Confirmed with Link: Bozak to STL (3 years @ $5m)

[AjaxManifesto]

It's not sexy, but the Blues did land two RHS middle-six players, one of whom is a center. Both contracts should be movable if it comes to that, and neither is likely crippling if they're stuck with it.

The roster holes and balance have been moderately addressed, sans the goalie issue. There's talent upside within the system itself that offers hope beyond that.

This is all a step in the right direction. Now we're back to finding the right mix instead of scrambling to plug major holes.

This.

 

[EastonBlues22]

Yeah I don't think they are bad moves per se, but it makes it hard to be optimistic about this upcoming season since we are seemingly in a holding pattern hoping our prospects turn into the impact players we need up front

The only thing that would have pushed us past that point this offseason was Tavares. Even ROR doesn't take this team to another level without some of the kids (and/or Fabbri) taking a step forward to make a bigger impact.

Just getting the old Fabbri back would help quite a bit. The Blues have missed him tremendously the last two years.

 

[Celtic Note]

If this is our offseason, then we have seen the return of the old DA. Low hanging fruit. This sort of screams to me the return of the first round exit. I am willing to see what else unfolds, but that is my initial reaction.

 

[Internettoughguy314]

At least we get to see what Tarasenko can do with a RH center. If the alternative was losing one of Kyrou or Thomas for O'Reilly then I like this better. Still hoping at least two of Steen, Sobotka, and Berglund are gone.

 

[Daley Tarasenkshow]

Yeah I don't think they are bad moves per se, but it makes it hard to be optimistic about this upcoming season since we are seemingly in a holding pattern hoping our prospects turn into the impact players we need up front

It should still be a fun season to follow. Winnipeg and Colorado should be better IMO, but I'm excited to see Thomas and Kyrou assuming he makes the roster. I think he Blues will be good.

I also think Fabbri returning is bigger than people are thinking.

 

[shpongle falls]

Sweet! 3 years at 5 mil isn’t too bad at all.

 

[STLBloosiers]

Not according to JR. He said we wouldn’t meet he asking price for O’Reilly

look at what lebrun said

 

[67Blues]

The only thing that would have pushed us past that point this offseason was Tavares. Even ROR doesn't take this team to another level without some of the kids (and/or Fabbri) taking a step forward to make a bigger impact.

Just getting the old Fabbri back would help quite a bit. The Blues have missed him tremendously the last two years.

Getting a healthy Fabbri back to where he was would be like another UFA signing from a roster standpoint.

 

[Blanick]

I don't hate the deal that Army made today but we need to now work on selling a couple of bottom six players. I don't like the idea of our prospects being blocked by the likes of Sobotka, Jaskin and Berglunds of the world.

 

[KirkOut]

The only thing that would have pushed us past that point this offseason was Tavares. Even ROR doesn't take this team to another level without some of the kids (and/or Fabbri) taking a step forward to make a bigger impact.

Just getting the old Fabbri back would help quite a bit. The Blues have missed him tremendously the last two years.

yeah hopefully fabbri can come back at a level similar to his rookie year

 

[Itsnotatrap]

I’m just glad they didn’t trade Kyrou to patch a roster with about a half dozen question marks, and added a couple right hand shots in the process.

 

[Blanick]

Just spitballing here.

Schwartz - Schenn - Perron
Fabbri - Bozak - Tarasenko
Steen - Thomas - Berglund
Barbashev - Sobotka - Soshnikov

Its not terrible, hopefully in the next year we can move out guys like Berglund and Sobotka and replace them with some of our prospects.

 

[PiggySmalls]

With Matt Calvert not returning to Columbus I can see them inquiring about Sobotka.

 

[Itsnotatrap]

I don't hate the deal that Army made today but we need to now work on selling a couple of bottom six players. I don't like the idea of our prospects being blocked by the likes of Sobotka, Jaskin and Berglunds of the world.

Agree. Want to clear a person or 2 out

 

[Falco Lombardi]

I don't hate the deal that Army made today but we need to now work on selling a couple of bottom six players. I don't like the idea of our prospects being blocked by the likes of Sobotka, Jaskin and Berglunds of the world.

This. You’ve added two more fairly underwhelming middle 6 forwards in Bozak and Perron. Get rid of the Berglunds and Sobotkas

 

[67Blues]

Just spitballing here.

Schwartz - Schenn - Perron
Fabbri - Bozak - Tarasenko
Steen - Thomas - Berglund
Barbashev - Sobotka - Soshnikov

Its not terrible, hopefully in the next year we can move out guys like Berglund and Sobotka and replace them with some of our prospects.

Maybe we can flip one of those two quickly and roll:

Schwartz - Schenn - Kyrou
Fabbri - Bozak - Tarasenko
Steen - Thomas - Perron
Barbashev - Sobotka/Berglund - Soshnikov

 

[Ranksu]

Just spitballing here.

Schwartz - Schenn - Perron
Fabbri - Bozak - Tarasenko
Steen - Thomas - Berglund
Barbashev - Sobotka - Soshnikov

Its not terrible, hopefully in the next year we can move out guys like Berglund and Sobotka and replace them with some of our prospects.

Does that forward group give us contender status?

 

[AjaxManifesto]

If this is our offseason, then we have seen the return of the old DA. Low hanging fruit. This sort of screams to me the return of the first round exit. I am willing to see what else unfolds, but that is my initial reaction.

I think everybody was expecting something big. But I think DA is smarter than just going for an expensive new toy. He has a longer term vision involving our youth. Time will tell if his longer term strategy pans out.

 

[Falco Lombardi]

This might be petty but I want Bozak to change his number

 

[converseman54]

Does that forward group give us contender status?

Maybe. Even awesome moves don't always work out. That's why they play the games

 

[TK 421]

I've had a recurring nightmare recently where the Blues signed Bozak. When I'd see his name it would trigger this resonation effect like a prescient warning. Bozak-ak-ak-ak .......... I'd wake up shaking and confused but assured that this frightening future was put off at least one more day.

Today I'll be drinking as much tequila as I can handle.

 

[Thallis]

If this is our offseason, then we have seen the return of the old DA. Low hanging fruit. This sort of screams to me the return of the first round exit. I am willing to see what else unfolds, but that is my initial reaction.

These are stop gap moves. Makes us good enough to be a decent team and make the playoffs while we wait for Thomas and Kyrou to be ready. We're in trouble if our prospects don't pan out.

 

[Falco Lombardi]

Does that forward group give us contender status?

No

 

[BlueDream]

This signing I don’t mind at all.

Not a fan of Perron, but I like Bozak. I wanted ROR but if the price was too high, I don’t blame Armstrong. Keeping Thomas and Kyrou is worth it.

 

[David Dennison]

Maybe we can flip one of those two quickly and roll:

Schwartz - Schenn - Kyrou
Fabbri - Bozak - Tarasenko
Steen - Thomas - Perron
Barbashev - Sobotka/Berglund - Soshnikov

Last year showed how important depth is, I don't think we should be trading anyone until Fabbri makes it out of training camp healthy.