Blues Off-season and 2026-27 Season

[GeddyWrox]

I still like most of the makeup of the roster. However I think we still need that upper tier talent to make that next step to contention, and I don’t know where it is going to come from. A Norris caliber defenseman, and a 40+ goal type forward. I don’t think we need both of those, but I don’t think you can contend for a cup without one of those.

EDIT: To expand on that, all of the current cup contenders have at least one of those. In some cases both. You could maybe argue the defending champs (Carolina) do not, but I think that’s underselling how great Slavin is. The Canes may be the best model the Blues could shoot for but their overall top guys are a little better, and are better coached.

And wouldn't ya know it... Canes absolutely schooled us last night. WOOF

[GeddyWrox]

Good grief, we cannot buy a goddamn goal

[Popeye_Card]

Tough breaks last night. That was a hard stretch facing 3 of the 4 conference final teams in a row. Would have been nice to take 2 of the 3 but the actual results expose the gap that is still there between the Blues and cup contenders.

[JCShutout]

And then we soundly beat Boston 4-1.

This team is going to be weird for another 15 games aren’t they?

[Popeye_Card]

Alright, I know only one game has passed and it may seem like I'm changing my tune a bit. This was a pretty good homestand overall. Going 3-2-0 against a struggling team (a game you should win), 3 legit contenders, and a playoff caliber team that has started really well out of the gate - that's what the Blues need to do especially early in the season where they have struggled the past few years. Even the Montreal game can be viewed as a positive despite the loss - you put 46 SOG (plus a few off the pipes that don't count as SOG's) and generally controlled play against one of the top teams in the East.

Since I don't think anyone believes that the Blues belong in the Avs/Stars/Wild/Oilers/VGK(?) class at the top of the West, the Blues just have to demonstrate that they are top 3 within the Utah/Nashville/Seattle/Anaheim/LAK/San Jose class of the playoff contenders. Utah has proven that they are probably going to be one of those top 3 (if not included with the upper class). One of the teams has to come from the Pacific. That leaves the Blues having to be better than Nashville and the rest of the Pacific. I think that's achievable with this roster, and with how they've played. This is also assuming you can rule out Chicago and Winnipeg as playoff caliber teams (which I think you can).

Finally, while the new uniforms are fine, watching last night's game reminded me how much better the darker blue sweaters look. Please bring them back as the main homes. If I were buying a sweater to wear myself? I'd go with the new lighter blue. But I think the team looks better on the ice in the old ones.

[CardsofSTL]

Still need an improvement when it comes to finishing offensive chances and consistency with the goaltending.

[GeddyWrox]

I was at the game last night. Great game. We looked flat for the first 10 minutes or so, but that Snuggy one-timer really electrified everyone (players and fans).

Also, just saw this pic on STL Today. Made me laugh.

[Fat_Bulldog]

They were outplayed most of the first period last night and were lucky to get that power play and pp goal. Looked good in the 2nd period. Finished it off in the 3rd. Good game beating a good team.

[cardsfantx]

Blues are 7th in both PP and PK

if that keeps up, I like our odds

[Popeye_Card]

The Larkin situation has gotten pretty humorous at this point. Virtually no contending team has the cap space available to trade for him, without convincing Detroit to take a big contract for a lesser player in return (good luck). The teams most willing to trade for him (e.g. Montreal) have still not made his list. I think he's coming to the sad realization that maybe he's not as in-demand as he thinks he should be.

I don't know if I would do anything different as the Red Wings. If he doesn't want to play or get paid, OK. I wouldn't accept a lesser deal just because a player is pouting about missing the playoffs too many years in a row. If he doesn't want to go to Montreal - an incredible place to play and a roster shaping up to be dynastic over the next 5 years - just because of taxes or speaking French or whatever, I don't know what to tell him.