Are The St. Louis Blues The Sleeper Team In The NHL's Western Conference?

[Nublues69]

as i see it

holloway thomas snuggerud
Mcmichaels mctaivsh Carbonneau
Neighbors Dvorsky Buch
torp finley walker/stenberg

Broberg Mailloux
lindstein Parayko
Fowler Carlo

hofer/binnington

[Harry S Deals]

as i see it

holloway thomas snuggerud
Mcmichaels mctaivsh Carbonneau
Neighbors Dvorsky Buch
torp finley walker/stenberg

Broberg Mailloux
lindstein Parayko
Fowler Carlo

hofer/binnington

Wheres Johnston, Berggren, Suter

Holloway Thomas Snuggy
Neighbours McT Buch
McMichaels Dvorsky Berggren/Stenberg
Johnston Suter Torop/Walker

I cant see Carbonneau making the leap from a couple of AHL games in which he looked lost more or less to Top 6 NHL forward in Oct. It would be a fantastic development for the team but i dont see Monty wedging him in if hes not ready there are too many NHL contracts ahead of him

[BalotelliMassive]

Short training camp
New coaches
New players

Those three obstacles might be too much to overcome early in the season - they have their work cut out for them but the depth is impressive.

[Nublues69]

as i see it

holloway thomas snuggerud
Mcmichaels mctaivsh Carbonneau
Neighbors Dvorsky Buch
torp finley walker/stenberg

Broberg Mailloux
lindstein Parayko
Fowler Carlo

hofer/binnington

Wheres Johnston, Berggren, Suter

Holloway Thomas Snuggy
Neighbours McT Buch
McMichaels Dvorsky Berggren/Stenberg
Johnston Suter Torop/Walker

I cant see Carbonneau making the leap from a couple of AHL games in which he looked lost more or less to Top 6 NHL forward in Oct. It would be a fantastic development for the team but i dont see Monty wedging him in if hes not ready there are too many NHL contracts ahead of him

I dont like bergren, Suter is 4th line i forgot him. top three lines as i see it.

[a smell of green grass]

I like the roster changes a lot but I really wish we could acquire a 20+ scorer with a RH shot. I'm going to keep tooting that horn.

Some people will say Carbonneau but to me he's a couple seasons out.

Be interesting to see how it all plays out. With the moves they've made they must like that they have for now.

Could still see Suter getting moved here at some point.

Pretty much agree with all of this. Blues are still short a RW, ideally, but it is likely a 1-2 year issue.

I agree with the article that the Blues could be a sleeper team. First, we have to see how the new players blend in and avoid a mass dose of sophomore slump. If you extend the sophomore slump concept to established players who moved up into bigger roles (Hofer, e.g.) it's a bigger risk or potential issue. BUT if the guys play their roles effectively this team will benefit from more consistent play and even moderate repair of the horrendous OT record. The group that figures to open the season in St. Louis is young but not green, with the exception of perhaps Lindstein.

With all the young players there is a lot more room for synergy and growth of their games. There is untapped sniper and slot potential for the PP, fresh young legs and bodies for the PK. A guy like Snuggerud could absolutely go off like fireworks on the PP and Dvorsky's shot is a weapon, too. Mailloux and Broberg have plenty more to offer as offensive catalysts than what we've seen. Untapped and unharnessed skills and upside potential that doesn't exist in an older team.

Smell the roses, not the soiled grass.

What I recommend is that you go into the season fully aware of what just happened with our McBooby prize (McTavish, McMichael, and McMailoux).

While other NHL Cities are being fed potential STEAK OF.A LIFETIME (Aka Celebrini, Schaefer), St Louis is being fed the hot dogs leftover from the kid table in Anaheim.

As long as you don't look anywhere else and compare, maybe those hot dogs won't taste too bad---SO JUST DO THAT. Don't compare. That's the solution.

Covetousness is a sin, not a virtue. Benchmarking is fine, analytical, objective. While SJ and Chicago fans were suffering through losing season after losing season we got treated to some great hockey, a 109 point season and very competitive playoffs and a gut-wrenching volatile 7-game plus 2OT playoff vs the President's Trophy team. The Blues now have largely transitioned to a new younger core with more key pieces (talented players) still on the horizon. They will be compelling to watch, perhaps at times frustrating but watching the kids develop promises to be rewarding.

Smell the roses, not the soiled grass.

So it's covetousness and too much to ask that Blues fans get the same excitement as EVERY OTHER NHL CITY? Why are we the only city without a HOFer on the roster? Without a sniff at a HOFer? Without a face of the franchise? Without even a decent Captain? And we've been in this boat for 5+ years, and there is NO END IN SIGHT!

I suggest that you put down the pom poms and pick up you some courage to speak up for the state of hockey in St Louis. You should be old enough to know not to tolerate this.

[Harry S Deals]

as i see it

holloway thomas snuggerud
Mcmichaels mctaivsh Carbonneau
Neighbors Dvorsky Buch
torp finley walker/stenberg

Broberg Mailloux
lindstein Parayko
Fowler Carlo

hofer/binnington

Wheres Johnston, Berggren, Suter

Holloway Thomas Snuggy
Neighbours McT Buch
McMichaels Dvorsky Berggren/Stenberg
Johnston Suter Torop/Walker

I cant see Carbonneau making the leap from a couple of AHL games in which he looked lost more or less to Top 6 NHL forward in Oct. It would be a fantastic development for the team but i dont see Monty wedging him in if hes not ready there are too many NHL contracts ahead of him

I dont like bergren, Suter is 4th line i forgot him. top three lines as i see it.

Berggren could be waived i guess but i doubt it

Finley
Stenberg
Carbonneau

Are going to have to come in to camp and steal a job from a vet. Stenberg has the best odds but its an uphill climb in a short camp. Monty is going to have to rely on the more experienced guys they are already stressing the importance of a better start. In fact i really think the 4th line at Dal and at Col will be

Johnston Sunny Torop

its about the best chance of winning hockey games.

Then i think as the injuries occur and the season goes along we may see Stenberg and may be a Carbonneau in the Blue note but Kaskimaki and Peterson (right shot) are further along in seasoning.

[Army's Mom]

Carbs is best served in the AHL learning to not cheat for offense, something he still needs to work on.
He may have more finishing talent than others ahead of him in the pecking order, but that doesn't mean he's worth more wins (he isn't).

But I'm not so sure we need another RW either. Until Carbs is ready for full time top 9 duty at RW, I'm fine rolling with what we have. Hopefully, it gives Buch every opportunity to put up some decent counting stats, up his value, and find a suitable trade partner for him. He's our one guy on a bad contract, but it's close enough (with the rising cap and the reasonable hope he rebounds shifting back to his preferred RW) that we may be able to get out from under it this year if he rebounds.

Just a thought. Adding another RW likely means more of Buch on LW, and that just ain't cutting it.

[Snuggyfresh]

I think carbs will make it.

[Army's Mom]

I think carbs will make it.

If he does, I hope fans and the coaching staff have a LOT of patience for losing hockey. Because he will need to play 2nd or 3rd line minutes to develop, and play through the inevitable mistakes he will make facing higher caliber opponents.

It worked for Perron. But those were some awful teams that could afford playing for the future. This team isn't being marketed as another "Come Grow With Us" year.

[zuck698]

I like the roster changes a lot but I really wish we could acquire a 20+ scorer with a RH shot. I'm going to keep tooting that horn.

Some people will say Carbonneau but to me he's a couple seasons out.

Be interesting to see how it all plays out. With the moves they've made they must like that they have for now.

Could still see Suter getting moved here at some point.

Pretty much agree with all of this. Blues are still short a RW, ideally, but it is likely a 1-2 year issue.

I agree with the article that the Blues could be a sleeper team. First, we have to see how the new players blend in and avoid a mass dose of sophomore slump. If you extend the sophomore slump concept to established players who moved up into bigger roles (Hofer, e.g.) it's a bigger risk or potential issue. BUT if the guys play their roles effectively this team will benefit from more consistent play and even moderate repair of the horrendous OT record. The group that figures to open the season in St. Louis is young but not green, with the exception of perhaps Lindstein.

With all the young players there is a lot more room for synergy and growth of their games. There is untapped sniper and slot potential for the PP, fresh young legs and bodies for the PK. A guy like Snuggerud could absolutely go off like fireworks on the PP and Dvorsky's shot is a weapon, too. Mailloux and Broberg have plenty more to offer as offensive catalysts than what we've seen. Untapped and unharnessed skills and upside potential that doesn't exist in an older team.

Smell the roses, not the soiled grass.

What I recommend is that you go into the season fully aware of what just happened with our McBooby prize (McTavish, McMichael, and McMailoux).

While other NHL Cities are being fed potential STEAK OF.A LIFETIME (Aka Celebrini, Schaefer), St Louis is being fed the hot dogs leftover from the kid table in Anaheim.

As long as you don't look anywhere else and compare, maybe those hot dogs won't taste too bad---SO JUST DO THAT. Don't compare. That's the solution.

Covetousness is a sin, not a virtue. Benchmarking is fine, analytical, objective. While SJ and Chicago fans were suffering through losing season after losing season we got treated to some great hockey, a 109 point season and very competitive playoffs and a gut-wrenching volatile 7-game plus 2OT playoff vs the President's Trophy team. The Blues now have largely transitioned to a new younger core with more key pieces (talented players) still on the horizon. They will be compelling to watch, perhaps at times frustrating but watching the kids develop promises to be rewarding.

Smell the roses, not the soiled grass.

So it's covetousness and too much to ask that Blues fans get the same excitement as EVERY OTHER NHL CITY? Why are we the only city without a HOFer on the roster? Without a sniff at a HOFer? Without a face of the franchise? Without even a decent Captain? And we've been in this boat for 5+ years, and there is NO END IN SIGHT!

I suggest that you put down the pom poms and pick up you some courage to speak up for the state of hockey in St Louis. You should be old enough to know not to tolerate this.

Leave the basement, go and find your Mom, and please tell her you are out of your dufus meds again. I assume that the few weeks of peace and quiet the board had, when you were away, was because you had got back on your treatment plan? Get help, seriously!

[Army's Mom]

I like the roster changes a lot but I really wish we could acquire a 20+ scorer with a RH shot. I'm going to keep tooting that horn.

Some people will say Carbonneau but to me he's a couple seasons out.

Be interesting to see how it all plays out. With the moves they've made they must like that they have for now.

Could still see Suter getting moved here at some point.

Pretty much agree with all of this. Blues are still short a RW, ideally, but it is likely a 1-2 year issue.

I agree with the article that the Blues could be a sleeper team. First, we have to see how the new players blend in and avoid a mass dose of sophomore slump. If you extend the sophomore slump concept to established players who moved up into bigger roles (Hofer, e.g.) it's a bigger risk or potential issue. BUT if the guys play their roles effectively this team will benefit from more consistent play and even moderate repair of the horrendous OT record. The group that figures to open the season in St. Louis is young but not green, with the exception of perhaps Lindstein.

With all the young players there is a lot more room for synergy and growth of their games. There is untapped sniper and slot potential for the PP, fresh young legs and bodies for the PK. A guy like Snuggerud could absolutely go off like fireworks on the PP and Dvorsky's shot is a weapon, too. Mailloux and Broberg have plenty more to offer as offensive catalysts than what we've seen. Untapped and unharnessed skills and upside potential that doesn't exist in an older team.

Smell the roses, not the soiled grass.

What I recommend is that you go into the season fully aware of what just happened with our McBooby prize (McTavish, McMichael, and McMailoux).

While other NHL Cities are being fed potential STEAK OF.A LIFETIME (Aka Celebrini, Schaefer), St Louis is being fed the hot dogs leftover from the kid table in Anaheim.

As long as you don't look anywhere else and compare, maybe those hot dogs won't taste too bad---SO JUST DO THAT. Don't compare. That's the solution.

Covetousness is a sin, not a virtue. Benchmarking is fine, analytical, objective. While SJ and Chicago fans were suffering through losing season after losing season we got treated to some great hockey, a 109 point season and very competitive playoffs and a gut-wrenching volatile 7-game plus 2OT playoff vs the President's Trophy team. The Blues now have largely transitioned to a new younger core with more key pieces (talented players) still on the horizon. They will be compelling to watch, perhaps at times frustrating but watching the kids develop promises to be rewarding.

Smell the roses, not the soiled grass.

So it's covetousness and too much to ask that Blues fans get the same excitement as EVERY OTHER NHL CITY? Why are we the only city without a HOFer on the roster? Without a sniff at a HOFer? Without a face of the franchise? Without even a decent Captain? And we've been in this boat for 5+ years, and there is NO END IN SIGHT!

I suggest that you put down the pom poms and pick up you some courage to speak up for the state of hockey in St Louis. You should be old enough to know not to tolerate this.

Leave the basement, go and find your Mom, and please tell her you are out of your dufus meds again. I assume that the few weeks of peace and quiet the board had, when you were away, was because you had got back on your treatment plan? Get help, seriously!

My money's on family vacation sans wifi. There are no meds for that kind of smell.

[IsDurbanodoingtime]

Imo the low key biggest impact move of this offseason will end up being the Carlo acquisition on the RD. Playoff team.

[Harry S Deals]

I think carbs will make it.

If he does, I hope fans and the coaching staff have a LOT of patience for losing hockey. Because he will need to play 2nd or 3rd line minutes to develop, and play through the inevitable mistakes he will make facing higher caliber opponents.

It worked for Perron. But those were some awful teams that could afford playing for the future. This team isn't being marketed as another "Come Grow With Us" year.

IF he does make it they may put him on the 3rd or 4th line as they have with other really young guys, Thomas, Barbie. Teach him to focus on the back check they certainly wouldnt want a 19 yr old Carbs trying to cover top 6 NHL RWs to start the season, ugh. Thats trial by fire and the Blues want to win hockey games. Carbs has an NHL body, he will hit but there are too many better options ready now and in fact Dylan Peterson is a right shot forward that is far far more NHL ready if we are talking only about RWs

[UMR-alum-05]

I'll be floored if Carbonneau makes the team in any capacity but I would put it at 0% odds he starts the year in the top 6.

I mean come on guys.

[Francis Park Thug]

+1 He's not close to becoming an NHLer.
Not yet. He has a lot to learn.

[Sudsy 11]

I'll be floored if Carbonneau makes the team in any capacity but I would put it at 0% odds he starts the year in the top 6.

I mean come on guys.

I would be shocked if he made the team as well. Too much depth and Carb finished the year in Springfield as a scratch for their playoff games. Needs to be in the AHL getting minutes working on his game unless he magically improved over the summer.