After taking an enormous swing this previous summer season that paid off extraordinarily nicely, Jeremy Rutherford, a author for The Athletic, wonders if the Blues may take one other house run shot. Because the St. Louis Blues look to construct on a promising core and what appears like a powerful season, there’s rising hypothesis they may take one other swing this summer season — this time concentrating on Toronto Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner in free company.
Marner, assuming he makes it to market, would be the greatest title out there in free company. He’s a dynamic playmaker with elite two-way skills and can be a large addition to the Blues’ high six, lastly giving them a bona fide famous person. The thought is likely to be to pair him alongside his previous junior linemate Robert Thomas.
Rutherford writes:
“Marner can be an unimaginable match for the Blues. He’d have to vary his quantity as a result of No. 16 is within the rafters at Enterprise Heart, however as I’ve written earlier than, Marner enjoying alongside Thomas, his previous junior teammate, would possibly result in some magic like again within the day with Brett Hull.”
Can the Blues Afford to Go After Marner?
With the wage cap anticipated to rise to $95.5 million in 2025-26, the Blues might have simply sufficient house to make a pitch. On the identical time, they should preserve a few of their cap apart for different contracts, together with the 2 gamers they added through provide sheets.
Marner is projected to command as a lot as $14 million yearly, making him one of many priciest names out there. However after St. Louis efficiently pulled off daring strikes just like the offer-sheet acquisition of Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, it’s clear the entrance workplace isn’t afraid to make aggressive performs.
Each Holloway and Broberg are due for giant raises within the close to future, which may complicate issues if the Blues push laborious for Marner. Nonetheless, the workforce is predicted to spend near the cap, and possession shall be intently monitoring spending tendencies and cap modifications earlier than finalizing any main commitments.
If Marner is fascinated by St. Louis — and the Blues imagine he’s the lacking piece to raise them again to contender standing — anticipate GM Doug Armstrong to discover each potential angle. If a participant of his caliber exhibits curiosity of their group, it will be irresponsible to not see if a deal might be made and the Blues discover a method to match him in.
May a Thomas-Marner reunion be the beginning of one thing particular? If Marner thinks so, the Blues ought to, too.
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