What are we hoping to accomplish in the Playoffs?

[LuvthaBlues]

Strick asked a similar question on Hockey Sense this week. “Does making the playoffs mean this season is a success?” Really interesting perspective.

Like others said, winning is the goal.

Buuuut…I’ll add some other thoughts:

Progress and experience are great. The guys learning what it takes to win goes a looong way. You see it a lot these days, great teams making deep runs and getting closer and closer every year.

Another key is building the hunger to win. You hear guys talk about it all the time when the season ends too early and they spend all summer working hard and getting better and staying focused throughout the season.

Also, we can prove the pending FA’s that we are a viable option. We’re committed to winning as a team and that can be attractive to outside talent looking for an environment to flourish.

This season has been an awesome ride and every game from here on out is gravy!

LFGB!!!

[seattleblue]

While we have a couple of guys who had a good year, and a couple of prospects we feel will make our top six/top four. Over the next three years. We also have at least five, top six/four, that will be leaving our top lines.

So I think this is the heart of your objection and so I want to explain how I think the fear is always valid, there is always turnover to worry about in a cap world, but in this case why I feel "Good About What You Objected To, Actually."

Contract wise, three of the top six are locked up for the next six years.
Let's say Buchnevich, being older than Thomas & Kyrou, let's say worst case and he's no longer a viable top six player in a few years. I think the other two are pretty safe.

Holloway is 23
Neighbours is 23
Bolduc is 22
Snuggerud is 20

Dvorsky, 19, is the real deal, He is marinating but he is the real deal, in a future under the crucible sort of way. He could be as good as Thomas is.
Stenberg, 19, also looks really really good in the AHL right now. I think this was just a huge pick, some people know I have had him one notch higher than Snuggy in a way that is no judgment on Snuggy. I loved the 2023 draft.
Stancl, 19, kind of reminds me of current Faksa a little bit. I love this prospect. I could be over enthusiastic about him but I see an NHL player there who is developing strongly.

Literally every young player I cited except Stancl (who dominated his peers at the WJC) is a first round pick from 2020-2023. All of them are thoroughly on track.

This is why I believe your worry that it's an endless cycle of pouring sand in while it drains at the bottom and we tread water is likely unfounded. There is so much depth and as we know there is also trade route and free agent route to supplement should a lot of bad news happen to the crew I just named.

In terms of the defense, under your same proposition, yes all of Faulk Suter Fowler will be done and Parayko will be the one near 1000 games. But I firmly believe in that same three year span Broberg will improve, Lindstein will take a top 4 spot and then there is a large group of defensemen on track. Tim Taylor talked about Ralph being a lefty Parayko before the WJC and you could see exactly what he was talking about. If that quietly marinates then in three years you are looking at Parayko's 15-16 debut year for him. Fischer is let's say a Mikkola and Burns is at least a Tucker. They have replacements. And again, there is also the UFA/trade route which we know someone will be brought in, it never stays static. If they could add 1000 game defensemen so casually this season maybe they could do it again in a pinch so that the ship is not sinking from it but instead it's playoff year after playoff year with chances to break through.

If you don't believe in the prospects yet that's consistent with the worry about turnover but these guys are in a cost control zone in a rising cap era so there is plenty of possibility to supplement with some splashes of pricier vets, or adding big names at the deadline more easily.

[MandatoryDenial]

For the folks that are extra happy to be in the playoffs, I'm curious to know what you want to achieve from it.

1) Just getting to the playoffs is the goal. It's progress and exciting. Going to playoff games.

2) Getting the team/rookies more experienced in playoff hockey.

3) Evaluating the play of players/coaches in playoff hockey

4) Win a cup

5) Playoff money for the franchise

6) etc

Please share what you are hoping to accomplish in the playoffs.

As you likely know, my offseason would be a lot happier to not be in the playoffs because of draft position.

It has been said that big gains are not guaranteed by high draft position. I would like to gauge the degree to which we see gains of being in the playoffs.

I am hoping that the young guys work hard and get an experience with the extra wheel of playoff hockey. I hope the front office gets a critical look at our personnel so as to inform our future movements. I am hoping to see the Veterans lead the youngsters and show that the organization has justifiably placed their faith in them. I am hoping that we get experience adjusting lines to better accommodate playoff hockey. I don’t expect us to win and I am under no illusions about our chances of advancing. I will be happy with a good showing and a good effort even if its losing hockey.

[a smell of green grass]

but the answer to your question is that 1, 2 and 3 are all real and outweigh your approach

I think the rudeness stems from the frustration of the topic not moving anywhere.

I think my approach outweighs 1,2,3 because I know that we don't have the secret sauce yet, and the only way to get it is via the draft. As I've said before, however, I'm glad to see that some think so highly of our roster and prospect pool etc. I hope that I'm wrong.

My frankness (not rudeness) stems from the frustration of watching other cities get phenomenal superstar talent, while I don't. Maybe I retaliate too nasty, so maybe I'm related to Bolduc way back.

[a smell of green grass]

I’m proud of them even if they get swept. Young guys are gamers.

At first I thought this was a non-answer, but I get it now.

Good answer.

[a smell of green grass]

Win.

But am happy they made it.

Team is a few pieces away from being a serious contender.

Thank you for your reply. When a fan feels that the future is bright, what is there to complain about really? As I've said, I'm glad that so many seem happy with the progress and state of things.

[a smell of green grass]

For the folks that are extra happy to be in the playoffs, I'm curious to know what you want to achieve from it.

1) Just getting to the playoffs is the goal. It's progress and exciting. Going to playoff games.

2) Getting the team/rookies more experienced in playoff hockey.

3) Evaluating the play of players/coaches in playoff hockey

4) Win a cup

5) Playoff money for the franchise

6) etc

Please share what you are hoping to accomplish in the playoffs.

As you likely know, my offseason would be a lot happier to not be in the playoffs because of draft position.

It has been said that big gains are not guaranteed by high draft position. I would like to gauge the degree to which we see gains of being in the playoffs.

2 and 5 are the two most important pieces from this year. This is an ownership which has shown it will extend past its comfort level to build a winner. The gates will be reinvested partially back into the team.

Thank you for your reply. Interesting, and I see your logic. I hadn't thought of that angle fully.

[a smell of green grass]

Hoping to catch all the Blues games and a bunch of the others. Hard to watch all of them in the first round, by round 3 I'm hoping to catch all the games. The longer the Blues hang on the better.

Thank you for your reply. Watching games is fun... I wish you tons of fun, sincerely.

[a smell of green grass]

Playoff hockey is more entertaining than watching the draft.

This thread is just bait.

"What do you want to accomplish?" is a loaded question for someone who values draft picks more than playoff runs because only one team is going to win the cup. If the Blues don't win it all you can easily bump this thread and say "SEE! Wouldn't a higher draft pick be better than winning nothing?"

To which I would still say no. I have more fun watching playoff hockey than the draft. If it takes some high draft picks to get in then so be it - this team doesn't NEED high draft picks to be a contender right now.

What's silly is thinking you will only have a great team and win cups if you have high draft picks every year or something. Ask EDM about all the cups they have won since having what seemed like decades of top 10 picks.

I"m not serving up any bait. Just trying to find out what people are thinking.

Thank you for your reply.

[skilles]

I suspect if all the games go similar to the last game I'll likely be irrational and (upset) for about 24-48 hours then be pretty happy with the progress.

[a smell of green grass]

What's with this enthusiasm to continue to beat this opinion into the ground. I think, we all know where you stand.

Let me say this. Though.
I agree. We would have been better to go for a higher pick.
Despite the last two months of the season. We are not retooled. While we have a couple of guys who had a good year, and a couple of prospects we feel will make our top six/top four. Over the next three years. We also have at least five, top six/four, that will be leaving our top lines.

So, I'm with you on being on a wrong path. However, with there being nothing Army, you or the Blues can do and draft position now pretty much meaningless because it's not a top ten. This is when it's time to get behind the guys on the ice, support the team, enjoy the game, and just be a fan. There's plenty of time to talk draft in June and will be plenty of, Army's the greatest threads to throw shade in.

I also think. This upcoming draft isn't the one to gain assets for.
Next year's will be. And I think we are set up pretty good to do alright by you, in that draft.

All that said. It's a pretty good question.

We all want these guys to win a cup. But we all know that's not likely to happen.
Monty, Army, Steen, and Ott, have to also know this.
My answer. I'd give it to the kids as much as they'd stay competitive. But how Monty berate Bolduc. I wouldn't think the future team is as important, as Now.... Now.... Now.... Now.

Thank you for your reply. Very insightful.

Not many are brave enough to maybe sit even 1000 miles from me. I tip my hat to that.

[TAFKAP]

But how Monty berate Bolduc.

What is this about? Bolduc had 0 goals before Monty, the kid has absolutely flourished.

[a smell of green grass]

Strick asked a similar question on Hockey Sense this week. “Does making the playoffs mean this season is a success?” Really interesting perspective.

Like others said, winning is the goal.

Buuuut…I’ll add some other thoughts:

Progress and experience are great. The guys learning what it takes to win goes a looong way. You see it a lot these days, great teams making deep runs and getting closer and closer every year.

Another key is building the hunger to win. You hear guys talk about it all the time when the season ends too early and they spend all summer working hard and getting better and staying focused throughout the season.

Also, we can prove the pending FA’s that we are a viable option. We’re committed to winning as a team and that can be attractive to outside talent looking for an environment to flourish.

This season has been an awesome ride and every game from here on out is gravy!

LFGB!!!

Thank you for your reply. Good insights.

[a smell of green grass]

For the folks that are extra happy to be in the playoffs, I'm curious to know what you want to achieve from it.

1) Just getting to the playoffs is the goal. It's progress and exciting. Going to playoff games.

2) Getting the team/rookies more experienced in playoff hockey.

3) Evaluating the play of players/coaches in playoff hockey

4) Win a cup

5) Playoff money for the franchise

6) etc

Please share what you are hoping to accomplish in the playoffs.

As you likely know, my offseason would be a lot happier to not be in the playoffs because of draft position.

It has been said that big gains are not guaranteed by high draft position. I would like to gauge the degree to which we see gains of being in the playoffs.

I am hoping that the young guys work hard and get an experience with the extra wheel of playoff hockey. I hope the front office gets a critical look at our personnel so as to inform our future movements. I am hoping to see the Veterans lead the youngsters and show that the organization has justifiably placed their faith in them. I am hoping that we get experience adjusting lines to better accommodate playoff hockey. I don’t expect us to win and I am under no illusions about our chances of advancing. I will be happy with a good showing and a good effort even if its losing hockey.

More good insights.. Thank you!

[swatski]

Once in the goal is to win.

Always. Don’t want the Blues organization to become like the Cardinals, where winning quit being the goal under Mozeliak.

[BalotelliMassive]

For the folks that are extra happy to be in the playoffs,

Getting into the playoffs is the bare minimum that a team spending to the cap should achieve.

The Blues did that while integrating kids into key spots so they accomplished more than that - I would imagine the cup window is going to be open for the next couple seasons as long as Binnington is playing well. Dvorsky has a big offseason ahead - he must emerge as the second line center.