2017-2018 Blues (Hockey) Season

[MrCrowesGarden]

[JCShutout]

Why do I feel like they're embarking on another lost season? I wish I could get really excited, but my level of enthusiasm this season isn't nearly what it was 1 year ago.

I really hope they prove me wrong.

One of the Blues main strengths is the depth they have up front. Yes, the depth consists of young players, but young players that have the potential to be VERY good and can surely step up and fill rolls when guys like Steen & others make their way back.

Yeah. This isn't the Cardinals type of depth. This Blues team has loads of youth with solid upside. (And they actually have legit star talent at both forward and two on D, and their "solid" players are well above average, legit contender players) Nothing is a lock, but what the team does not lack is talent and speed. Barring something unexpected, they should be in the mix.

[tlombard]

I was feeling great about the Blues going into Pittsburgh and beating the two time defending champs on their opening night... but then wow. Chicago absolutely destroyed the Penguins last night. I'm going to chalk it up to having played and lost on an emotional night the day before and then travelling to Chicago for their home opener.

[mikechamp]

Why do I feel like they're embarking on another lost season? I wish I could get really excited, but my level of enthusiasm this season isn't nearly what it was 1 year ago.

I really hope they prove me wrong.

One of the Blues main strengths is the depth they have up front. Yes, the depth consists of young players, but young players that have the potential to be VERY good and can surely step up and fill rolls when guys like Steen & others make their way back.

Yeah. This isn't the Cardinals type of depth. This Blues team has loads of youth with solid upside. (And they actually have legit star talent at both forward and two on D, and their "solid" players are well above average, legit contender players) Nothing is a lock, but what the team does not lack is talent and speed. Barring something unexpected, they should be in the mix.

To quote from somewhere (X-Files?): I want to believe.

And I'm happy we got 2 points out of PIT. When their 2-goal lead evaporated in less than a minute in the 3rd, I was having my doubts they'd be able to even get to OT.

I read the ESPN hockey pundits predictions and they've pegged the Blues to finish 6th. Fair? Underrating the Note? What say you?

[MrCrowesGarden]

Why do I feel like they're embarking on another lost season? I wish I could get really excited, but my level of enthusiasm this season isn't nearly what it was 1 year ago.

I really hope they prove me wrong.

One of the Blues main strengths is the depth they have up front. Yes, the depth consists of young players, but young players that have the potential to be VERY good and can surely step up and fill rolls when guys like Steen & others make their way back.

Yeah. This isn't the Cardinals type of depth. This Blues team has loads of youth with solid upside. (And they actually have legit star talent at both forward and two on D, and their "solid" players are well above average, legit contender players) Nothing is a lock, but what the team does not lack is talent and speed. Barring something unexpected, they should be in the mix.

To quote from somewhere (X-Files?): I want to believe.

And I'm happy we got 2 points out of PIT. When their 2-goal lead evaporated in less than a minute in the 3rd, I was having my doubts they'd be able to even get to OT.

I read the ESPN hockey pundits predictions and they've pegged the Blues to finish 6th. Fair? Underrating the Note? What say you?

I think they'll make the playoffs but hard to say where exactly. The Central is still the toughest division in hockey, with only the Avalanche looking like true patsies. Anywhere 3-8 wouldn't shock me.

[Popeye_Card]

I'd like to state for the record that ESPN doesn't really have any hockey pundits anymore.

But yeah, 6th wouldn't be a shock. 1st wouldn't be a total shock. Barely missing the playoffs wouldn't be a shock.

Likely in the playoffs:
Blackhawks
Preds
Ducks
Oilers

Probably in the playoffs:
Wild
Blues
Kings
Sharks

Could make the playoffs:
Jets
Stars
Flames
Canucks

Not very likely:
Avs
Coyotes
Vegas

Plus or minus a category for each of those teams. The NHL is really good right now, in terms of parity.

[tlombard]

I read one preseason take on the Blues where they were picked to be one of the last teams in the playoffs and their reasoning made sense once I got over the disbelief and actually read the reasoning.

Sure they played better under Yeo after firing Hitch last year but their thoughts are that Hitch is/was a better head coach based on track record and I can't argue that historically but at the same time, Hitch's time was up here and it was time to move on. It can be argued that part of the problem last year was the fact that Yeo was already on the staff to replace Hitch and while I've never heard any public statement from anybody in the organization, that situation might have been part of the issue that helped sink Hitch and the improved play after he left was more of a reflection on the situation being resolved and having one voice to follow going forward. Basically the person writing the preview took that view and wrote the early season issues under Hitch off and believes that Hitch is the superior coach. I can't really argue with that.

They also listed a few of the guys who left and I wish I could remember the specifics but the view is that the Blues haven't gotten worse and may be a bit better, the problem is that along with most experts probably viewing Yeo as a downgrade as the coach, the rest of the division is just so tough that if you aren't getting a lot better, you're probably going to slide down.

I can't argue with any of the predictions when I take off my Blues fan hat really. I feel the team is better positioned over last year minus the injuries but that's the homer in me. On paper, nothing jumps out and indicates that they have done enough to knock off the top tier of the division and that makes the rest a crap shoot.

[Hoot45]

Why do I feel like they're embarking on another lost season? I wish I could get really excited, but my level of enthusiasm this season isn't nearly what it was 1 year ago.

I really hope they prove me wrong.

One of the Blues main strengths is the depth they have up front. Yes, the depth consists of young players, but young players that have the potential to be VERY good and can surely step up and fill rolls when guys like Steen & others make their way back.

Yeah. This isn't the Cardinals type of depth. This Blues team has loads of youth with solid upside. (And they actually have legit star talent at both forward and two on D, and their "solid" players are well above average, legit contender players) Nothing is a lock, but what the team does not lack is talent and speed. Barring something unexpected, they should be in the mix.

I agree with the comment on depth and would add that it isn't just personnel depth, but it is system and style of play that could make them less vulnerable to major injuries (some of which we have already suffered entering the season). I think Yeo has a more "anti-fragile" system in place.

[JCShutout]

Depending on the severity of injuries, and how kids step up or don't, I could see anywhere from 4th to barely squeaking in, so yeah, predicting 6th makes sense. (Plus, the difference between 5th and 8th might be like 3 or 4 points-lots of parity in the NHL) I don't think we're a favorite to win, but we are good enough to make the playoffs and should be a tough matchup. Lucky breaks and a hot goalie and you never know.

We are probably a piece or two away from being real contenders. We may already have those pieces in the kids, (Think about Pit's Stanley Cup winning d corps of youngsters) but only time will tell.

Basically, barring more injuries, /knocks on wood/ the Blues floor is a late playoff spot, but they have the potential for a really nice ceiling. I'm actually excited to see what the kids bring. Its not like we're banking on one kid. Its like the Cardinals OF prospect situation, except the Blues DO have 3 star level players.

[TheoSqua]

This blues team is actually a lot like this Cardinals team. They're playing through a transition from one core to another while still trying to remain competitive, they lack a ton of top-end talent but have solid depth and decent prospects that are a few years away. And their success will depend on the performance they get from more volatile positions (goaltending/bullpen) because the parity in their division is so high that any team could gain or lose a few spots in the standings without much shock.

The thing the Blues have that the Cardinals don't really have is a sure thing at the top of their depth charts. Pietrangelo may not be a perennial Norris contender, but he's a #1 defenseman in my book. And the Cardinals don't have an offensive threat like Tarasenko that can carry the team on a hot streak.

I am excited about the potential of this team though. Parts of the current core are still in their prime and will be around for a while (Tarasenko, Schwartz, Schenn, Pietrangelo, Parayko) and the current prospects (Barbashev / Kostin / Thompson / Thomas / Kyrou / Blais on offense and Dunn / Walman / Schmaltz on defense) I expect at least 2-3 of them to pan out.

It gives the team a ton of flexibility for the future and the ability to acquire better players or see their good young players fill in. In 2 years we're potentially looking at a lineup where the current strengths are in-tact and still strengths and the gaps in our roster are filled with players just as good as Scwhartz/Stastny/Steen, etc has been the last few years and with enough cap space to acquire more talent at that level.

That turns the Jaskins Paajarvis and Upshalls into more of the top-end talent that is already driving the team. If one of Kostin / Thomas / Thompson pans out to their ceiling the team is going to remain competitive for years.

I mean, it's the Blues, so odds are all their prospects will flame out and New Jersey will somehow get awarded the team's next 5 first round picks....but hey THERE'S A CHANCE OK!