The St. Louis Blues haven’t made any enormous strikes this summer time. Probably the most impactful transfer basic supervisor Doug Armstrong has made up to now is locking in Pavel Buchnevich to a new six-year contract extension. However he has additionally made some performs across the fringes that might trace at his plans for the group in 2024-25. In two circumstances, Radek Faksa and Ryan Suter, he introduced in former Dallas Stars gamers who may turn out to be commerce chips on the deadline. It’d really feel early to be speaking concerning the deadline, however for a group that appears to be in rebuilding transfer, these two additions could possibly be shrewd strikes to construct a greater future for the franchise.
Faksa’s Penalty Kill Prowess
The primary addition, Czech Republic native Radek Faksa, got here by the use of commerce. The Stars moved the ultimate season of Faksa’s five-year, $16.25 million contract to the Blues to avoid wasting wage cap area — despite the fact that Faksa’s deal was as soon as an enormous worth for Dallas. All of the Blues needed to give up was the ever-ethereal “future issues.” Principally, Armstrong added a participant without spending a dime. However the low cost acquisition value does a disservice to the dear participant the Blues added.
Faksa has by no means been a lot of a point-producer, however he has constructed a fame as one of many extra precious bottom-six forwards within the league as a consequence of his high-level defensive play. He’s acquired votes for the Selke Trophy in 4 totally different seasons. And regardless of a so-so efficiency final season, he nonetheless suppressed alternatives towards the Stars at an especially excessive degree. In reality, he had an elite “function participant” season in 2023-24. Nonetheless, the Stars determined they merely couldn’t afford to maintain his contract on the roster and moved him onto the Blues.
Faksa isn’t a bit that doubtless has a long-term future with the Blues, given his age and their aim to construct a youthful core. Armstrong would possibly properly be utilizing one asset (his wage cap area) to set himself up for an incredible alternative on the deadline. Many groups will worth a dependable penalty killer with tons of playoff expertise, and Faksa suits that invoice higher than virtually anybody within the league. The Blues may simply eat half of his contract and deal him for futures when the time is correct.
Suter’s Veteran Presence
The addition of the 39-year-old defenseman Suter turned heads some earlier this week, although it instantly made extra sense in gentle of the Torey Krug damage information. Nonetheless, with different left-handed defensemen already on the roster, like Tyler Tucker and Pierre-Olivier Joseph, Suter makes essentially the most sense as a possible deadline chip for Armstrong to play with.
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Suter didn’t have an unbelievable season, however that notion is basically coloured by his postseason. Throughout the common season, he nonetheless was a largely-plus defender in stopping anticipated targets towards (xGA) and scoring makes an attempt. Sure, his finest seasons are behind him, however Suter received’t simply be chasing milestones in 2024-25. He will likely be seeking to show that he nonetheless has fuel within the tank, and he’ll doubtless need a chance to chase the Stanley Cup yet one more time when the playoffs come round.
Regardless of a poor efficiency on this yr’s postseason, some groups will definitely worth Suter’s veteran management in a depth function come deadline time. Armstrong can have a straightforward alternative to money in on a league minimal free agent contract and switch Suter into future belongings, particularly if he appears to be like sturdy till that time within the season.
Asset Administration
Although Suter and Faksa spent many seasons as division rivals with the Blues, they may play an enormous function in the way forward for the franchise. No, neither goes to be essentially the most sought-after piece on the deadline. However groups will need each gamers. And if the Blues are out of great playoff rivalry, each trades will likely be no-brainers for Armstrong. The gamers are prone to fetch mid-round picks. However these are nonetheless precious future items. Each additions have been shrewd strikes by the final supervisor to probably create worth ex-Nihilo and assist strengthen the way forward for his franchise.
