St Louis Blues Greatest Offseason Thread Ever

[JCShutout]

No argument here Pop.

[Freed Roger]

Agree, though 99.5 % white may be a bit high. At least at the game 6 outside view party.

Far from a panacea, but it was pretty great for downtown/midtown.

[Popeye_Card]

I’m not sure what hockey thread to put this in, but if Sergei Zubov is a HOF’er, then Keith Tkachuk should be getting a call one of these years.

[JCShutout]

Boom Boom resigned for two years, $1.75m/per.

I mean, that's a good deal for a solid 3rd pairing Dman. I can't be mad at this, because I can't see this getting in the way of our RFAs. Now sign Maroon to the exact same deal please.

[JCShutout]

[Secret Weapon]

Man that was a hell of a shot, even as he was backing up a bit as he received the pass back

[TheoSqua]

What a great price. I was expecting him to sign at around $3.5m, so getting him for basically half price is pretty incredible.

I know he's getting older and had injury problems, but that overtime winner was worth another $4m in future earnings alone in my book.

[GeddyWrox]

Yeah, I can't argue with that!

[tlombard]

What a great price. I was expecting him to sign at around $3.5m, so getting him for basically half price is pretty incredible.

I know he's getting older and had injury problems, but that overtime winner was worth another $4m in future earnings alone in my book.

He doesn't put that puck in the net and the Blues lose that game... I think the might have gotten swept. So yeah, give him all the money as far as I'm concerned.

[JCShutout]

What a great price. I was expecting him to sign at around $3.5m, so getting him for basically half price is pretty incredible.

I know he's getting older and had injury problems, but that overtime winner was worth another $4m in future earnings alone in my book.

He doesn't put that puck in the net and the Blues lose that game... I think the might have gotten swept. So yeah, give him all the money as far as I'm concerned.

Not to mention diving to save a goal against after Marchand knocked Binner's stick away late in game 5. Gunner was a hero in the finals.

That said, in a salary cap league, you can't be sentimental. That game 2 goal was his only one of the playoffs. The Blues have a lot of more important RFAs this year and next (and two BIG UFA next year), and Gunnarson's production can be replaced inexpensively. So if he was going to make $2.5m-$3.5m, then you move on because losing a Dunn or Schenn over Gunnarson is a bad decision.

But for this price, he's absolutely worth it. You need a 7th defenseman on the roster, and if you sign a vet to that role, you're probably going to pay around a million, maybe $1.2 anyways. (unless you have a guy who is a liability) So for $600-$800k more than what they were already going to have to spend, you get a guy who is more than a backup, who absolutely fits not just your system, but your locker room culture, who you can feel comfortable playing as a #4-6 dman in case of injury, and you aren't forced to push kids like Mikkola, Reneke etc. He and Bort are basically the #6/7 dmen on the team, and are good enough to help you weather injuries, or play when other guys are in slumps.

Next year, a spot opens for one of the kids with JayBo likely leaving/retiring. If a kid isn't ready, the 2nd year on the deal helps to bridge until you figure out your next move. If a kid is so good that he forces his way on the roster, you can easily move Gunner at this salary for a late round pick.