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St. Louis Blues’ Paul Stastny Is Ready For Success

By Andrew Martin

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St. Louis native, Paul Stastny, is ready for a productive year with our Blues.

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Stastny spoke to STL Today this week about the upcoming season and reflected on last year’s campaign. Last off-season, Stastny signed a 4-year deal worth $28 million with the St. Louis Blues. Early in the 2014-2015 season, he picked up a shoulder injury which made his maiden voyage in St. Louis much trickier than it needed to be.

Apr 3, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; St. Louis Blues center Paul Stastny (26) skates against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Blues defeat the Stars 7-5. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Stastny came to the St. Louis Blues after spending his first 8 NHL seasons with the Colorado Avalanche. In his last season with the Avs, Stastny amassed 60 points over 71 games for a +9 rating. Last year with the St. Louis Blues, he totaled just 46 points in 74 games and a +5.

The former 2nd round pick has every opportunity to cement himself as one of the better top-6 forwards in the central division this season. Bleedin’ Blue discussed the importance of Stastny to future success this summer.

Stastny discussed his mindset as he prepares for the opening of training camp. His injury setback last October pushed him out of the top line and made way for Jori Lehtera to center on the St. Louis Blues 1st line.

"When I’m at my best, I’m loose, I’m smiling. That’s who I am and I don’t want to change that. Not everything is going to go smoothly, but I’ve got to learn to deal with it better and I’m more prepared for that."

It’s important for Stastny to understand his role on the team. It appears his personal ambition took over when he felt he wasn’t living up to his contract expectations. Instead of focusing so heavily on point totals and ice time, Stastny ignored being healthy in mind and body to perhaps rush back into the lineup to impress his new club.

“First year on a new team, new contract, you feel like you’re useless when you’re not playing. As you get older, you realize maybe you should have taken a couple extra days and not worried about the outside pressure,” said Stastny to STL Today.

Dec 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; St. Louis Blues center Paul Stastny (26) during the game against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center. The Avalanche won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

I’m not sure if this mindset is common for every proven NHL veteran on a new team, but it’s the kind of attitude that derails a well-oiled machine. I’m not suggesting the St. Louis Blues end of season playoff collapse was all on Stastny, as losing in the early rounds of the playoffs is not anything new for the Note. But, Ken Hitchcock needs to do a better job of letting all of his players understand their role. If a proven NHL veteran such as Stastny needs extra time to be in playing form after an injury, make that executive decision and let him heal.

I have faith in Stastny to work his magic as a top-6 forward for the Blues this season. Blues fans will see more of the Stastny that racked up points in an Avs jersey as well as for the red, white, and blue for the USA.

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