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

[IsDurbanodoingtime]

Who has transitioned straight from the QMJHL to the NHL....?

C'mon really? How about Sid directly from the Oceanic to the Penguins for one obvious example.

So a couple of players from 20 years ago....one being considered generational?

I am answering your question implying that no one has - which is clearly wrong More recent first rounders pierre luc deblois, lafrennierre, nico hischer. Or how about Eric Daze? Maybe it is not Carbonneau this year but the notion that first rounders from the Q cannot or have not made the direct jump to the nhl is incorrect.

[BalotelliMassive]

Who has transitioned straight from the QMJHL to the NHL....?

C'mon really? How about Sid directly from the Oceanic to the Penguins for one obvious example.

So a couple of players from 20 years ago....one being considered generational?

I am answering your question implying that no one has - which is clearly wrong More recent first rounders pierre luc deblois, lafrennierre, nico hischer. Or how about Eric Daze? Maybe it is not Carbonneau this year but the notion that first rounders from the Q cannot or have not made the direct jump to the nhl is incorrect.

Easy there…. It’s a hard question to answer and that’s why I asked. Thank you for answering.

[stlblue06]

Dube has a better chance to make the roster than both Stenberg and Carbs.
I base that on watching the Thunderbirds playoffs alone. Carbs and Stenberg were almost invisible while Dube was everywhere.

Ya’ll are some dreamers though. Keep focusing on those silver linings.

He was also signed to a 1 way deal while the other two are on 2 way deals. So I’d say the overwhelming odds are that Dubes starts with the Blues and Stenberg/Carbs will be call ups.

[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!

Please don't feed the troll so he can't derail a good thread...

I thank you in advance...

No offense Pete, but did you see the entire thread? I wasn't feeding the Troll, as he was already "eating" several times, before I suggested he seek the help he needs. But thanks for your input, I guess.

[son_of_foolsgold]

The Blues roster of last year has been significantly altered via both addition and subtraction. They are now a faster team, bigger team, more gritty team, more experienced team with a goalie tandem not likely to stumble out of the gate, on the contrary, they should be a source of team strength.

Just had to have a field day with this one.

Tell me, how does a team get faster by subtracting Kyrou, their fastest player, and substituting McTavish who is among the slowest skating players in the league??????

Also I have to question your goalie evaluation, given that the Blues retained the same tandem that did exactly that last season (stumble out of the gate).

Geez

[dhsux]

The Blues roster of last year has been significantly altered via both addition and subtraction. They are now a faster team, bigger team, more gritty team, more experienced team with a goalie tandem not likely to stumble out of the gate, on the contrary, they should be a source of team strength.

Just had to have a field day with this one.

Tell me, how does a team get faster by subtracting Kyrou, their fastest player, and substituting McTavish who is among the slowest skating players in the league??????

Also I have to question your goalie evaluation, given that the Blues retained the same tandem that did exactly that last season (stumble out of the gate).

Geez

Maybe the better comparison is McTavish versus Schenn since they both play the same position. Losing Faulk and Schenn on speed counts as well. There will be additional young players on this team as well, impacting team speed.

As for the goalies, I acknowledged last year and stated my opinion on this year.

You think they will fail again.....no surprise there....I don't.

[son_of_foolsgold]

The Blues roster of last year has been significantly altered via both addition and subtraction. They are now a faster team, bigger team, more gritty team, more experienced team with a goalie tandem not likely to stumble out of the gate, on the contrary, they should be a source of team strength.

Just had to have a field day with this one.

Tell me, how does a team get faster by subtracting Kyrou, their fastest player, and substituting McTavish who is among the slowest skating players in the league??????

Also I have to question your goalie evaluation, given that the Blues retained the same tandem that did exactly that last season (stumble out of the gate).

Geez

Maybe the better comparison is McTavish versus Schenn since they both play the same position. Losing Faulk and Schenn on speed counts as well. There will be additional young players on this team as well, impacting team speed.

As for the goalies, I acknowledged last year and stated my opinion on this year.

You think they will fail again.....no surprise there....I don't.

I'm afraid the Blues offense is currently so lame, the goalies could play well and the team still would be in the bottom third of the league.

[DawgDad]

The Blues roster of last year has been significantly altered via both addition and subtraction. They are now a faster team, bigger team, more gritty team, more experienced team with a goalie tandem not likely to stumble out of the gate, on the contrary, they should be a source of team strength.

Just had to have a field day with this one.

Tell me, how does a team get faster by subtracting Kyrou, their fastest player, and substituting McTavish who is among the slowest skating players in the league??????

Also I have to question your goalie evaluation, given that the Blues retained the same tandem that did exactly that last season (stumble out of the gate).

Geez

Maybe the better comparison is McTavish versus Schenn since they both play the same position. Losing Faulk and Schenn on speed counts as well. There will be additional young players on this team as well, impacting team speed.

As for the goalies, I acknowledged last year and stated my opinion on this year.

You think they will fail again.....no surprise there....I don't.

I'm afraid the Blues offense is currently so lame, the goalies could play well and the team still would be in the bottom third of the league.

Currently, as in today, yeah, they came up short. There is risk they might come up short again. The Blues have been moving toward younger players with upside potential. No more Schenn, Joseph, Bjugstad, or even Kyrou. No Drouin. Some very talented prospects haven't yet played a minute of NHL hockey. Several are moving into their sophomore season, ceiling not yet determined. Others are still young enough to have untapped potential. They have a team that very well could get better, much better, and soon. But no, there are no guarantees.

[ratonmono2]

I actually think they are and for the reasons laid out in the article.

-------------------------------------------------

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

By Adam Proteau
The Hockey News

The St. Louis Blues narrowly missed the Stanley Cup playoffs last season, but they've made many moves to improve their lineup. The Blues aren't a favorite to win the Cup next year, but they're very much a sleeper team that could shock the league. What's fair to expect of the Blues in 2026-27?
With the roster shakeups that occur during the NHL off-season, there are always one or two teams that emerge as ‘sleeper’ teams.

The biggest sleeper team in the league this coming season could be the St. Louis Blues, a team that has made several major moves this off-season, starting with Alexander Steen replacing Doug Armstrong as GM, who was promoted to president of hockey operations.

- clip -

Meanwhile, St. Louis acquired a proven contributor in former Anaheim Ducks forward Mason McTavish. The 23-year-old had a down season with Anaheim this past year, posting only 17 goals and 41 points in 75 games. But with more opportunity with the Blues, McTavish could get back to the level he was at when he generated 22 goals and 52 points in 76 games in 2024-25.

Finally, the Blues improved their defense corps with the acquisition of D-man Brandon Carlo. The 29-year-old Carlo never fit as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, but in St. Louis, Carlo can come in and provide experience on the third defense pairing.

Third overall pick in 2021 didn't have strong finish in Anaheim last season, eager for fresh start with Blues after being traded to St. Louis
In addition to the players the Blues acquired, youngsters like Philip Broberg, Dylan Holloway, Jimmy Snuggerud, Dalibor Dvorsky, and Joel Hofer are a year older and more experienced, and they’re all coming off solid seasons. Jake Neighbours is also a likely candidate to bounce back, while Logan Mailloux flashed real NHL skills as the season went along.

St. Louis also has several first-round picks aiming to enter the lineup, including Otto Stenberg, Theo Lindstein, Adam Jiricek, and Justin Carbonneau. There’s a solid foundation in place for the Blues’ long-term future, and while the Blues could still use a generational talent or two, Steen and Armstrong are doing well at improving the overall depth of the organization.

https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-n ... conference

The Blues should be improved. However, does that improvement outpace that of their rivals? Not so sure. Can we say today that the Blues have improved enough to surpass Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, Utah? I don't think we can. Have they put distance between themselves and the teams that were below them? I think we can.
Now having said that, if McTavish and McMichael overperform from what I expect from both, then the Blues could be cooking and find themselves battling for a spot in the top three rather than the wild card struggle I'd expect them to be in the thick of. On the other hand, a set of individuals struggling and/or key injuries, could easily set the Blues well outside the wild card race. I am excited for this year either way.

[Army's Mom]

Dube has a better chance to make the roster than both Stenberg and Carbs.
I base that on watching the Thunderbirds playoffs alone. Carbs and Stenberg were almost invisible while Dube was everywhere.

Ya’ll are some dreamers though. Keep focusing on those silver linings.

He was also signed to a 1 way deal while the other two are on 2 way deals. So I’d say the overwhelming odds are that Dubes starts with the Blues and Stenberg/Carbs will be call ups.

Just to be clear, Dubes 1 way deal wont keep him in the NHL over more deserving kids; its the fact the kids are exempt from waivers that means theyre more likely to be sent down.

If anything, Dubes 1 way deal (guaranteeing him an NHL salary after he's sent down) may make him slightly less attractive for another team to claim should the Blues waive him.

[bluecalgary]

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 think it really depends on his skating and whether he can be a little defensively responsible.. If he can do both, shelter him on the 3rd/4th line like we did with Thomas.

[bluecalgary]

The Blues roster of last year has been significantly altered via both addition and subtraction. They are now a faster team, bigger team, more gritty team, more experienced team with a goalie tandem not likely to stumble out of the gate, on the contrary, they should be a source of team strength.

Just had to have a field day with this one.

Tell me, how does a team get faster by subtracting Kyrou, their fastest player, and substituting McTavish who is among the slowest skating players in the league??????

Also I have to question your goalie evaluation, given that the Blues retained the same tandem that did exactly that last season (stumble out of the gate).

Geez

Kyrou's speed... If you can get from point A to B faster than anybody else and not do anything with it afterwards what's the point...

[Bacchk29]

Dube has a better chance to make the roster than both Stenberg and Carbs.
I base that on watching the Thunderbirds playoffs alone. Carbs and Stenberg were almost invisible while Dube was everywhere.

Ya’ll are some dreamers though. Keep focusing on those silver linings.

He was also signed to a 1 way deal while the other two are on 2 way deals. So I’d say the overwhelming odds are that Dubes starts with the Blues and Stenberg/Carbs will be call ups.

Just to be clear, Dubes 1 way deal wont keep him in the NHL over more deserving kids; its the fact the kids are exempt from waivers that means theyre more likely to be sent down.

If anything, Dubes 1 way deal (guaranteeing him an NHL salary after he's sent down) may make him slightly less attractive for another team to claim should the Blues waive him.

Don’t worry- none of them will be here. Too busy being blocked by the Ross Johnstons and Sundqvists.

[IsDurbanodoingtime]

Who has transitioned straight from the QMJHL to the NHL....?

C'mon really? How about Sid directly from the Oceanic to the Penguins for one obvious example.

So a couple of players from 20 years ago....one being considered generational?

I am answering your question implying that no one has - which is clearly wrong More recent first rounders pierre luc deblois, lafrennierre, nico hischer. Or how about Eric Daze? Maybe it is not Carbonneau this year but the notion that first rounders from the Q cannot or have not made the direct jump to the nhl is incorrect.

Easy there…. It’s a hard question to answer and that’s why I asked. Thank you for answering.

Sorry. Absolutely right. My writing style came off incorrectly adversial there. Alwaysbappreciate your input. Btw pumped for Pirlo. He is the dude in my book.

[BalotelliMassive]

Sorry. Absolutely right. My writing style came off incorrectly adversial there. Alwaysbappreciate your input. Btw pumped for Pirlo. He is the dude in my book.

They went from Fire (Gattuso) to Cool as Ice (Pirlo). Love the guy and have complete faith in him and Maldini to make the right changes.

Have a good one bud

[IsDurbanodoingtime]

Sorry. Absolutely right. My writing style came off incorrectly adversial there. Alwaysbappreciate your input. Btw pumped for Pirlo. He is the dude in my book.

They went from Fire (Gattuso) to Cool as Ice (Pirlo). Love the guy and have complete faith in him and Maldini to make the right changes.

Have a good one bud