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St. Louis Blues Window Of Opportunity

By Andrew Martin

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A Look Back

St. Louis Blues fans are long overdue for a Stanley Cup title. The club was founded in 1967 and is still awaiting its 1st title in their history.

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The St. Louis Blues made the playoffs for 25 straight seasons. This streak ended in 2005, which brought on the great rebuild of the St. Louis Blues. This rebuild started to bear fruit in the last few years as the Blues have dominated the regular season. They have made the playoffs 5 of the last 7 seasons. The club has also won their division in 2 of the last 4 campaigns.

To say this regular season success hasn’t translated in the playoffs is the understatement of the decade. The Blues haven’t made it past the 2nd round of the playoffs since 2000-2001 when Joel Quenneville was at the reigns as head coach. Personally, as a Cleveland sports fan as well as a St. Louis Blues supporter, I know the struggle of sports ineptitude better than most.

Apr 16, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues left wing Alexander Steen (left) celebrates with Vladimir Tarasenko (center) and Kevin Shattenkirk (right) after scoring a gaol against the Minnesota Wild in the third period in game one of the first round of the the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. The Minnesota Wild defeat the St. Louis Blues 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

What’s Next?

The Blues will enter 2015-2016 with a unique set of expectations. No longer will dominating the regular season and making the playoffs constitute a successful season. GM Doug Armstrong has put together the roster he feels will bring St. Louis the Stanley Cup success it deserves.

That being said, with fan-favorites T.J. Oshie and Barrett Jackman departing this offseason, the “win now” mentality is more prevalent than ever. Oshie was traded to the Washington Capitals and Barrett Jackman left the club via free agency for Nashville.

When the Blues open their season in 2015, there will be quite a mix of players to take the ice wearing the Blue Note. Troy Brouwer will be among the new faces fighting for a top-6 forward spot. Brouwer came to STL in the Oshie trade and insists he isn’t trying to be the “new” Oshie for his new club.

Tarasenko isn’t going anywhere, but a smaller version of the dreaded “rebuild” could be on its way next offseason.

The Blues window of opportunity may be closing if significant progress isn’t made in the 2016 playoffs. Captain David Backes is in the final year of his 5-year contract, Alex Steen isn’t getting any younger, and Vladimir Tarasenko cannot be expected to do it all himself.

2016 And Beyond

Tarasenko isn’t going anywhere, but a smaller version of the dreaded “rebuild” could be on its way next offseason. I predict if the Blues fail to move to the Stanley Cup finals in 2016, Ken Hitchcock, Doug Armstrong, and veteran players will be let go in order to bring in more youthful talent to get them over the hump.

Vladi is the face of the organization and the sign of hope for the future. He signed his monster 8-year $60 million deal shows the organization’s commitment to the young Russian goal-scorer. The team needs to be built around him, and this is the last year to prove Steen, Backes, Kevin Shattenkirk, Alex Pietrangelo, among others, are the right players to get the Blues into the finals.

Shattenkirk and Backes have been mentioned in trade rumors all offseason, and while I would be against trading Shatty, the rumors don’t seem to be going away.

Nov 27, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) and St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (22) battle for the puck during the third period at Pepsi Center. The Blues won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Blues have every opportunity to be the team to beat in the Western Conference this season and beyond, but another stumble in the playoffs will bring big changes. I’m optimistic this season will be one to remember for Blues fans, but hopefully it’s because of a victory parade in downtown St. Louis and not for a fire sale in summer 2016.

Next: St. Louis Blues David Backes Won't Be Flying East

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