GDT: Blues @ Kings

[BlueDream]

Let me post a succinct question (instead of my usual rambling) to everyone around here who doesn't particularly like how I see things.

In an era where the role of grinder is coming into question as perhaps being outdated, because the game has changed, what is the exact wisdom in not only keeping an entire line of grinders, but also sticking one on our best scoring line?

Dude, you do realize every team has an entire line of grinders, right? It's called a 4th-line.

 

[KirkOut]

Let me post a succinct question (instead of my usual rambling) to everyone around here who doesn't particularly like how I see things.

In an era where the role of grinder is coming into question as perhaps being outdated, because the game has changed, what is the exact wisdom in not only keeping an entire line of grinders, but also sticking one on our best scoring line?

It turns out when somebody gets injured, you have to plug somebody in the lineup to replace them. So that's why Ott was on that line. I thought that was obvious?

 

[Alklha]

Absolutely. He deserves to be up more than Paajarvi does. We need to either trade Paajarvi or cut him loose. He's dead weight at this point.

Based on tonight. Jaškin hasn't exactly been great in his previous looks. If he continues this level of play, then he won't see the AHL again.

 

[Dbrownss]

Absolutely. He deserves to be up more than Paajarvi does. We need to either trade Paajarvi or cut him loose. He's dead weight at this point.

I'd cut Lindstom. Hold on to Pääjärvi for trade bait.


Jaskin did look good in this game but he did against chicago too then somewhat faded. BUT he was floating around the lineup. I'd like to see him with an extended look with Berglund and Stastny and keep that line together, for better or worse

 

[Vladys Gumption]

Let me post a succinct question (instead of my usual rambling) to everyone around here who doesn't particularly like how I see things.

In an era where the role of grinder is coming into question as perhaps being outdated, because the game has changed, what is the exact wisdom in not only keeping an entire line of grinders, but also sticking one on our best scoring line?

33% of our team had stone hands tonight, with no real legitimate expectation to score a goal. How can you expect to win with a team with that make-up?

Who exactly would you prefer on that line? Stastny's line was too good to break up and the SoB line has been good as well. It's pretty much impossible to replace a top line quality forward from within. You make do until Schwartz gets back.

 

[uncommonsense52]

It turns out when somebody gets injured, you have to plug somebody in the lineup to replace them. So that's why Ott was on that line. I thought that was obvious?

Obvious follow-up: When we have skill players as healthy scratches or optional call-ups, why not use them?

 

[kagei]

Absolutely. He deserves to be up more than Paajarvi does. We need to either trade Paajarvi or cut him loose. He's dead weight at this point.

I posted earlier that Army should be callin around to see what he can get at least for a draft pick on him. Don't hate the guy but if we are keepin him at that cost at least put him in 3-5 games straight for one more try or get him out for a spot that can be useful.

 

[TerminatorBlue]

I think everyone not named STL and possibly Stastny will be considered. Clear out salaries based upon the highest possible return that they can fetch. We have closed the gap slightly in the skill department...just need to close it a little further.

As for Petro, I am somewhat at a loss with him. IMO, Shattenkirk has made far more improvement in his game than Petro over the last two years.

Absolutely, especially if we get bounced in the first round again, I would almost expect it....or demand it.

 

[uncommonsense52]

Who exactly would you prefer on that line? Stastny's line was too good to break up and the SoB line has been good as well. It's pretty much impossible to replace a top line quality forward from within. You make do until Schwartz gets back.

I'm not answering questions right now, I just get slapped around for speaking my mind. Instead, I'm trying to figure out what the group-think around here... thinks...

 

[erderuft]

Ugh. We don't face the Kings anymore this regular season. Can't decide if that's a good or bad.

 

[KirkOut]

Obvious follow-up: When we have skill players as healthy scratches or optional call-ups, why not use them?

Which skill player are you referring to?

 

[Vladys Gumption]

Obvious follow-up: When we have skill players as healthy scratches or optional call-ups, why not use them?

Lindstrom has done nothing to warrant a significant role. Pajaarvi is...well Pajaarvi. We don't have any scoring line type players just sitting around as extras.

 

[542365]

Let me post a succinct question (instead of my usual rambling) to everyone around here who doesn't particularly like how I see things.

In an era where the role of grinder is coming into question as perhaps being outdated, because the game has changed, what is the exact wisdom in not only keeping an entire line of grinders, but also sticking one on our best scoring line?

33% of our forwards had stone hands tonight, with no real legitimate expectation to score a goal. How can you expect to win with a team with that make-up?

I saw it more as process of elimination. He liked the look of Steen-Backes-Oshie, he liked the look of Berglund-Stas-Jaskin, and his only guys left were MPS, Ott, Lindstrom, Reaves, Lapierre, and Porter. I'd say he made the right decision based on those choices.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

I'm not answering questions right now, I just get slapped around for speaking my mind. Instead, I'm trying to figure out what the group-think around here... thinks...

You asked a question with a very obvious answer. I'm not quite sure what you would expect, other than pretty much what has already been said.

 

[Alklha]

I posted earlier that Army should be callin around to see what he can get at least for a draft pick on him. Don't hate the guy but if we are keepin him at that cost at least put him in 3-5 games straight for one more try or get him out for a spot that can be useful.

I don't think anyone should be in any doubt that Armstrong is going to make a relatively significant trade at some point this season. There is just too much talk. I imagine that Pääjärvi will be a makeweight when that deal comes along.

 

[kagei]

Move MPS or play him to see if he can work with this new look blues. Lindstrom is cheap and serviceable some we know what we get with him and can ride some pine for a bit at least.

 

[EastonBlues22]

You seem pretty confident about that.

If Tarasenko signs for 7-8 years there's no way he's getting paid under $5 million. Doesn't matter how many RFA years he has left at all, he wouldn't accept that (or shouldn't). So we'll just have to agree to disagree and see what happens.

I said that it wouldn't be over $5 million unless it was a max term deal. A contract that's 7-8 years long is a max term deal. The more UFA years you tack on, the higher the price tag is going to be.

Based upon the length of the contracts they currently have in place, I'm guessing the Blues would like a 1-2 year bridge deal (would probably cost them less than $4 million on average). That keeps his cost low enough that they don't really have to move anyone until the contracts fall off the books naturally, and still gives them 2 RFA years to figure out a long-term deal.

There's really not that much financial risk in putting off the long-term deal if he continues scoring at his current pace, and it might mean we get to keep him for an extra two years down the road. The bigger question is whether Tarasenko wants a long-term deal now or not. I don't think anyone knows the answer to that right now.

 

[BlueDream]

I said that it wouldn't be over $5 million unless it was a max term deal. A contract that's 7-8 years long is a max term deal. The more UFA years you tack on, the higher the price tag is going to be.

Based upon the length of the contracts they currently have in place, I'm guessing the Blues would like a 1-2 year bridge deal (would probably cost them less than $4 million on average). That keeps his cost low enough that they don't really have to move anyone until the contracts fall off the books naturally, and still gives them 2 RFA years to figure out a long-term deal.

There's really not that much financial risk in putting off the long-term deal if he continues scoring at his current pace, and it might mean we get to keep him for an extra two years down the road. The bigger question is whether Tarasenko wants a long-term deal now or not. I don't think anyone knows the answer to that right now.

I just don't see the point of a bridge deal then, really. I didn't agree with it for Schwartz and I don't think it's necessary for Tarasenko. You know those two are the future of the offense. Just lock them up. Of course Armstrong likes to be conservative though.

I have a feeling he may stray from his bridge deal if Tarasenko scores at a PPG pace though.

 

[sbet1998]

Ugh. We don't face the Kings anymore this regular season. Can't decide if that's a good or bad.

Blues showed their worth. On to the next. 1-1-1 is fine with me considering the issues they have with that team. They had two home games and the Blues played really well for most of the 9 periods.

 

[uncommonsense52]

You asked a question with a very obvious answer. I'm not quite sure what you would expect, other than pretty much what has already been said.

For the sake of argument, let's divide players into two categories: Skill players, and Grinding players.

This is an optimistic, and incredibly simplistic, view. But either you're supposed to contribute offensively, "skill," or else you're a shut-down specialist, "grinder."

It's what role they play, not how good they are at it.

Let's assume the following forwards are shoe-ins for playing time as skill players:
Oshie
Tarasenko
Steen
Backes
Berglund
Lehtera
Stastny

That's 7 guys, out of probably 9 skill positions. If you want to leave a grinding line, that is.

Let's account for the grinding line:
Ott (Grind)
Lapierre (Grind)
Reaves (Grind)

Schwartz would be an 8th skill guy there, but he's injured. So we need to put in probably two more Skill players to round out our top 9.

Available we have:
Jaskin (Skill, AHL)
Lindstrom (Skill)
Porter (Grind, AHL)
Paajarvi (Skill)
Rattie (Skill, AHL)

So we have 7 skill guys in, and 3 grind guys, a vacancy for two skill guys, with 4 skill guys available and 1 grind guy.

We fill the two skill vacancies with one skill player and one grinder.

My question is: Why?

 

[KirkOut]

Ott has like double the amount of points of Lindstrom while playing on the 4th line and if you think Paajarvi is a "skill" player....well what skill does he have, exactly?

 

[kagei]

I don't hate Lindstrom just not sure he is working out. I'd give Porter as much skill as him right now.

 

[LGB51]

big difference when you have 40mins to recover, they had 20mins to hold a lead tonight and gave it up in 20seconds. this is ofcourse after they blew a 3-0 lead.

put a fork in em. unless the jaskin line scores, this team is done for tonight.

We were still losing going into the third, the other night. But whatever you say.

 

[uncommonsense52]

Ott has like double the amount of points of Lindstrom while playing on the 4th line and if you think Paajarvi is a "skill" player....well what skill does he have, exactly?

You set up four plates, each one in the corners of the net.

You give an unlimited number of pucks to Paajarvi, then to Linstrom, then to Ott.

Who breaks 4 plates first? Who breaks 4 plates last?

 

[kagei]

You set up four plates, each one in the corners of the net.

You give an unlimited number of pucks to Paajarvi, then to Linstrom, then to Ott.

Who breaks 4 plates first? Who breaks 4 plates last?

Ott because he runs them all over.