St. Louis Blues: Prospect Update As Season Closes/Heat Up

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The St. Louis Blues are pretty stocked down in the minor leagues. Getting off to a good start for any player is key for their season and for potential call-ups. Just as important is having a good finish.

The St. Louis Blues have one of the best player pipelines we’ve seen in many years. They were ranked as high as eighth in a recent look at minor-league systems.

How that translates into future professional success remains to be seen. Some players might only turn out to be good junior players. Others might peak in the AHL. It truly is a roll of the dice.

So far the Blues have plenty of guys that are succeeding in juniors. As the season has gone along, the AHL guys found some spark as well.

Will this current group of young players continue to find their way to progress? Time will tell. So, let’s check in for the as the season begins to dwindle.

DALLAS, TX – SEPTEMBER 19: Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) scores the game winning goal against St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington (50) during the NHL game between the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars on September 19, 2017 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Jordan Binnington

Jordan Binnington was burdened by a slow start. Despite intermittent game time, he has been able to steady the ship and put up some very good numbers.

Binnington was loaned to the Providence Bruins of the AHL due to a log jam of goaltenders with the Blues two “affiliated” teams. He’s still not getting the bulk of games, but he has been more than serviceable when played

When we first checked in on Binnington, he had a 2.52 goals against and .907 save percentage. He improved that to a 1.80 goals against and a save percentage of .931 in our second look.

In the gap between check-ins, Binnington’s numbers have gone up but he’s still looking good. Now he’s looking at 2.02 goals against and a .927 save percentage.

Binnginton is still doing the best out of all the goaltenders, given the scenario. His lack of game time makes a possible promotion next season less likely, but not unimaginable.

ST. LOUIS, MO – SEPTEMBER 20: St. Louis Blues goalie Ville Husso (35) gets ready to block a shot by Columbus Blue Jackets center Zac Dale (36) in the third period during a pre-season National Hockey League game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the St. Louis Blues on September 20, 2017, at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Ville Husso

Sticking with the goaltenders, we look gain at the potential goaltender of the Blues future. Despite Ville Husso finding an AHL home right away, he did not see action immediately. After that, he’s grabbed the starting role more often than not.

The Blues have formed a good good rapport with the San Antonio Rampage with that franchise will be the Blues’ affiliate next year. Even so, Husso has had to earn his spot as opposed to being given playing time..

In our last look, Husso had only played three out of nine games. That ratio has played out over the season. Husso has now played in 33 of the Rampage’s 60 games.

Things definitely improved for Husso. After one article, he had a 5.11 goals against and .853 save percentage.

The next two looks had him at 2.69 goals against and .927 save percentage and then2.95 and .906. Not bad for minor league numbers, but a sign that he was not getting great support. That is something Blues goalies know all about.

Husso has kept steady though. He’s now got 2.39 goals against and .939

Thankfully, this set up is only for one season. The likelihood of St. Louis needing Husso in the NHL next year seemed small, but things have rapidly changed. He would still benefit from another year in the AHL, but it remains to be seen if he will be afforded that luxury.

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