The St. Louis Blues haven’t made any main strikes this summer time, however they’ve improved the ahead depth and general group for the 2024-25 season with a few trades.
It’s unclear whether or not Blues normal supervisor Doug Armstrong expects the membership to contend for the playoffs in 2024-25, however he’s operated in a impartial style. He hasn’t made any splash strikes this summer time. He’s determined so as to add to the membership’s depth whereas hoping that just a few gamers can have breakout campaigns or profession seasons. The hiring of Drew Bannister as head coach additionally indicators that the membership continues to be caught within the center and may not be prepared to actually contend for a few seasons. Let’s get into the ahead group and why it would have way more steadiness.
Blues Have High quality High-Six Forwards
The Blues have the trio of Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, and Pavel Buchnevich locked up for the following a number of seasons. If Buchnevich can return to kind in 2024-25, that may go a great distance. The crew additionally has Jake Neighbours, who will definitely play within the high six after a 27-goal marketing campaign in 2023-24.
The second-line middle place can be a significant component in whether or not the Blues is usually a strong crew in 2024-25. I’d be stunned if there isn’t some open competitors for it. Three choices embrace Buchnevich, Alexandre Texier, and Brayden Schenn. These aren’t nice choices, nevertheless it’s one thing for the membership to think about. They’ll have loads of scoring on the wings with Kyrou, Neighbours, and Brandon Saad.
It’ll be attention-grabbing to see how Bannister will combine and match the lineup. There are gamers who’ve already earned spots within the high six and those that can work their method as much as it. Both method, the Blues ought to have a high quality top-six all through the 2024-25 season.
Blues’ Backside-Six Will Be Harder
An enormous a part of the membership’s offseason acquisitions has been to toughen up their bottom-six. Should you embrace Texier, the Blues made three trades for strong depth forwards and used ample wage cap area to their benefit. Additionally they added Mathieu Joseph from the Ottawa Senators and Radek Faksa from the Dallas Stars. To make a bit extra room, they moved Kevin Hayes to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the course of the 2024 Draft. I believe Joseph and Faksa convey far more grit to the membership’s backside six.
Associated: Blues Add Strong Depth With Faksa & The Joseph Brothers
On high of their acquisitions, the Blues even have Alexey Toropchenko, Oskar Sundqvist, and Kasperi Kapanen within the backside six. There’s no cause for the underside of the lineup to not be productive in all three zones in 2024-25. It ought to enhance their defensive play general. I additionally marvel what’s going to occur with younger gamers corresponding to Zachary Bolduc and Zach Dean, who performed restricted minutes down the stretch of the 2023-24 season. I wouldn’t be stunned in the event that they each began the season within the American Hockey League (AHL).
Might Blues Make Extra Strikes Now?
It wouldn’t shock me in any respect if Armstrong made one other transfer this offseason. There’s a potential logjam within the ahead group that might power his hand. Nevertheless, one situation the place he doesn’t have to make a transfer is beginning Bolduc and different younger forwards within the AHL. It may not be the worst concept on the planet to permit the younger gamers to develop collectively within the minors. It’s a tricky name although as a result of Bolduc performed nicely final season within the NHL. It’s the lifeless a part of the offseason, however don’t be shocked if Armstrong makes one other commerce to finalize the potential roster for the Blues’ 2024-25 season.
