The St Louis Blues should make two big trades
With the likelihood of the NHL salary cap flattening for next year and possibly the one after, teams around the league will need to get creative to create cap space. Losing just one key player at the wrong time can have ugly implications on your win-loss columns. One team currently in the thick of it, the St Louis Blues.
For the defending champs, a lot of the questioning began when the team acquired Justin Faulk from the Carolina Hurricanes and almost immediately, signed him to a long-term extension for $6.5 million a year. Even though 'RHD' is the most highly coveted position in hockey, the team already had Colton Parayko and Alex Pietrangelo. Two of the best from the right side, who were also lifting the Cup last spring. 16 points in 69 games this year for Faulk. So, why bother with the trade and extension? Insurance.
Alex Pietrangelo was having a career season before the pandemic pause kicked in for the NHL. The 30-year-old picked the perfect time to be shining in St Louis, as he's set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, and will be due roughly $9 million dollars per season. The King City native seems like the kind of guy who would take less for the team, so maybe we'll settle on $8.5 million. Still, huge money. Some would say a huge risk, while others see a Captain, a Cup winner in his prime and an absolute gem of a person. There should be no hesitation, open the cheque-book. The Blues have been busy recently with the smaller deals for Sammy Blais and Marco Scandella, but their main concern right now is how they can keep Pietrangelo in the fold.
Trade Jake Allen and Tyler Bozak, that's how.
via GIPHY
The backup goaltender and the team's 3rd-line center are both valuable pieces for the Blues, however, they aren't on Pietrangelo's level. The duo will make $9.35 million combined next year, thanks to our good friends at Cap Friendly. Both Allen and Bozak are set to be unrestricted free agents after the 2020-2021 season, which should be music to the ears the Blues management. While dealing them together is highly unlikely as nobody is going to pay almost $10 million for a 1B tender and 3rd-line center, let's take a peek into the trade machine.
What if the Blues dealt Jake Allen to the Ottawa Senators for one of their 4 second-round picks at the next draft and moved Tyler Bozak to the Calgary Flames, who are desperate for a forward who shoots right.
via GIPHY
Sure, Bozak may not be fond of the move, and his modified no-trade clause could potentially get in the way. If that was to be the case, there would also be suitors in Colorado and Edmonton for his services.
One thing is for sure, there would be one person in St Louis who would be happy about both deals...
via GIPHY
For the defending champs, a lot of the questioning began when the team acquired Justin Faulk from the Carolina Hurricanes and almost immediately, signed him to a long-term extension for $6.5 million a year. Even though 'RHD' is the most highly coveted position in hockey, the team already had Colton Parayko and Alex Pietrangelo. Two of the best from the right side, who were also lifting the Cup last spring. 16 points in 69 games this year for Faulk. So, why bother with the trade and extension? Insurance.
Alex Pietrangelo was having a career season before the pandemic pause kicked in for the NHL. The 30-year-old picked the perfect time to be shining in St Louis, as he's set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, and will be due roughly $9 million dollars per season. The King City native seems like the kind of guy who would take less for the team, so maybe we'll settle on $8.5 million. Still, huge money. Some would say a huge risk, while others see a Captain, a Cup winner in his prime and an absolute gem of a person. There should be no hesitation, open the cheque-book. The Blues have been busy recently with the smaller deals for Sammy Blais and Marco Scandella, but their main concern right now is how they can keep Pietrangelo in the fold.
Trade Jake Allen and Tyler Bozak, that's how.
via GIPHY
The backup goaltender and the team's 3rd-line center are both valuable pieces for the Blues, however, they aren't on Pietrangelo's level. The duo will make $9.35 million combined next year, thanks to our good friends at Cap Friendly. Both Allen and Bozak are set to be unrestricted free agents after the 2020-2021 season, which should be music to the ears the Blues management. While dealing them together is highly unlikely as nobody is going to pay almost $10 million for a 1B tender and 3rd-line center, let's take a peek into the trade machine.
What if the Blues dealt Jake Allen to the Ottawa Senators for one of their 4 second-round picks at the next draft and moved Tyler Bozak to the Calgary Flames, who are desperate for a forward who shoots right.
via GIPHY
Sure, Bozak may not be fond of the move, and his modified no-trade clause could potentially get in the way. If that was to be the case, there would also be suitors in Colorado and Edmonton for his services.
One thing is for sure, there would be one person in St Louis who would be happy about both deals...
via GIPHY
Post a Comment