Amanda: Connor McMichael just got paid, the center depth chart is a logjam, and we've got a season opener in Dallas on the horizon. You asked, we're answering.
Paul: Mailbag day on Beatline Blues, and this one's got some heat.
Amanda: Welcome back to Beatline Blues, the only daily Blues podcast that treats your questions like power-play chances. I'm Amanda, and as always, Paul's here to break down the X's and O's.
Paul: Let's get to it. We've got three segments: the big contract, the roster battles, and a lightning round that might get us in trouble.
Amanda: First up, the money. McMichael signed a six-year, $40.5 million deal. Stick with us, because we're diving into what that means for the lineup.
Amanda: First question comes from Sarah in Rochester. She asks, 'How does the McMichael contract change the Blues' plans down the middle?'
Paul: Great question. That deal locks him in as a core piece. Six years, $6.75 million AAV. That's top-six money, and it tells you the front office sees him as a long-term fixture.
Amanda: And it puts him right in the middle of that center logjam. We've got Robert Thomas, McMichael, Mason McTavish, plus guys like Oskar Sundqvist and Pius Suter.
Paul: Exactly. Thomas is the clear number one, but after that, it's a battle. McMichael's contract suggests he's the number two, at least on the depth chart.
Amanda: But what about McTavish? He's a young center too. Could he push for that spot?
Paul: He'll get his chance, but McMichael's two-way game and faceoff ability give him the edge. Plus, that contract means they're invested in him succeeding.
Amanda: Next up, @StLouisSteve wants to know: 'Does this mean the Blues are all-in on winning now?'
Paul: It's a win-now move, no doubt. You don't hand out that kind of term and money to a guy you think is just a depth piece. They're building around him, Thomas, and that young core.
Amanda: And they're sitting fifth in the Central right now. They need to make a push.
Paul: Exactly. The Central is a gauntlet. Dallas, Colorado, Winnipeg, Nashville. You need that center depth to compete.
Amanda: Sarah also asked if this changes our playoff projection. We had them fourth in the Central and a wild card. Still sticking with that?
Paul: I'm even more confident now. McMichael's locked in, and he's going to score 25 goals. That's a big boost to the offense.
Amanda: Alright, we're moving to segment two. That's the roster battles, and we've got some questions about the blue line and the crease.
Amanda: Marcus in Denver asks: 'With all those centers, who gets moved to the wing, and who's odd man out?'
Paul: That's the million-dollar question. You've got Thomas, McMichael, McTavish, Sundqvist, Suter, and now Dillon Dube. Somebody's shifting to the wing, or they're watching from the press box.
Amanda: I'd guess McTavish plays wing to start. He's got the skill to thrive there, and it gets him in the top six.
Paul: I agree. And Dube? He's a free agent signing, but he's got to earn his spot. He's a natural center, but he could play the wing too.
Amanda: Next up, @HockeyHannah asks: 'What's the defensive pairings looking like? Is there a spot for Logan Mailloux?'
Paul: The top four looks set: Parayko with Broberg, and Fowler with Carlo. That's a solid group. After that, you've got Mailloux, Tucker, Rosen, and maybe someone else fighting for the third pair.
Amanda: Mailloux has big offensive upside, but he needs to show he can defend at this level. Training camp will be huge for him.
Paul: Exactly. If he can handle the defensive side, he could push for power play time. But he's got to earn it.
Amanda: And in goal, Binnington's the starter, but what about Hofer? Sarah in Rochester had a follow-up on that.
Paul: Hofer's the backup, and that's a solid tandem. Binnington's proven, but Hofer's young and hungry. If Binnington struggles, Hofer could get more starts.
Amanda: So the roster's deep, but that means some tough cuts. Who's the odd man out up front?
Paul: You've got guys like Dalibor Dvorsky and Jimmy Snuggerud pushing for spots. Dvorsky's probably not making opening night, but he'll be the first call-up. That's a good problem to have.
Amanda: Alright, we're heading to segment three: the fun hypothetical and the lightning round. Stick with us.
Amanda: First up, @BluesFan4Life asks: 'If you could add one player from any team to this Blues roster, who would it be?'
Paul: That's tough, but I'd take a pure sniper. A guy like a prime Vladimir Tarasenko. That would open up the ice for everyone else.
Amanda: I'm going to go with a franchise defenseman. Someone who can log 25 minutes and quarterback the power play. That would take the defense to another level.
Paul: Fair. But let's get into the lightning round. I'll throw out a player and you give me a quick take. First up: Pavel Buchnevich.
Amanda: Underrated. He's the engine of that second line.
Paul: Dylan Holloway?
Amanda: Breakout candidate. He's got the speed and the shot.
Paul: Jordan Binnington?
Amanda: He's the guy. He's got to bounce back, but he's proven he can win.
Paul: And the season opener at Dallas. What are you expecting?
Amanda: That's going to be a statement game. Dallas is a powerhouse, but if the Blues play their game, they can steal one on the road.
Amanda: That's our mailbag for today. We talked McMichael's contract, the center logjam, defensive battles, and we're locked in on Dallas.
Paul: Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review. Share this episode with your fellow Blues fans.
Amanda: We'll be back tomorrow with more Blues talk. Until then, Let's Go Blues!