NHL

Quick Links

Top 10 Free Agents On The Radar For The St. Louis Blues This Summer

+Read full article

Top 10 Free Agents On The Radar For The St. Louis Blues This Summer

Blues Celebrate Goal — Now that the Chicago Blackhawks are Stanley Cup champions for the third time in six seasons, it is officially the NHL offseason and the free agency frenzy is right around the corner. In 2015, the St. Louis Blues had another disappointing early round exit, losing to the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the playoffs. It is clear that moves need to be made. Here are ten guys the Blues should pick up or re-sign during free agency.

Now that the Chicago Blackhawks are Stanley Cup champions for the third time in six seasons, it is officially the NHL offseason and the free agency frenzy is right around the corner. In 2015, the St. Louis Blues had another disappointing early round exit, losing to the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the playoffs. It is clear that moves need to be made. Here are ten guys the Blues should pick up or re-sign during free agency.

10. Damien Brunner

10. Damien Brunner

After a solid season with the Detroit Red Wings in 2012-13, Brunner was let go and signed with the New Jersey Devils where he struggled for a team playing with no hope. Brunner has an extremely lethal set of hands and was a big part of the Red Wings' offense in the 2013 playoffs, scoring five goals and adding four assists. The 29-year-old Brunner would be a great fit to a team looking for third and fourth line players such as the Blues.

9. Carl Soderberg

9. Carl Soderberg

It would not be a bad investment adding a depth guy with fast legs and a solid scoring touch like Soderberg. The Swede displayed his talent with 13 goals and 31 assists in 2014-15 with the Boston Bruins, but he has some major downside. Soderberg is blind in his left eye, which in the game of hockey will certainly have an impact. Soderberg's production also significantly decreased in the second half of last season with the Bruins.

8. Mike Green

8. Mike Green

Green's role on the Washington Capitals diminished significantly in 2014-15. The Capitals obviously feel that John Carlson is the team's future in terms of offensive defensemen, and they have Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen locked down to long-term deals taking up a lot of salary cap space. Cutting ties with aged free agent defenseman Barret Jackman and Zbynek Michalek and adding Green would be a great move for the Blues.

7. Nazem Kadri

7. Nazem Kadri

The Toronto Maple Leafs are simply a disaster right now and are looking to clean house. Kadri is still a restricted free agent which means the Blues would have to surrender a prospect or a draft pick in order to get him, but he is well worth the investment. The Blues should go after Kadri, even if his attitude towards showing up to practice on time isn't spotless.

6. Colin Wilson

6. Colin Wilson

Wilson had a breakout year with the Nashville Predators last season, scoring 20 goals and adding 22 assists on the second line. Wilson also added three goals in the Predators' first-round series loss to Chicago. Clearly there is a lot of upside to a young and talented forward who can crack 40 points in a season. The Predators have many other free agents who may be above Wilson on the priority list. The Blues should capitalize.

5. Alex Galchenyuk

5. Alex Galchenyuk

The Montreal Canadiens made a deadline deal sending young speedster Jiri Sekac to the Anaheim Ducks for power forward, Devante Smith-Pelly in February. The Habs are likely to focus their attention during free agency on getting bigger rather than faster, leaving out Galchenyuk. His clutch performances in the playoffs with two career overtime playoff goals at such a young age is definitely something worth investing in.

4. Michael Del Zotto

4. Michael Del Zotto

Following stints with the New York Rangers, Nashville Predators, and Philadelphia Flyers, Del Zotto is again back on the market. In 2014-2015, the 24-year-old defenseman actually had a very solid season with the Flyers, netting ten goals and twenty-two assists. If the Blues want a solid defenseman for a cheap price rather than pay high for a guy like Mike Green, then Del Zotto would be the perfect candidate.

3. Brandon Saad

3. Brandon Saad

The Blackhawks have a lot of free agents to deal with this offseason. It is likely that the Blackhawks will cut ties with older players like Patrick Sharp, Johnny Oduya and Brad Richards in order to keep Saad. However, if Chicago does try to wait things out, then the Blues should definitely make a play on Saad. Taking a stud like Saad off your arch rival's roster and adding him to your own is always a great move.

2. Braden Holtby

2. Braden Holtby

Brian Elliott and Jake Allen just have not supplied the saves necessary to succeed in this league. Holtby excelled this past season in Washington and is the top goaltender in this summer's free agency market. The Blues desperately need goaltending and this guy may be the answer. It would be wise to contact his agent.

1. Vladimir Tarasenko

1. Vladimir Tarasenko

By far the most valuable player for the Blues this past season. It would be ludicrous to not sign that type of talent back, especially at such a young age. Tarasenko's rookie contract only paid him 0,000 per year. Simply put, Tarasenko is going to want some big money in order to stay in St. Louis.

Teams in this article »
St Louis Blues

Your Favorites

Close Article Return to stream X

NHL• 2 months ago

5 Things Blues Must Do To Succeed In Second Half Of 2015-16

Breaking News

The St. Louis Blues should concentrate on these five ways to improve.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NHL• 2 months ago

Greatest Blues All-Stars Of All Time

Breaking News

The St. Louis Blues have several members of their team in the Hall of Fame, but some never made the All-Star game while in a Blues jersey. Here is a list of the best that did.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NHL• 2 months ago

Blues Must Return To Jake Allen Once Healthy

Breaking News

Despite the recent success of Brian Elliott, the Blues are still Jake Allen's team.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NHL• 3 months ago

Blues Provide Opponents The Blueprint To Beat Them

Breaking News

The St. Louis Blues are a good team, but they keep showing teams exactly how to beat them.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NHL• 3 months ago

Blues' Unsung Players Carrying The Load

Breaking News

Players that few knew or expected much from, are stepping up large for the St. Louis Blues.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NHL• 3 months ago

Shattenkirk For Drouin Makes No Sense For Blues

Breaking News

The trade rumors are heating up and one of the most prevalent pertaining to the St. Louis Blues is a real head-scratcher.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NHL• 3 months ago

Stastny Starting To Earn Star Role With Blues

Breaking News

It's been a tumultuous couple seasons with the St. Louis Blues, but Paul Stastny is starting to show why so many were excited when he came to town.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NHL• 3 months ago

Blues Might Be Most Resilient Team In NHL

Breaking News

Love or hate their style, the St. Louis Blues will keep battling as long as there is hope.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NHL• 3 months ago

Blues Need To Wake Up Or Risk Significant Change

Breaking News

Continued failure against inferior opponents could lead to big changes with the St. Louis Blues' organization.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NHL• Videos• 3 months ago

Hit Leads to All Out Brawl in Blues-Devils Game

Things got a little chippy last night after Bobby Farnham laid out Dmitri Jaškin with a hit away from the puck. The St. Louis Blues players did not like that one bit.

Comment

0 Comments

Full Coverage

Your Favorites