Line Combos: Who survives final roster cuts?

[rumrokh]

Most of the lineup is easy to predict.
The real questions are the final 4 forwards and the bottom 3/4 D men.
-I don’t see us carrying 8 D men. It sucks for Schmaltz, but barring a trade I see him starting in SA.
- I do see Thomas and Kyrou both making the team. I don’t see either in a top 6/8 role, but I see both starting the year in St Louis.
- People may not like it, but Thorburn is not getting cut. The guy has a specific role and he is very well liked in the locker room. He is going to be the 14th forward.



Schwartz Schenn Perron
Maroon ROR Tarasenko
Steen Bozak Kyrou
Fabbri Thomas Jaskin
Thorburn

Eddy Petro
Dunn Parayko
Bouwmeester Bortuzzo
Gunnarsson

- The final spot is too close to call. It’s between Barbashev, Sanford and Blais; but none of them have really separated themselves just yet. I think Barbashev is the incumbent for the spot. Sanford is the guy that the FO wants to win the spot. And Blais is the one doing the most to try clawing his way into the spot. It’s really going to depend on how objective the FO is going to be in their evaluations. I think Blais is going to be the most deserving, but the spot will end up going to Sanford.

All of this is barring any trades.

This is pretty much how I see it, but I still expect Kyrou and Blais to start in the minors. Not that they necessarily should, that's just my expectation. They don't have to clear waivers and my guess is that the staff will see enough out of Sanford and Barbashev - they'll trust them a lot more to kill penalties, which is something the Blues need from their depth players.

Then, if Thomas doesn't stick past his tryout, they'll call somebody up. If Thomas sticks and they still want Kyrou and/or Blais on the team, they'll either make a small deal to make room or they will at least have had a more comfortable buffer to decide who gets waived.

 

[Brian39]

I don't like making predictions or saying what can happen this early. But there are guys in certain tiers that their pre-season performance may matter from not at all to a very great extent. Assuming everyone is healthy...

Forwards
Locks: Tarasenko, Schwartz, Schenn, O'Reily, Steen, Bozak, Perron, Maroon. 8/13-14
Close to locks: Fabbri and Jaskin 10/13-14
Presumptive locks (their spot to lose): Thomas 11/13-14
In the fight for last spots: Barbashev, Soshnikov, Kyrou, Blias, Sanford, Thorburn, Sundqvist. 7 guys for 2-3 spots
Long shots: MacEachern, Foley, Kostin, Nolan

Defense
Locks: Pietrangelo, Edmundson, Parayko 3/7-8
Close to locks: Bouwmeester, Bortuzzo, and Dunn 6/7-8
In fight for last spots: Gunnarsson and Schmaltz 2 guys for 1-2 spots
Long Shots: Walman, Mikkola, Reinke

Fabbri is a lock. There is no chance we put him on waivers and lose him for nothing before seeing him in a regular season game. He may get some healthy scratches as he's eased back into things, but he's making the roster. Even if he is outplayed by everyone fighting for spots behind him, the organization has much invested in him to just give him away for free. He's too valuable to be traded for a 4th line PK specialist, we are already set in our top 9, we don't need another D man and no team is trading us an upgrade over Allen in the next 2 weeks.

Other than that, I agree pretty much completely with these tiers. I hope Dunn is a lock, but I could see him spending 2 weeks in the AHL while we try and make a move to free up a spot without putting Schmaltz on waivers. I don't want to see that happen, but it is in the realm of possibility.

 

[KirkOut]

Didn't expect to see Kyrou so high, especially given that Blais is so low. I picked Thorburn and Blais over Kyrou but that's because that's what I expect Armstrong to start with, not necessarily what I'd like to see

 

[Renard]

I was hoping Jaskin wouldn't make the team last year, but he did.
But he once again didn't contribute much in the way of offense, and he is a poor skater by NHL standards.

I'll be disappointed if he isn't surpassed by one of our prospects.

 

[BlueDream]

Most of the lineup is easy to predict.
The real questions are the final 4 forwards and the bottom 3/4 D men.
-I don’t see us carrying 8 D men. It sucks for Schmaltz, but barring a trade I see him starting in SA.
- I do see Thomas and Kyrou both making the team. I don’t see either in a top 6/8 role, but I see both starting the year in St Louis.
- People may not like it, but Thorburn is not getting cut. The guy has a specific role and he is very well liked in the locker room. He is going to be the 14th forward.



Schwartz Schenn Perron
Maroon ROR Tarasenko
Steen Bozak Kyrou
Fabbri Thomas Jaskin
Thorburn

Eddy Petro
Dunn Parayko
Bouwmeester Bortuzzo
Gunnarsson

- The final spot is too close to call. It’s between Barbashev, Sanford and Blais; but none of them have really separated themselves just yet. I think Barbashev is the incumbent for the spot. Sanford is the guy that the FO wants to win the spot. And Blais is the one doing the most to try clawing his way into the spot. It’s really going to depend on how objective the FO is going to be in their evaluations. I think Blais is going to be the most deserving, but the spot will end up going to Sanford.

All of this is barring any trades.

Thorburn was waived last season by the team. I won't be surprised at all if he is the 14th forward, but saying he flat out won't get cut is going out on a limb. If others perform well, his job is in no way 100% protected and I doubt the team would hesitate to lose him at all.

 

[kimzey59]

Didn't expect to see Kyrou so high, especially given that Blais is so low. I picked Thorburn and Blais over Kyrou but that's because that's what I expect Armstrong to start with, not necessarily what I'd like to see

1- All Kyrou does is produce points.
PPG+ in Jrs.; PPG+ at Traverse City; PPG+ in camp.
The kid just puts up points at an incredible rate. It’s very hard to find a legitimate reason to keep that kind of production out of the lineup.

2- I don’t think that you can find one person that actually thinks Thorburn is one of our top 14 forwards. The people penciling him in are doing so because he is a vet, it doesn’t hurt him to ride the pine, he is supposedly good for the room and he does serve a role against some of the bigger/more physical teams in the League. It really isn’t about his abilities on the ice, it’s the psychological aspect of the game that is getting him the spot(and I am not underestimating that aspect; the plecibo effect is real).

 

[KirkOut]

1- All Kyrou does is produce points.
PPG+ in Jrs.; PPG+ at Traverse City; PPG+ in camp.
The kid just puts up points at an incredible rate. It’s very hard to find a legitimate reason to keep that kind of production out of the lineup.

2- I don’t think that you can find one person that actually thinks Thorburn is one of our top 14 forwards. The people penciling him in are doing so because he is a vet, it doesn’t hurt him to ride the pine, he is supposedly good for the room and he does serve a role against some of the bigger/more physical teams in the League. It really isn’t about his abilities on the ice, it’s the psychological aspect of the game that is getting him the spot(and I am not underestimating that aspect; the plecibo effect is real).

I don’t deny kyrou’s ability and I don’t like Thorburn at all (from a hockey standpoint I mean, he seems like a great guy). But the blues seem to like having him around, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they start Kyrou in the AHL to give him a taste of big boy hockey.

 

[The Note in MI]

Would love to see that Kyrou and Blais earn spots. But it would be simpler to make some calculated roster moves to work everyone into our depth.

Agree with Easton, re: Sundquist, Thorburn, Nolan. Those guys are not gonna be waiver pickups given the glut of 4th-line-no-offense players that will be getting waived at end of camps. They’re safe to stash, and really Thorburn is the only one who’s cap hit will be a pain.

Schmaltz I would have to think is on the NHL roster given his value to the organization. He is our NHL already call up depth but his age makes him way too enticing to other teams. My thought is that Gunnarsson may be on IR at first allowing us to keep Schmaltz as 7th d man and an additional forward.

Kyrou and Blais probably deserve spots in the lineup, but are simple enough to move down to the AHL and be called up once some room is made either via injury or trade. This I don’t think is a bad thing.

Thomas to me is a lock as 4th line center. He carries the most importance of those pushing for spots given he is a center. If it comes down to he and say Kyrou or Blais I think he stays because he can play the defensive fourth line minutes if needed. He’s more versatile. Kyrou and Blais would have to earn top 9 minutes to stay IMO. Inevitably we will need a top 9 callup. It always happens.

Sanford is still an absolute enigma to me but given he is not waiver eligible he will be in San Antonio methinks. He doesn’t seem to have done anything so far (it’s early) to say he needs to see NHL minutes.

My fan roster game 1:

Schwartz Schenn Kyrou
Maroon O’Reilly Tarasenko
Steen Bozak Perron
Fabbri Thomas Blais
Barbashev/Jaskin/Sanford/Soshnikov when healthy

Ed Pie
Dunn Parayko
Bouw Bortuzzo
Schmaltz

Gunny traded or IR

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

Here’s my roster of what I’d like/expect, I’m just not gonna vote until near the end because of potential injuries.

Maroon-O’Reilly-Tarasenko
Schwartz-Schenn-Kyrou
Steen-Bozak-Perron
Fabbri-Thomas-Blais/Sanford
Barbashev, Jaskin

Edmundson-Pietrangelo
Dunn-Parayko
Bouwmeester-Schmaltz
Bortuzzo

IR: Gunnarsson, Soshnikov


I’ve heard both Blais and Sanford get rave reviews so far, and there’s no way we waive Barbashev or Jaskin to keep them both. I also don’t think Sundqvist, Nolan, or Thorburn would get claimed off waivers either. One of Blais/Sanford or Kyrou will get sent down when Sosh returns.

 

[BlueDream]

Here’s my roster of what I’d like/expect, I’m just not gonna vote until near the end because of potential injuries.

Maroon-O’Reilly-Tarasenko
Schwartz-Schenn-Kyrou
Steen-Bozak-Perron
Fabbri-Thomas-Blais/Sanford
Barbashev, Jaskin

Edmundson-Pietrangelo
Dunn-Parayko
Bouwmeester-Schmaltz
Bortuzzo

IR: Gunnarsson, Soshnikov

This is mine too. I think Blais beats out Sanford.

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

This is mine too. I think Blais beats out Sanford.

I think so as well. As good as Sanford has reportedly looked, I’d like to see him get top minutes in San Antonio to start. He pretty much missed a full season of development last year. Let him boost his confidence even more.

 

[converseman54]

Maroon - O'Reilly - Tarasenko
Schwartz - Schenn - Perron
Steen - Bozak - Fabbri
Soshnikov - Thomas - Jaskin
Barbashev

Edmundson - Pietrangelo
Bouwmeester - Parayko
Dunn - Bortuzzo
Gunnarsson - Schmaltz

Allen
Johnson


Blais and Kyrou should be in this team, but aren't because they can be send down without losing them. Sanford will also be send down to the Rampage.
Nolan, Sundqvist, Thorburn will be waived and will probably clear to play for San Antonio.


Personally I hope that Gunnarsson will be traded so we can keep one of Blais or Kyrou with the mainroster. If Kyrou AND Blais make it and Gunnarsson isn't traded, 2 more players out of Sosh/Jaskin/Schmaltz/Barbashev need to be traded.

I picked the exact same line up. If Gunny and Sosh are still injured they keep Kyrou and Blais, in that order. I'd guess Barby, Jaskin, and maybe Sosh would get picked up on waivers so they have to keep them with the team for now. Same for Schmaltz on D. Maybe a team would take a flyer on Sunny, but that's fine if they do.

 

[blueper]

Barbashev, Kyrou, Thomas, Blais, Sanford are in a group in my mind.
They should/will play in the top 9 in the NHL.
Jaskin, Sundquist, Sosh, Nolan, seem like longshots to play anything other than 4th line roles for this team. Thorburn is in a category all by himself IMO.
I'm just trying to organize all the moving parts in my own mind. Cuts? Good question. Sure seems like the Blues could pick up a draft pick or two for some of this depth. Not even looking at the Dmen who could be moved.

 

[Daley Tarasenkshow]

Although Jaskin has adapted nicely to his fourth line role, I like the idea of running four scoring type lines and don't think Jaskin fits that role.

Personally, I'd run:

Schwartz Schenn Tarasenko (not likely I know)
Maroon O'reilly Kyrou
Steen Bozak Perron
Fabbri Thomas Blais
Extra: Barbashev Soshnikov

 

[Renard]

What kind of a fourth line will we have?

If the Blues really want to play the same type of 4th line the have used in the past, then I could see a line with Sunqvist at center, Nolan and Thorburn at wings.

But maybe they had that type of 4th line because, in the past, they didn't have enough talent to put four lines of skilled players on the ice. The current team has enough skilled players to do it.

So maybe we see a 4th line of Thomas with Fabbri and Blais.

 

[The Note in MI]

What kind of a fourth line will we have?

If the Blues really want to play the same type of 4th line the have used in the past, then I could see a line with Sunqvist at center, Nolan and Thorburn at wings.

But maybe they had that type of 4th line because, in the past, they didn't have enough talent to put four lines of skilled players on the ice. The current team has enough skilled players to do it.

So maybe we see a 4th line of Thomas with Fabbri and Blais.

Not in 1 million years with a roll a fourth line with those three plugs. You’re missing a few players who’ve outperformed all three of those guys so far in training camp and in preseason games. We have enough depth do use of fourth line that’s defensively responsible but also capable of scoring. That fourth line will see 6 minutes a game and have three fights a game but they would score a goal once every 37,000 years

 

[wannabebluesplayer]

Although Jaskin has adapted nicely to his fourth line role, I like the idea of running four scoring type lines and don't think Jaskin fits that role.

Personally, I'd run:

Schwartz Schenn Tarasenko (not likely I know)
Maroon O'reilly Kyrou
Steen Bozak Perron
Fabbri Thomas Blais
Extra: Barbashev Soshnikov

Here's what JR said in his discussion on the Athletic when asked about a skilled 4th line, but granted, the person who asked had Blais, Thomas, and Kryou (not far off from yours) listed.

but if I had my guess, Barbashev-Thomas/Sundqvist-Jaskin/Thorburn is probably what you're looking at for the fourth line and extras.

The two players in bold shouldn't sniff this roster if Kyrou, Thomas, and Blais all show they are more then capable. The problem is, there is an older belief that some of those players need to play in a top 9 role. While I don't disagree with that notion, I think you can carve out a top 9 role on a 4th line if you put the right personnel on that line. If Kyrou shows he can play with Schwartz and Schenn, then put him there. If Thomas shows he can center a line with Fabbri and Perron or someone else, then put him with those guys.

I heard a great quote from Elliotte Friedman on 31 Thoughts podcast the other day. He said GMs and coaches can fool themselves but you can't fool the dressing room. The players know who should be on the team and who shouldn't. He was openly talking about the Blues and Thomas and Kryou at that point in the podcast. He likes what the Blues have done but he wants to see Thomas and Kryou in the lineup and if they are good enough to be, then they should be and I don't disagree. If the Blues get 10 games into the season and it's not working, then fine, send Kryou down and limit Thomas's role or send him back to juniors.

Besides Allen, the biggest thing I'm worried about this season is Yeo. Is he the right coach for a group that's going younger. The Blues have a lot of high end talent coming up and I truly don't think he's the right coach to develop them. What scares me is he seems like a coach still in the older hockey world mentality or mold. We shall see as the year progresses but I think the fate of this team truly hangs on Yeo and Allen.

 

[Alklha]

Schenn, ROR, Bozak, Thomas, Barbashev, Schwartz, Steen, Fabbri, Maroon, Tarasenko, Perron, Kyrou & Jaškin.

Pietrangelo, Parayko, Edmundson, Dunn, Gunnarsson, Bouwmeester, Bortuzzo & Schmaltz.

I fully expect that we will carry 8 defensemen to start the season, there isn't any reason not to. He will require waivers to be sent to the AHL, and he'd likely be climed given the shortage of RHD in the League and the fact he hasn't had too much of a chance. We can keep him on the roster until he shows we can trade Gunnarsson or we're comfortable with the possibility of losing him on waivers. Same as we done with Rattie.

We have 11 forwards that I see as locks; Schenn, ROR, Bozak, Schwartz, Steen, Fabbri, Maroon, Tarasenko, Perron, Jaškin & Barbashev. Thomas is probably the 12th, at least for his 9 game look.

I'll be optimistic and take Kyrou as the 13th forward, but Thorburn is probably the more realistic expectation.

 

[Frenzy31]

I think we all likely agree on who the starter will be. I think a lot will depend on Gunner at this point. Can we put him in LTIR and use his roster spot until he is ready??

I think it may come down to Sanford vs. Barby if we only keep 11 forwards on the roster. Hate to lose either to waivers, but I think They have been passed by. I think schmaltz is too important to the team due to position and replacement value.

I sent JK down simple due to the waiver game.

 

[Alklha]

I think we all likely agree on who the starter will be. I think a lot will depend on Gunner at this point. Can we put him in LTIR and use his roster spot until he is ready??

I think it may come down to Sanford vs. Barby if we only keep 11 forwards on the roster. Hate to lose either to waivers, but I think They have been passed by. I think schmaltz is too important to the team due to position and replacement value.

I sent JK down simple due to the waiver game.

Sanford is still waiver exempt.

 

[The Note in MI]

JR seems to think the lineup will be:

Maroon O’Reilly Tarasenko
Schwartz Schenn Perron
Fabbri Bozak Steen
Barbashev Thomas Jaskin
Sundquist Thorburn

Conveniently doesn’t comment on defenseman but in that scenario we have iced the worst possible bottom five forward combination and assured that Schmaltz is waived

 

[Novacain]

Is that for tonight or later? Cause if it's at the start of the season, I call bull.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

I don't put any stock in JR's opinion on this type of issue. I'm certain that Blues staff isn't giving him any insight into the cuts that are pending or who they project on the roster.

I'm puzzled by Gunnarsson. They said he wasn't ready, then he played a pre-season game. If he wasn't ready it could have been convenient for a while to have him on IR. Can he go from playing pre-season to being put on IR?

 

[Novacain]

Gunny didn't actually end up playing on Wednesday did he?

 

[Beauterham]

I don't put any stock in JR's opinion on this type of issue. I'm certain that Blues staff isn't giving him any insight into the cuts that are pending or who they project on the roster.

This, plus Yeo mentioned that if Blais continues to play like this in pre season they will have to find a spot for him.

Gunny didn't actually end up playing on Wednesday did he?

Both Korac and Rutherford mentioned he was going to play, but thee Blues swapped him for LaLeggia at the last moment.