Blues off-season prediction, EDM, OTT, with explanation

Team: 2018-19 St. Louis Blues

Initial Creation Date: May 27, 2018

Published: May 27, 2018

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

STL is not in a rebuilding phase. STL has entirely too many core skaters in matured years. STL will not make a futures based trade, but also, based on developing young talent and the real need to fill a full AHL roster, STL will not just give it away for a short term contract (Kessel).

Edmonton desperately needs a true puck moving RHD, PP1 RHD - preferably one who is cost controlled and young. Edmonton will approach STL about Parayko, and a downgrade for Larsson + the 10 OA is fair value wise. STL can afford the downgrade due to Pietrangelo, and Larsson's defensive playstyle will allow Dunn to act as the puck mover for that pairing. Edmundson has shown he is effective in top pairing minutes, and a great stay-at-home counter to Pietrangelo on his right.

Due to this, Edmundson will want a 1 year bridge, as the compensation for a top pairing guy goes up, and knowing he will fill that role will push his next contract up by 1.5 mil AAV or more, along with securing much more term.

STL then takes the 10 OA and moves it to OTT with Fabbri for the RFA rights to Mark Stone. OTT is not going to resign him for his value, period. I guarantee that Stone is gone, whether to my team or not. It’s the perfect storm - cheap team, expensive player, rebuild. I am sorry OTT fans I wish your owner wasn't a gigantic cheap POS, but he has shown time and time again that he is. He has literally actively stated they are rebuilding, and the 10 OA plus Fabbri is more than most teams will offer for an elite RW who needs a giant contract. OTT needs a rebuild, what better way than 10 OA and Fabs, who will be cheap AF for the next 3 years. As stated below, RFA rights to Jaskin likely included.

All teams in these situations win. STL improves, EDM improves, and OTT saves 7.5 million dollars over 5 years while getting a very high draft pick and risky high return prospect who will not demand a high value contract for a number of years.

STL will do a few more small things - LHD depth, find a goalie who will take a 1 year deal (Husso will not be a backup next year - much better for him to take lionshare of AHL starts next season, then back-up/start following season, possibly move Berglund due to emergence of Thomas - although Berglund is a tremendous value for his contract and provides substantial injury depth.

I can see Jaskin RFA rights being included in either EDM or OTT deal as a sweetener. He has the tools and is a good value add.

If nothing else, I guarantee Mark Stone is auctioned on the draft floor. He will go to the highest bidding contender who can afford the gigantic raise he’s about to receive. While STL is not alone, they meet all criteria and will be among the highest bidders.

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