I really feel like moving Hoglander for a rental is a bad choice because that means that they still are really lacking a winger. I also like EP2 a lot as a future Dman.

I imagine if they went for someone like Buch they may offer something like Raty a first and maybe a second

Fair and valid points across the board. I'm of the belief they could find a way to resign Buchnevich to really make it worth their while, but I agree if it were for just one year it's likely far too risky! I also think Lekkerimaki will be ready within the next season or two, but that's tough to predict.

I don't see any reason for the Blues to really want Raty. I'm not saying he's a bad prospect. But he probably fits right in with Dean and Kaskimaki in terms of our forward prospect grouping and that's still like 6th in line depending on where you view Bolduc and that's without factoring in Kyrou,Thomas, and Neighbors.

It's certainly not unfair, and I can understand not wanting to move on from Hoglander if you're buying a player too as he's going to help with your depth scoring. I'd imagine that Petterson, a 25 1st and a 3rd or something in like 26 or whatever is probably what the Blues would be looking for.

That's assuming they're going to trade him this offseason. There's just not alot of reason to add forward prospects right now, this is an extremely strong forward prospect pool currently and we have 3+ guys already on the roster who are likely long term core members.

I appreciate the reply, AC! Of course this is just a what if type team I've built here. Just racking my brain today on what the Canucks may try if they miss out on Guentzel in FA!

I think the consensus right now is that it's about 75/25 Blues re-sign Buchnevich. Per Armstrong they'd love to extend him, but want him to understand that the next two years the plan is currently not to buy and go all in to compete. I'm not sure if this is just him saying he did his due diligence. But Armstrong usually doesn't say too much so it's certainly on the fryer in terms of being towards the top of their priorities.

The other thing that may throw a wrench in things is that Buch does have a 12 team NTC. Hard to tell where he'd want to go, but by all accounts this seems like a pretty harmonious relationship between him and the Blues. It's just a matter of this is a very good player who can help a team win, on a team that really isn't positioned to win while he signs in his prime. I think they're also likely to offer him a shorter term deal than an 8 year extension, which probably isn't in line with Buch's wants.

If you're bored and want a better understanding of the situation. The Blues Youtube has the press release of Steen being named GM to be in which they did a post presser interview after that I'm pretty sure they touched on the topic

Awesome! If I get the chance I'll check it out. Thank you!