodies to fill out a roster.
- Feb 12, 2008
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I was close. He’s played 25 games
LogosBlue
Registered User
- May 16, 2018
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Kappy no doubt is over paid, watching a game a few weeks ago, you had Kappy in the top 6 and Vrana on a checking line....thats how messed up the Blues under Brube have become.
You have no second line center, you have a scorer playing on a checking line...its insanity.
I would imagine Berube's biggest fear this season was being forced into a position to play Kyrou and Vrana on the same line....10+ million of cap hit playing zero two way hockey and scoring very few goals.....
