NHL Rumors: Rumblings On The Blues' Offseason Plans

Tuesday, April 02, 2024

The St. Louis Blues are in an interesting spot as they grapple with the loss of Oskar Sundqvist due to a torn ACL, prompting heightened speculation about their current and offseason strategy.

Sundqvist recently signed a two-year contract extension.

With Sundqvist sidelined potentially until after the start of next season, attention naturally turns to potential roster adjustments aimed at bolstering the team's competitiveness under the leadership of General Manager Doug Armstrong.

His track record of orchestrating significant roster changes, coupled with the team's current position in the Western Conference, three points back of the second Wild Card spot, hints at the likelihood of substantial moves on the horizon, according to Jeremy Rutherford.

Rumors swirl regarding which players may not return next season, with names like Sammy Blais, Kasperi Kapanen, and potentially Marco Scandella circulating in the mix.

Armstrong's history of executing creative deals, exemplified by past transactions such as the 2018 trade involving Jori Lehtera, underscores his willingness to explore various avenues to reshape the team's composition.

Recent reports also suggest the Blues may be willing to sign Pavel Buchnevich to a long-term deal, regardless of the expected high price and the fact the team was listening to trade offers on him just a month ago.

While buyouts may not be favored due to long-term cap implications, the prospect of including high-contract players in trades to facilitate deals remains a viable option in Armstrong's arsenal.

Amidst the uncertainty, the emergence of promising young prospects like Zach Dean and Jake Neighbours injects optimism into the Blues' future trajectory, potentially influencing their offseason approach.

Lingering questions persist regarding Jordan Binnington's future and whether the organization will prioritize immediate competitiveness or adopt a more long-term strategic outlook. Binnington is in the third year of a 6-year, $36M contract.

In addition, Frank Seravalli noted the potential strategies for the Blues should they decide to trade a high-salary defenseman such as Colton Parayko, Torey Krug, Justin Faulk, or Nick Leddy. Each player is under contract for at least two additional seasons beyond the 2023-24 period and possesses a no-trade clause, as noted by Lyle Richardson.

Ultimately, the Blues have plenty of questions in the upcoming offseason, and Armstrong's decisions in the coming months will play a pivotal role in shaping the direction of the Blues as they navigate current challenges and endeavor to build a foundation for sustained success. Photo Credit: Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports



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