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St. Louis Blues Players to Watch Next Season

By Travis Grither

May 23, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen (34) defends the net against the San Jose Sharks during the second period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. The Sharks won the game 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen (34) defends the net against the San Jose Sharks during the second period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. The Sharks won the game 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports /
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As another hockey season comes to an end, we look forward to next season, previewing which St. Louis Blues players are ready to take that next step.

The St. Louis Blues begin their off-season with the usual suspects capturing the spotlight. Vladimir Tarasenko was recently voted an NHL second-team all-star and will appear on the cover of the NHL 17 video game. Goaltender Brian Elliott stole all attention after being traded to the Calgary Flames during the NHL draft. Kevin Shattenkirk, well, the trade rumors are never-ending.

While the future of Tarasenko is clear, several other key players time with the Blues remain uncertain. As mentioned, David Backes and Troy Brouwer will be wearing different uniforms nex season and Shattenkirk may very well be.  Veterans Jay Bouwmeester and Alexander Steen are solid team contributors, but may not be as durable as they once were.

With that in mind, perhaps it’s time for several, less familiar St. Louis Blues faces to step up to fill the void.

Jaden Schwartz

Assuming contract negotiations are settled by the time the Blues gear up for next season, it’s Jaden Schwartz‘ time to become a household name.

Apr 21, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues left wing Jaden Schwartz (17) in action during game five of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Chicago Blackhawks at Scottrade Center. The Blackhawks won the game 4-3 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues left wing Jaden Schwartz (17) in action during game five of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Chicago Blackhawks at Scottrade Center. The Blackhawks won the game 4-3 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports /

Schwartz is a grinder. Never one to shy away from contact, his relentless effort to chase the puck often creates scoring opportunities. Schwartz’ willingness to throw his body into the boards and battle with players much larger than himself, makes him a fan favorite. However, an ankle injury did limit his production this past season.

In 33 games, Schwartz recorded 8 goals and 14 assists. The season before, he registered career highs in both goals (28) and assists (35). This marked the second time in his career that Schwartz scored 25, or more, goals in a season.

Schwartz postseason production played a major factor in the Blues run to their first Western Conference Finals birth in 15 years. He ranked second on the team in playoff points (14), tied with Backes.

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When Schwartz returned from injury in during the regular season, he gave the Blues a much-needed scoring burst, scoring in his first game back. The knack for finding the back of the net Schwartz brought upon his return, is exactly what the St. Louis Blues are hoping to see throughout the 2016-17 season.

Colton Parayko

Perhaps one of the bigger steals of the 2012 NHL Draft, Colton Parayko is exceeding expectations. Drafted 86th overall by the St. Louis Blues, the towering 6′ 6″ defenseman tallied 33 total points in his debut season. Even more impressive, Parayko finished 5th in the league in plus-minus, leading all rookies.

Nov 25, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko (55) moves the puck as Pittsburgh Penguins center Matt Cullen (7) pressures during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko (55) moves the puck as Pittsburgh Penguins center Matt Cullen (7) pressures during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Parayko was selected to the 2015-16 All-Rookie team. He finished second among rookie defensemen in goals (9), assists (24), and total points.

The agility and acceleration that he possesses is a rare find in a defenseman of his stature. Combine that with one of the hardest shots in the league, and you have one dangerous, young talent.

Besides his physical attributes, Parayko is also a hard-working scholar. He hopes to finish his degree in business administration this summer, a degree he’s pursued outside of his time on the ice with the St. Louis Blues.

With Shattenkirk perhaps leaving this offseason, the Blues will look to Parayko to fill the void left behind. Next season will also be a contract year for Parayko, presenting him an even larger incentive to perform well.

Jake Allen

You probably already guessed this one. With the departure of Brian Elliot, Jake Allen will be heavily scrutinized coming into the 2016-17 season. Elliott deciding to pursue further options, upon learning he would not enter next season as the St. Louis Blues number one goalie.

St. Louis Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong made it clear that Allen is the goalie of the future for the organization. In a statement released to the St. Louis Blues official website, Armstrong stated, “He’s the goalie of today and the future”.

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May 23, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen (34) makes a save in net against the San Jose Sharks in the second period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. The Sharks won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

However, Allen has some heavy shoes to fill. Brian Elliott finished first in the league in save percentage (.930) and tied second in the league in goals against average (2.07), well under the league average of 2.51. Elliot started 38 of the 42 games he played in this past season, splitting time with Allen, who started in 44 of the 47 games he played. Allen would have played in more games, had he not sustained  injuries in January, which sidelined him 17 games, and at the beginning of April, which sidelined him for the rest of the regular season.

Still, Allen finished among the top 20 goaltenders in wins (26) and tied second in shutouts (6) in the regular season.

Elliot saw most of the action during the playoffs, starting in 18 of the St. Louis Blues 23 postseason games. In anticipation of game 6 of the Western Conference Finals, St. Louis Blues Coach Ken Hitchcock labeled the Blues postseason run as “Brian’s playoffs“.

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The potential of Jake Allen is not unknown. He has been called “the future of hockey” for the St. Louis Blues. He already possesses an impressive resume. In just two full seasons as a Blues starter, Allen has amassed over 50 wins.

Now, it is time for the goalie of the future to step up and lead the St. Louis Blues to another successful season.

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