Blues roll into their 47th NHL season Look to remove underachiever label, go deep into playoffs

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ST LOUIS – St. Louis rolls into their 47^th NHL season looking to buck underachieving label, go deep into the playoffs

Along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the St. Louis Blues have gone the longest without a Stanley Cup Championship. Since they reached the Stanley Cup Final their first three seasons beginning in 1967, there have been very few efforts which have resulted in reaching a similar plateau.

There have been several strong playoff runs in the Gateway City. In 1986, a blue-collar Blues team defeated the Minnesota North Stars in a tough series 3 games to 2, the fifth game won at the Met Center 6-3.

Advancing to face Toronto, the Blues faced Toronto and holding home ice advantage. At no point in the series did either team have more than a one game lead in the series. Each team showed they could win on the road. St. Louis eventually dispatched the feisty Maple Leafs at home in the 7^th game by a score of 2-1. It was an unlikely advance for a hard-working club to the NHL’s final four.

In the Conference Final, the Calgary Flames, armed with intense firepower and timely goaltending, struggled to wrest total control of the series from the Blues. Just like the Toronto series, neither team had more than a one-game advantage in the series. In game six, the Blues trailed 4-1 heading into the third period. With 13 minutes to play, St. Louis began their come back, eventually winning on overtime on a goal by Doug Wickenheiser.

Calgary battled for the victory at home in game seven, eventually holding on despite a furious effort by the Blues and winning 2-1. The Flames went on to lose to the Montreal Canadiens as the storied franchise captured their 23^rd Stanley Cup.

In 2001, the Blues defeated San Jose in six games and then Dallas in a four-game sweep. This set-up a battle against Colorado, a series St. Louis lost in five games. Colorado went on to win their second Stanley Cup in five seasons.

In their history, the Blues have finished first overall in the NHL just once in their history and amassed nine division championships. But Blues fans over three generations have grown frustrated with their club as multiple regular seasons of promise have ended prematurely and with much disappointment to the St. Louis faithful.

Last season, the Blues earned 109 points, the third straight full season that they had that many points. Despite the regular season accomplishments, they were dispatched in the first round of the playoffs, again. The team proves they can win during the 82-game marathon, but when play really counts, they can never seem to get over the hump.

In the off-season, the Blues made on significant trade sending T.J. Oshie to Washington for Troy Brouwer, a sign the addition of toughness is needed in the playoffs. Oshie’s on-ice presence was nearly invisible in the six-game loss to Minnesota last April and it seems his lack of leadership off the ice was also a factor in the swap.

Outside of the one trade, the Blues have a very similar roster for 2015-16. That might not be a bad thing, though, as a core of Vladimir Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz, Paul Stastny, David Backes and Alexander Steen is a good group to count on firepower from.

The downside to their roster comes from being without Jori Lehtera and Patrik Berglund to start the season, although the latter is arguably not too concerning. To fill these roles, the Blues invited to camp Scottie Upshall and Scottie Gomez on player tryouts.

From the prospect side of things, Robby Fabbri looks great in camp so far, being fit into line combinations during scrimmages as a left wing and coupled with Jaden Schwartz at Center with David Backes on the right side.

Ty Rattie might have a role on the big club, but he would likely be best to get another year of AHL work under his belt before joining the big club.

On the back line, St. Louis needs to improve from their top six of last season, less Barret Jackman.

Jay Bouwmeester battled a nagging groin injury for most of last season and Alex Pietrangelo’s level of play dipped from previous campaigns. If the Blues top pair can improve too their regular standard and Kevin Shattenkirk can stay healthy, the Blues will be a much better defensive group than last season. Carl Gunarsson brings a more skilled, puck-moving quality to St. Louis, but has something to prove after being acquired for Roman Polak in a trade with Toronto a year ago.

As for goaltending, late last season and into the playoffs, the Blues turned to Jake Allen as their starter ahead of veteran Brian Elliott. Allen has had back spasms early in camp, but the role appears to be his job going forward with likely 45-50 starts. No matter who stands in the crease, though, there needs to be better play from the masked men.

The cupboard is stocked and with no real moves for veteran assets in the off-season as part of a more detailed overhaul, it seems the club is confident that the current core will be largely if not solely responsible for making a run.

Currently, the Blues are just $900K shy of the $71.4M salary cup. If the current group can’t get things done, you might see reinforcements from a few worthy AHL prospects placed in roles to make a difference in the NHL. Pressure can be a very motivating factor for players who know others can step-in and take their roles. It is the type of pressure this team has needed for awhile after underachieving for too many consecutive playoff season.

Projected lines, defensive pairings and goaltender depth along with team statistics over the last three seasons are below.

Follow me on Twitter at DMMORRELL and you can contact me at dennis.morrell@prohockeynews.com

PROJECTED LINES

PROJECTED PAIRS

PROJECTED GOALIES

BY THE NUMBERS

THREE-YEAR BREAKDOWN (LEAGUE RANK)

* 2012-13 points: Pro-rated lockout-shortened total