Kovalchuk, O'Reilly, Skinner and Grubauer

Team: 2018-19 St. Louis Blues

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 16, 2018

Published: Jun. 17, 2018

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Playing with the idea of a mini-rebuild.
DA has reportedly expressed interest in Kovalchuk. This is the ideal scenario--adding one top-six player at each forward position, without giving up core youth.
I would have found a way to add Hoffman, too--but waiting to see how that situation is resolved. If he can be brought in without risk of locker room trouble or media drama, he would be a good fit should a deal for RoR not work out.
Moving Allen and adding Grubauer, and pairing Grubauer with Hutton on matching contracts, seems like a good way to manage the crease until one of our goalie prospects pushes for a starting role, or a better option becomes available.
Would also have liked to have added one or both of Roussel and/or Grabner. If Kovalchuk signs elsewhere and we're forced to play Thompson and Kyrou in the #2 and #3 RW slots, there should be ample money to sign the extra experienced role players.
Thompson is wasted on the 4th line, but he can spell Kyrou or Thomas on games when Soshnikov gets worked in, and Brodziak and Blais/Sanford are capable enough offensively, and they'll still get plenty of chances to contribute.

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