This year is now the transition year

[the miracle]

I’m sure this wasn’t the plan at the start of the season, but watching the last few weeks this year definitely feels like the year where the Blues transition from the old core to the new core. Take, for example:

Goaltending:
Both goalies have had rough spots this year, but Hofer has been the more consistent of the two. Hofer has 19 games and Binner has 21. Hofer has 49 goals against, Binner has 65. Binner has a negative goals saved above expected, Hofer is (at least) in positive territory. Most advanced metrics tilt towards Hofer.

Defensemen:
Broberg is on his way to replacing Parayko as the “Alpha”. Broberg leads all defensemen in icetime, leads all defensemen in shifts that start in the defensive zone, second in points. He hasn’t surpassed him in all ways and still has elements to his game that need refinement, but he’s also been more noticeable in games than Parayko.

Leadership:
Neighbours leadership has been mentioned in interviews by the players. He’s the first to jump into a scrum, isn’t scared to drop the gloves, and goes into the dirty areas. Schenn had a renaissance last year, but father time is catching up with him.

Forwards:
Tougher to look at the metrics here that point one way or another, probably since the group has been riddled with injuries. I think the eye test shows promise for younger players in Snuggerud, Holloway, and in a way to small sample size – Stenberg.

My wish list:
Hoping Dvorsky keeps adding tools to the toolbox and his play allows him to replace Thomas as the #1C. I think injuries have forced most of this, but at this point I hope the Blues management just goes with it and says “we are a young team now”. The season is almost half over – if the younger players can go on a run and push the team into the playoffs, GREAT! If not, it’s valuable learning experience.

[TruBlueFan_1970]

Good post. My only disagreement is on Dvo. Not seeing him as ever being a 1C. It would be a major win in my book if he developed into a solid 2C and we had him and Thomas down the middle, with neither being a true game changing #1.

[BalotelliMassive]

This should've happened in the offseason but instead of opening spots for rookies to grow Armstrong plugged all the holes with vets that nobody wanted. This team had problems against young speedy teams all of last year and the adjustment was to bring in players that skate like Frankenstein?

[Harry S Deals]

Good post. My only disagreement is on Dvo. Not seeing him as ever being a 1C. It would be a major win in my book if he developed into a solid 2C and we had him and Thomas down the middle, with neither being a true game changing #1.

As i pointed out previously over the last several years Thomas is a top 12-15 point range center in the NHL, ppg so he is a #1 center. He is definitely in that next group under the handful of star NHL centers.
Dvorsky is 20 so its too hard to read what exactly his ceiling will be he has certainly come on strong lately his puck pressure has been way way better he has elite puck skills, great NHL shot by the time Dvorsky is in his mid 20's, 30 goals, 70 points seems very reasonable.

Its a great post we are now witnessing the the transition to better, younger players the downward pressure on the lines for the older guys will continue thru next season. Watching Monty last night talk about Stenberg, playing him immediately on the PK, i think hes here to stay. Mailloux is looking better every night, Hofer is the #1, Broberg looks like a true #1 dman. I have no idea what this roster looks like next season but im betting its a helluva lot different

[IsDurbanodoingtime]

I like Hofer a lot but still not sure he can handle the majority of starts as a number one. Sure looks like they maybe setting the table for a Binnie deal. The probem with return is that we are going to have to use a lot of that "return capital" on goaltending unless you are eating salary. Which begs the question of why do the deal in the first place ? Losing Ellis really hurts now.

[juan good eye]

What’s nexts season?

[Harry S Deals]

What’s nexts season?

Its likely that at the very least, Schenn, Faulk and or Binnie will be gone at some point maybe more (Buch or Kyrou?). Neighbours, Dvorksy, Stenberg, Snuggerud, Mailloux, Hofer are all ascending. Maybe a surprise as well, Jiricek, Carbonneau, Stancl some or all could make an appearance.

[BluesDom]

Stenberg and Dvorsky look like great 2 way players.
We do lack the star players on the Blues. Not sure how we fix that. Nobody on the way.
Carbonneau is our best hope.
Winning by committee? Worked in 2019. Can it work again?

I do think Hofer is a number 1 and he can handle all of it imo.

[Harry S Deals]

Stenberg and Dvorsky look like great 2 way players.
We do lack the star players on the Blues. Not sure how we fix that. Nobody on the way.
Carbonneau is our best hope.
Winning by committee? Worked in 2019. Can it work again?

Can this be Snuggerud in a year or two or as you mention, Carbonneau? Or perhaps they use assets and acquire someone when the time is right

[theograce]

Winning by committee? Worked in 2019. Can it work again?

That was just Armstrong rhetoric. The Blues had the best defense in the World led by a HOFer. They had a backbone. Every cup winner wins by committee. Name the last one that didn’t.

[Jeff Goldblum]

You seem upset

[DawgDad]

I’m sure this wasn’t the plan at the start of the season, but watching the last few weeks this year definitely feels like the year where the Blues transition from the old core to the new core. Take, for example:

Goaltending:
Both goalies have had rough spots this year, but Hofer has been the more consistent of the two. Hofer has 19 games and Binner has 21. Hofer has 49 goals against, Binner has 65. Binner has a negative goals saved above expected, Hofer is (at least) in positive territory. Most advanced metrics tilt towards Hofer.

Defensemen:
Broberg is on his way to replacing Parayko as the “Alpha”. Broberg leads all defensemen in icetime, leads all defensemen in shifts that start in the defensive zone, second in points. He hasn’t surpassed him in all ways and still has elements to his game that need refinement, but he’s also been more noticeable in games than Parayko.

Leadership:
Neighbours leadership has been mentioned in interviews by the players. He’s the first to jump into a scrum, isn’t scared to drop the gloves, and goes into the dirty areas. Schenn had a renaissance last year, but father time is catching up with him.

Forwards:
Tougher to look at the metrics here that point one way or another, probably since the group has been riddled with injuries. I think the eye test shows promise for younger players in Snuggerud, Holloway, and in a way to small sample size – Stenberg.

My wish list:
Hoping Dvorsky keeps adding tools to the toolbox and his play allows him to replace Thomas as the #1C. I think injuries have forced most of this, but at this point I hope the Blues management just goes with it and says “we are a young team now”. The season is almost half over – if the younger players can go on a run and push the team into the playoffs, GREAT! If not, it’s valuable learning experience.

Frankly, not much here I agree with.

Goaltending:
Hofer appears to be playing better than Binner right now, except when he allows a goal in the first minute and loses 5-whatever. He may be playing better than Binner, we'll see. It must be noted it's a small sample size and the two goaltenders do not start the same games. Binner got the tougher assignment this week. For now I'd say they should roughly split starts.

Leadership:
It's good for Neighbours to emerge as a leader. That does not necessarily detract from Schenn, it hopefully ADDS value to the team leadership. Jake might be the next Captain, he might not be. Time will tell.

Forwards:
As you note, injuries have wreaked havoc. The younger forwards are in no way ready to step up and lead this team.

Wish list.
Dvorsky is light years away from replacing Thomas as the 1C. He's not the 2C. He can barely find the net at ES and he's not an ES playmaker. He is improving, slowly, but he isn't remotely a 1 or 2C until he starts DRIVING point production at ES. Unfortunately Snuggerud and Holloway are out, progress is at a dead stop. Stenberg has one game under his belt and will be fighting for his NHL life because he's the easiest forward to dispatch without exposing him to waivers. That's it, no one else is even in the discussion though in time others might emerge.

My wish list starts with health. The most important guy to get back is Snuggerud, he needs the game experience. I'd like to see the team make the playoffs because that means the active guys are figuring out how to win together, if nothing else adding to the depth. Mostly, I with for guys to get off IR and get back into form because there are a half-dozen forwards on the roster that ideally shouldn't be on the team.

[BluesDom]

Out of the current team--who is here after next year:
Forwards
Thomas, Neighbours, Dvorsky, Stenberg, Snuggerud
(OTHERS under contract: WALKER, SCHENN, BUCH, KYROU, Bjustadt) Not sure if this group stays or goes. Makes sense to move all of these guys imo.
RFA's Holloway, Berggren,
UFA's
Sunny, Joseph, Toropchenko, Fabbri, Luff )

Defense:
Tucker, Faulk--1 yr after this--Faulk getting traded. Tucker is Tucker probably stays around.
Parayko, Fowler--locked up
RFA's
Broberg, Kessel, Mailloux---Id think 2 of 3 signed. Kessel can go away imo.

All the big AHL names are locked up. Some other draft picks like loof and peterson may be goners.

Hofer is awesome. Binner can be awesome in big games--I see Binner getting moved soon or in summer.

[the miracle]

Good post. My only disagreement is on Dvo. Not seeing him as ever being a 1C. It would be a major win in my book if he developed into a solid 2C and we had him and Thomas down the middle, with neither being a true game changing #1.

Definitely on my wish list. I don't know that I've seen enough this year to anoint him the #1C in 2026 by any stretch. My thoughts on DVO are that he has a lot more room to grow, and if he can surpass Thomas (who's probably settling into the player he's going to be), then the Blues will be in really good shape.

[the miracle]

I’m sure this wasn’t the plan at the start of the season, but watching the last few weeks this year definitely feels like the year where the Blues transition from the old core to the new core. Take, for example:

Goaltending:
Both goalies have had rough spots this year, but Hofer has been the more consistent of the two. Hofer has 19 games and Binner has 21. Hofer has 49 goals against, Binner has 65. Binner has a negative goals saved above expected, Hofer is (at least) in positive territory. Most advanced metrics tilt towards Hofer.

Defensemen:
Broberg is on his way to replacing Parayko as the “Alpha”. Broberg leads all defensemen in icetime, leads all defensemen in shifts that start in the defensive zone, second in points. He hasn’t surpassed him in all ways and still has elements to his game that need refinement, but he’s also been more noticeable in games than Parayko.

Leadership:
Neighbours leadership has been mentioned in interviews by the players. He’s the first to jump into a scrum, isn’t scared to drop the gloves, and goes into the dirty areas. Schenn had a renaissance last year, but father time is catching up with him.

Forwards:
Tougher to look at the metrics here that point one way or another, probably since the group has been riddled with injuries. I think the eye test shows promise for younger players in Snuggerud, Holloway, and in a way to small sample size – Stenberg.

My wish list:
Hoping Dvorsky keeps adding tools to the toolbox and his play allows him to replace Thomas as the #1C. I think injuries have forced most of this, but at this point I hope the Blues management just goes with it and says “we are a young team now”. The season is almost half over – if the younger players can go on a run and push the team into the playoffs, GREAT! If not, it’s valuable learning experience.

Frankly, not much here I agree with.

Goaltending:
Hofer appears to be playing better than Binner right now, except when he allows a goal in the first minute and loses 5-whatever. He may be playing better than Binner, we'll see. It must be noted it's a small sample size and the two goaltenders do not start the same games. Binner got the tougher assignment this week. For now I'd say they should roughly split starts.

Leadership:
It's good for Neighbours to emerge as a leader. That does not necessarily detract from Schenn, it hopefully ADDS value to the team leadership. Jake might be the next Captain, he might not be. Time will tell.

Forwards:
As you note, injuries have wreaked havoc. The younger forwards are in no way ready to step up and lead this team.

Wish list.
Dvorsky is light years away from replacing Thomas as the 1C. He's not the 2C. He can barely find the net at ES and he's not an ES playmaker. He is improving, slowly, but he isn't remotely a 1 or 2C until he starts DRIVING point production at ES. Unfortunately Snuggerud and Holloway are out, progress is at a dead stop. Stenberg has one game under his belt and will be fighting for his NHL life because he's the easiest forward to dispatch without exposing him to waivers. That's it, no one else is even in the discussion though in time others might emerge.

My wish list starts with health. The most important guy to get back is Snuggerud, he needs the game experience. I'd like to see the team make the playoffs because that means the active guys are figuring out how to win together, if nothing else adding to the depth. Mostly, I with for guys to get off IR and get back into form because there are a half-dozen forwards on the roster that ideally shouldn't be on the team.

Appreciate the sentiments - my thinking behind this post was this: if in 5 years the Blues are perennial playoff performers, challenging for a cup, we might look back on this year as the year it all really started. And if so, these may be the reasons why. I definitely don't want to get into the prediction business on where these guys will end up as players.

[the miracle]

This should've happened in the offseason but instead of opening spots for rookies to grow Armstrong plugged all the holes with vets that nobody wanted. This team had problems against young speedy teams all of last year and the adjustment was to bring in players that skate like Frankenstein?

Agree - I get what Army was trying to do; but the injuries this season forced his hand and may end up being better for the Blues in the long run. I wish they had just started the season with the younger players.