No math or calculations necessary, what do you think?

[SameOldBlues]

Its the dog days of Summer, there’ll be plenty of time to get excited in a couple months. Im stoked for college football season to start till then. But when the Blues crank it up, most of ny excitement will be centered around the breakout party of one Logan Mailloux. Matter of fact, I predict him and Bolduc will score the same amount of goals this year…15

[Stlcardsblues]

I'm not hearing the excitement here in Blues Talk, at least as I'm feeling it. This team went on a streak at the end of last season, made the playoffs and did themselves justice in showing it was no fluke in the first round, even though that's as far as we got. I'll admit, last year I didn't see it coming until it happened. But it turned out to be more than enough to get the Hockey worlds attention, as well as mine. I wasn't floored. I thought we had a real decent team on the rise anyway. But I did say WOW, and got excited.

Now, after seeing how well they played together, plus we've made some very good acquisitions, and the caliber of our youth talent coming in, I'm very high on our boys. I know I'm doing a lot of generalization, but I'm an old fart who's been here forever and I've seen a lot of Blues teams and players so I hope I can just get cut a bit of slack. I'm no authority, I'm just posting in our Forum. (Asylum). Anyway, I'd just really like to hear what you guys have to say. I also know the rest of the NHL hasn't just sat around doing nothing. Are we going to be "that" much better of a team? How would you describe what you believe is coming this season for the St. Louis Blues.

There is a ton to be excited about with this team. It’s a real good young nucleus they are building around. It most likely is not at the level of the elite teams yet, but it is quickly closing that gap. They should be in position where adding at the trade deadline makes sense this year.

[dhsux]

I was high on them last summer and sky high this summer. It's now time for summer to end.

The talent is there yet management has once again rolled the dice. I'm all in with DA and even though the risk is greater than last year it's an amazing high nonetheless.

And even better..... I think this is a very special team with a ton of synergy....and not to be redundant.....but seriously good synergy that you can't just go find on any team and Monty is a huge part of all of that.

Let's get August done and go forward.

I can't wait for it.

[DawgDad]

I'm not hearing the excitement here in Blues Talk, at least as I'm feeling it. This team went on a streak at the end of last season, made the playoffs and did themselves justice in showing it was no fluke in the first round, even though that's as far as we got. I'll admit, last year I didn't see it coming until it happened. But it turned out to be more than enough to get the Hockey worlds attention, as well as mine. I wasn't floored. I thought we had a real decent team on the rise anyway. But I did say WOW, and got excited.

Now, after seeing how well they played together, plus we've made some very good acquisitions, and the caliber of our youth talent coming in, I'm very high on our boys. I know I'm doing a lot of generalization, but I'm an old fart who's been here forever and I've seen a lot of Blues teams and players so I hope I can just get cut a bit of slack. I'm no authority, I'm just posting in our Forum. (Asylum). Anyway, I'd just really like to hear what you guys have to say. I also know the rest of the NHL hasn't just sat around doing nothing. Are we going to be "that" much better of a team? How would you describe what you believe is coming this season for the St. Louis Blues.

Yeah, last season caught me by surprise, too. I'm not an analyzer, not a prognosticator. The Blues could be better, about the same, or take a step back. How's that for an assertive opinion?

They step up if the veterans are in form and ready to play coming put of the gate, if Holloway is healthy and flying around, if Snuggerud can actually play NHL hockey, if Suter (the PU version) helps at center and on the PK, if Mailloux is a positive addition, if Hofer is solid. Hey, they could win the Division if they have the collective will, they ended last season living inside MacKinnon's head rent-free.

About the same, bubble team, if it takes the boys a while to pull together.

Step back if injuries hit key players AND there are rookie and chemistry issues AND if Fowler walks like a Duck. They could take a step back and actually be advancing the cause moving forward if the young players are developing.

Cornered to predict, 103 points, maybe more.

[rezero]

I'm not hearing the excitement here in Blues Talk, at least as I'm feeling it. This team went on a streak at the end of last season, made the playoffs and did themselves justice in showing it was no fluke in the first round, even though that's as far as we got. I'll admit, last year I didn't see it coming until it happened. But it turned out to be more than enough to get the Hockey worlds attention, as well as mine. I wasn't floored. I thought we had a real decent team on the rise anyway. But I did say WOW, and got excited.

Now, after seeing how well they played together, plus we've made some very good acquisitions, and the caliber of our youth talent coming in, I'm very high on our boys. I know I'm doing a lot of generalization, but I'm an old fart who's been here forever and I've seen a lot of Blues teams and players so I hope I can just get cut a bit of slack. I'm no authority, I'm just posting in our Forum. (Asylum). Anyway, I'd just really like to hear what you guys have to say. I also know the rest of the NHL hasn't just sat around doing nothing. Are we going to be "that" much better of a team? How would you describe what you believe is coming this season for the St. Louis Blues.

Just to clarify the Blues did not go on a hot streak right at the end of the season, rather they were the second best team in hockey from the all star break to the end of the season. Right be fore the winning streak they were on an 8-2 run as well. This team was playing as good as anyone the second half.

[STL fan in MN]

Currently in Hawaii so currently give near zero [censored]. But give it a few days and I’ll be excited for the season to start up again.

Not an elite group but a good mix of vets and younger players looking to grow. Excited to see the team hopefully grow and improve this season and build back up to a contender in a couple years.

[somni]

I'm really pumped for this season. More than I have been in a long time. I was excited last year, but had caution about Bannister. This season, the Blues have the right coach, some players have matured more, and some issues have been addressed (center mainly).

I call this year #2 of the transition and I expect them to start turning the corner, but have a few bumps along the way.

But I'm also real excited about the kids in Springfield. So much so that I'll be watching their games all year.

And TBH, I just stopped posting because it became the same arguments. I still read what good posters have to say, but it's the dog days of August...the worst time for hockey fans. But we're getting closer!

[HighStick]

I'm excited about this team. I'm not thinking they are a legit Cup contender but I think they should make the PO's. This team is a couple of years away from being a serious contender but they are on the right path. All the talent in the pipeline makes the future bright.

[seattleblue]

This is the dawn of excitement for the next near-contending/contending version of the Blues. Since it's going to be powered by prospects we've already been watching awhile, just like the last group that gave us the first one, it's particularly attention-holding. That was one of the most satisfying things about 2019, how much of that was Blues drafting.

[roessjd]

I was surprised by them making the PO's last year. At the start of last season, I figured they would fall short and this season they would be pushing for a PO spot. They seem to be a season ahead of what I thought when they started the retool. I don't see them contending for the cup this year. I just want to see them keep progressing in the right direction. I would like to see at least one new prospect come in and get some substantial playing time each of the next few seasons. This will allow them to have a good mix of experienced kids and vets to make deep PO runs.

[HighStick]

Both Broberg and Holloway will be playing for new contracts after this season. I expect both of them to have solid years. They are going to play hard knowing they are about to sign one of the biggest contracts of their lives. Their play alone is going to take this team the next step forward.
Brobergs going to be a good top 2/4. Ended last season +21. That's good for a Dman.
Holloway was supposed to be 4th line fodder in the deal but is pressing Buch for top line mins. Holloway has turned out to be a real stud. That guy gets it. Plays hard, skates hard and has a shot. The same things we loved about Buch. At the time nobody was saying Holloway was going to be a solid top 6 guy. Most had him pegged as a 3rd liner. His success really helps transform this team into something. Those were 2 genius moves by Army and they are going to payoff big time.

This teams going to be fun to watch. Once we get used to the new commentator teams. I get the feeling that's going to take awhile.

[DawgDad]

Both Broberg and Holloway will be playing for new contracts after this season. I expect both of them to have solid years. They are going to play hard knowing they are about to sign one of the biggest contracts of their lives. Their play alone is going to take this team the next step forward.
Brobergs going to be a good top 2/4. Ended last season +21. That's good for a Dman.
Holloway was supposed to be 4th line fodder in the deal but is pressing Buch for top line mins. Holloway has turned out to be a real stud. That guy gets it. Plays hard, skates hard and has a shot. The same things we loved about Buch. At the time nobody was saying Holloway was going to be a solid top 6 guy. Most had him pegged as a 3rd liner. His success really helps transform this team into something. Those were 2 genius moves by Army and they are going to payoff big time.

This teams going to be fun to watch. Once we get used to the new commentator teams. I get the feeling that's going to take awhile.

I generally agree with you except on Holloway. He played for the Blues the way he played in limited time in the playoffs the season before, including one very memorable balls-to-the-wall McDavid-esque rush up the ice. The panel analysts were talking about him. I was NOT all that surprised by his play, he seems to have soaked up a lot of hockey philosophy from McDavid, Draisaitl, and others. He has skill, it was apparent. He has a motor, that was very apparent. Small sample size, yes, but huge stage. I would not have predicted him to to score at the pace he did but I did believe he was as good as or better than the other young wingers on the Blues, with Kyrou being a more mature scorer and Buchnevich a more mature two-way player.

These guys were talented and motivated, and THAT was apparent in the Cup Finals. The magnitude of stupidity on the part of Oilers management was epic.

[STL fan in MN]

Both Broberg and Holloway will be playing for new contracts after this season. I expect both of them to have solid years. They are going to play hard knowing they are about to sign one of the biggest contracts of their lives. Their play alone is going to take this team the next step forward.
Brobergs going to be a good top 2/4. Ended last season +21. That's good for a Dman.
Holloway was supposed to be 4th line fodder in the deal but is pressing Buch for top line mins. Holloway has turned out to be a real stud. That guy gets it. Plays hard, skates hard and has a shot. The same things we loved about Buch. At the time nobody was saying Holloway was going to be a solid top 6 guy. Most had him pegged as a 3rd liner. His success really helps transform this team into something. Those were 2 genius moves by Army and they are going to payoff big time.

This teams going to be fun to watch. Once we get used to the new commentator teams. I get the feeling that's going to take awhile.

I generally agree with you except on Holloway. He played for the Blues the way he played in limited time in the playoffs the season before, including one very memorable balls-to-the-wall McDavid-esque rush up the ice. The panel analysts were talking about him. I was NOT all that surprised by his play, he seems to have soaked up a lot of hockey philosophy from McDavid, Draisaitl, and others. He has skill, it was apparent. He has a motor, that was very apparent. Small sample size, yes, but huge stage. I would not have predicted him to to score at the pace he did but I did believe he was as good as or better than the other young wingers on the Blues, with Kyrou being a more mature scorer and Buchnevich a more mature two-way player.

These guys were talented and motivated, and THAT was apparent in the Cup Finals. The magnitude of stupidity on the part of Oilers management was epic.

This. I don’t expect Holloway to be a pt/game player the 2nd half of the season but I considered him much much more than 4th line fodder at the time we acquired him. Even remember saying he may end up being the bigger get over Broberg.

[HighStick]

Both Broberg and Holloway will be playing for new contracts after this season. I expect both of them to have solid years. They are going to play hard knowing they are about to sign one of the biggest contracts of their lives. Their play alone is going to take this team the next step forward.
Brobergs going to be a good top 2/4. Ended last season +21. That's good for a Dman.
Holloway was supposed to be 4th line fodder in the deal but is pressing Buch for top line mins. Holloway has turned out to be a real stud. That guy gets it. Plays hard, skates hard and has a shot. The same things we loved about Buch. At the time nobody was saying Holloway was going to be a solid top 6 guy. Most had him pegged as a 3rd liner. His success really helps transform this team into something. Those were 2 genius moves by Army and they are going to payoff big time.

This teams going to be fun to watch. Once we get used to the new commentator teams. I get the feeling that's going to take awhile.

I generally agree with you except on Holloway. He played for the Blues the way he played in limited time in the playoffs the season before, including one very memorable balls-to-the-wall McDavid-esque rush up the ice. The panel analysts were talking about him. I was NOT all that surprised by his play, he seems to have soaked up a lot of hockey philosophy from McDavid, Draisaitl, and others. He has skill, it was apparent. He has a motor, that was very apparent. Small sample size, yes, but huge stage. I would not have predicted him to to score at the pace he did but I did believe he was as good as or better than the other young wingers on the Blues, with Kyrou being a more mature scorer and Buchnevich a more mature two-way player.

These guys were talented and motivated, and THAT was apparent in the Cup Finals. The magnitude of stupidity on the part of Oilers management was epic.

This. I don’t expect Holloway to be a pt/game player the 2nd half of the season but I considered him much much more than 4th line fodder at the time we acquired him. Even remember saying he may end up being the bigger get over Broberg.

I remember most of the "hockey experts" around here were gushing over Broberg. Holloway was the throwin that was just a 3rd or 4th line bonus if they got him. I remember a couple people saying he had potential if he grew into it but I don't remember anyone really calling Holloway a top 6 guy the day we got him. Kudos to you if you did.
I believe Holloway turning out like he has is going to be a huge push for this team moving forward. It's rare to get top 6 talent for a 3rd rnd pick.

[STL fan in MN]

Both Broberg and Holloway will be playing for new contracts after this season. I expect both of them to have solid years. They are going to play hard knowing they are about to sign one of the biggest contracts of their lives. Their play alone is going to take this team the next step forward.
Brobergs going to be a good top 2/4. Ended last season +21. That's good for a Dman.
Holloway was supposed to be 4th line fodder in the deal but is pressing Buch for top line mins. Holloway has turned out to be a real stud. That guy gets it. Plays hard, skates hard and has a shot. The same things we loved about Buch. At the time nobody was saying Holloway was going to be a solid top 6 guy. Most had him pegged as a 3rd liner. His success really helps transform this team into something. Those were 2 genius moves by Army and they are going to payoff big time.

This teams going to be fun to watch. Once we get used to the new commentator teams. I get the feeling that's going to take awhile.

I generally agree with you except on Holloway. He played for the Blues the way he played in limited time in the playoffs the season before, including one very memorable balls-to-the-wall McDavid-esque rush up the ice. The panel analysts were talking about him. I was NOT all that surprised by his play, he seems to have soaked up a lot of hockey philosophy from McDavid, Draisaitl, and others. He has skill, it was apparent. He has a motor, that was very apparent. Small sample size, yes, but huge stage. I would not have predicted him to to score at the pace he did but I did believe he was as good as or better than the other young wingers on the Blues, with Kyrou being a more mature scorer and Buchnevich a more mature two-way player.

These guys were talented and motivated, and THAT was apparent in the Cup Finals. The magnitude of stupidity on the part of Oilers management was epic.

This. I don’t expect Holloway to be a pt/game player the 2nd half of the season but I considered him much much more than 4th line fodder at the time we acquired him. Even remember saying he may end up being the bigger get over Broberg.

I remember most of the "hockey experts" around here were gushing over Broberg. Holloway was the throwin that was just a 3rd or 4th line bonus if they got him. I remember a couple people saying he had potential if he grew into it but I don't remember anyone really calling Holloway a top 6 guy the day we got him. Kudos to you if you did.
I believe Holloway turning out like he has is going to be a huge push for this team moving forward. It's rare to get top 6 talent for a 3rd rnd pick.

I expected him to be a 3rd liner last season but have room for growth. Didn’t expect him to become one of our top 3-4 forwards by the end of the season but thought he had that sort of potential eventually. He was really impressive though. Whatever line Thomas centers will be called the first line but I expect the Holloway-Schenn/Suter-Kyrou line to get a ton of ice time too and be perhaps our best offensively producing line (with Thomas’ line also right there but with more defensive usage).

We have a legit top-6 now and even with the loss of Bolduc, should be able to put together a 3rd line that should be hard to olay against and basically break even. And then a 4th line pretty much equivalent or perhaps better than the WTF line.

[dhsux]

Both Broberg and Holloway will be playing for new contracts after this season. I expect both of them to have solid years. They are going to play hard knowing they are about to sign one of the biggest contracts of their lives. Their play alone is going to take this team the next step forward.
Brobergs going to be a good top 2/4. Ended last season +21. That's good for a Dman.
Holloway was supposed to be 4th line fodder in the deal but is pressing Buch for top line mins. Holloway has turned out to be a real stud. That guy gets it. Plays hard, skates hard and has a shot. The same things we loved about Buch. At the time nobody was saying Holloway was going to be a solid top 6 guy. Most had him pegged as a 3rd liner. His success really helps transform this team into something. Those were 2 genius moves by Army and they are going to payoff big time.

This teams going to be fun to watch. Once we get used to the new commentator teams. I get the feeling that's going to take awhile.

I generally agree with you except on Holloway. He played for the Blues the way he played in limited time in the playoffs the season before, including one very memorable balls-to-the-wall McDavid-esque rush up the ice. The panel analysts were talking about him. I was NOT all that surprised by his play, he seems to have soaked up a lot of hockey philosophy from McDavid, Draisaitl, and others. He has skill, it was apparent. He has a motor, that was very apparent. Small sample size, yes, but huge stage. I would not have predicted him to to score at the pace he did but I did believe he was as good as or better than the other young wingers on the Blues, with Kyrou being a more mature scorer and Buchnevich a more mature two-way player.

These guys were talented and motivated, and THAT was apparent in the Cup Finals. The magnitude of stupidity on the part of Oilers management was epic.

This. I don’t expect Holloway to be a pt/game player the 2nd half of the season but I considered him much much more than 4th line fodder at the time we acquired him. Even remember saying he may end up being the bigger get over Broberg.

I remember most of the "hockey experts" around here were gushing over Broberg. Holloway was the throwin that was just a 3rd or 4th line bonus if they got him. I remember a couple people saying he had potential if he grew into it but I don't remember anyone really calling Holloway a top 6 guy the day we got him. Kudos to you if you did.
I believe Holloway turning out like he has is going to be a huge push for this team moving forward. It's rare to get top 6 talent for a 3rd rnd pick.

There were some knowledgeable posters on the Oilers HF board that knew at the time what they lost in Holloway so I wasn't surprised but he may have even eclipsed their own expectations in his first full year.

And you are correct Broberg did get more attention here than Holloway I think a great deal of that was his position and the Blues need for that position.