Friedman: Blues could deal veteran forward

Elliotte Friedman was on 630 CHED Friday afternoon.

On the St. Louis Blues having some rising stars, which may believe in Doug Armstrong making some moves:

“They think they’re set in goal. Jake Allen was pretty impressive last night. He shut out Anaheim. They’re obviously set on defense. You don’t really have to worry about them for a little bit of time in terms of what they need to do on the blueline.

“But if you look at their forwards – Jaden Schwartz has become one of their top scorers. Vladimir Tarasenko with a hat trick earlier this week has gone from 15 minutes a game to 17. Some of their younger players are pushing their way up in the lineup. Paul Stastny hasn’t played a lot because he’s been hurt. But he’s going to be back in.

“And I think Doug Armstrong knows that his team – they’re kind of a bit in transition with some of these roles changing, even in net, but they’re still expected to contend. And they still can be good enough to contend.

“And I think what Doug Armstrong is doing, especially after the last couple of years, they’ve lost to good teams; but last year was a big disappointment going up 2-0 to Chicago and losing that series.

“And I just think that quietly it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if he’s looking at some of his forwards – even some of the guys that have been around and saying, ‘If we wanted to do this, what could we get?’ And if the answer to what we could get is what he thinks might be what has kept them from winning, I think he’s going to have a big decision to make. That’s a team that even though they’ve got a higher salary, it’s not an owner who really is as wealthy as some of the other guys around the National Hockey League.

“I think he knows he’s got a window here with this group and they want to take advantage of it. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets the piece that he really thinks he needs, if maybe one of the veteran forwards goes somewhere.”

Stastny, Steen, Schwartz, Tarasenko, Jaskin are mentioned by the host as guys going nowhere.

“I mean, Berglund’s name has been out there. I know, like last year, I believe both Kesler and Garrison were approached about going to St. Louis and wouldn’t waive their no-trades for those particular situations. And I know that Vancouver liked Berglund. So I think there was some potential in the air there.

“Berglund signed a new contract. His no-trade clause clicks in next July. So if he’s getting dealt, it’s going to be this year.

“I mean, the question is, are we talking about potentially  something even higher than that. Like an Oshie or a Backes. I have no proof that’s the case, but again, I just think if you’re Doug Armstrong, and you’re looking around – I think if anything, he’s just asking, ‘What’s available for some of my guys.”

Host mentioned he heard Blues were looking for a first round draft choice for Berglund:

“I believe it. I mean, they should ask high. And they traded some of their No. 1s for Miller last year so I wouldn’t be surprised. But like I said, I know that Vancouver likes Berglund. I know that there was some talk last summer with Kesler and Garrison. They wouldn’t waive to go there. I wouldn’t be surprised if that kind of a thing was discussed.”

Source: 630 CHED/ Transcript: Nichols on Hockey