The core issue:

[Bacchk29]

The fanbase, media, etc. continue to talk about effort, defense, goaltending as the issues with the team. I have a different take I think. Scoring. 26th in the league. The modern NHL is based on uptempo, offensive play. From here it looks like the philosophy is defense first from the coaching staff up to the owner. This idea of Blues hockey. The 200 ft game. It’s dated. Look around the league and watch how the best teams play. They don’t restrict their skill players from making creating plays in the offensive third. Their primary entry isn’t D slams it off the F1 to the corner for the F2 to chase it and there’s no plan B. Just what I see watching the game for 40+ years.

[Ziggy3]

Have you watched the 2-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers play?

If they don't play a 200' game I don't know who does.

[Harry S Deals]

On nights when the Blues do play hard they make a ton of dumb mistakes such as light night, bad passes, bobbled passes, whiffing on shots, poor exits, turnovers, bad goaltending.
Two Blues on Taveres and hes able to kick the puck to open man...... idk man this team looks like a mess. If they take their foot off the gas in D zone look out! 200' hockey is essential to win in the NHL, watch all the best teams and best players in the league. Back checking, covering your man, etc is just part of good hockey

[Bacchk29]

Have you watched the 2-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers play?

If they don't play a 200' game I don't know who does.

Their skill players still have the creative freedom to make plays around the goal. I don’t see that here

[Bacchk29]

On nights when the Blues do play hard they make a ton of dumb mistakes such as light night, bad passes, bobbled passes, whiffing on shots, poor exits, turnovers, bad goaltending.
Two Blues on Taveres and hes able to kick the puck to open man...... idk man this team looks like a mess. If they take their foot off the gas in D zone look out! 200' hockey is essential to win in the NHL, watch all the best teams and best players in the league. Back checking, covering your man, etc is just part of good hockey

Last night they looked solid enough defensively with good goaltending. The skill players generally look confused on what to do with the puck in the O zone.

[netboy65]

The fanbase, media, etc. continue to talk about effort, defense, goaltending as the issues with the team. I have a different take I think. Scoring. 26th in the league. The modern NHL is based on uptempo, offensive play. From here it looks like the philosophy is defense first from the coaching staff up to the owner. This idea of Blues hockey. The 200 ft game. It’s dated. Look around the league and watch how the best teams play. They don’t restrict their skill players from making creating plays in the offensive third. Their primary entry isn’t D slams it off the F1 to the corner for the F2 to chase it and there’s no plan B. Just what I see watching the game for 40+ years.

I made the observation last night that we couldn’t even dump it in effectively. I counted no less than 5 times the dump in went straight to the Toronto defenseman. It’s like it’s been beat into their heads, as soon as you get it, dump it. Hot potato!

[a smell of green grass]

The problem is quite easy to see.

Who won the game last night? Nylander. #26 in NHL TOP 100. It's what elite talent does, night after night in the NHL.

The other team's best players are better than our best--by a far margin.

Armstong prides himself on drafting 15 or lower for 17 years, and here we are.

[Harry S Deals]

Have you watched the 2-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers play?

If they don't play a 200' game I don't know who does.

Their skill players still have the creative freedom to make plays around the goal. I don’t see that here

I dont think Monty is putting many constraints on the offensive side of it other than the basic forecheck structure.

[Harry S Deals]

Schenn and Buch absolutely have to be 3rd liners, Schenn may be a 4th liner on Colorado, Anaheim, etc. Monty has to elevate Snuggerud, Dvorksy, Holloway as much as possible. Also Suter is not really a 2c, doesnt skate very well at all hes fine but hes on the 3rd line with Schenn and Buch

[TruBlueFan_1970]

Coaching. Period. For some reason, Monty has switched to a playing "not to lose" instead of "to win" mentality. Offensive players are gripping their sticks. Offensive flow and transition game is slow and poor, mainly due to all the line switching IMHO. Defensive pinches and activation in the O-zone is down (i.e. Parayko with zero goals). They just seem afraid to make mistakes and therefore are making mistakes and the goalies aren't playing out of their minds and bailing them out.

I only see a few players that are getting after it and playing well: Broberg and Faulk on the backend. Suter, Holloway (after a slow start), Snuggerud, Neighbours and Thomas (after slow start). That isn't enough to overcome the poor play of Buch, Schenn, 4th line, and 3rd pairing on D. Guys in the middle who are playing just "ok" are Parayko, Fowler, Kyrou, Joseph, Bjug, Dvo

[Harry S Deals]

Dvorsky has been a small part of the lack of 5v5 offence for sure. The Blues are committed to going with him Dvorsky still may be a better option than Schenn at top 6 center but Dvorsky isnt driving the offence at even strength he isnt creating anything. I thought last night he was pretty good vs a depleted Leafs team one of DDs better games but this apart of it. Add a 21 year old Snuggerud to this and missing Neighbours, these are all parts of why the Blues are low in the standings

[DawgDad]

I do not detect a systemic problem, this is more about a collection of players, mostly veterans, underperforming. I have full faith no one is telling these guys not to score goals.

There have been issues with defensive breakdowns all season. Yes, lack of offensive push and zone time have contributed to the woes. It's common sense to focus attention on d-zone play, breakouts, transitions, and zone entries, every team works on those things. Offensively the Blues are too easy to check and strip of the puck, and far too soft on slot and net front presence. That is largely individual player performance issues. Prior to the season this figured to be a slightly above average offensive and defensive team. It just hasn't come together.

[netboy65]

I do not detect a systemic problem, this is more about a collection of players, mostly veterans, underperforming. I have full faith no one is telling these guys not to score goals.

There have been issues with defensive breakdowns all season. Yes, lack of offensive push and zone time have contributed to the woes. It's common sense to focus attention on d-zone play, breakouts, transitions, and zone entries, every team works on those things. Offensively the Blues are too easy to check and strip of the puck, and far too soft on slot and net front presence. That is largely individual player performance issues. Prior to the season this figured to be a slightly above average offensive and defensive team. It just hasn't come together.

Thomas 23 shots in 16 games
Schenn on pace for 24 points
Buch 3rd on the team in ice time and I’m surprised he can lace up his skates correctly
Parayko 0 goals suggesting last year was an outlier

[DawgDad]

I do not detect a systemic problem, this is more about a collection of players, mostly veterans, underperforming. I have full faith no one is telling these guys not to score goals.

There have been issues with defensive breakdowns all season. Yes, lack of offensive push and zone time have contributed to the woes. It's common sense to focus attention on d-zone play, breakouts, transitions, and zone entries, every team works on those things. Offensively the Blues are too easy to check and strip of the puck, and far too soft on slot and net front presence. That is largely individual player performance issues. Prior to the season this figured to be a slightly above average offensive and defensive team. It just hasn't come together.

Thomas 23 shots in 16 games
Schenn on pace for 24 points
Buch 3rd on the team in ice time and I’m surprised he can lace up his skates correctly
Parayko 0 goals suggesting last year was an outlier

Fowler + Parayko = ZERO goals
Sunny ZERO goals
Dvorsky no-show at ES (nothing, not even a secondary assist)
Holloway underperforming expectations
Neighbours injured

. . . the list is long

[ManitobaBlues]

The fanbase, media, etc. continue to talk about effort, defense, goaltending as the issues with the team. I have a different take I think. Scoring. 26th in the league. The modern NHL is based on uptempo, offensive play. From here it looks like the philosophy is defense first from the coaching staff up to the owner. This idea of Blues hockey. The 200 ft game. It’s dated. Look around the league and watch how the best teams play. They don’t restrict their skill players from making creating plays in the offensive third. Their primary entry isn’t D slams it off the F1 to the corner for the F2 to chase it and there’s no plan B. Just what I see watching the game for 40+ years.

The Florida Panthers play a 200-foot game, and Edmonton does as well — that style is not outdated at all. I understand today’s game is faster and more uptempo, and I believe the Blues are an uptempo team. The problem is that we don’t have that one elite, high-skill player who can take over a game on his own.

[LGB73]

Have you watched the 2-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers play?

If they don't play a 200' game I don't know who does.

+1

Hockey is a contact sport. If the other teams players are more willing to skate harder forechecking/backchecking, battle for the pucks and committed to a structured 5 man defensive unit than yours, there's a very high probability you're going to lose. Skill means nothing if you can't get and hold onto the puck or keep the other team from dominating you in your D-zone.