The Blues must add some offensive firepower at the blue line for next season. That is obvious to anybody who saw this team play last season.
But the team doesn’t necessarily want to rush Alex Pietrangelo, a puck-rushing prospect who has seen precious little NHL time during his first two pro seasons.
Mostly he has watched from the press box for the Blues or toiled back at the junior hockey ranks. His development to this point has been sporadic.
Ian Cole will likely need more AHL work, too. The Blues need to make certain he fully develops the offensive side of his game at the pro level.
So how about swapping captain Eric Brewer back to Edmonton for injury-plagued Sheldon Souray? TSN analyst Bob McKenzie floated this rumor and it does make sense.
Brewer has one year left on his big contract and Souray has two years remaining on his onerous deal.
When healthy, Souray is one of the NHL’s elite power-play weapons. He possesses a wicked point shot. But the staying healthy part has been tricky.
As for Brewer, you know the story – he hasn’t come close to meeting fan expectations since arriving in the Chris Pronger trade. Injuries have been a huge problem for him, too.
But Brewer was a strong player in Edmonton and he would be a comfortable fit with the Oilers. It seems likely that both veterans would welcome such a swap.
Wrote McKenzie: “Souray is a $5.4 million cap hit who will make $4.5 million in each of next two seasons. Brewer is $4.25 million cap hit with a salary of $4.5 million for the coming season. The Oilers obviously must move Souray - he can't play there now - but will have to take some money back. Could a Souray-Brewer trade be the answer?
“Darren Dreger spoke with Souray, who pointed out that his no-trade clause lifts July 1st, so the Oilers can consider any interested teams. Souray still needs additional strengthening in his surgically-repaired hand, but vows to be ready for the 2010-2011 season and will provide his medical records to any interested clubs. Souray also noted, if there's interest, he's happy to return to Edmonton.”
The Blues have also been the subject of speculation in the Anton Volchenkov sweepstakes. This pending free agent is just a mid-level offensive defensemen, but pickings are slim. Most experts would regard him as an upgrade over Carlo Colaiacovo, another pending free agent.
And about all the chit-chat about Ilya Kovalchuk? JR covered that topic very well elsewhere on this site, to the point where Blues fans are jacked up for arrival of free agency.
Los Angeles still appears to be Ilya's likely destination, but one never knows. The lack of offensive depth in this free-agent marketplace might trigger some surprising offers for Kovalchuk.
Imagine how Blues fans would celebrate the arrival of a 50-goal scorer. That possibility boggles the mind.
The Souray scenario seems more reasonable -- and it could pay huge dividends if it happens.
This is an exciting time of year for hockey fans. Stay tuned to STLToday.com for more updates.
