Grading the Blues Offseason

[a smell of green grass]

My Grade of the Blues Offseason: D

NHL Draft
The Blues used their draft capital to acquire Centers in what was universally considered a WEAK CLASS of Centers. Worse, the Blues selected the 3rd best center (or worse) among the lot. The net result is that we very likely acquired weak centers. This means that we likely acquired a 3+ year "dead-end" where we think we have a solution, but we do not. In other words, say hello to a couple more "Zach Deans" for a couple more years. Maybe the Blues know more than the rest of the NHL, but their track record on Center evaluation is horrid--which is why the Blues are DESPERATE to fill the Center hole to begin with. In summary, from where they drafted in Round 1, finding needle-moving talent is difficult anyway, and they further handicapped themselves by shopping only for Centers. I don't have much hope that the Blues accomplished anything with their NHL draft selections.

NHL Draft (Trades)
The Blues acquired Mason MacTavish, who couldn't stay in the lineup for Anaheim. This move accomplished 2 things: A) Cementing the Blues to AVERAGE results and B) Covering up the Dvorsky mistake. Next year, instead of seeing what Dvorsky brings (FINALLY), all the fan's eyes will be on MacTavish. This face-saving move helps only Blues management.

Management/Personnel/Coaching
The Blues have been mediocre for 3+ years, and if anything they are moving backward. Their results should have led to an in-depth evaluation of what went wrong, and GM/Coach firing. That is what every other team does. Instead, we are glued to a Rookie GM, exclusively trained by the outgoing failing GM, whose desk is under the right cheek of the failing GM, using the Lieutenants and Captains from the failing group. In all other NHL cities, there would be a revolt. In St Louis, we call it progress and never question anything. They may move to Saskatoon after all.

Trades
The highlight of the offseason was losing Kyrou--finally. Getting ride of a "CORE PLAYER SIGNED TO A FAVORABLE LONG-TERM DEAL" should bring crying, not tears. However, this is St Louis, and we never second-guess management. They may move to Saskatoon after all. In exchange for Kyrou, we now have McMichael, a player that never showed much previously. Washington had no use for him. McMichael will bring AVERAGE results at best.

In summary, the best move was a subtraction. The new additions came from other teams' discard pile. The mediocrity will only get worse over the next couple years. Congratulations, Sports Fans. Go ahead and buy your tickets, but get dates AFTER FEB 1. We will need to spoil our draft position late again this year. We can always count on that.

[a smell of green grass]

For those BluesTalkers that believe I am wrong....

I've been harping about the poor results from the 2023, 2024 drafts for over a year now. Let's talk a close look at what the Blues accomplished during their "GREAT RE-WHATEVER".

2023 Rating: F
Blues draft choices have amassed only 35 points--DESPITE THE FACT THAT BLUES ROSTER POSITIONS ARE WIDE OPEN AND WAITING FOR THEM. Management and the fans are dying to be re-whatevered.
Across the other NHL teams, 2023 prospects have scored approximately 1000 points.
There is no more need to WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, Sports Fans. Army acquired new Centers in 2026 because 2023 was a complete BUST.
https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft/nh ... draft/2023

2024 Rating: D
Even worse, Blues draft choices have amassed ZERO points. Jiricek has not even made it to the AHL yet, and is still 5000 Big Macs away from even getting a shot at the NHL.
Across the other NHL teams, 2024 prospects have scored approximately 250 points.
https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft/nh ... draft/2024


So now that you see the NHL Draft results from 2023 and 2024, do you still expect anything different from 2026?!!!

[BalotelliMassive]

[a smell of green grass]

Hold is mandatory when you got no bullets.

[Army's Mom]

Meow meow meow meow
Meow meow meow meow
Meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow

Meow meow meow meow
Meow meow meow meow
Meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow

Meow meow meow
Meow meow meow meow meow
Meow. Meow. Meow.

I don't speak whinycat, but I will give my .02

McTavish and McMichael remind me a LOT of the offseason where we added ROR and Bozak. You can never have enough depth at C, and McTavish especially should take a lot of pressure off of Dvorsky.

Forwards - we're deeper now, essentially replacing Kyrou with McMichael and McTavish. Should be able to count on continued growth from Holloway, Snuggerud, Dvorsky, Stenberg, et al.

Would like to see some different pieces on the 4th line, but the heavy lifting was getting a bona fide 2C, which McTavish already is. B+

Defense - counting on a LOT of continued growth from LM and TL, and while they've both looked promising, it's hard to count on both improving steadily. The more kids you play back there, the exponentially-higher the risk of mistakes. Carlo should provide some good insurance in that regard, but Broberg and Parayko will have to shoulder a heavy load babysitting LM and TL. B-

Goalie - no change. C.

Overall: B-

[a smell of green grass]

Meow meow meow meow
Meow meow meow meow
Meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow

Meow meow meow meow
Meow meow meow meow
Meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow

Meow meow meow
Meow meow meow meow meow
Meow. Meow. Meow.

I don't speak whinycat, but I will give my .02

McTavish and McMichael remind me a LOT of the offseason where we added ROR and Bozak. You can never have enough depth at C, and McTavish especially should take a lot of pressure off of Dvorsky.

Forwards - we're deeper now, essentially replacing Kyrou with McMichael and McTavish. Should be able to count on continued growth from Holloway, Snuggerud, Dvorsky, Stenberg, et al.

Would like to see some different pieces on the 4th line, but the heavy lifting was getting a bona fide 2C, which McTavish already is. B+

Defense - counting on a LOT of continued growth from LM and TL, and while they've both looked promising, it's hard to count on both improving steadily. The more kids you play back there, the exponentially-higher the risk of mistakes. Carlo should provide some good insurance in that regard, but Broberg and Parayko will have to shoulder a heavy load babysitting LM and TL. B-

Goalie - no change. C.

Overall: B-

OK. ROR wasn't "discarded" like MacTavish was. However, nothing is known for certain yet. Thanks for your opinion. It's good to have a discussion of what people see and why.

How would you grade the FUTURE beyond next year. This is where I see the biggest failures. The re-whatever years were our best chance to obtain a new core that could challenge for a Cup, and now that window has passed. We move forward with very average contributors at key positions.

[TBone]

Live Action Smelly ...

Disclaimer: The video above is hosted on Youtube, and has not be reviewed by the staff of the Post-Dispatch.

[Nublues69]

its sad that you and smelly nut sack are friends.

[netboy65]

For those BluesTalkers that believe I am wrong....

I've been harping about the poor results from the 2023, 2024 drafts for over a year now. Let's talk a close look at what the Blues accomplished during their "GREAT RE-WHATEVER".

2023 Rating: F
Blues draft choices have amassed only 35 points--DESPITE THE FACT THAT BLUES ROSTER POSITIONS ARE WIDE OPEN AND WAITING FOR THEM. Management and the fans are dying to be re-whatevered.
Across the other NHL teams, 2023 prospects have scored approximately 1000 points.
There is no more need to WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, Sports Fans. Army acquired new Centers in 2026 because 2023 was a complete BUST.
https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft/nh ... draft/2023

2024 Rating: D
Even worse, Blues draft choices have amassed ZERO points. Jiricek has not even made it to the AHL yet, and is still 5000 Big Macs away from even getting a shot at the NHL.
Across the other NHL teams, 2024 prospects have scored approximately 250 points.
https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft/nh ... draft/2024


So now that you see the NHL Draft results from 2023 and 2024, do you still expect anything different from 2026?!!!

You’re awfully quick to put a final grade on the drafts. Considering most kids are only 17-18 when drafted, that makes the ‘23 class still 20-21, and the ‘24 class 19-20.

[bluecalgary]

I don't speak whinycat, but I will give my .02

McTavish and McMichael remind me a LOT of the offseason where we added ROR and Bozak. You can never have enough depth at C, and McTavish especially should take a lot of pressure off of Dvorsky.

Forwards - we're deeper now, essentially replacing Kyrou with McMichael and McTavish. Should be able to count on continued growth from Holloway, Snuggerud, Dvorsky, Stenberg, et al.

Would like to see some different pieces on the 4th line, but the heavy lifting was getting a bona fide 2C, which McTavish already is. B+

Defense - counting on a LOT of continued growth from LM and TL, and while they've both looked promising, it's hard to count on both improving steadily. The more kids you play back there, the exponentially-higher the risk of mistakes. Carlo should provide some good insurance in that regard, but Broberg and Parayko will have to shoulder a heavy load babysitting LM and TL. B-

Goalie - no change. C.

Overall: B-

I'm quite happy with the off-season. Addition through subtraction by trading Kyrou. May have lost a 30 goal scorer but we gained flexibility and depth with McT and McM... AND removed the problem of who can get this guy to play consistently.

Should they have done a little more defensively, yes. They are thin, especially if the two young D struggle or there are injuries.

Goalies are good. Hofer is coming on. Binnington, I hope, will be a good soldier and accept fewer games as they make the transition.

[a smell of green grass]

I don't speak whinycat, but I will give my .02

McTavish and McMichael remind me a LOT of the offseason where we added ROR and Bozak. You can never have enough depth at C, and McTavish especially should take a lot of pressure off of Dvorsky.

Forwards - we're deeper now, essentially replacing Kyrou with McMichael and McTavish. Should be able to count on continued growth from Holloway, Snuggerud, Dvorsky, Stenberg, et al.

Would like to see some different pieces on the 4th line, but the heavy lifting was getting a bona fide 2C, which McTavish already is. B+

Defense - counting on a LOT of continued growth from LM and TL, and while they've both looked promising, it's hard to count on both improving steadily. The more kids you play back there, the exponentially-higher the risk of mistakes. Carlo should provide some good insurance in that regard, but Broberg and Parayko will have to shoulder a heavy load babysitting LM and TL. B-

Goalie - no change. C.

Overall: B-

I'm quite happy with the off-season. Addition through subtraction by trading Kyrou. May have lost a 30 goal scorer but we gained flexibility and depth with McT and McM... AND removed the problem of who can get this guy to play consistently.

Should they have done a little more defensively, yes. They are thin, especially if the two young D struggle or there are injuries.

Goalies are good. Hofer is coming on. Binnington, I hope, will be a good soldier and accept fewer games as they make the transition.

I noticed that you didn't say anything along the lines of "moving closer to a Stanley Cup" or "obtaining a new elite core". How did the Blues affect their long-term prospects? How would you grade that aspect?

[a smell of green grass]

For those BluesTalkers that believe I am wrong....

I've been harping about the poor results from the 2023, 2024 drafts for over a year now. Let's talk a close look at what the Blues accomplished during their "GREAT RE-WHATEVER".

2023 Rating: F
Blues draft choices have amassed only 35 points--DESPITE THE FACT THAT BLUES ROSTER POSITIONS ARE WIDE OPEN AND WAITING FOR THEM. Management and the fans are dying to be re-whatevered.
Across the other NHL teams, 2023 prospects have scored approximately 1000 points.
There is no more need to WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, Sports Fans. Army acquired new Centers in 2026 because 2023 was a complete BUST.
https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft/nh ... draft/2023

2024 Rating: D
Even worse, Blues draft choices have amassed ZERO points. Jiricek has not even made it to the AHL yet, and is still 5000 Big Macs away from even getting a shot at the NHL.
Across the other NHL teams, 2024 prospects have scored approximately 250 points.
https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft/nh ... draft/2024


So now that you see the NHL Draft results from 2023 and 2024, do you still expect anything different from 2026?!!!

You’re awfully quick to put a final grade on the drafts. Considering most kids are only 17-18 when drafted, that makes the ‘23 class still 20-21, and the ‘24 class 19-20.

No. The problem is that you are being quite slow to face reality. Click the link to see the contributions of the 2023 draftees, and bear in mind that many of these other players are on great teams that have NO ROSTER AVAILABILITY. Who knows how many of them would be surpassing our 3 Round1 draftees if given the opportunity?

[d--train]

[zuck698]

Live Action Smelly ...

Disclaimer: The video above is hosted on Youtube, and has not be reviewed by the staff of the Post-Dispatch.

[netboy65]

For those BluesTalkers that believe I am wrong....

I've been harping about the poor results from the 2023, 2024 drafts for over a year now. Let's talk a close look at what the Blues accomplished during their "GREAT RE-WHATEVER".

2023 Rating: F
Blues draft choices have amassed only 35 points--DESPITE THE FACT THAT BLUES ROSTER POSITIONS ARE WIDE OPEN AND WAITING FOR THEM. Management and the fans are dying to be re-whatevered.
Across the other NHL teams, 2023 prospects have scored approximately 1000 points.
There is no more need to WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, Sports Fans. Army acquired new Centers in 2026 because 2023 was a complete BUST.
https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft/nh ... draft/2023

2024 Rating: D
Even worse, Blues draft choices have amassed ZERO points. Jiricek has not even made it to the AHL yet, and is still 5000 Big Macs away from even getting a shot at the NHL.
Across the other NHL teams, 2024 prospects have scored approximately 250 points.
https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft/nh ... draft/2024


So now that you see the NHL Draft results from 2023 and 2024, do you still expect anything different from 2026?!!!

You’re awfully quick to put a final grade on the drafts. Considering most kids are only 17-18 when drafted, that makes the ‘23 class still 20-21, and the ‘24 class 19-20.

No. The problem is that you are being quite slow to face reality. Click the link to see the contributions of the 2023 draftees, and bear in mind that many of these other players are on great teams that have NO ROSTER AVAILABILITY. Who knows how many of them would be surpassing our 3 Round1 draftees if given the opportunity?

Yes. The problem is that you are quick to dismiss players as washed up or busts at the ripe old age of 21.

[The Average Gatsby]

My favorite part of this is that he said blues draft picks from the 2023 draft have only scored 35 points but players from across the class have scored 1,000 points. 1,000 points divided by 32 teams is….31.25 points.