Confirmed with Link: Jordan Schmaltz Traded for Andreas Borgman

[Shwabeal]

"TRADE ALERT! #stlblues acquire defenseman Andreas Borgman from the Toronto Maple Leafs. DETAILS: (link: http://bit.ly/2Mfi1u8) bit.ly/2Mfi1u8"

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[Chojin]

That's a pretty huge downgrade. Not sure why Army did this other than to save the dollars from burying Schmaltz in the minors.

 

[Coach Nate]

One word

Waivers.

 

[justafan22]

One word

Waivers.

Borgman is exempt, and a decent project for you guys.

 

[Beauterham]

I don't mind trading Schmaltz, I just prefered to get a pick instead of another depth lefthanded defender. O well...

 

[Em etah Eh]

I don't mind trading Schmaltz, I just prefered to get a pick instead of another depth lefthanded defender. O well...

Schmaltz was waived and didn't get claimed last year so how exactly were we going to get a pick?

I'm counting my chickens before they hatch but I wonder if the blues see Mikolla as close to ready for NHL duty on the left side and this replenishes the left side for the Rampage a bit. Like I said, getting way ahead of myself here, probably just the whole waivers thing, and nothing more...

 

[Oberyn]

I always liked Schmaltz, but the writing was on the wall when the Blues re-signed Bortuzzo for 3 years. Good luck in Toronto, though I'm not sure there is much of an NHL career that he will be able to carve out.

 

[Stealth JD]

least surprising news of the off-season. Schmaltz was on the outside looking in for far too long.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

That's a pretty huge downgrade. Not sure why Army did this other than to save the dollars from burying Schmaltz in the minors.

I don’t think it’s a downgrade. Borgman is a good player, and fits our model of a dman a lot better than Schmaltz did. Offensive upside is limited, but he’s got it in him to contribute. Scouting report is that he’s a physical dman who can skate, win puck battles, and transition the puck. A bit smaller than we typically like, although with Dunn, Reinke, and Perunovich, that is changing a bit. His problem has been injuries that have kept him from seizing opportunities in TOR.

If anything, this is a lateral move, swapping a righty for a lefty, and considering how Reinke has passed Schmaltz on the depth chart, Schmaltz is waiver-eligible, and Schmaltz has basically zero opportunity for advancement here behind Petro, Parayko, and Bortz, it makes sense.

J-Bo and Gunnar are gone soon, Edmundson may be gone before the season starts, and our only other NHL-ready LHD options are Mikkola and Pouliot. Borgman was well-regarded by the Leafs, so it’s a decent risk to take. Something for nothing. Not really dropping the boom on the Richter scale, but it’s something.

 

[LBlues24]

Saves us some cap space if I’m understanding correctly. Borgman has some nice tools, seen him play up here a few times. Unfortunately hasn’t been able to stay healthy, we’ll see!

Reminds me a little of the Polak/Gunnar swap, in terms of acquiring more of a depth LHD defenceman for a RHD. And I like how that one turned out for us

 

[WiscoBlues]

weren’t there only 6 RHD in the entire system before this trade (vs 8 LHD)? seems weird to trade a righty for another lefty.

 

[BlueDream]

That's a pretty huge downgrade. Not sure why Army did this other than to save the dollars from burying Schmaltz in the minors.

Ah yes, didn’t take long for a post like this.

I’ll never understand why anyone thinks Schmaltz is good or how anyone is a “huge downgrade” from an AHL player but hey, here we are. Schmaltz was a 1st round pick 7 years ago so that must cancel out his atrocious defensive play and advanced stats.

 

[simon IC]

His physicality intrigues me, although Leaf fans are saying that diminished after his injury. That injury and subsequent demotion to the minors seems to have really affected his confidence. (Again, according to Leaf fans). I am glad to see Schmaltz get a change of scenery. He was not going anywhere in St. Louis.

 

[Blueston]

Schmaltz had no future here. Team never felt confident playing him (for good reason I think) and he seemed to not give a crap after last demotion. I would point out we now have 3 guys with some experience who could potentially be our 7D if we deal Eddy.

 

[WeWentBlues]

My only issue is how the Blues managed this asset going back to 2012. With the emergence of Parayko, Blues are about 4-5 years too late in making this trade.

 

[Blueston]

Not sure how much of a factor it played for Leafs but Schmaltz’s college coach is now an assistant there.

 

[Ranksu]

 

[Chojin]

Ah yes, didn’t take long for a post like this.

I’ll never understand why anyone thinks Schmaltz is good or how anyone is a “huge downgrade” from an AHL player but hey, here we are. Schmaltz was a 1st round pick 7 years ago so that must cancel out his atrocious defensive play and advanced stats.

I didn't say Schmaltz is great, but he's better than Borgman, damn. If you're going to give up on Schmaltz (which isn't wrong), at least get a pick, rather than a dude who has basically no upside.

 

[David Dennison]

I didn't say Schmaltz is great, but he's better than Borgman, damn. If you're going to give up on Schmaltz (which isn't wrong), at least get a pick, rather than a dude who has basically no upside.

Have you honestly ever heard of Borgman before this trade, or did you just go to elite prospects and look at his goals and assists?

Blues aren't exactly deep on the back end either, I got no problem with getting a body back instead of a 6th or 7th round pick.

 

[Coach Nate]

I didn't say Schmaltz is great, but he's better than Borgman, damn. If you're going to give up on Schmaltz (which isn't wrong), at least get a pick, rather than a dude who has basically no upside.

Because depth matters. Schmaltz's trade value was almost nothing (6th/7th rounder). This move allows them to have roster flexibility since Borgman doesn't require waivers and also saves about half million in salary cap.

 

[Blueston]

Because depth matters. Schmaltz's trade value was almost nothing (6th/7th rounder). This move allows them to have roster flexibility since Borgman doesn't require waivers and also saves about half million in salary cap.

Saves actual $ but no cap impact between the 2 players if in SA

 

[Coach Nate]

Saves actual $ but no cap impact between the 2 players if in SA

You're right.

I really need to get back to work

 

[Alklha]

Schmaltz had a few good showings, but he had his opportunities and could never string anything together.

Last season we were wasting $2.7m on Jeřábek, Thorburn & Soshnikov in the AHL. The eight new players to the organisation in the AHL will be on around $2m. We're right to look to lose the $700k salary if we simply don't see him as an NHL option, that money can be better used at that level.

 

[Thallis]

I didn't say Schmaltz is great, but he's better than Borgman, damn. If you're going to give up on Schmaltz (which isn't wrong), at least get a pick, rather than a dude who has basically no upside.

If we could have gotten a pick, we likely would have. Schmaltz is bad. It's not a given that there were options in regards to moving him.

 

[MissouriMook]

Have you honestly ever heard of Borgman before this trade, or did you just go to elite prospects and look at his goals and assists?

Blues aren't exactly deep on the back end either, I got no problem with getting a body back instead of a 6th or 7th round pick.