St. Louis had an excellent record down the stretch to get them into the playoffs. What do they do for an encore?
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48 Comments
Even without Holloway, the Blues were 2.1 seconds away from upsetting Winnipeg. I'm really excited for the future for the Blues.
The Blues need to post in bold lettering in their locker roon next season stating: "1.6 SECONDS" The difference between making the second round and not making the second round was 1.6 seconds. Need work when the other team pulls their goalie and the team deals with 6 on 5.
heading upwards
Binnington's numbers in the playoffs didn't do his play justice. He was a stud in that 1st round series against the Jets. I hope he can keep that type of play up for the Olympics. He's been nothing but money since the final against the US in the 4 Nations Face-off, then later the regular season, the playoffs, and now the World Championship. I think he's 2-0 with 2 SO so far. I'm not sure if he's played since.
blues will be a bubble team next year. they need to sign hoffer halloway and broberg and not try and sign some exspensive free agent. give the kids the ice time they need to develope. please also fix the 6 on 5 play it was a killer all year.
I like Buchnevich but 8M for the next 6 years is to much. He's a winger that is around 60 points and 30 years old. His production is likely to drop.
Snuggerud is our savior
I think grabbing Monty was a damn good move. He made the team work hard and do what we did this year, and this next year they have a lot they can do. Same guys, but more time to work. The Blues will be a good team next year.
Thank you for all your work Shannon. I look forward to this summer for my STL Blues!
This team will contend next year with a full year under Monty, they have the right amount or grit to handle the nasty teams, certainly among the top teams physically but could use speed and a bona-fide scorer, snuggy has potential ,can't wait for next season
Blues have to dump some of the expensive, soft D like Faulk and Leddy.
Thanks for the Blues breakdown, much appreciated.
Snuggerud looked amazing and I like most of what I'm seeing Dvorsky doing at Worlds. The future is bright. Army saying "We have arrived at our destination" and "Hockey Trades Only" at the end of season presser was promising and, like a lot of people, I think it means Kyrou might be headed out of town. I keep hearing "playoff lock" but with a stacked Central Division and the Pacific threatening a breakout, I think that's premature unless Army pulls another rabbit out of his hat this summer and brings us some top end talent to flesh things out. (Leaves a trail of cookies from Toronto to St Louis… "Here Marner Marner Marner… Pspspspsps…")
Blues will likely resign suter for one more year at a good price he did say he'd love to stay and would sign cheap if the blues keep schenn
I love my Blues no matter what. BUT, We have to increase our conditioning and develop a culture of playing hard for the full 60 minutes and finishing hard the last 2 minutes. We can’t play 58 minutes of hockey, or even 59 minutes and 58 seconds of hockey and expect to win. We have to FINISH!!!! Our last game of the postseason was a perfect synopsis of our 2024-2025 regular season. Had some historic accomplishments but was unable to finish.
If they move up from the # 32 spot in the league playing 5 on 6,they should win many more games next season.
New sweaters rumor is too
Strong finish sets high expectations for next season.
I like Jordan Kyrou when he scores goals
Disappointment and frustration started to become too normal with the Blues. It's cliche to say, but the turnaround at the end of last season has easily been the most exciting and hopeful time for a Blues fan since 2019. There's some good young guys in there coming up like Neighbors, and the guys on the lower 6, like Walker, getting physical helped make a difference. And of course the high dollar talent showed up, Thomas had an incredible point run at the end. I don't expect them to be conference champions or anything, but I think this team can make the playoffs again if they want to.
This city has not been this excited about the upcoming season and the future in a while
The Blues really had the Jets on the ropes. It felt like the Jets were struggling to keep up. I see a good future for this team. They have a good young core
Actually, the Blues lost to Kadri in 21-22.
Crazy to say, but don't be too shocked if they try to move Binnington this year.
Watch ⌚️ out for the blues next
Season. Hopefully they don't get many injuries and get off to a good start.
What about Fowler? He was the Blues best d-man
We need a legit #2 center and a top 4 defenseman. Blues have very good talent on roster now and a couple of upcoming young guys that are about ready. A full season of Monty behind the bench will bring more wins. If you are buying stock on a young team that is just starting their upswing and will be a contender in next 2-5 years …. Buy St Louis Blues stock. LGB !!
The Fowler disrespect will not be forgotten, Shannon.
Forgot to mention the Blues were 1.6 seconds away from going on to the 2nd round.
Blues are going to be over 100 points this season and a 2nd or 3rd in the division spot. That 1.6 game 7 still hurts, and I think this crew will use that as fuel.
Bit of a long one here:
Krug is done. No pro athlete has ever returned from the surgery he’s had. He’s only just now (May 2025) getting back to a point where he can walk around his house and play with his kids. If he returns, it’ll be the maybe greatest comeback in NHL history.
Blues would be wise to offer Holloway and Broberg both 8×8 extensions on July 1st. And it’s likely they do get them locked up soon. Both seem to love it here and both are much better than the national media seems to understand (esp Broberg)
Fun fact about the GM situation: the succession plan was Armstrong’s idea that he pitched to ownership. He is going to remain as President.
Others have mentioned that Fowler was overlooked. I think I’ll add Bolduc. He really seems like a potential 30 goal scorer to me and he’s added physicality. I wouldn’t be surprised if both he and Neighbours hit 30 goals.
The one need the team has in the short term is a 2nd line center. They essentially had 2 great 4th line centers in Sundqvist and Faksa, along with Thomas and Schenn. Schenn had some great stretches on the 2nd line but I’m not sure that it’s sustainable to rely on him to fill that role at his age. He’d be a great 3rd line center.
Overall I think this team could be a breakout contender next year and the expectation needs to be for them to contend within the next 2 years
Always love your analysis but would like to hear your thoughts on Fowler. He was unreal for us. A 3 to 4 year deal would be nice……maybe push to 5…..every player wants that last year for the money. He's an awesome second pair and power play qb/ pk guy…. plus a good dude in the room. Why not? D guys seem to last so much longer than forwards or goalies…..thoughts?
It was a fun season this year. It was a disappointing start but that second half was great. Holloway is going to be great, and the other younger players here now are going to be amazing.
Blues need to get rid of Faulk and Leddy, intake some commanding talent there
Faulk needs to go. I cringed every time he was being played the puck up high the last 3 games. Dude could not hold the puck in to save his life and there were several defensive miscues (most notably the goal to tie it late in the 3rd in game 7).
He's had his regular season ups and downs, but in all post season appearances he's been more of a negative than a positive.
Very fair assessment from a life long Blues fan. If they can unload Faulk and Leddy to go along with Krug's contract then they sign Fowler, Faksa possibly Suter for one more year at a low rate and have a lot of room to maneuver. Great video!
Surprised to not hear Fowler mentioned. Not knocking you for it, it’s more of a healthy respect because you always cover everything really well. He was such a great addition to the team. And MAN was he stellar in that series vs Winnipeg. Blues would be wise to keep him around for another year or two. Or however long he can keep playing like he did. Seemed like the change of scenery rejuvenated him.
If they get Bennett, they are a contender. Snuggy is legit too. Army is building "death by 1000 cuts" roster like they used in 2018-19
They had the pieces this year! You can analyze and break down numbers all you want. But, the one stat that can't be calculated for any team is bad luck. We know what happened in Winnipeg with that dirty goal with under two seconds remaining! If they move on they easily could have competed with the Oilers and Stars to at least make it to the finals!
My dream pickup is a second line center men like Sam Bennett. If Krugs contract falls off it’s possible?
I wondered why Holloway wasn’t playing was he injured? I’m assuming. He seemed to light it up when St. Louis stole him
The biggest improvement needed is the 6 on 5 situations. They were horrible. That detail is the difference that cost them points in the standings and being in the 2nd round.
If we did nothing, I still love this team. We could save cap space for the trade deadline. If we did something… trade kyrou for a young defenseman. Either Dobson, byram, or another young stud. Depending who we will likely also get a draft pick or two. Sign Sam Bennett or another 2C with the money saved so Schenn can play 3C. Now we’re team for years to come. We have plenty of forwards, we don’t need kyrou and he could pull a haul with his contract signed. Gotta make a run before bolduc, neighbours, snuggerud, and Holloway all need pay raises.
Calling it now. This Blues team next year has 110+ points and competes for a top 2-3 spot in the West. Tons of young players who got great experience this year and will develop. Another potentially 2-3 guys who will come up as young, very talented players as depth. A full season of Fowler with Parayko + Jimmy Snuggarud. Plus, this team is going to be PISSED OFF after the way this season ended. A slightly improved PK + a better 5-6 defense will boost the team to a much better record. Look out. LGB!
they're going to have a good season in 2025-26. guys like holloway, bolduc, snuggrud.. even kyrou i think have another level of production they can reach. i hope they don't mess with the forward group too much this off season. the defense can be better.
Definitely excited for the future of the team! Young, fast, and exciting. Hopefully they can play more like the 2nd half blues for the whole year next year.
I don't think we can extend Broberg and Holloway til July 1st. We have to do so immediately afterwards with both. Best case, we can somehow move Faulk. Free up that cap space. Dvorsky is not ready to take the 2 or 3 center role. He needs to earn it like Thomas did. We just need a center for the next year or two. My personal favorite would be to trade for Ryan O'Reilly as he only makes 4.5 for the next two seasons, and by the end of that, you would hope Dvorsky has worked himself in to taking over the 2C role and Schenn is the 3C. I don't think we can go out and get a free agent center like Bennett as we have to extend several guys that will be costly- broberg, holloway, bulduc, hofer. Cap is going up even more, so maybe Army works some magic and somehow moves Faulk, Texier, and/or Joseph but that is a tall task. All in all, this team is set up beautifully to have three really good scoring lines if we can add a center, with a tenacious 4th line, and a great corps of defenseman in Parayko, Fowler, Broberg and Tucker. Oh yeah- great goaltending too. A lot to be excited about.
Blues biggest offseason concern is a #2 Center. Give Hofer a 3yr 2-2.5M AAV contract. Resign Faksa 1 year 3M. Resign Fowler to a 3 Year 5.75M AAV. Also if Holloway was healthy and in the lineup the Blues would have handled the Jets with ease!