The St. Louis Blues had 109 points last season, the third straight full season that they had that many points, yet they were bounced out in the first round of the playoffs, again.

For a team that has been among the best in the regular season over the past four seasons, the Blues have yet to accomplish anything in the playoffs.

Aside from one significant trade, sending T.J. Oshie to Washington for Troy Brouwer (Team That Loses in Playoffs Wants to Get Tougher), the Blues are looking at fairly similar roster for next season, injuries notwithstanding. And that’s okay, because a core of Vladimir Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz, Paul Stastny, David Backes and Alexander Steen is a good start. But, the Blues may be without Jori Lehtera and will certainly be without Patrik Berglund to start the season, so they have figure out how they will fill those holes. Will it be veterans Scottie Upshall and Scottie Gomez, on player tryouts, or could prospects Robby Fabbri and Ty Rattie fit into the lineup?

On the blueline, St. Louis needs internal improvement. Jay Bouwmeester was bothered by a groin injury for most of last season and Alex Pietrangelo’s level of play dipped from previous seasons. If they can bounce back and Kevin Shattenkirk stays healthy, the Blues will be better off.

Late last season, and into the playoffs, the Blues turned to Jake Allen as their starter ahead of Brian Elliott and it figures to be Allen’s job going forward. But no matter who gets the nod, the Blues need some improvement in net.

Expecting internal improvement is fine, but it’s also rather hopeful for a team that has consistently fallen short in the postseason.

 

OFF-SEASON HEADLINES

July 2: Blues trade winger T.J. Oshie to Capitals

August 10: Blues’ Jori Lehtera out 6-8 weeks after surgery

August 27: Blues F Patrik Berglund to have shoulder surgery

 

2015-16 ST. LOUIS BLUES

*Off-season Addition

 

Projected Lines

LW C RW
Alexander Steen Paul Stastny Vladimir Tarasenko
Jaden Schwartz David Backes Troy Brouwer*
Dmitrij Jaskin Jori Lehtera Robby Fabbri
Steve Ott Kyle Brodziak* Ryan Reaves
Magnus Paajarvi Patrik Berglund (inj.)  

Fighting For Jobs: C Scott Gomez (PTO), RW Ty Rattie, LW Scottie Upshall (PTO)

 

Projected Pairs

LD RD
Jay Bouwmeester Alex Pietrangelo
Carl Gunarsson Kevin Shattenkirk
Petteri Lindbohm Robert Bortuzzo
Chris Butler  

Fighting For Jobs: LD Andre Benoit, RD Stu Bickell (PTO), RD Colton Parayko

 

Projected Goalies

No. 1 No. 2 No. 3
Jake Allen Brian Elliott Jordan Binnington

Off-season Departures: RW T.J. Oshie, D Zbynek Michalek, D Barret Jackman, C Marcel Goc, C Olli Jokinen

Projected Lineup: Jeremy Rutherford/St. Louis Post-Dispatch

 

SERAVALLI'S THREE QUESTIONS

1. How much will Troy Brouwer change Blues’ look compared to T.J. Oshie?

2. Has Jake Allen finally, officially supplanted Brian Elliott in net?

3. Will injuries make room for tryouts Scottie Upshall and Scott Gomez?

 

 

BUTTON'S TOP PROSPECTS

Top 2015-16 Prospect

C Rob Fabbri (Guelph, OHL): Excellent speed and determination and uses it to attack offensively. If he's ready, the support is there.

Long-Term Prospect

C Ivan Barbashev (Moncton, QMJHL): Excellent two-way player who excels at all times in all situations. Tremendous leader.

* Listed with 2014-15 teams

 

 

BY THE NUMBERS

Three-Year Breakdown (League Rank)

  2012-13 2013-14 2014-15
Points 102 (6th)* 111 (4th) 109 (4th)
Goals For 2.6 (17th) 2.9 (T-6th) 2.9 (5th)
Goals Against 2.4 (T-7th) 2.3 (3rd) 2.4 (T-4th)
Power Play 20% (12th) 20% (T-5th) 22% (4th)
Penalty Killing 85% (7th) 86% (2nd) 84% (8th)
SAT% Possession 52.2% (8th) 53.1% (6th) 51.8% (11th)

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

 

 

ESTIMATED PAYROLL vs. CAP - $70.5M/$71.4M

The Blues could have more room than this, if necessary, because Patrik Berglund ($3.7M) is likely to be out at least four months following shoulder surgery, but even pushing up against the cap indicates what kind of expectations exist for the Blues. They expect to win.

 

PARTING SHOT