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

[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

We may have discussed this in a previous thread (maybe I am conflating in my age) but his autobiography is a one great read. "After the wheel, the greatest invention of all time may be playstation.". Yoda like Gattuso reveres him for good reason. Maldini is a boss as well. Anyway apologies for hijacking. Cheers.

[BleedingBleu]

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?

Nathan MacKinnon - QMJHL
More recently Ben Kindel - WHL

[callitwhatyouwant]

If and this is a big IF, the Blues developed a real first line with Hollywood/Thomas/Snuggs, they could be a real threat to the west. A few years ago the Dallas top line outscored their entire next 3 lines on a trip to the playoffs. If the Blues get themselves a 30 goal scorer on the top line and 2 25ish, the other 3 lines have plenty of depth to really hurt some teams. The problem will be when you go up against a team with a really strong top 6. At least from what I can see, our 4th line is going to be big or talented, but not necessarily defensively stout. I think whoever's line Buch gets put on is going to be the one asked to check the other teams top lines.

We will see tho. The fun part about this team is there is no glaring holes like last year where I called not extending Suter as the dumbest offseason move. There was no way LM was ready to play with a Tucker or kessel. Those guys just weren't NHL every day guys. This year the defense looks stable, goalie looks stable and could be a strength. And we have the most talented forward group in the last 4 years and the youngest one I can ever remember.

This is all going to come down to the same thing I have been saying for the last few years, can they score 3 goals consistently. We went on a 15 or 16 game drought last year where we got to 3 like 1 time. Without that ineptitude, the team was a playoff team.

[Old_Goat]

If and this is a big IF, the Blues developed a real first line with Hollywood/Thomas/Snuggs, they could be a real threat to the west. A few years ago the Dallas top line outscored their entire next 3 lines on a trip to the playoffs. If the Blues get themselves a 30 goal scorer on the top line and 2 25ish, the other 3 lines have plenty of depth to really hurt some teams. The problem will be when you go up against a team with a really strong top 6. At least from what I can see, our 4th line is going to be big or talented, but not necessarily defensively stout. I think whoever's line Buch gets put on is going to be the one asked to check the other teams top lines.

We will see tho. The fun part about this team is there is no glaring holes like last year where I called not extending Suter as the dumbest offseason move. There was no way LM was ready to play with a Tucker or kessel. Those guys just weren't NHL every day guys. This year the defense looks stable, goalie looks stable and could be a strength. And we have the most talented forward group in the last 4 years and the youngest one I can ever remember.

This is all going to come down to the same thing I have been saying for the last few years, can they score 3 goals consistently. We went on a 15 or 16 game drought last year where we got to 3 like 1 time. Without that ineptitude, the team was a playoff team.

Well we definitely needed another better experienced Vet back there on D in the beginning; but if somebody chooses to hang-em up and not extend so that they can enjoy the fruits of their earned retirement & time with family cannot be labeled as dumb on anyone's part.

[callitwhatyouwant]

If and this is a big IF, the Blues developed a real first line with Hollywood/Thomas/Snuggs, they could be a real threat to the west. A few years ago the Dallas top line outscored their entire next 3 lines on a trip to the playoffs. If the Blues get themselves a 30 goal scorer on the top line and 2 25ish, the other 3 lines have plenty of depth to really hurt some teams. The problem will be when you go up against a team with a really strong top 6. At least from what I can see, our 4th line is going to be big or talented, but not necessarily defensively stout. I think whoever's line Buch gets put on is going to be the one asked to check the other teams top lines.

We will see tho. The fun part about this team is there is no glaring holes like last year where I called not extending Suter as the dumbest offseason move. There was no way LM was ready to play with a Tucker or kessel. Those guys just weren't NHL every day guys. This year the defense looks stable, goalie looks stable and could be a strength. And we have the most talented forward group in the last 4 years and the youngest one I can ever remember.

This is all going to come down to the same thing I have been saying for the last few years, can they score 3 goals consistently. We went on a 15 or 16 game drought last year where we got to 3 like 1 time. Without that ineptitude, the team was a playoff team.

Well we definitely needed another better experienced Vet back there on D in the beginning; but if somebody chooses to hang-em up and not extend so that they can enjoy the fruits of their earned retirement & time with family cannot be labeled as dumb on anyone's part.

Suter was voicing he wanted to come back to the Blues before the season was over, after the season was over, and then crickets by the Blues. Maybe he didn't want a minimum contract or whatever they were offering, but he never formally retired because he had every intention of coming back. I actually thought the signals were that he would come back for a 50-60 game season, try to help mentor and then join player development or front office. He quite literally said "I love STL, I would like the opportunity to keep playing here and maybe get involved further and move my family here."

It was the Blues that clearly turned that down.

[dhsux]

If and this is a big IF, the Blues developed a real first line with Hollywood/Thomas/Snuggs, they could be a real threat to the west. A few years ago the Dallas top line outscored their entire next 3 lines on a trip to the playoffs. If the Blues get themselves a 30 goal scorer on the top line and 2 25ish, the other 3 lines have plenty of depth to really hurt some teams. The problem will be when you go up against a team with a really strong top 6. At least from what I can see, our 4th line is going to be big or talented, but not necessarily defensively stout. I think whoever's line Buch gets put on is going to be the one asked to check the other teams top lines.

We will see tho. The fun part about this team is there is no glaring holes like last year where I called not extending Suter as the dumbest offseason move. There was no way LM was ready to play with a Tucker or kessel. Those guys just weren't NHL every day guys. This year the defense looks stable, goalie looks stable and could be a strength. And we have the most talented forward group in the last 4 years and the youngest one I can ever remember.

This is all going to come down to the same thing I have been saying for the last few years, can they score 3 goals consistently. We went on a 15 or 16 game drought last year where we got to 3 like 1 time. Without that ineptitude, the team was a playoff team.

They were also a play off team aside from their disastrous over time performances (and luck) as well.

There will no doubt be 2-3 "sleepers" in the league this season because of last season.

The Blues are very much able to be one of them.

[Bacchk29]

If and this is a big IF, the Blues developed a real first line with Hollywood/Thomas/Snuggs, they could be a real threat to the west. A few years ago the Dallas top line outscored their entire next 3 lines on a trip to the playoffs. If the Blues get themselves a 30 goal scorer on the top line and 2 25ish, the other 3 lines have plenty of depth to really hurt some teams. The problem will be when you go up against a team with a really strong top 6. At least from what I can see, our 4th line is going to be big or talented, but not necessarily defensively stout. I think whoever's line Buch gets put on is going to be the one asked to check the other teams top lines.

We will see tho. The fun part about this team is there is no glaring holes like last year where I called not extending Suter as the dumbest offseason move. There was no way LM was ready to play with a Tucker or kessel. Those guys just weren't NHL every day guys. This year the defense looks stable, goalie looks stable and could be a strength. And we have the most talented forward group in the last 4 years and the youngest one I can ever remember.

This is all going to come down to the same thing I have been saying for the last few years, can they score 3 goals consistently. We went on a 15 or 16 game drought last year where we got to 3 like 1 time. Without that ineptitude, the team was a playoff team.

They were also a play off team aside from their disastrous over time performances (and luck) as well.

There will no doubt be 2-3 "sleepers" in the league this season because of last season.

The Blues are very much able to be one of them.

24th in scoring last year and the answer was to take a shot on a former 3rd overall pick who was benched by Q last year and Ross Johnston. 6th in the division 10-12 in the conference.

[DawgDad]

If and this is a big IF, the Blues developed a real first line with Hollywood/Thomas/Snuggs, they could be a real threat to the west. A few years ago the Dallas top line outscored their entire next 3 lines on a trip to the playoffs. If the Blues get themselves a 30 goal scorer on the top line and 2 25ish, the other 3 lines have plenty of depth to really hurt some teams. The problem will be when you go up against a team with a really strong top 6. At least from what I can see, our 4th line is going to be big or talented, but not necessarily defensively stout. I think whoever's line Buch gets put on is going to be the one asked to check the other teams top lines.

We will see tho. The fun part about this team is there is no glaring holes like last year where I called not extending Suter as the dumbest offseason move. There was no way LM was ready to play with a Tucker or kessel. Those guys just weren't NHL every day guys. This year the defense looks stable, goalie looks stable and could be a strength. And we have the most talented forward group in the last 4 years and the youngest one I can ever remember.

This is all going to come down to the same thing I have been saying for the last few years, can they score 3 goals consistently. We went on a 15 or 16 game drought last year where we got to 3 like 1 time. Without that ineptitude, the team was a playoff team.

They were also a play off team aside from their disastrous over time performances (and luck) as well.

There will no doubt be 2-3 "sleepers" in the league this season because of last season.

The Blues are very much able to be one of them.

24th in scoring last year and the answer was to take a shot on a former 3rd overall pick who was benched by Q last year and Ross Johnston. 6th in the division 10-12 in the conference.

They are betting on their young players and prospects to improve. Johnston is a fringe player.

[Bacchk29]

If and this is a big IF, the Blues developed a real first line with Hollywood/Thomas/Snuggs, they could be a real threat to the west. A few years ago the Dallas top line outscored their entire next 3 lines on a trip to the playoffs. If the Blues get themselves a 30 goal scorer on the top line and 2 25ish, the other 3 lines have plenty of depth to really hurt some teams. The problem will be when you go up against a team with a really strong top 6. At least from what I can see, our 4th line is going to be big or talented, but not necessarily defensively stout. I think whoever's line Buch gets put on is going to be the one asked to check the other teams top lines.

We will see tho. The fun part about this team is there is no glaring holes like last year where I called not extending Suter as the dumbest offseason move. There was no way LM was ready to play with a Tucker or kessel. Those guys just weren't NHL every day guys. This year the defense looks stable, goalie looks stable and could be a strength. And we have the most talented forward group in the last 4 years and the youngest one I can ever remember.

This is all going to come down to the same thing I have been saying for the last few years, can they score 3 goals consistently. We went on a 15 or 16 game drought last year where we got to 3 like 1 time. Without that ineptitude, the team was a playoff team.

They were also a play off team aside from their disastrous over time performances (and luck) as well.

There will no doubt be 2-3 "sleepers" in the league this season because of last season.

The Blues are very much able to be one of them.

24th in scoring last year and the answer was to take a shot on a former 3rd overall pick who was benched by Q last year and Ross Johnston. 6th in the division 10-12 in the conference.

They are betting on their young players and prospects to improve. Johnston is a fringe player.

Their young players are in the A. Bottom two lines are riddled with fringe players. If Holloway stays healthy and if McTavish and McMichael return to top offensive form… Lotta ifs.

[Bubble4427]

If and this is a big IF, the Blues developed a real first line with Hollywood/Thomas/Snuggs, they could be a real threat to the west. A few years ago the Dallas top line outscored their entire next 3 lines on a trip to the playoffs. If the Blues get themselves a 30 goal scorer on the top line and 2 25ish, the other 3 lines have plenty of depth to really hurt some teams. The problem will be when you go up against a team with a really strong top 6. At least from what I can see, our 4th line is going to be big or talented, but not necessarily defensively stout. I think whoever's line Buch gets put on is going to be the one asked to check the other teams top lines.

We will see tho. The fun part about this team is there is no glaring holes like last year where I called not extending Suter as the dumbest offseason move. There was no way LM was ready to play with a Tucker or kessel. Those guys just weren't NHL every day guys. This year the defense looks stable, goalie looks stable and could be a strength. And we have the most talented forward group in the last 4 years and the youngest one I can ever remember.

This is all going to come down to the same thing I have been saying for the last few years, can they score 3 goals consistently. We went on a 15 or 16 game drought last year where we got to 3 like 1 time. Without that ineptitude, the team was a playoff team.

They were also a play off team aside from their disastrous over time performances (and luck) as well.

There will no doubt be 2-3 "sleepers" in the league this season because of last season.

The Blues are very much able to be one of them.

24th in scoring last year and the answer was to take a shot on a former 3rd overall pick who was benched by Q last year and Ross Johnston. 6th in the division 10-12 in the conference.

They are betting on their young players and prospects to improve. Johnston is a fringe player.

Their young players are in the A. Bottom two lines are riddled with fringe players. If Holloway stays healthy and if McTavish and McMichael return to top offensive form… Lotta ifs.

The Blues have a fine 3rd line. There are no fringe players on it.
The 4th line isn’t that great…but almost every team has fringe players on their fourth line.
Just as many “ifs” as almost every team in the league.

[dhsux]

If and this is a big IF, the Blues developed a real first line with Hollywood/Thomas/Snuggs, they could be a real threat to the west. A few years ago the Dallas top line outscored their entire next 3 lines on a trip to the playoffs. If the Blues get themselves a 30 goal scorer on the top line and 2 25ish, the other 3 lines have plenty of depth to really hurt some teams. The problem will be when you go up against a team with a really strong top 6. At least from what I can see, our 4th line is going to be big or talented, but not necessarily defensively stout. I think whoever's line Buch gets put on is going to be the one asked to check the other teams top lines.

We will see tho. The fun part about this team is there is no glaring holes like last year where I called not extending Suter as the dumbest offseason move. There was no way LM was ready to play with a Tucker or kessel. Those guys just weren't NHL every day guys. This year the defense looks stable, goalie looks stable and could be a strength. And we have the most talented forward group in the last 4 years and the youngest one I can ever remember.

This is all going to come down to the same thing I have been saying for the last few years, can they score 3 goals consistently. We went on a 15 or 16 game drought last year where we got to 3 like 1 time. Without that ineptitude, the team was a playoff team.

They were also a play off team aside from their disastrous over time performances (and luck) as well.

There will no doubt be 2-3 "sleepers" in the league this season because of last season.

The Blues are very much able to be one of them.

24th in scoring last year and the answer was to take a shot on a former 3rd overall pick who was benched by Q last year and Ross Johnston. 6th in the division 10-12 in the conference.

And in spite of it all they were 3 pts out of a play off spot and they were 3-12 in OT and 3 of those losses in OT were against the Kings.

I'm fine with the roster changes they have made, addressing a number of weaknesses.

No one I have seen yet are predicting them to make the play offs but they are ripe top do just that IMO.

[DawgDad]

If and this is a big IF, the Blues developed a real first line with Hollywood/Thomas/Snuggs, they could be a real threat to the west. A few years ago the Dallas top line outscored their entire next 3 lines on a trip to the playoffs. If the Blues get themselves a 30 goal scorer on the top line and 2 25ish, the other 3 lines have plenty of depth to really hurt some teams. The problem will be when you go up against a team with a really strong top 6. At least from what I can see, our 4th line is going to be big or talented, but not necessarily defensively stout. I think whoever's line Buch gets put on is going to be the one asked to check the other teams top lines.

We will see tho. The fun part about this team is there is no glaring holes like last year where I called not extending Suter as the dumbest offseason move. There was no way LM was ready to play with a Tucker or kessel. Those guys just weren't NHL every day guys. This year the defense looks stable, goalie looks stable and could be a strength. And we have the most talented forward group in the last 4 years and the youngest one I can ever remember.

This is all going to come down to the same thing I have been saying for the last few years, can they score 3 goals consistently. We went on a 15 or 16 game drought last year where we got to 3 like 1 time. Without that ineptitude, the team was a playoff team.

They were also a play off team aside from their disastrous over time performances (and luck) as well.

There will no doubt be 2-3 "sleepers" in the league this season because of last season.

The Blues are very much able to be one of them.

24th in scoring last year and the answer was to take a shot on a former 3rd overall pick who was benched by Q last year and Ross Johnston. 6th in the division 10-12 in the conference.

They are betting on their young players and prospects to improve. Johnston is a fringe player.

Their young players are in the A. Bottom two lines are riddled with fringe players. If Holloway stays healthy and if McTavish and McMichael return to top offensive form… Lotta ifs.

You SERIOUSLY need to review the Blues roster, you are just WRONG about "their young players are in the A". There are more there, yes, which is a good thing, but this is a VERY young Blues team.

Every team has "ifs". Will MacKinnon and Makar stay healthy, etc.

[Old_Goat]

If and this is a big IF, the Blues developed a real first line with Hollywood/Thomas/Snuggs, they could be a real threat to the west. A few years ago the Dallas top line outscored their entire next 3 lines on a trip to the playoffs. If the Blues get themselves a 30 goal scorer on the top line and 2 25ish, the other 3 lines have plenty of depth to really hurt some teams. The problem will be when you go up against a team with a really strong top 6. At least from what I can see, our 4th line is going to be big or talented, but not necessarily defensively stout. I think whoever's line Buch gets put on is going to be the one asked to check the other teams top lines.

We will see tho. The fun part about this team is there is no glaring holes like last year where I called not extending Suter as the dumbest offseason move. There was no way LM was ready to play with a Tucker or kessel. Those guys just weren't NHL every day guys. This year the defense looks stable, goalie looks stable and could be a strength. And we have the most talented forward group in the last 4 years and the youngest one I can ever remember.

This is all going to come down to the same thing I have been saying for the last few years, can they score 3 goals consistently. We went on a 15 or 16 game drought last year where we got to 3 like 1 time. Without that ineptitude, the team was a playoff team.

Well we definitely needed another better experienced Vet back there on D in the beginning; but if somebody chooses to hang-em up and not extend so that they can enjoy the fruits of their earned retirement & time with family cannot be labeled as dumb on anyone's part.

Suter was voicing he wanted to come back to the Blues before the season was over, after the season was over, and then crickets by the Blues. Maybe he didn't want a minimum contract or whatever they were offering, but he never formally retired because he had every intention of coming back. I actually thought the signals were that he would come back for a 50-60 game season, try to help mentor and then join player development or front office. He quite literally said "I love STL, I would like the opportunity to keep playing here and maybe get involved further and move my family here."

It was the Blues that clearly turned that down.

I guess I missed that. I just remember him saying that his wife was going to have a say in the matter and he does want to spend more time with his kids before they are fully grown, partly due to his own Dad dying relatively young of a heart attack. And maybe the team and/or him determined that they were too far apart on terms to grind out further discussions?
I wasn't in on any of the discussions and don't know more than bits & pieces I read or heard in interviews.

[callitwhatyouwant]

If and this is a big IF, the Blues developed a real first line with Hollywood/Thomas/Snuggs, they could be a real threat to the west. A few years ago the Dallas top line outscored their entire next 3 lines on a trip to the playoffs. If the Blues get themselves a 30 goal scorer on the top line and 2 25ish, the other 3 lines have plenty of depth to really hurt some teams. The problem will be when you go up against a team with a really strong top 6. At least from what I can see, our 4th line is going to be big or talented, but not necessarily defensively stout. I think whoever's line Buch gets put on is going to be the one asked to check the other teams top lines.

We will see tho. The fun part about this team is there is no glaring holes like last year where I called not extending Suter as the dumbest offseason move. There was no way LM was ready to play with a Tucker or kessel. Those guys just weren't NHL every day guys. This year the defense looks stable, goalie looks stable and could be a strength. And we have the most talented forward group in the last 4 years and the youngest one I can ever remember.

This is all going to come down to the same thing I have been saying for the last few years, can they score 3 goals consistently. We went on a 15 or 16 game drought last year where we got to 3 like 1 time. Without that ineptitude, the team was a playoff team.

They were also a play off team aside from their disastrous over time performances (and luck) as well.

There will no doubt be 2-3 "sleepers" in the league this season because of last season.

The Blues are very much able to be one of them.

24th in scoring last year and the answer was to take a shot on a former 3rd overall pick who was benched by Q last year and Ross Johnston. 6th in the division 10-12 in the conference.

They are betting on their young players and prospects to improve. Johnston is a fringe player.

Their young players are in the A. Bottom two lines are riddled with fringe players. If Holloway stays healthy and if McTavish and McMichael return to top offensive form… Lotta ifs.

You SERIOUSLY need to review the Blues roster, you are just WRONG about "their young players are in the A". There are more there, yes, which is a good thing, but this is a VERY young Blues team.

Every team has "ifs". Will MacKinnon and Makar stay healthy, etc.

I love how someone is saying "their young players are in the A." Yes the Blues have a ton of prospect depth. And the Blues are currently in the top 4 youngest teams in the NHL. I'd suspect the lineup they are going to go with is going to end up being 3rd youngest at the start. It's like they are trying to diss the org while the org is doing exactly what they wanted and getting younger. You don't have to draft and develop only to get younger. You can acquire assets to get younger as well. Look at Vegas, they don't use any of their own assets. Some people just complain to complain.

[BalotelliMassive]

the Blues are currently in the top 4 youngest teams in the NHL.

It looks like they dropped considerably from last season.



Chicago was the youngest up until they signed Kane.

[DawgDad]

Per the Puckpedia roster, not counting Krug, the median age of the Blues is between 26 and 27. It would get a lot lower if veterans like Dube and Walker don't make the team.