Blues need to play at a 105 point pace...

[seattleblue]

Why do you want them to sneak into the playoffs. For what?

GM’s don’t want that

As someone who can imagine the impact of high end draftees, I still want them to make the playoffs and as INFURIATING as they have looked they are actually better than they looked. That's the issue, they are actually better and they aren't going to dismantle it enough to rebuild so they really have to move forward and try to get in. It's also best for the culture. Now they will get everyone's backup goalie as they claw back. You know they are going to claw back. They're sitting on the 4th pick now but they're headed for the middle and I'd rather the 17th-19th pick than the 14th pick.

Are there all sorts of flaws in the team that could stop it from happening? For sure. But the team is too good and it's a LONG season as we remind ourselves each year, I am just not yet ready to believe this is ending bottom 5 because of a maddening start with a fair amount of luck that will regress to the mean

I don’t see this as a good team. They will most likely get humbled in the playoffs even if they have great structure and work hardI didn’t last year either. The Flames had as many points last year and just looked great against a hot sharks team shutting down Celly. Other teams have improved as well

I think 26-27 and especially 27-28 have a chance to be years where they're a good team by the way you see them, which I think I understand. But I have a lot more trouble seeing it if this year curves south. So my whole comment needs to be understood in light of that worry that accepting a curve south year (especially with a Final Year Armstrong making decisions, a more-volatile-than-not factor) is letting go of what could be good on the other side.

I’m not sure I could stomach watching them play a team like the Avs in the playoffs to be honest. I see no point in it…not even an experience angle. I also think there are problems in the room. There has to be. I’m also not impressed with the younger guys like Broberg or Snuggerud from a lay it on the line perspective. It’s just not an engaged or fun team for me. They could win 7 in a row and I think I’d feel the same.

You're looking at the team minus Jake Neighbours and he brings a real element they need more of. They need a player who's a high producer to drag them into the fight routinely, the rugged fight. They're a pale shadow of Florida. I get why the lack of this element drains enthusiasm (though any team winning 7 in a row starts to have a fun vibe). On Snuggerud he's a gamer, a participant in the play style. Broberg is analogous to early Parayko to me. Both players are useful and will only get better. Dvorsky is now simmering and will be part of the solution. Drip drip drip further, Stenberg could be up and starting to mix in, Lindstein is legit and will start to mix in ... Pekarcik is on track ... Jiricek looking like a much more physical defenseman with puck skills ... Ralph is percolating on the nation's top NCAA team ... Carbonneau ... there is an IV drip of quality players who will make over the team. Otto Stenberg I believe is going to play a very Neighboursy style when he lands and settles in. Carbo too. It's a real transition time into a more fun and skilled version of the team.

[theograce]

It's a real transition time into a more fun and skilled version of the team.

Maybe. Time will tell if it will be as fun, skilled, gritty as it needs to be to truly compete. I don’t see that in the near to somewhat distant future

[seattleblue]

It's a real transition time into a more fun and skilled version of the team.

Maybe. Time will tell if it will be as fun, skilled, gritty as it needs to be to truly compete. I don’t see that in the near to somewhat distant future

Bad seasons breed anxiety and they cloud vision, which is itself a reason to hope they pull out of it.

[theograce]

It's a real transition time into a more fun and skilled version of the team.

Maybe. Time will tell if it will be as fun, skilled, gritty as it needs to be to truly compete. I don’t see that in the near to somewhat distant future

Bad seasons breed anxiety and they cloud vision, which is itself a reason to hope they pull out of it.

Sure. I’m sure Buffalo said the same things with 3 studs in the backend. The right formula/players goes beyond paper.

[dhsux]

Blues are playing better, most importantly right now the goal tending is/has improved which is a must for any recovery.

These guys do still have a game to find and still under performing but if they do find it they can still make the play offs.

My money says they will end up in the thick of a play off spot.

[blues2112]

Blues are playing better, most importantly right now the goal tending is/has improved which is a must for any recovery.

These guys do still have a game to find and still under performing but if they do find it they can still make the play offs.

My money says they will end up in the thick of a play off spot.

Yep. Only five points out with The Thomas, Kyrou, Buchnevich, Binnington, Holloway underperforming.

I'm thinking fifth or sixth.

[Old_Goat]

Why do you want them to sneak into the playoffs. For what?

GM’s don’t want that

As someone who can imagine the impact of high end draftees, I still want them to make the playoffs and as INFURIATING as they have looked they are actually better than they looked. That's the issue, they are actually better and they aren't going to dismantle it enough to rebuild so they really have to move forward and try to get in. It's also best for the culture. Now they will get everyone's backup goalie as they claw back. You know they are going to claw back. They're sitting on the 4th pick now but they're headed for the middle and I'd rather the 17th-19th pick than the 14th pick.

Are there all sorts of flaws in the team that could stop it from happening? For sure. But the team is too good and it's a LONG season as we remind ourselves each year, I am just not yet ready to believe this is ending bottom 5 because of a maddening start with a fair amount of luck that will regress to the mean

I don’t see this as a good team. They will most likely get humbled in the playoffs even if they have great structure and work hardI didn’t last year either. The Flames had as many points last year and just looked great against a hot sharks team shutting down Celly. Other teams have improved as well

I think 26-27 and especially 27-28 have a chance to be years where they're a good team by the way you see them, which I think I understand. But I have a lot more trouble seeing it if this year curves south. So my whole comment needs to be understood in light of that worry that accepting a curve south year (especially with a Final Year Armstrong making decisions, a more-volatile-than-not factor) is letting go of what could be good on the other side.

I’m not sure I could stomach watching them play a team like the Avs in the playoffs to be honest. I see no point in it…not even an experience angle. I also think there are problems in the room. There has to be. I’m also not impressed with the younger guys like Broberg or Snuggerud from a lay it on the line perspective. It’s just not an engaged or fun team for me. They could win 7 in a row and I think I’d feel the same.

You're looking at the team minus Jake Neighbours and he brings a real element they need more of. They need a player who's a high producer to drag them into the fight routinely, the rugged fight. They're a pale shadow of Florida. I get why the lack of this element drains enthusiasm (though any team winning 7 in a row starts to have a fun vibe). On Snuggerud he's a gamer, a participant in the play style. Broberg is analogous to early Parayko to me. Both players are useful and will only get better. Dvorsky is now simmering and will be part of the solution. Drip drip drip further, Stenberg could be up and starting to mix in, Lindstein is legit and will start to mix in ... Pekarcik is on track ... Jiricek looking like a much more physical defenseman with puck skills ... Ralph is percolating on the nation's top NCAA team ... Carbonneau ... there is an IV drip of quality players who will make over the team. Otto Stenberg I believe is going to play a very Neighboursy style when he lands and settles in. Carbo too. It's a real transition time into a more fun and skilled version of the team.

Very well stated.
And to add, so far Snuggerud is showing more than I expected. A few years ago there were many skeptics on this forum regarding his skating. I don't see that as an issue at all. He is an intelligent player as well for being so new to the league. My biggest disappointment is his what he has shown in the shootouts. But that is a minor issue, because that's the last thing we should be working & counting on to win in these games!