The once proud St. Louis Blues have been stuck in the basement of the NHL standings for several years now, but they are ready to make a dramatic return to the playoffs this year.
The Blues were once a perennial playoff team, but had a fall from grace since the lockout. Some dramatic changes have happened since then, the Blues have changed ownership and have a new direction and captain at the helm, in John Davidson.
Several excellent draft years, key trades and surprising free agent signings, have the Blues ready to compete for their first playoff spot since 2003-2004.
The Blues defense is going to be their strength. They a strong core, lead by veterans Jay McKee, Eric Brewer and Barret Jackman. Their defense is also about to get a huge shoot in the arm with 2006 draft pick Erik Johnson joining the fold. Johnson is one of those once in a decade type defenceman, who has the physical presence to punish his opponents, while possessing the finesse to be a powerplay quarterback.
St. Louis has a much improved offense, with the surprise addition of veteran point machine Paul Kariya. Additionally, right winger Lee Stempniak is ready to have a breakout year. He will be looking to take on more responsibility after scoring 27 goals and 52 points last season. The acquisition of Brad Boyes should bring some much needed punch to the Blues second line. They were also able able to bring back fan favourite Keith Tkachuk, who should be revitalized by the incoming Kariya.
The goaltending situation in St. Louis, is going to be very interesting to watch this year. The addition of Hannu Toivonen from Boston, should provide the Blues with insurance should Manny Legace become injured. Toivonen and young goalie Marek Schwarz, hope to be more than just insurance policies and thus should provide interesting competition for the starting job during camp.
Although the Blues are not a polished team, their chances of making he playoffs, were helped by the implosion of the divisional rivals the Nashville Predators.
The Blues feel they are ready to make th push for the playoffs and in this humble blogger's opinion, they dark horse of this season and are ready to upset the apple cart and steal that 8th spot in the west.
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4 comments:
st louis was a good team when brett hulll and adam oates roamed the ice there but they also never really came close to winning a cup. this was a team that would trade alot of guys for alot of guys and still get bounced in the second round of the playoffs. finally under john davidson they have begun to stockpile draft picks and players to build from within instead of trading away what young talent they have for veterans. after years of bad drafts and bad signings they have finally started the climb to respectability.
Kariya already has said he doesn't like St Louis. Blues should finish 2nd in the Central this season.
he could have stayed in nashville or came to pittsburgh they were trying to sign him as well
Nashville didnt want to pay him, he was part of the house cleaning. He told people in the Nashville Sports Authority group that St Louis offered the most money. But he was happier with the Nashville area than St Louis. Maybe he'll warm up to it after a while.
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