St. Louis Blues playing out to the trade deadline…
Tom Timmermann of St. Louis Post Dispatch: (mailbag) Are the kids being given a fair shot? The St. Louis Blues fanbase presents a valid question. The reality dictates that Craig Berube makes the playing decision while Doug Armstrong manages the roster. Just because a player is called up does not mean he should play top minutes right away.
Again and again, St. Louis develops players their way. A forward like Jordan Kyrou learning the NHL game may be more important than just throwing him in against top-line competition. There exists a reason why he is playing ten minutes a night. He is only 20 and more AHL time is likely in his future. There’s nothing wrong with that.
As for buying and selling, St. Louis remains a seller. Players like Brayden Schenn and Alex Pietrangelo fetching top value makes them hard not to trade. The return must be good for the St. Louis Blues, however. Also, players like Jay Bouwmeester expect the possibility of packing their bags.
Keep in mind, the future is now with St. Louis. A mix of young players and veterans finding their way while change is likely. The deadline allows the moving up of a player like Kyrou to see what he can do.
Oh here come the Edmonton Oilers and Cam Talbot
David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: Alas, what to do with Cam Talbot? It arises as a daily question in Edmonton. Does he carry any value on the trade market? According to Brian Burke, that answer is no on the Edmonton Oilers goaltender.
“I don’t think you can move him at that salary. I just don’t think he’s moveable. But I don’t think anyone is gong to take a UFA that is making that kind of money and hope he gets his game straightened out for the last month of the year.”
Furthermore, reality and numbers indicate Talbot performing at below average has hurt the Edmonton Oilers. He ranks in the bottom third in several categories. This slump is more telling this way. Among the 29 goalies who have played at least 60 games that past two years, Talbot ranks 26th.
Darren Dreger: The Oilers signed Mikko Koskinen to an extension (3 years x $4.5M AAV) Monday evening. Cam Talbot was informed of the upcoming extension. Expect Talbot to be willing to be moved anywhere.