Answer The following

[STL fan in MN]

Based on what I saw last week, Carbonneau has a near zero shot of making the team out of camp. He’s almost certainly on the outside looking in just to make Canada’s WJC team. He was a non-factor at the WJSS unfortunately.

Seems perhaps too easy to predict Snuggerud or Mailloux to have breakout seasons as they’re starting from zero but I expect both to establish themselves as legit NHLers and while I doubt either wins the Calder, I expect one or both of them to get some votes.

I give Dvorsky about a 50/50 shot of making the team out of camp but expect him to play a good chunk of this season with the team regardless of if it starts in October or not. My guess is Bjugstad secures the open 3RW spot. Either him or Sunny with the other slotting in at 4C.

Hopefully Holloway can come out strong out of the gate and it doesn’t take him a while to get back to form after the hip surgery. If he can bounce right back, I expect him to put up 70ish pts which would be huge. But also likely result in a big extension cost.

[bstpete11]

Who will be the most improved 2 players this year

Snuggerud locks down the spot on Thomas' RW and PP1 all year and scores at least 20 goals and hits 60 points.
Broberg becomes a legit 1st paring defenseman a gets 45-50 points.

Which player will make team out of camp

I think Mailloux and Snuggy are already locks for the team. So I'll go with Dvorsky starting out on the 3rd line playing wing. Maybe transitioning back to center about halfway through the season.

Which defenseman will have a break out season

Since I already said Broberg, Mailloux is my pick for this. He becomes a top 4 guy and QBs the 2nd PP unit by the end of the year.

[Absolut]

Who will be the most improved 2 players this Year?
Offense
Thomas (30-70-100)
Snuggerud 25 goals

Which player will make team out of camp
Mailloux. Ups and downs. Will have his moments and also make you scream.

Which defenseman will have a break out season
Broberg

[Hazelwood72]

Being the nonconformist that I am, I’m gonna say BINNINGTON!

Keep in mind that his stats weren’t superstar material prior to Four Nations, then he jacked up his performance.

If the Blues get out of the gate well, look for Binny to do the same and have a great year.

[zamadoo]

Being the nonconformist that I am, I’m gonna say BINNINGTON!

Keep in mind that his stats weren’t superstar material prior to Four Nations, then he jacked up his performance.

If the Blues get out of the gate well, look for Binny to do the same and have a great year.

Good call!

[a smell of green grass]

Who will be the most improved 2 players this year

Holloway as long as no injury hangover or re-injury.
And the other is Bolduc.
Seriously, Only Fowler will improve. Everyone else will be doing well to not regress.

Which player will make team out of camp

Mailloux, but that is almost too easy of a guess. If he doesn't make camp, it would create bad optics for Army, and Army will always CYA.

Which defenseman will have a break out season

Fowler. Montgomery knows how to use him now, and I trust Fowler to really shine in a full season.

[/quote]

[aslord]

Who will be the most improved 2 players this year

I think Holloway will hit 90pts

I also think Jimmy puts up 50-60 pts

Which player will make team out of camp

I think Dvorsky will make the team and i think that Carboneau will get a taste

Which defenseman will have a break out season

I think fowler willl perform better than he did last year

some pretty brave predictions there

[Nublues69]

One ore prediction I think parayko is going to have a career year and get 50 points

[CupCrazySTL]

Watch out for Jakub Stancl or Pekarcik

[dhsux]

Who will be the most improved 2 players this year

I think Holloway will hit 90pts

I also think Jimmy puts up 50-60 pts

Which player will make team out of camp

I think Dvorsky will make the team and i think that Carboneau will get a taste

Which defenseman will have a break out season

I think fowler willl perform better than he did last year

To take the question literally I will go with the 2 rookies Snuggs and Mailloux as the players who will show the greatest improvement. For the Blues to be strong contenders I believe these two players performances are nearly as critical as the rest of the team players.

And I really don't know who the 13th and/or 14th players will be.....DD has to play to be here and he may have to wait for the injury or demotion to get his chance.

CP will be the D's leader and I look for another really strong performance from him, his best year ever is possible. On the best improvement side I'll go with Bro...I really like his upside.

[Red7]

Tucker and Broberg. Tucker went from a 7th guy on the Springfield shuttle to replacing the grizzled veteran to a player whose injury was a big factor in the playoff loss to the Jets. He KNOWS he belongs now and his play will reflect that. I fully expect him to crack the Top 4 on the right side as Faulk’s deficiencies become more pronounced. After a quick start and an injury, Broberg slumped. Again, it takes time to adjust to a huge increase in minutes played and the importance of those minutes. But, he rebounded and was playing well, especially after the break. I think Broberg is poised to take a huge step this year.

[The Average Gatsby]

Most improved- Buchnevich should have a bounce back season by playing wing all year, at least I hope he does. Especially since he will probably be playing with Thomas most of the time.

Makes the team out of camp- Dvorsky.

Break out defenseman- I'll go with Lindstein here. I'm not sold that Tucker is an NHL caliber defenseman and if he struggles we could see Lindstein in the NHL before the end of the season.

[MikoTython]

The most obvious actual must is for Mailloux to step up his defensive game, which, because he must, expect it to happen.

Would like see Buch perform to his perceived level. He's so darn good at hitting posts, he need to cut that out, put it not merely -at- the hole, but in.

Jake is hitting his stride, that should continue.

The two new vets, we'll have to see - I think we might have pulled off a fast one w/ Pius Suter.

Would like to see Hofer get more games, Binny more rest, both continue to be >.900 goalies.

That would set us up pretty well, if everyone else returns to form, Snuggy and whoever start solving our PP, and PK.

[Old_Goat]

The most obvious actual must is for Mailloux to step up his defensive game, which, because he must, expect it to happen.

Would like see Buch perform to his perceived level. He's so darn good at hitting posts, he need to cut that out, put it not merely -at- the hole, but in.

Jake is hitting his stride, that should continue.

The two new vets, we'll have to see - I think we might have pulled off a fast one w/ Pius Suter.

Would like to see Hofer get more games, Binny more rest, both continue to be >.900 goalies.

That would set us up pretty well, if everyone else returns to form, Snuggy and whoever start solving our PP, and PK.

It certainly wouldn't hurt for the goalie to get more rest. Particularly if he is likely going to be playing in the Olympics. Maybe 10 more games for Hofer? I just think of how impactful having a strong tandem can be, such as Glenn Hall and Jacques Plante, or Gary Cheevers & Eddie Johnston for the Bruins' Cup team...albeit may not be fair to even think about those comparisons. Also, those guys were each older back then

[somni]

I'll go off the grid a little and say that I think Thomas is going to have a stellar year. Yes, we get accustom to his play, but last year he seemed to kick it up a little after his injury.

And he's unbelievably only 26 years old. Just now reaching his prime. He is the one big cog in the Blues' machine.

[MikoTython]

Tucker has been mentioned - it would be great to see him emerge as a salty top six mainstay. I also think Toro is continuing to develop & exceed expectations. Personally, love that guy, his game.