St. Louis Blues: Why the Blues Should Not Pursue Bobby Ryan - Bleacher Report

The St. Louis Blues have been in the market for a top-six forward or a top-four defenseman. Earlier in the free-agency period, the Blues could have locked up a defenseman, but those worth getting were too expensive. 

As for top-six forwards, one of the biggest names, Shane Doan, is still on the market, but the Blues are not on the list of teams he wants to sign with. So the only way to get one before the season is via trade. 

Bobby Ryan is now the biggest name on the trade block, but the Blues should not bite the bait. 

The Anaheim Ducks have not publicly said an asking price for Ryan, but it is assumed that it will be a steep asking price. A fair guess at what the Ducks would want in return would be a first-round pick or two and NHL-ready prospects.

The Blues may have the pieces that the Ducks want. The Blues have their first-round picks in 2013-2015, which would fill the draft section of a trade.

The Blues also have the prospects. Ryan would demand a player that is a younger version of himself. The Blues could part ways with Vladimir Tarasenko, whom they worked extremely hard to get to even come to the NHL. Any combination of Phil McRae, Jaden Schwartz, Ian Cole, and Ty Rattie could be prospects that the Ducks would be interested in. 

So, the Blues have the pieces to make the deal happen. But, it would cripple the team more than Ryan would help.

Ryan is a great, natural goal scorer. The Blues were in need of one last season, and the lack of one could have been the reason why they didn't get further into the postseason. But that role could be filled by Tarasenko this upcoming season. 

Should the Blues trade for Ryan?

Should the Blues trade for Ryan?

• Yes

• No

• Total votes: 11

Tarasenko has the scoring ability that Ryan does, putting up 100 points in 176 games in the KHL. Plus, it would not be smart for the Blues to trade away a player that they worked for over a year to get to come to the NHL. 

Rattie has just as much potential as Tarasenko does. Just last season, Rattie put up 129 points in 69 games for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. Over four seasons in the WHL, Rattie has put up 238 points in 207 games. Rattie may still be a couple of seasons from the NHL, but he could be even better than Ryan.

Phil McRae and Ian Cole both have seen NHL time on the Blues' roster last season. With the potential departure of Carlo Colaiacovo and the loss of Kent Huskins, Cole will be starting on the Blues' blue line. Phil McRae may be starting in Peoria, but he has become the first recall the Blues make if a player goes down.

Ryan would be a great addition to the Blues, no doubt about that. But, to give up any of these prospects and first-round picks would be detrimental for the team in the long run.