How many years before back to relevant?

[a smell of green grass]

How many years will it be before the Blues are back to Cup relevant?

Hard to predict, but I believe that the Blues are in a deep hole. Until we get an upper-ranked long-term 1C and 2C combination, we have no chance, and I don't see a predictable path to acquiring those positions quickly.

I will guess that it will take at least 5 years. For sure, Monty won't see that outcome.

[Jeff Goldblum]

No idea what you posted, but you wanted a top 5 pick and it looks like you might get one.

[gpe13579]

A top 5 pick and not falling in love with legacy players like 50 would be a good start.

Trim off as much cap as you can, get a top 5 pick.

Go into free agency as a real player, add the top 5 pick and those things with the young talent they do have who are, while not exactly exuding superstar, appears to have some talent.

It's not like they have nothing at all. They just don't have enough.

Do it right and they are a completely different team going into next year. Hang on to 50, 10 and 72 and it will take much longer.

[a smell of green grass]

No idea what you posted, but you wanted a top 5 pick and it looks like you might get one.

Grasshopper,
Do you not know Army and Blues Management? They have essentially ignored the NHL draft for 20 years. Whatever stupid thinking and cash-register ringing brought about that approach is alive and still well.

I would be willing to bet that that the Blues will not pick in the TOP 10 this year. They are going to do what they always do. They are going to go on a season-ending winning streak for Army's going-away party.

This is why I say that we are in a hole with no ladder, and we have not quite hit bottom enough yet to start the turnaround. Even if they get a TOP5 pick, they need 3 of those to hit on 2.

We shall see.

[dman1]

Barring some incredible trades and free agent signings, at least three years, and that presumes some of our prospects quickly turn out to be elite players (not necessarily superstars, but perennial all star talent). And in addition to needing an elite center, we are going to need some elite defensemen, too.

[gpe13579]

You would also have plenty of cap space under my scenario to add difference maker(s).

It could look completely different next year so no idea as we sit here today how long it will take.

Could have lot's on cap space and spend it wisely, which is where the concern comes in, and it all changes.

This is the type of team and roster (assuming some dead weight goes) that with a couple of good, smart, key acquisitions and turn it around quickly.

Have a lot of cap space and spend it on contracts and production of say, oh, I don't know, 89, and it will take a number of years to turn it around.

It starts with trading 50. That has to happen.

[theograce]

This is the type of team and roster (assuming some dead weight goes) that with a couple of good, smart, key acquisitions and turn it around quickly.

The core and the entire leadership structure are about to change again.

This is a long haul change…not a quick one

[gpe13579]

This is the type of team and roster (assuming some dead weight goes) that with a couple of good, smart, key acquisitions and turn it around quickly.

The core and the entire leadership structure are about to change again.

This is a long haul change…not a quick one

Doesn't have to be.

But, it could be for sure without the correct decisions.

We'll see for sure. I certainly hope it's not years. That would s#ck.

I just don't subscribe to the thought they have nothing to work with. I think they do. Add and subtract to it smartly, and they the opportunity to do so, and it can be a reasonably quick turn around.

[theograce]

This is the type of team and roster (assuming some dead weight goes) that with a couple of good, smart, key acquisitions and turn it around quickly.

The core and the entire leadership structure are about to change again.

This is a long haul change…not a quick one

Doesn't have to be.

But, it could be for sure without the correct decisions.

We'll see for sure. I certainly hope it's not years. That would s#ck.

I just don't subscribe to the thought they have nothing to work with. I think they do. Add and subtract to it smartly, and they the opportunity to do so, and it can be a reasonably quick turn around.

Schenn and Faulk are gone. Kyrou is gone. Who are leaders? Parayko, Thomas and Neighbours? That’s pretty unskilled and soft.

Then, no truly elite talent coming up…unless you get lucky?

Not smelling what they are cooking

This is long haul stuff

[Bacchk29]

This is the type of team and roster (assuming some dead weight goes) that with a couple of good, smart, key acquisitions and turn it around quickly.

The core and the entire leadership structure are about to change again.

This is a long haul change…not a quick one

Doesn't have to be.

But, it could be for sure without the correct decisions.

We'll see for sure. I certainly hope it's not years. That would s#ck.

I just don't subscribe to the thought they have nothing to work with. I think they do. Add and subtract to it smartly, and they the opportunity to do so, and it can be a reasonably quick turn around.

Schenn and Faulk are gone. Kyrou is gone. Who are leaders? Parayko, Thomas and Neighbours? That’s pretty unskilled and soft.

Then, no truly elite talent coming up…unless you get lucky?

Not smelling what they are cooking

This is long haul stuff

It’s hard to tell…. If they can find that game breaker through the draft or trade, they might have enough in house. The philosophy needs to change as well.

[theograce]

This is the type of team and roster (assuming some dead weight goes) that with a couple of good, smart, key acquisitions and turn it around quickly.

The core and the entire leadership structure are about to change again.

This is a long haul change…not a quick one

Doesn't have to be.

But, it could be for sure without the correct decisions.

We'll see for sure. I certainly hope it's not years. That would s#ck.

I just don't subscribe to the thought they have nothing to work with. I think they do. Add and subtract to it smartly, and they the opportunity to do so, and it can be a reasonably quick turn around.

Schenn and Faulk are gone. Kyrou is gone. Who are leaders? Parayko, Thomas and Neighbours? That’s pretty unskilled and soft.

Then, no truly elite talent coming up…unless you get lucky?

Not smelling what they are cooking

This is long haul stuff

It’s hard to tell…. If they can find that game breaker through the draft or trade, they might have enough in house. The philosophy needs to change as well.

A lot more goes into a team than talent. Where’s the leadership and toughness as well. Guys like Broberg, Thomas, Buchnevich and Neighbours are going to battle the truly elite?

In addition, people just look at the Blues in a vacuum. Teams like the Hawks are so much more talented on paper and will continue to add more talent, while teams like Colorado/Dallas are loaded for years to come,

People try to remain positive … and that’s fine… but I just can’t see it right now. It’s really bleak for me.

[Harry S Deals]

Farrrr too many variables to know right now. In NHL nothing surprises me turn arounds could happen quick or take 5 years. Let's see what the roster looks like in Oct but what if Ivar is the pick could be he be a factor right away? Who knows what contributions the Blues next season from Dvo, Snuggerud, Stenberg etc how do we know one or more of those guys don't start producing at 21 or 22? Thomas, Holloway and Kyrou could very easily return to past production.
I'm not worried about the D or the goaltending but the Blues need to find more skill in the top 3 lines big time whether it's the kids they have, draft or sign

[MandatoryDenial]

How many years will it be before the Blues are back to Cup relevant?

Hard to predict, but I believe that the Blues are in a deep hole. Until we get an upper-ranked long-term 1C and 2C combination, we have no chance, and I don't see a predictable path to acquiring those positions quickly.

I will guess that it will take at least 5 years. For sure, Monty won't see that outcome.

My guess is at least three years and that is assuming we do this right, jettisoning our pieces for draft picks and top prospects, if we go for hockey trades we are in for decades long hockey hell. We need our own Celebrini, an answer to Bedard, and the only way to do this is to draft.

[BalotelliMassive]

If Binnington is gone then who knows. A goalie isn't considered elite until they can prove it in the playoffs.

[PPG]

I would be shocked if we don't draft in the top 5 & would be willing to bet money we get at least a top 10 pick. And I am NOT a gambling man. I've never even bought a lottery ticket.....
To suggest that we will miraculously finish strong and make a push for the playoffs is to suggest that Army is going to trade our Junk/untradeable players for very good players who will somehow make us a playoff team....
That would be the greatest feat of general managing in hockey history....LOL