Blues Sign Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner
Dobber Sports
2011-07-06
Fantasy Impact: The St. Louis Blues have signed center Jason Arnott and winger Jamie Langenbrunner to one-year deals, each for $2.5 million plus bonuses.
The Blues get: an aging and injury-prone center who is now probably best suited for the third line. As well, an aging and slowing down winger who is now probably best suited for the third line. Both players help as far as dressing room presence, but there isn’t a lot of wiggle room – or any, for that matter – to add a youngster from within.
Fantasy Players Impacted: I don’t believe Arnott will negatively impact anyone. He is a 65-game player who will log third-line ice time. The Blues will learn quickly that they have eight or nine forwards who would be more productive on the power play. Langenbrunner hurts the usual scapegoat – Matt D’Agostini. Never getting any respect, D’Agostini will continue to a be a 45-point player. That is to say, he’s a 35-point player when the lineup is healthy, and a 60-point player when injuries strike some of the other guys. Vladimir Sobotka is another player who deserves a little more ice time, but won’t get it now.
Fantasy Players this helps, in order:
None. Unless you count Arnott and Langenbrunner getting another season out of their worn-down bodies.
Fantasy Players this hurts, in order:
1. D’Agostini
2. Sobotka
3. Alex Steen