End of Season Thought on the Future

Join the discussion about the Blues.

[Complete Blues coverage on STLtoday.com]

Moderators: STLtoday Forum Moderators, Blues Talk Moderators

Hazelwood72
Forum User
Posts: 882
Joined: 02 Feb 2021 23:05 pm

Re: End of Season Thought on the Future

Post by Hazelwood72 »

BobbyOrr wrote: 08 May 2025 05:31 am After the season we had,
how No one on the coaching side did not see this coming in the middle of the second period and put a stop to it is what is disturbing.

The Blues prevent mode NEVER works.
The Blues showed strength when they play physical with the pedal to the floor.
ANY time they let up off of that, they Always became Vulnerable.
All Season Long !!!
Bobby, you are ABSOLUTELY correct! The Blues “prevent defense” prevents winning.

BTW, you and Phil Esposito and Johnny Bucyk never played prevent defense, either! And won 2 Stanley Cups as a result!
Hooking
Forum User
Posts: 696
Joined: 13 Dec 2023 09:39 am

Re: End of Season Thought on the Future

Post by Hooking »

Binnington needs to be a Blue for life. Don't ever trade him or let him go.
callitwhatyouwant
Forum User
Posts: 3400
Joined: 12 Jan 2019 20:05 pm

Re: End of Season Thought on the Future

Post by callitwhatyouwant »

I couldn't disagree more with OP's assessment.

Faulk is the whipping boy of this board yet he is the only person that had to have multiple pairings and cover jobs that aren't his.

The defense is 1 player away from being just fine for 1 calendar year. THe future is a concern.

Blues scoring is what caused losses all year. When the offense stunk, the Blues lost. We never had a "we are getting shelled" run.

We need a 5-6m value forward similar to a Barbashev.

Neighbours play got better. He produced more points and more points per game and was an even player.

Schenn is the leader of the team. Just listen to Snuggy.
Bacchk29
Forum User
Posts: 1013
Joined: 29 Apr 2019 07:24 am

Re: End of Season Thought on the Future

Post by Bacchk29 »

So the overall assessment here seems to be keep the team the same except for trading Kyrou for a RHD and hope the young guys cover the lost goals. Neat.
Hockey Pete
Forum User
Posts: 281
Joined: 25 May 2024 10:43 am

Re: End of Season Thought on the Future

Post by Hockey Pete »

skilles wrote: 07 May 2025 17:05 pm
Hockey Pete wrote: 05 May 2025 18:47 pm
skilles wrote: 05 May 2025 12:13 pm
MiamiLaw wrote: 05 May 2025 12:09 pm Monty clearly loves Sunny for whatever reason. He was put in some very high leverage situations repeatedly
I like Sunny myself but he certainly can't replace Faksa on the dot.
While I agree that Faksa is a far better center, they had Sunny at RW and he was a solid player there (not to mention one of the FEW RHer's we have). He was solid on the 2nd PP because he's great at blocking the tender, and he's still good at garbage goal rebounds (5th on the team with 4 ppg).

Our problems are (and for the near future will be) center and too many LHer's in the forward ranks. Schenn has NO business being a 2nd line center, so if you keep him on a scoring line, move him to wing (he did produce as a RW'er in the past), or move him to 3C. Regarding LH shots, we have too many with more on the way...
Yeah I would agree with all that but I still think we need that FO ability at 4th line center and thats not Sunny and I definitely want him on the team but I'm having a hard time with where to put him.
Don't disagree there. It shouldn't be lost on anyone that Monty had faith in that line, as they had REAL minutes in game 7, to include the overtimes.

Checking/Defensive lines are judged by their puck possession, and that effectiveness starts with winning the FO. That said, I was impressed by that line even when the lost the FO, as each winger did a solid job covering for possession (Torp with that almost 10ft stick and wingspan, and Walker because he's a tough little turd to pin down).

They gelled at the right time, because Faksa/Torp weren't on the same page to start the season. That was NOT the issue the last 20 games or so in the regular season and playoffs.
Hockey Pete
Forum User
Posts: 281
Joined: 25 May 2024 10:43 am

Re: End of Season Thought on the Future

Post by Hockey Pete »

Bacchk29 wrote: 08 May 2025 11:44 am So the overall assessment here seems to be keep the team the same except for trading Kyrou for a RHD and hope the young guys cover the lost goals. Neat.
You do realize we just took the best team in the NHL to a seven game/double overtime playoff round... without arguably our best winger. Not sure we need to blow up anything to get to the next level.

And who wants to trade Kyrou for a RHD???
STL fan in MN
Forum User
Posts: 1792
Joined: 23 May 2024 13:57 pm

Re: End of Season Thought on the Future

Post by STL fan in MN »

Hockey Pete wrote: 08 May 2025 11:54 am
Bacchk29 wrote: 08 May 2025 11:44 am So the overall assessment here seems to be keep the team the same except for trading Kyrou for a RHD and hope the young guys cover the lost goals. Neat.
You do realize we just took the best team in the NHL to a seven game/double overtime playoff round... without arguably our best winger. Not sure we need to blow up anything to get to the next level.

And who wants to trade Kyrou for a RHD???
I’m sure he can cherry-pick one post somewhere but if I were to give the cliff notes version of the general consensus of what I’ve seen in threads here the last couple days it would be: add a 2C, maybe try to upgrade at RD. And then a few people wanting to trade Kyrou…but then connecting it back upgrading 2C or RD.
Bluesfan1978
Forum User
Posts: 679
Joined: 17 Jan 2021 16:44 pm

Re: End of Season Thought on the Future

Post by Bluesfan1978 »

netboy65 wrote: 08 May 2025 07:13 am
Bluesfan1978 wrote: 06 May 2025 05:25 am Kyrou did improve his defensive play this year and I think his defensive play wasn’t terrible in the playoffs. But he just doesn’t use his speed the way he could or should. He’s too timid. He also isn’t aggressive in the regular season. Two things that stood out to me regarding Kyrou: Jimmy Snuggerud came in and played playoff hockey, he wasn’t overly physical in making hits but he won board battles, he didn’t shy away from contact and if I had to pick who I want in the ice for a critical situation I’d pick Snuggy over Kyrou.
Secondly watch either Elhers, Connor, or Perfetti, those guys never gave up on any play, they threw some hits, they didn’t shy away from being hit, they weren’t perfect but there was no questioning their battle level. Even their smaller D Pionk battled hard.
If you want him using his speed give him linemates that can keep up. That’s why it worked so well with Holloway.
Agree partly but it’s not the entire reason.
netboy65
Forum User
Posts: 1428
Joined: 23 May 2024 12:54 pm

Re: End of Season Thought on the Future

Post by netboy65 »

Bluesfan1978 wrote: 08 May 2025 14:06 pm
netboy65 wrote: 08 May 2025 07:13 am
Bluesfan1978 wrote: 06 May 2025 05:25 am Kyrou did improve his defensive play this year and I think his defensive play wasn’t terrible in the playoffs. But he just doesn’t use his speed the way he could or should. He’s too timid. He also isn’t aggressive in the regular season. Two things that stood out to me regarding Kyrou: Jimmy Snuggerud came in and played playoff hockey, he wasn’t overly physical in making hits but he won board battles, he didn’t shy away from contact and if I had to pick who I want in the ice for a critical situation I’d pick Snuggy over Kyrou.
Secondly watch either Elhers, Connor, or Perfetti, those guys never gave up on any play, they threw some hits, they didn’t shy away from being hit, they weren’t perfect but there was no questioning their battle level. Even their smaller D Pionk battled hard.
If you want him using his speed give him linemates that can keep up. That’s why it worked so well with Holloway.
Agree partly but it’s not the entire reason.
No but the increased production would make some of the remaining warts more palatable. He’s improved tremendously this year, let’s see if that trend continues.
I’m not trading him for spare parts, the only way would be as part of a package for a true stud
Bacchk29
Forum User
Posts: 1013
Joined: 29 Apr 2019 07:24 am

Re: End of Season Thought on the Future

Post by Bacchk29 »

Hockey Pete wrote: 08 May 2025 11:54 am
Bacchk29 wrote: 08 May 2025 11:44 am So the overall assessment here seems to be keep the team the same except for trading Kyrou for a RHD and hope the young guys cover the lost goals. Neat.
You do realize we just took the best team in the NHL to a seven game/double overtime playoff round... without arguably our best winger. Not sure we need to blow up anything to get to the next level.

And who wants to trade Kyrou for a RHD???
The 3rd line was nonexistent to the point we had to overuse the 4th line and the top line - they were gassed at the end of game 7. Jets were missing top 2 forwards out of 3 for most of series. Hellebuyck was awful. Not asking to blow anything up but a 2C is top priority. Most I’ve seen here on several threads again wanting to trade our top scorer. The bottom 6 also needs an upgrade speed wise.
skilles
Forum User
Posts: 1165
Joined: 23 May 2024 13:28 pm

Re: End of Season Thought on the Future

Post by skilles »

Bacchk29 wrote: 08 May 2025 15:05 pm
Hockey Pete wrote: 08 May 2025 11:54 am
Bacchk29 wrote: 08 May 2025 11:44 am So the overall assessment here seems to be keep the team the same except for trading Kyrou for a RHD and hope the young guys cover the lost goals. Neat.
You do realize we just took the best team in the NHL to a seven game/double overtime playoff round... without arguably our best winger. Not sure we need to blow up anything to get to the next level.

And who wants to trade Kyrou for a RHD???
The 3rd line was nonexistent to the point we had to overuse the 4th line and the top line - they were gassed at the end of game 7. Jets were missing top 2 forwards out of 3 for most of series. Hellebuyck was awful. Not asking to blow anything up but a 2C is top priority. Most I’ve seen here on several threads again wanting to trade our top scorer. The bottom 6 also needs an upgrade speed wise.
Keep in mind getting a 2c is also getting a 3c.

1 move can be a huge change if that 1 move is the right move.
TheJackBurton
Forum User
Posts: 2023
Joined: 23 May 2024 12:43 pm

Re: End of Season Thought on the Future

Post by TheJackBurton »

netboy65 wrote: 08 May 2025 14:38 pm
Bluesfan1978 wrote: 08 May 2025 14:06 pm
netboy65 wrote: 08 May 2025 07:13 am
Bluesfan1978 wrote: 06 May 2025 05:25 am Kyrou did improve his defensive play this year and I think his defensive play wasn’t terrible in the playoffs. But he just doesn’t use his speed the way he could or should. He’s too timid. He also isn’t aggressive in the regular season. Two things that stood out to me regarding Kyrou: Jimmy Snuggerud came in and played playoff hockey, he wasn’t overly physical in making hits but he won board battles, he didn’t shy away from contact and if I had to pick who I want in the ice for a critical situation I’d pick Snuggy over Kyrou.
Secondly watch either Elhers, Connor, or Perfetti, those guys never gave up on any play, they threw some hits, they didn’t shy away from being hit, they weren’t perfect but there was no questioning their battle level. Even their smaller D Pionk battled hard.
If you want him using his speed give him linemates that can keep up. That’s why it worked so well with Holloway.
Agree partly but it’s not the entire reason.
No but the increased production would make some of the remaining warts more palatable. He’s improved tremendously this year, let’s see if that trend continues.
I’m not trading him for spare parts, the only way would be as part of a package for a true stud
I don't think anyone (well the majority anyway) are advocating for him to be traded for spare parts because 30+ goals is hard to replace with spare parts.

If you are trading Kyrou it has to be for a player that 100% improves the team in a dramatic way, just like Florida did with acquiring Matthew.

If they didn't trade for him, I doubt they trade Huberdeau and Weager
DawgDad
Forum User
Posts: 6651
Joined: 16 May 2019 10:58 am

Re: End of Season Thought on the Future

Post by DawgDad »

callitwhatyouwant wrote: 08 May 2025 10:30 am I couldn't disagree more with OP's assessment.

Faulk is the whipping boy of this board yet he is the only person that had to have multiple pairings and cover jobs that aren't his.

The defense is 1 player away from being just fine for 1 calendar year. THe future is a concern.

Blues scoring is what caused losses all year. When the offense stunk, the Blues lost. We never had a "we are getting shelled" run.

We need a 5-6m value forward similar to a Barbashev.

Neighbours play got better. He produced more points and more points per game and was an even player.

Schenn is the leader of the team. Just listen to Snuggy.
Key point. Barbs left a void that perhaps should have been filled by now (Dean) but hasn't been. Some moves turn out like Fowler, some don't.
Bluesfan1978
Forum User
Posts: 679
Joined: 17 Jan 2021 16:44 pm

Re: End of Season Thought on the Future

Post by Bluesfan1978 »

netboy65 wrote: 08 May 2025 14:38 pm
Bluesfan1978 wrote: 08 May 2025 14:06 pm
netboy65 wrote: 08 May 2025 07:13 am
Bluesfan1978 wrote: 06 May 2025 05:25 am Kyrou did improve his defensive play this year and I think his defensive play wasn’t terrible in the playoffs. But he just doesn’t use his speed the way he could or should. He’s too timid. He also isn’t aggressive in the regular season. Two things that stood out to me regarding Kyrou: Jimmy Snuggerud came in and played playoff hockey, he wasn’t overly physical in making hits but he won board battles, he didn’t shy away from contact and if I had to pick who I want in the ice for a critical situation I’d pick Snuggy over Kyrou.
Secondly watch either Elhers, Connor, or Perfetti, those guys never gave up on any play, they threw some hits, they didn’t shy away from being hit, they weren’t perfect but there was no questioning their battle level. Even their smaller D Pionk battled hard.
If you want him using his speed give him linemates that can keep up. That’s why it worked so well with Holloway.
Agree partly but it’s not the entire reason.
No but the increased production would make some of the remaining warts more palatable. He’s improved tremendously this year, let’s see if that trend continues.
I’m not trading him for spare parts, the only way would be as part of a package for a true stud
Increased production would be good. I personally have no issue with how he has produced in the playoffs. Some series matchups won’t be favourable for certain players. He did improve his defensive play this year but now he needs to show teams he can’t be pushed around and intimidated. Thats the playbook on him now. How ever you want to put it he needs to up his battle level. William Nylander is a good example. Throws some hits, battles through checks and wins his share of board battles. He doesn’t chose his path with the puck based on that he might take a hit in the process. I think last year he had a good offseason off training g and he needs to continue that.
Bluesfan1978
Forum User
Posts: 679
Joined: 17 Jan 2021 16:44 pm

Re: End of Season Thought on the Future

Post by Bluesfan1978 »

He also needs to use his speed more with the puck to open up ice for others not just when he thinks he can easily blow by a defender.
Hockey Pete
Forum User
Posts: 281
Joined: 25 May 2024 10:43 am

Re: End of Season Thought on the Future

Post by Hockey Pete »

Bacchk29 wrote: 08 May 2025 15:05 pm
Hockey Pete wrote: 08 May 2025 11:54 am
Bacchk29 wrote: 08 May 2025 11:44 am So the overall assessment here seems to be keep the team the same except for trading Kyrou for a RHD and hope the young guys cover the lost goals. Neat.
You do realize we just took the best team in the NHL to a seven game/double overtime playoff round... without arguably our best winger. Not sure we need to blow up anything to get to the next level.

And who wants to trade Kyrou for a RHD???
The 3rd line was nonexistent to the point we had to overuse the 4th line and the top line - they were gassed at the end of game 7. Jets were missing top 2 forwards out of 3 for most of series. Hellebuyck was awful. Not asking to blow anything up but a 2C is top priority. Most I’ve seen here on several threads again wanting to trade our top scorer. The bottom 6 also needs an upgrade speed wise.
I agree with you brother, and I would add that the 2nd AND 3rd lines were ineffectual. That said, you also can't argue that Kyrou is in that group.

I'm not advocating "trade Kyrou", as let's face it he is one of the few RH shots we have, oh and he happens to put in 30+g and 70pts. But an $8+ million dollar player can't be 10th in scoring at -4 in a seven game series.
Post Reply