Lots of positives for Blues this season

[blues2112]

Infusion of young talent, as well as signings of Berggren* and Suter.

And Hofer as, IMO, #1 goaler.

*That name is too easily auto-corrected to Bergevin and Berglund. And "Jonatan"!

[Francis Park Thug]

Infusion of young talent, as well as signings of Berggren* and Suter.

And Hofer as, IMO, #1 goaler.

*That name is too easily auto-corrected to Bergevin and Berglund. And "Jonatan"!

[a smell of green grass]

If I had to rank the positives...

1. Blues identifying the need to significantly rebuild and bring in elite talent
2. Hofer - No more worry about replacing Binnington
3. Stenberg - Good skilled player to become a fan favorite
4. Dvorsky - Good skilled player to become a fan favorite and on-ice leader.
5. Broberg - Steady Defensive Minute Leader
6. Suter, Berggren - Long-term adds likely

[skilles]

I think really the only big problem is the mixed messages.

Army talked like we were going to compete then proceeded like we weren't. I don't think we have near the complaints if we are marketing these young kids, the beginning of a new era etc.

Granted the big run last year made that difficult

[TruBlueFan_1970]

Infusion of young talent, as well as signings of Berggren* and Suter.

And Hofer as, IMO, #1 goaler.

*That name is too easily auto-corrected to Bergevin and Berglund. And "Jonatan"!

I would include the improved play, especially the offensive production from Faulk. Hoping it increases his trade value and we can deal him after the Olympics. I’m not a Faulk hater like some either. I just think it’s time to deal some vets with where the team is at, and we should sell high on him if possible.

[Harry S Deals]

I think really the only big problem is the mixed messages.

Army talked like we were going to compete then proceeded like we weren't. I don't think we have near the complaints if we are marketing these young kids, the beginning of a new era etc.

Granted the big run last year made that difficult

I don't think anyone saw the lack of production from half a dozen veterans which has been the difference in winning vs losing

[stlblue06]

I think really the only big problem is the mixed messages.

Army talked like we were going to compete then proceeded like we weren't. I don't think we have near the complaints if we are marketing these young kids, the beginning of a new era etc.

Granted the big run last year made that difficult

I don't think anyone saw the lack of production from half a dozen veterans which has been the difference in winning vs losing

Starting the worst goaltending in the league (that has at least 12 games played) for half of your games isn’t the best recipe for success either. That would tank a lot of playoff teams.

Injuries haven’t helped either.

[aslord]

Infusion of young talent, as well as signings of Berggren* and Suter.

And Hofer as, IMO, #1 goaler.

*That name is too easily auto-corrected to Bergevin and Berglund. And "Jonatan"!

Suter is hardly anything to jump up and down about and in the end, Berggren will likely just be a spot filler. Also, Hofer as the #1 goalie is also a bad thing. Meaning, it's great that Hofer seems to have improved, but the issues with Binnington that caused Hofer to have to take the #1 spot are basically disastrous. So, not so positive perhaps.

[skilles]

I think really the only big problem is the mixed messages.

Army talked like we were going to compete then proceeded like we weren't. I don't think we have near the complaints if we are marketing these young kids, the beginning of a new era etc.

Granted the big run last year made that difficult

I don't think anyone saw the lack of production from half a dozen veterans which has been the difference in winning vs losing

Starting the worst goaltending in the league (that has at least 12 games played) for half of your games isn’t the best recipe for success either. That would tank a lot of playoff teams.

Injuries haven’t helped either.

I agree but I don't think that is shocking, IMO outside a handful of hot streaks Binny has been pretty bad for years, we only have 4 NHL d men, and a large portion of our forward group is wildly inexperienced.

[DawgDad]

If I had to rank the positives...

1. Blues identifying the need to significantly rebuild and bring in elite talent
2. Hofer - No more worry about replacing Binnington
3. Stenberg - Good skilled player to become a fan favorite
4. Dvorsky - Good skilled player to become a fan favorite and on-ice leader.
5. Broberg - Steady Defensive Minute Leader
6. Suter, Berggren - Long-term adds likely

A bit of near-term bias creeped into 2-6.

As for #1, no. The "need" is slapping them in the face with widespread injuries to key players and underperformance by nearly everyone over age 25. Take away the IRs and I'm not at all convinced the Blues would be sinking toward a top-5 pick. This roster when healthy is better than their current record.

There was going to be pain working in the kids. They might not be in as big a rush if the injury bug hadn't dropped on them.

[Bocomo91]

2nd to last in the league analysis.

Suter not impressed he is mid.
Berggren - highly skilled but so soft.
Dvorsky - the most complete prospect in the organization.
Stenberg - solid, responsible two way guy.
Snuggeruud - complimentary effective sniper that needs to round out his game.
Faulk -gone soon.
Parayko - softest big guy in the league. Does not seem interested in ever scoring again.
Kyrou - gone soon hopefully.
Bjugstad - waste of cap space.
Buchenevich - way overpaid - makes passes to the other team constantly.
Broberg - add some muscle and an edge - could be way better. Learn how to shoot with accuracy.
Fabbri - done.
Fowler - we were all duped by his play last year - move him in 2027 at the deadline.
Hofer -Excellent.
Holloway - at this point a big question mark. Can't stay on the ice- bridge deal.
Joseph - gone at the deadline.
Mailloux - we will have to watch him until he figures it out because of the price paid.
Neighbors - future captain.
Schenn - former captain - moved at the deadline.
Kessel MID Jag.
Tucker MID Jag with physicality.
Toropchenko - MID.
Sunny - depth player that makes good decisions.
Walker - great depth player with more heart than anyone on the roster.
Thomas - would like him to stay in St. Louis long term. Trading him is desperation.
Binny - time to let go, give him a chance to go play meaningful games.

[George Zipp]

Bocomo-solid analyis of what we have seen this year.

Only real disagreement I have, and I've seen this all season, is the "price we paid" for Mailoux. Boulduc had a great 25 or so game stretch last year. The first half of last year he was absent. The first half plus of this year is is 10g 9a and a -13. And if I recall correctly about 7 or 8 of those points came in the first five games of this season when he was declared the second coming of Mario Lemieux on this board.

Like Mails, he is still young and may turn out to be something. Like Mails, he may be the guy we see now. Capable of some hot streaks but then disappears for long periods of time. And we don't lack too much depth at wing in the pipeline. We've already gotten a nice glimpse at what Stenberg is capable of. Carbonneau might be the real deal. I expect another solid prospect coming in the draft next year picking somewhere in the 2-8 range.

[Harry S Deals]

Bocomo-solid analyis of what we have seen this year.

Only real disagreement I have, and I've seen this all season, is the "price we paid" for Mailoux. Boulduc had a great 25 or so game stretch last year. The first half of last year he was absent. The first half plus of this year is is 10g 9a and a -13. And if I recall correctly about 7 or 8 of those points came in the first five games of this season when he was declared the second coming of Mario Lemieux on this board.

Like Mails, he is still young and may turn out to be something. Like Mails, he may be the guy we see now. Capable of some hot streaks but then disappears for long periods of time. And we don't lack too much depth at wing in the pipeline. We've already gotten a nice glimpse at what Stenberg is capable of. Carbonneau might be the real deal. I expect another solid prospect coming in the draft next year picking somewhere in the 2-8 range.

Bolduc looks more like a JAG 3rd liner as time goes on. Hes coming up on 150 NHL GP we see the size, speed and some skill but he doesnt seem like he can put it together. Even on a loaded Habs team he is now team worst -13. 1 assist -4 in his last 5 GP. Perhaps the Blues staff knows more than rando forum (female canine animals, especially dogs). Its looking like a trade that eventually the Blues will have won. Mailloux is getting more comfortable hes learning as he goes he will get improve.
All in all the value in this season is the playing time guys under 23 are getting now which hopefully helps the Blues round out a better line up next year. Dvorsky has been really impressive lately, at 20, lets see what he looks like at 24 wow.

[SameOldBlues]

Bocomo-solid analyis of what we have seen this year.

Only real disagreement I have, and I've seen this all season, is the "price we paid" for Mailoux. Boulduc had a great 25 or so game stretch last year. The first half of last year he was absent. The first half plus of this year is is 10g 9a and a -13. And if I recall correctly about 7 or 8 of those points came in the first five games of this season when he was declared the second coming of Mario Lemieux on this board.

Like Mails, he is still young and may turn out to be something. Like Mails, he may be the guy we see now. Capable of some hot streaks but then disappears for long periods of time. And we don't lack too much depth at wing in the pipeline. We've already gotten a nice glimpse at what Stenberg is capable of. Carbonneau might be the real deal. I expect another solid prospect coming in the draft next year picking somewhere in the 2-8 range.

Bolduc looks more like a JAG 3rd liner as time goes on. Hes coming up on 150 NHL GP we see the size, speed and some skill but he doesnt seem like he can put it together. Even on a loaded Habs team he is now team worst -13. 1 assist -4 in his last 5 GP. Perhaps the Blues staff knows more than rando forum (female canine animals, especially dogs). Its looking like a trade that eventually the Blues will have won. Mailloux is getting more comfortable hes learning as he goes he will get improve.
All in all the value in this season is the playing time guys under 23 are getting now which hopefully helps the Blues round out a better line up next year. Dvorsky has been really impressive lately, at 20, lets see what he looks like at 24 wow.

Agree 110% with George and Harry. It’s getting close to the time for all of the obsessive “MAILLOUXSUCKSBOLDUCISGOD” posters to sack up and admit they vastlyyyyyyy missed and their constant tears were for naught.

[succinct712]

I think really the only big problem is the mixed messages.

Army talked like we were going to compete then proceeded like we weren't. I don't think we have near the complaints if we are marketing these young kids, the beginning of a new era etc.

Granted the big run last year made that difficult

I don't think anyone saw the lack of production from half a dozen veterans which has been the difference in winning vs losing

Yes, I think they are just as surprised by the way the season has gone. I mean if they win just a few of the overtime games early on it's maybe a different story for their confidence and standings. I don't fault them for trying to stay competitive, actually I prefer it to a complete rebuild. I know that's a sensitive area for some but in my opinion it just keeps things more interesting during the season. I still hope they get a top 3 pick though!

[callitwhatyouwant]

I think really the only big problem is the mixed messages.

Army talked like we were going to compete then proceeded like we weren't. I don't think we have near the complaints if we are marketing these young kids, the beginning of a new era etc.

Granted the big run last year made that difficult

I don't think anyone saw the lack of production from half a dozen veterans which has been the difference in winning vs losing

Starting the worst goaltending in the league (that has at least 12 games played) for half of your games isn’t the best recipe for success either. That would tank a lot of playoff teams.

Injuries haven’t helped either.

I agree but I don't think that is shocking, IMO outside a handful of hot streaks Binny has been pretty bad for years, we only have 4 NHL d men, and a large portion of our forward group is wildly inexperienced.

commenting on this but both your posts. BIGGEST miss by Army and Co was not realizing that we needed a vet next to Mailloux. bringing back Suter was the clear bridgepoint with having tucker in the box. You could rotate Tucker with Mailloux and Give Suter a break every once in a while. This would have also insulated the couple but rare times we have had injuries to the defense. The defense IMO would have been a top 15 defense in the league with that 1 simple addition that was already verbal about wanting to stay. The top 4 of Parayko/Broberg Faulk/Fowler or go back to last years pairings could have been really good. Instead you split it up and you have a rookie being exposed and a JAG in tucker. 2/3 of your lines have a liability out there. You can cover for 1, as Suter showed last year which elevated Tuckers stock.

2nd, your point about goalie play is huge. This team lost a bunch of OT games because they would climb back into games where their goalies were giving up goals on the first shot of the game consistently. This wasn't just a Binner issue, was a HOFdaddy one too. Both were really bad. Hofer has been great for 2 months now. Binner post cup years career is a roller coaster. Following year he played even better until the shutdown. Was REALLY bad during the Avs playoff year where he turned it on in the playoffs. Next year was good with a bad team defensively. Was solid again the following year. Last year was good post 4 nations, maybe the best of his career. He has a .909 career percentage. The covid playoffs tanked that pretty hard. ANd last years was either getting shelled or great game. But that .949 playoff run is still top 10 ever performed by a goalie.

Take away last year's playoff run. I really don't think this team is that much different. We have the same scoring drought that isn't being filled by guys like Parayko or Hollywood. After the goalie play stopped being horrendous, even with injuries until recently, we settled in right at .500 hockey for almost 2 months. I'm not saying that's good. I'm saying that speaks to where they are at in the life cycle. I think they are 1 big shake up move from seeing some positives.

The last 10 games, 9 of them have been inspired hockey. You are 3-6-1 during that time period tho. So what does that say? Outside of the one shelling, the rest were battles. And it's the first time I have been able to say they played 60 minutes of hockey and it looked to me like the did it for 9 periods in a row at one point.