The St. Louis Blues may be selling off their free agents, but they have the pieces in place to make a hard push back next season and once again be a contender. The team already traded four pending free agents – Vladimir Tarasenko, Ryan O’Reilly, Noel Acciari, and Niko Mikkola, but still have at least three more names that could be moved. The team may look bare at the moment, but the plan appears to be free up cap space and reset in the summer.
Related: Breaking Down Maple Leafs’ Blockbuster for Blues’ O’Reilly
The reset and addition of players could start sooner though as the Blues have now been linked to Timo Meier, per Frank Seravalli. They not only have the cap space available this season (projected $6.75 million at the deadline), they have cleared both Tarasenko and O’Reilly out so there is more than enough money to sign Meier long-term. His contract could coincide with Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas and the team would have three younger forwards to lead the charge.
Asset Management
Doug Armstrong has done a great job getting maximum value back for the rental players he’s traded away already this season. He also never typically uses the first round picks he acquires in the draft. Instead, he goes out and gets a player further along to help turn the team around as quickly as possible so the Blues are never out of it for too long. That’s exactly what he has the opportunity to do this year. The last two times this strategy has been put in effect was to trade Paul Stastny for a first round pick that was used to acquire O’Reilly. The other was trading Kevin Shattenkirk for a first rounder that was then used to bring in Brayden Schenn.
A talent up for grabs like Meier doesn’t come around too often and the Blues have the cap space and assets to be a leading candidate to land him. The Blues have three first round picks and two third round picks this season to go along with an extra second and fourth round pick next year. The first rounders are what is going to get a deal done. Meier has team control after this season and whoever acquires him will have the exclusive rights to get him signed. I see his value similar to that of Alex DeBrincat, except the San Jose Sharks won’t take less than Meier is worth with the number of teams pursuing him.
It will likely cost the Blues two of their first round picks and maybe a prospect, but for a talent like Meier that can help the turnaround for next season, is worth the cost. The Blues should be considered serious candidates to land Meier.
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