Rumors I: Blues, Bruins and Canucks
  • Jeremy Rutherford: There has been lots of trade talk surrounding the Blues, but GM Doug Armstrong doesn’t think they’ll be as aggressive as some think.

    “I’m excited about our team,” Armstrong said. “I don’t think we’re going to be overly active. I like the way the guys are playing. When you look at the (Patrik) Berglunds and the (Alexander) Steens and (T.J.) Oshies and these guys, these guys are starting to find their rhythm.”

    The Blues have been linked to the Bruins and Oilers. There was talk of the Blues and Bruins swapping top-six forwards, but those talks have cooled.

    “My job responsibility is to go out and watch games, try and improve the team,” Armstrong said. “Our pro scouts are out all the time and I like to get out and see games. Not only just to make trades, but also see our competition, how they’re playing.

    “I look at (trade speculation) a bit differently in the sense that we’re a good team and I get a lot of phone calls because people want our players, and that’s a positive. You’re always nervous when you’re a GM and your phone never rings because that means the opposition doesn’t want your players, and that’s not a good feeling.”

    “We’re a team that was built in the summer — and with the caveat that if we can improve our team, we’ll always look at doing it — but we can’t control the rumors. It’s just today’s society, with cell phones and the digital age, it’s easy to get some traction. That’s just the nature of the beast.”

  • Hope Smoke: Elliotte Friedman: “The Bruins are active right now for a player with edge. That’s their identity & they’re lacking it right now” … “Boston has talked a lot with St.Louis. Linked with Oshie, but the issue is Oshie has term & they don’t want to add term”
  • Hope Smoke: Elliotte Friedman: “I think Boston is willing to take a chance on Kassian because he won’t cost as much” … “if they can get him to be who he can be, and he hasn’t been that yet, he will be what they’re missing.”
  • Hope Smoke: Elliotte Friedman: “Their best players right now, especially on offense, is their new guys, not the veterans”