Armstrong’s New Vision for the St. Louis Blues’ Blue Line

[Big_G]

If Mailloux can develop into the top four defenseman the Blues believe he is capable of, and Broberg can continue the trajectory he began last season, the group that once was viewed as a hindrance on the franchise will have been turned into a significant asset and strength because of the moves Armstrong made in just one calendar year.

MORE HERE

[Harry York 37]

If Mailloux can develop into the top four defenseman the Blues believe he is capable of, and Broberg can continue the trajectory he began last season, the group that once was viewed as a hindrance on the franchise will have been turned into a significant asset and strength because of the moves Armstrong made in just one calendar year.

MORE HERE

If Broberg plays a whole season as healthy as he was in the 2024 Playoffs and at the beginning of last season, it will be an amazing year.
He has excellent mitts, fine vision, and is faster than anybody on the roster not wearing number 25. Oh yeah, 6'4" 212 lbs. and turned 24 15 days ago.
Its an 8th overall pick for our pal Smelly.

[dr0zombie]

The Blue Line tooks great for the Blues.

Mailloux and Broberg look like solid additions to the top four.

Lindstein and Jiricek are looking to get into the mix as well.

Tucker is a solid guy for that bottom pairing.

It feels like this could be a lot of solid, maybe a bit young, group of good future D. When was the last time you could complain that the Blue Line for this team was young???

My only question is will there be a team with injuries on the back end that gives the Blues a first and maybe more for Justin Faulk? We can dream.....

[danno]

There's a lot of "ifs" in that article

[theograce]

The Blue Line tooks great for the Blues.

We’d need someone to develop into a true number 1 for it to be great.

So much goes into it beyond atoi and numbers

[rezero]

Before we pencil in Mailloux as a long term top 4 defenseman let’s first see if he can make the opening day roster

[dhsux]

The change over the last 12 months has been pretty significant and possibly brilliant.

I'll go with that for the next 12 months where the question is how much better will it get?

[Big_G]

The change over the last 12 months has been pretty significant and possibly brilliant.

I'll go with that for the next 12 months where the question is how much better will it get?

Even though there are some ifs, I'm happier with where we're currently at than where we were. I'm looking forward to the new season and finding out what we've got.

[DawgDad]

There is a risk the Blues might take a step back in the short run to set the stage for longer term success with younger players.

[Nublues69]

The Blue Line tooks great for the Blues.

We’d need someone to develop into a true number 1 for it to be great.

So much goes into it beyond atoi and numbers

Like ptro bleedr

[clemonsonroots]

The Blue Line tooks great for the Blues.

Mailloux and Broberg look like solid additions to the top four.

Lindstein and Jiricek are looking to get into the mix as well.

Tucker is a solid guy for that bottom pairing.

It feels like this could be a lot of solid, maybe a bit young, group of good future D. When was the last time you could complain that the Blue Line for this team was young???

My only question is will there be a team with injuries on the back end that gives the Blues a first and maybe more for Justin Faulk? We can dream.....

no way. he is a liability and everyone knows it. metrics show it. He is at this stage a 3rd pairing d and a 2nd pp guy. not close to worth his salary. Maybe next offseason, someone will want a year of him, but your looking at like a 4th or a throw in in a deal for a defenseman to offset money.

[seattleblue]

The Blue Line tooks great for the Blues.

We’d need someone to develop into a true number 1 for it to be great.

So much goes into it beyond atoi and numbers

you're 100% right

[zamadoo]

The Blue Line tooks great for the Blues.

We’d need someone to develop into a true number 1 for it to be great.

So much goes into it beyond atoi and numbers

you're 100% right

I wonder two things:

1. Can any of the current prospects become that?

2. Can any of the current prospects step into a 6/7 D role this season?

[sdaltons]

There is a risk the Blues might take a step back in the short run to set the stage for longer term success with younger players.

I hope people here keep this in context, but I'm sure they won't lol.

Some growing pains this year will pay off tremendously down the road. It's ok if they stumble a bit, as long as they learn from it and continue to develop. Hopefully by the last quarter or so of the season (sooner would be great, but trying to be realistic!) we will be seeing it all come together.

[seattleblue]

The Blue Line tooks great for the Blues.

We’d need someone to develop into a true number 1 for it to be great.

So much goes into it beyond atoi and numbers

you're 100% right

I wonder two things:

1. Can any of the current prospects become that?

2. Can any of the current prospects step into a 6/7 D role this season?

1. As of now Jiricek is a loooong project. I am tempted to say no he cannot become that but he's maddeningly incomplete. So, we have one prospect who is very far away but if we get luck maybe it will happen.

2. You're not going to see Lindstein and Burns this year with the Blues, but they are the new guys in Springfield I can't wait to see. Ralph has transferred to a much better program in Michigan St, that is going to be very interesting to see, and Fischer will be captaining Sarnia again. Between who they have and who's coming, I see defensemen #2-7 on the NHL roster well taken care of in the medium term. Combined with a tough goalie and high powered offense it's going to be a good team. There are a lot of good teams that can't quite win the Cup though.

[zamadoo]

The Blue Line tooks great for the Blues.

We’d need someone to develop into a true number 1 for it to be great.

So much goes into it beyond atoi and numbers

you're 100% right

I wonder two things:

1. Can any of the current prospects become that?

2. Can any of the current prospects step into a 6/7 D role this season?

1. As of now Jiricek is a loooong project. I am tempted to say no he cannot become that but he's maddeningly incomplete. So, we have one prospect who is very far away but if we get luck maybe it will happen.

2. You're not going to see Lindstein and Burns this year with the Blues, but they are the new guys in Springfield I can't wait to see. Ralph has transferred to a much better program in Michigan St, that is going to be very interesting to see, and Fischer will be captaining Sarnia again. Between who they have and who's coming, I see defensemen #2-7 on the NHL roster well taken care of in the medium term. Combined with a tough goalie and high powered offense it's going to be a good team. There are a lot of good teams that can't quite win the Cup though.

Thanks for your reply.

I've envisioned a Lindstein-Jiricek top pairing since they were drafted. If things go incredibly well, I could see Lindstein developing into a #1LHD, and I also see a possibility that he tastes the NHL this season (not saying likely, just my homer hopeful view). I'm not sure Broberg is that guy, but he's still so young that I'm not going to doubt what he could become in 3-4 years. Interestingly, I've made the comment that Jiricek reminds me of Petro in the way he actually looks on the ice - the way he skates and moves and carries the puck. People complained about Petro's shot (always going wide, etc) and then we draft Jiricek - hey, maybe he busts, but I'm hopeful he can be our guy someday.

I'm excited about Burns. Have liked his game and what he brings since we drafted him. Haven't seen a whole lot of him, but what I've seen plus reports have me eager to see more. Would agree that he likely doesn't sniff the NHL this season, but I'm not here to doubt him either. He's a real hockey player.

I'm more questioning the other AHL guys though. Are Loof, Gaudet, Buchinger, Johannessen, or Skinner capable of making it to the NHL? Can Kessel and Schueneman be counted on for 6/7 duties? Or do we need another vet? Personally, I'm leaning towards going with what we've got, and maybe making a move later.