Doug Armstrong has made some mistakes as the GM of the St. Louis Blues, But he has made up for them. I still think the Vladimir Sobotka contract wasn’t that bad. He was a solid player when he left for the KHL and had some good offensive numbers over there. Patrick Berglund is another player that had a difficult time playing with the Blues. His contract wasn’t the worst that I have seen in recent years, but the term was a little long for my liking. Berglund knew how to score it just wasn’t consistent for a player like him. So let’s move to Sunday.
O’Reilly and Sobotka will now be swapping teams. Photo by Jeff Curry/USA TODAY Sports.
Armstrong made some very good moves on the first day of free agency, but fans didn’t think it was enough. He signs David Perron who recently had 66 points points for the Vegas Golden Knights. Perron had a career year and took advantage of it, he had a career high 50 assist and can easily fit in the top 6 of this team.
Tyler Bozak is another really intriguing signing by the Blues. Before Mathews showed up Bozak was the top center on a struggling Maple Leaf team. He also had career years with Phil Kessel on his wing, that should be very exciting for the Blues because they also have a sniper who was looking for a new playmaking center. No, I’m not saying Bozak will center Tarasenko but I will say he will help the power play. Bozak will be a very nice addition to the top 9 of this team.
When the dust settled for the day when the NHL seen one of the star players move (Tavares) Doug Armstrong had a little magic up his sleeve. The Blues traded Patrick Berglund, Vladimir Sobotka, Tage Thompson a 2019 1st RD pick and a 2021 2nd RD pick to Buffalo for Ryan O’Reilly. People seem to think the Blues paid way to much for a 2nd line player. The Blues in my opinion paid a 1st, a 2nd and Tage Thompson for O’Reilly the other two players will equal the offense that Ryan O’Reilly will put up. You lose a promising prospect on Thompson but he is still an unknown with some potential.
Jan 12, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Buffalo Sabres forward Ryan O’Reilly (90) in the second period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
These are all very good moves that have put the Blues back into the Contender conversation. You have acquired 3 top 6 players who will help the struggling offense, but was it enough go over the hump?
That will be the question coming into training camp, we will see the line combos and then make a final preview on the upcoming season. Especially if Doug Armstrong is still searching for some help, rumor going around that Pat Maroon is a priority for the Blues it will be hard to fit his salary under the cap but Armstrong is laying it all on the line to bring this team back to the top of the Western Conference.
