BluesTalk poll

[netboy65]

I think we do not make the playoffs because this schedule is going to be very tough. We haven’t faced Vegas or the Avalanche at all and not hardly the Stars..so there may be lots of big losses to come

We’ve played Vegas once. They can be had. You’re correct about the Avs though

[BleedingBleu]

This year’s Avs aren’t last year’s Jets.

As we know, last year ended on heartbreak in that the series was theirs for the taking and they let it slip away through their finger nails. It still bugs me that we simply win the series if someone just pins the puck to the boards.

If the 2025/6 Blues make the playoffs, it isn’t even one-and-done. I think they get swept by the Av’s. While I hate the concept of FanDuel or DraftKings, or whatever… I’m betting that.

Also, this iteration of the Blues is kind of maddening. They’re not quite there, mentally. They’ll score a goal and almost immediately give one up! They have a lead and almost immediately surrender it, too. They get to OT and are completely paralyzed on what to do. All of those scenarios are the most frustrating as a fan.

It’s almost like the Ghost of Game 7 just hangs over everyone’s head and they are completely incapable of overcoming it. All the ingredients of that Game are in full display this season.

2-Goal Lead? Check
3rd Period Collapse? Check
Opponent Scores with an Empty Net to send to OT? Check
Inability to win OT? Check

It’s like we’re Bill Murray in Groundhog’s Day, but haven’t quite driven off the cliff, yet. Plus, they are just getting pummeled in each period.



The stats show it. They’re sporting a -36 Goal Differential. They have the Most Goals Against (131). Also, they’re tied for Least Goals For per Game (2.50). They suck at putting pucks into the opposition’s net. They suck at keeping pucks out of the net. They suck in the First, Second, and Third Periods. They suck in OT. Yet, as a fan I still keep lying to myself and thinking this team is salvageable.

The Blues probably should sell at the deadline. They are probably better long-term if they sell. There are some players at the Top of this Draft that change the franchise in a positive way. There’s optimism in our youth movement that suggests the chips moved this deadline are not only replaceable, but bring something back.

Unfortunately, there is something flawed with this current group of players. It sucks, because guys like Faulk are playing great, and Schenn is a great teammate. Both guys should be moved at the Deadline.

There’s something wrong with the Blues Highest Paid Players. Neither Thomas, Kyrou, nor Buchnevich are meeting expectations. They’ve been together for a while, maybe Armstrong/Steen needs to break up the band like they did w/Oshie & Perron a decade ago

Maybe Kyrou has been tormented enough by this franchise and its fanbase and he’s just over it. If so, he should probably be moved for a haul, either st the deadline or this offseason. I’m not pulling the trigger just to pull the trigger.

Buch is an enigma. I don’t hate the guy nearly as much as others here, but there is no arguing his production has declined.

Either way, of the 3, I’m retaining Robert Thomas.

Since Colten Ellis appears to be gone for good, I’m probably not moving on from Binnington and will just chalk it up to a bad year from a position that witnesses erratic results. Unless there is some desperation package from Buffalo that sends Powers the other way, or from the Devils that slings us a guy like Simon Nemec or their first 2 from the 2024 Draft (Anton Silayev + Mikhail Yegorov), I’m cool with staying put.

2025/6 is not the year to squeak in and be happy w/the 8 Seed

[Jeff Goldblum]

Their offense looks like it is finally coming alive. With kyrou and snuggerud back they suddenly have a glut of offensive weapons. Hopefully it doesn't mess up the chemistry they were showing. Now if they could figure out how to clear the puck out of the zone and fire whoever runs the PP they could go on a long run.

[DawgDad]

Right now young players are playing and s-l-o-w-l-y growing up in terms of NHL development. This will continue. As we saw last night the active veteran forwards, though smaller in number, are still carrying the majority of the mail. I believe any trades will be surgical, not grand sweeps. Some names bantered about on this board may hold over until next season. I do not believe they want to throw these young players into a hopeless situation for months, where nothing on the ice really matters.

[TheHighHat]

The bottom 10 teams in the West that are fighting for the 2 wildcard spots all have decent sized warts.
Army sees this and will probably wait to see where we're at near the TDL before making any major moves.
The only move I see happening before the TDL is acquiring a 3LHD if one becomes available at a decent price.

I would think that LA, Winnipeg, & Utah are the 3 teams that are the Blues competition for the WC spots.
The other 6 teams are unlikely to make it.

LA has a lot of older players and have major problems scoring.
They are very good defensively though.

Keep an eye on Winnipeg since they're finally healthy right now.
I would think that the Jets might make a move for a 2C and/or a scoring winger.
They're a one line team. Perfetti has done nothing this year.
They should start giving up fewer goals since they're healthy.

Utah is trying to keep it together until Cooley returns.
Their goaltending has been an issue.
They have given up the 2nd fewest SOG

Yesterday morning the Blues were +650 to make the playoffs on FanDuel.
That has dropped to +500 right now.
They're +360 on DraftKings

[BleedingBleu]

Right now young players are playing and s-l-o-w-l-y growing up in terms of NHL development. This will continue. As we saw last night the active veteran forwards, though smaller in number, are still carrying the majority of the mail. I believe any trades will be surgical, not grand sweeps. Some names bantered about on this board may hold over until next season. I do not believe they want to throw these young players into a hopeless situation for months, where nothing on the ice really matters.

I agree.

I kept looking at a size-4-size, lbs for lbs comparison while I was writing my novel and the reality is guys like LHD Lindstein (21), RHD Jiricek (19), RHD Ralph (20), LHD Lukas Fischer (19), LW Pekarcik (20), LHF Stancl (21 in April), etc are all so very young and in need of more time in the can.

It’s hard to justify bringing those guys up while we as fans simultaneously whine about Mailloux (22), Skinner (24), Kessell (25), and Tucker (25) lack polish, gaffes in their game, over-exposure, puck security and timidness.

The Blues already have Mailloux (22), Snuggerud (21), Dvorsky (20), now Stenberg (20) trying to accelerate their development to produce at the top level. While many (including myself) feel Neighbours is Captain material, we forget that he’s just 23!

So, you’re right. The team cannot just inject a bunch of 20-22 year olds into the fray and expect them to be successful long term. The rush to the Bigs is one of my biggest issues w/the Cardinals’ and their development.

It’s likely why we saw Luff (28), McGing (27), Skinner (24), and the acquisitions of Fabbri (30) & Berggren (25), because those guys are the likeliest to spare the Kaskimaki’s (21), Pekarcik‘s (20), & Lidsteins from having their developments interrupted by the trades of Schenn & Faulk

[MrPostman01]

If'n the Blues somehow get the 1st pick the hockey world will conspire to make them pick the wrong guy again. Witness EJ. a part-time golf cart driver.

[dhsux]

Not many posters answering the question.......do they make the play offs?

While disappointed in them since preseason I'll continue to say yes.

[BleedingBleu]

If'n the Blues somehow get the 1st pick the hockey world will conspire to make them pick the wrong guy again. Witness EJ. a part-time golf cart driver.

Given the direction the Blues have taken towards their “re-whatever,” I actually feel like there is no limitation to which direction they wish to go.

Should they acquire prospects for the likes of Faulk & Schenn, I kind of feel confident in them hitting the selection if they receive the hypothetical #1 Overall Pick.

Despite some struggles in a more physical league, 17 year olds Gavin McKenna still looks like the long-hyped prospect his reputation has built.

Ivan Stenberg might be a lot of fun to draft, purely on the notion of having siblings on the same team/line. There’s something fun about that in hockey, whether it’s the Sedin twins or the Hughes crew.

Keaton Verhoeff has size, a RH Shot, and has all the ingredients to make for a nice Top-Line Pair Defenseman

Ethan Belchetz is a big, mean MFer. He may not be First Overall material, but if the Blues don’t win the Draft Lottery, he’d be a player of interest, especially for a team that has constantly been described as “soft” in a post-Stanley Cup Championship world.

And for those wanting depth at Center, Lawrence appears to be that guy to plug in at all situations.

[a smell of green grass]

St Louis will stay St Louis. The NHL has long ago decided what we get.

We get wins in February and March.

[rangergiff]

I don't think many on here appreciate that the Blues can't afford to miss out on playoff revenue. I believe this ownership group is great and I am thankful that they are willing to keep this team competitive. That said, they can't afford to many losing seasons. They simply don't have the deep pockets or revenue streams to keep losing money for long. Add to that the salary cap increases that are coming and I believe that the Blues are one of the teams saying they can't afford to spend to the cap anymore. Like many teams, playoff revenue means the difference between breaking even and losing money as a franchise. This puts Army in a tough spot. He answers to a boss the same way most here do and his boss is telling him to do everything he can to make the playoffs. This team's core is flawed though and in need of change. So here goes my predictions.

The Blues will keep doing the same thing they have been till after the olympic break. They will find themselves in roughly the same spot in the standings as they are now.

Monty is not fired.

Schenn and Faulk get traded.

One of these core will be gone. In descending order of probability are, Kyrou, Bennie, Thomas or Paryako. This could be in the off season though.

The Blues miss the playoffs and get between the 8th and 15th pick.

This forum will continue to melt down over the terrible returns Army got and the direction of this franchise.

What I hope for is that the Blues move on from Schenn, Faulk and Kyrou. netting some solid picks and young players. Management keeps Monty and ushers in a new core. The Blues get a top 4 pick in the draft.

Finally peace and no trolls for the forum. Even with the trolls I love this forum. It provides me many hours of entertainment

[DawgDad]

Not many posters answering the question.......do they make the play offs?

While disappointed in them since preseason I'll continue to say yes.

I realize this is a cop-out but right now I wouldn't bet one way or the other. I was pretty sure they would not make the playoffs last season right about when they took off on a 12-game win streak and survived Parayko's injury. So, I just don't have a strong opinion one way or the other.

This season they've tried to work in a few prospects and give younger players bigger roles, and there was a price paid for that. Simultaneously they were struck by a severe rash of injuries to key players, and several veteran players have not performed up to the level shown late last season. Waiting for them to play through all this and it's still possible they could.

What's really important is the young players playing, working to earn bigger roles, and learning how to work together and win games. There are some very encouraging signs, starting with Hofer's resurgence, Mailloux's restart, the promise flashed by Dvorsky and Snuggerud, Stenberg appearing to be a keeper. Neighbours and Broberg have been solid, Holloway was beginning to play like himself before he went down. Thomas, Kyrou, Buchnevich need to get clicking on all cylinders, though. If they do then yes, this team should make the playoffs.

[dhsux]

I don't think many on here appreciate that the Blues can't afford to miss out on playoff revenue. I believe this ownership group is great and I am thankful that they are willing to keep this team competitive. That said, they can't afford to many losing seasons. They simply don't have the deep pockets or revenue streams to keep losing money for long. Add to that the salary cap increases that are coming and I believe that the Blues are one of the teams saying they can't afford to spend to the cap anymore. Like many teams, playoff revenue means the difference between breaking even and losing money as a franchise. This puts Army in a tough spot. He answers to a boss the same way most here do and his boss is telling him to do everything he can to make the playoffs. This team's core is flawed though and in need of change. So here goes my predictions.

The Blues will keep doing the same thing they have been till after the olympic break. They will find themselves in roughly the same spot in the standings as they are now.

Monty is not fired.

Schenn and Faulk get traded.

One of these core will be gone. In descending order of probability are, Kyrou, Bennie, Thomas or Paryako. This could be in the off season though.

The Blues miss the playoffs and get between the 8th and 15th pick.

This forum will continue to melt down over the terrible returns Army got and the direction of this franchise.

What I hope for is that the Blues move on from Schenn, Faulk and Kyrou. netting some solid picks and young players. Management keeps Monty and ushers in a new core. The Blues get a top 4 pick in the draft.

Finally peace and no trolls for the forum. Even with the trolls I love this forum. It provides me many hours of entertainment

Good post Ranger......just want to comment on the revenue point you brought up. It's true I am sure they want positive cash flow and receipts each year and the play off revenue is critical for that but keep in mind what is continually happening with the franchise asset value each and every year as well. A mere 5% increase in franchise value each year would represent around 70+M dollar net increase for the owners coffers.

[zamadoo]

Idk if that image link will work, but looking at the standings I see some identifiable playoff rivals who could slip.

The first think I looked at was goal differential - we are still horribly the worst after such horrible stretches and a pathetic start to the season, putting it lightly. However, -35 is an improvement and a trend in the right direction along with a 5-4-1 record in the last 10 games.

Three teams in the West are miles ahead of the rest. Everyone else is pretty close, with the 4th best goal differential being VGK with +5.

VGK and EDM can probably maintain, but every team below the Blues in the standings have negative goal differentials, along with two teams above them.

5th - Anaheim - are they for real, and can they maintain?
7th - Kings - even goal differential, solid vets, fringe but probably good
8th - Sharks - are they for real, and can they maintain? -17 diff
9th - Utah - are they for real, and can they maintain? +4 diff

I could see maybe a couple below us having a shot.

It's a crapshoot.

[Old_Goat]

This year’s Avs aren’t last year’s Jets.

As we know, last year ended on heartbreak in that the series was theirs for the taking and they let it slip away through their finger nails. It still bugs me that we simply win the series if someone just pins the puck to the boards.

If the 2025/6 Blues make the playoffs, it isn’t even one-and-done. I think they get swept by the Av’s. While I hate the concept of FanDuel or DraftKings, or whatever… I’m betting that.

Also, this iteration of the Blues is kind of maddening. They’re not quite there, mentally. They’ll score a goal and almost immediately give one up! They have a lead and almost immediately surrender it, too. They get to OT and are completely paralyzed on what to do. All of those scenarios are the most frustrating as a fan.

It’s almost like the Ghost of Game 7 just hangs over everyone’s head and they are completely incapable of overcoming it. All the ingredients of that Game are in full display this season.

2-Goal Lead? Check
3rd Period Collapse? Check
Opponent Scores with an Empty Net to send to OT? Check
Inability to win OT? Check

It’s like we’re Bill Murray in Groundhog’s Day, but haven’t quite driven off the cliff, yet. Plus, they are just getting pummeled in each period.



The stats show it. They’re sporting a -36 Goal Differential. They have the Most Goals Against (131). Also, they’re tied for Least Goals For per Game (2.50). They suck at putting pucks into the opposition’s net. They suck at keeping pucks out of the net. They suck in the First, Second, and Third Periods. They suck in OT. Yet, as a fan I still keep lying to myself and thinking this team is salvageable.

The Blues probably should sell at the deadline. They are probably better long-term if they sell. There are some players at the Top of this Draft that change the franchise in a positive way. There’s optimism in our youth movement that suggests the chips moved this deadline are not only replaceable, but bring something back.

Unfortunately, there is something flawed with this current group of players. It sucks, because guys like Faulk are playing great, and Schenn is a great teammate. Both guys should be moved at the Deadline.

There’s something wrong with the Blues Highest Paid Players. Neither Thomas, Kyrou, nor Buchnevich are meeting expectations. They’ve been together for a while, maybe Armstrong/Steen needs to break up the band like they did w/Oshie & Perron a decade ago

Maybe Kyrou has been tormented enough by this franchise and its fanbase and he’s just over it. If so, he should probably be moved for a haul, either st the deadline or this offseason. I’m not pulling the trigger just to pull the trigger.

Buch is an enigma. I don’t hate the guy nearly as much as others here, but there is no arguing his production has declined.

Either way, of the 3, I’m retaining Robert Thomas.

Since Colten Ellis appears to be gone for good, I’m probably not moving on from Binnington and will just chalk it up to a bad year from a position that witnesses erratic results. Unless there is some desperation package from Buffalo that sends Powers the other way, or from the Devils that slings us a guy like Simon Nemec or their first 2 from the 2024 Draft (Anton Silayev + Mikhail Yegorov), I’m cool with staying put.

2025/6 is not the year to squeak in and be happy w/the 8 Seed

Those stats are interesting. Thanks for posting.
The Second Period situation is either on the Coaches' (PLURAL) strategies (most likely) and/or because our goalies are already tired out after the 1st period onslaught of shots-faced & O-zone time differential. Note, strategies include change on the fly schemes.
We do not well enough or often enough establish and maintain an O-zone, we cannot follow through on an odd-man rush, we cannot keep momentum as we allow the opponent to change and get in position to disrupt our ensuing rush through the neutral zone.
There are reasons why we cannot run & gun...ad nauseam discussion regarding personnel needs in other threads.
Heck, maybe we should just rest the starting goalie in every second period and bring him back rested for the third to hold off the inevitable end of game desperate chaos?!

[Old_Goat]

Oh, I forgot to stick to the OP poll request in my last post. Sorry for participating in a derail. I think it's a bit more than 50/50 chance that we make the playoffs. We'll slip in and I do believe getting beyond the background drama of the Olympics will help.