The St. Louis Blues definitely got dealt the tough hand having to take on the Colorado Avalanche, who are a heavy favorite out of the West, in the first round. The Blues, who just two seasons ago, pulled off a miracle run going from last place to Stanley Cup Champions, beating the Boston Bruins in seven games, found themselves being swept out of the first round. This is now the second season in a row they have been eliminated in the first round of playoffs and with that comes many questions about what kind of team they are going to be going forward.
The Blues held their own to start the series, only allowing a power play goal towards the end of the first period. Jordan Kyrou scored to tie it up late in the second then the Avalanche came toppling down in the third period. Three goals to win game one 4-1 and the momentum would not stop there. Colorado opened game two with two goals, eventually winning 6-3 and would put up 10 goals across the next two games to finalize the sweep. The Blues just couldn’t generate any offense and at the end of the day, the talents of the Avalanche are a big part of why the series played out the way it did. However, seven goals in four games isn’t very often going to win you a playoff series. Colorado does have a good group of defenders but with the goalscorers you have in St. Louis, that can’t be an excuse. You have to find ways to score and the Blues just couldn’t do it. Again, at the end of the day, the Colorado Avalanche are just the better team. At the same time though, the Blues are two years out from winning a Stanley Cup. It doesn’t matter how good the opponent is, you have to hold yourself accountable and be able to compete.
While in the Capitals situation, it may be in their best interest to start leaning towards a rebuild, I don’t think the Blues are there just yet. Unlike the Capitals, the Blues are younger, have a slightly stronger looking prospect pool, and just have an overall better look for the future. The biggest question for the Blues going into this offseason is what are they going to do with all their pending UFA’s? Three names in particular pose the biggest questions in Jaden Schwartz, Mike Hoffman and Tyler Bozak. I would be surprised to see the Blues try and bring back more than one of these names, that one name being Jaden Schwartz.
In addition to UFA’s, the blues have several names who will be in need of new contracts including Robert Thomas, Zach Sanford, Ivan Barbashev, Jordan Kyrou and Vince Dunn. Depending on how much cap space it takes to bring those four names back, will determine whether or not the Blues feel comfortable resigning Jaden Schwartz who can undoubtedly collect a big pay day if he hits Free Agency. Additionally, trade rumors are already beginning to circulate around Ryan O’Reilly who is signed for the next three seasons on a 7.5 million dollar cap hit. I don’t think the Blues are going to actively shop him by any means but I’m sure they will entertain offers. Especially if a certain team from the big apple with a ton of prospect depth calls to inquire about the gritty but skilled Stanley Cup Champion Center.
There’s no question Jordan Binnington is the Blues goaltender going forward, he’s signed through 2027, he won them a cup, he’s their guy. Will the Blues be confident in him going forward? That’s the big question. Binnington absolutely made a name for himself when the Blues went on their cup run but what about tomorrow? He’s already beginning to show signs similar to another slightly overrated young goaltender in Matt Murray. Is Jordan on that track or will he have a turn around season next year? We definitely saw that Binnington is a bit of a hot head, that was evident at times throughout the season and certainly from his encounter or lack thereof with Philipp Grubauer after game one. I’m not saying he can’t play with that kind of fire but he certainly has to be able to keep it under control and more importantly, keep the puck out of the net.
Overall, I wouldn’t say the Blues are in rough shape by any means. I do however think they need to be cautious about how they piece together this puzzle moving forward. They’re paying a lot of money to defensemen who they are going to need to be better. I don’t think it’s a bad idea to invest in a more reliable number two goalie and adding some cheaper depth, second hand scoring options will certainly benefit them for whoever they may have to face in the playoffs next season. Even if it is the Colorado Avalanche.
Chris Feldman
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