St. Louis Blues Most Likely Forward Lines And Some We’d Like To See
The St. Louis Blues won the 2019 Stanley Cup based on a number of factors. One of those factors was their great depth.
The Blues could roll out four, solid lines that could be effective in just about any situation. When one man went down with an injury, someone would just step into their place and there would be little to no drop off.
While you can never tell how any season will go, the 2021-22 roster is shaping up quite similarly. The names are different, but the quality of the people that could be filling the roles is top notch.
Looking ahead, the main question regarding the Blues will be line combinations. As far as who makes the roster, there are few surprises ahead, unless Craig Berube and Doug Armstrong pull some joker cards out of their sleeves.
What is still in the air is who might play with whom. There are likely scenarios and a few that fans, including yours truly, might like to see.
Blues likely forward roster
We’ve heard several sources, including the team’s own radio broadcast team discuss how Berube likes to go with pairs. This keeps continuity throughout the lines while also giving the team freedom to try other combinations by swapping the third winger.
The main pairings we have heard to this point are Ryan O’Reilly and David Perron, Brayden Schenn and Pavel Buchnevich as well as Robert Thomas and Vladimir Tarasenko. Knowing that, we can piece together the likeliest of trios to start the year.
Kyrou, O’Reilly, Perron
This line seems to be the most set. We have seen it several times in the preseason and it seems relatively effective.
The main issue with the line is that either Jordan Kyrou or David Perron would be playing on their off wing. Both have expressed displeasure with that, either verbally or with less than stellar play.
Eventually, you need to simply do what is best for the team. Talent wise, this trio would be very hard to defend and you’d have very shifty wingers that are more than willing to shoot.
Bozak, Schenn, Buchnevich
This was an interesting line choice. Of any spot in the lineup, I think the other wing on this line is the most open. I could see them using just about anyone in this role.
The reason I believe Tyler Bozak ends up on this line is because I do not believe the Blues are ready to “demote” him to fourth line status. He is still an asset and still quite versatile.
The reality is that being on the fourth line for this team would not actually be a demotion. However, perception is reality.
Saad, Thomas, Tarasenko
I think the Blues do this line based on giving Thomas every chance to flourish. He gets two kinds of wingers, both of whom offer great things.
Tarasenko has needed a playmaker to set him up for most of his career. Though he played well with Brayden Schenn, it’s still a different dynamic.
If he can connect with Thomas, that’s the kind of center he needs. Conversely, Brandon Saad is also the kind of winger Thomas needs.
Saad does a little bit of everything. He’s more than capable of scoring, but will do the dirty work around the zone. He’ll go to the front of the net, which will only help out both Tarasenko and Thomas.
Neal, Barbashev, Kostin
The fourth line is the biggest question mark for this team. That is not an indication of lack of talent, but a plethora of options.
I think James Neal has earned a spot on this team, at least in the estimation of the coaching staff. Ivan Barbashev is a lock and may actually be utilized as a winger higher up the lineup, but I think he’ll start the year on the fourth line.
Klim Kostin has not had a great preseason, but I think the Blues are prepared to give him an extended look. Similarly to how the St. Louis Cardinals needed to figure out their outfield situation, the Blues need to figure out whether Kostin can be an everyday NHL player or not. You can’t do that by letting him sit in the press box.
Whether Kostin stays on that line or gets taken out of the the lineup is up to him. I think he’ll start the season there though.
Editor’s lines
Kyrou, O’Reilly, Perron
I kind of like that trio as a top line. You’ve got the veteran in David Perron, who still has the slick moves but also more wisdom due to his years in the league.
O’Reilly is the captain, but in that in between age where he’s not old, but is already a veteran. He’s a good playmaker who will also shoot the puck, so he can mesh well with the other two.
Kyrou is an exciting player. He’s got all the tools to be a potential 30-goal scorer, but it all boils down to how well he executes. Playing with a guy like O’Reilly would definitely boost his progress.
Tarasenko, Schenn, Buchnevich
I fully understand this is a potentially dangerous mix. While we’ve heard nothing concrete since the Stanley Cup win, it is safe to assume that Schenn is still not the biggest Tarasenko fan in the world. Their styles just clash on a personal level, even if it’s not as evident on the ice.
Even so, this would be a lethal line. Every player on here wants to shoot the puck, but is also a much better passer than anyone gives them credit for.
Additionally, who do you focus on to shut down? If you think to defend Tarasenko, based on reputation, Schenn or Buchnevich will take over. If you rough up Schenn in front or behind the net, you’re leaving open at least one dangerous sniper.
If nothing else, I like the idea of having another Russian player with Tarasenko to continue to smooth things over.
Saad, Thomas, Bozak
I like this combination because you have the guys with all the knowledge in the world to help Thomas take the next step. They’re going to cover up any of his weaknesses too.
Thomas is not very good at faceoffs yet, which is a big detraction for a center. Bozak is excellent on the draw, so he fills that gap.
Thomas has not yet shown a toughness in the offensive zone. Saad is not an overly physical player, but he’s going to dig in and win those puck battles. Both of these guys will lead by example and hopefully Thomas can do by seeing it done.
Ideally, you’d have a more pure scorer to go with someone of Thomas’ passing ability, but Bozak and Saad still have enough goals left in the tank to make this a scoring threat. If Thomas continues to shoot as he has in the preseason, it will only enhance things.
Neighbours, Barbashev, Kostin
This line is quite unlikely to happen, but the potential is out of this world.
Jake Neighbours has really impressed during the preseason. He’s going into the last couple preseason games still being featured in a top-six role. It’s unlikely he would stay there, but even starting the season in the top 12 would be great. He has shown he’s not afraid of contact and doesn’t shy away from the big guys, so while he wouldn’t be a traditional fourth line player, he would bring a different dynamic.
Kostin and Barbashev are also more talented than your prototypical fourth line guy, but they’re quick and have some nastiness to them. Both guys can score, which gives you four lines that can put the puck in the net.
The only potential detraction right now is the unknown of Neighbours’ defensive ability. Still, it might be worth a roll of the dice.
Editor’s lines 2.0
Tarasenko, O’Reilly, Perron
Given the fact that Tarasenko has not been used with these two during the preseason, this one is a pipe dream. Nevertheless, I would still like a more extended run with Tarasenko and O’Reilly.
Maybe they don’t mesh and this is known to the staff. However, from an outside perspective, it seems like they’ve never been given enough of a look.
Maybe it’s not the case inside the locker room, but Perron seems like he fits with just about anyone on the opposite wing. As long as he did not revert to the early Blues days, too much dangle Perron, this would be a good mix.
Saad, Schenn, Buchnevich
This line would just work you to death. Nobody has blazing speed or a shot that will break the sound barrier, but they have very few holes in their game.
My one complaint about Buchnevich in the couple preseason games I have seen him is he seems a little careless with the puck at times. However, opposite of that is that he works his tail off to get it back.
Saad and Schenn are just about as dependable as it gets. Of course, everyone will have an off game or two, but these guys are just going to work.
It again boils down to who can a defense focus on? You’re going to wear them down with this line.
Bozak, Thomas, Kyrou
This particular third line is a combination line. You have the vet in Bozak that can lead the two youngsters, firstly.
You also put Bozak with Thomas because they have history together over the last couple seasons and, again, Bozak covers up for Thomas’ weakness in the faceoff circle. Bozak is versatile enough to play his off wing too, though I’m sure he would rather not if that was an option.
On top of all that, I would just like to see Thomas and Kyrou play together. I trust the coaching staff if they think they don’t mesh well, but it would be great to see two young players come up together and end up being a long standing pairing.
Kostin, Joshua, Barbashev
I like this potential fourth line because it gives a different look while still providing some offensive punch. You’re not as likely to get goals, but you won’t not put this trio out there for fear they will never score.
Kostin still has scoring potential, though it has not quite translated in North America. Perhaps it never will. The guy has learned to get that sand paper in his game though.
Barbashev is not the human missile that Sammy Blais was, but he’s going to put some people into the wall. That’s what is so great about him is that he can play a fourth-line game when he’s there, but tweaks his style to fit a top-nine role when he fills in higher in the roster.
Last, but not least, Dakota Joshua might not be an every day NHL player, but he has impressed in the times we have seen him. He’s not going to get you double-digit goals with any consistency, but he’s not afraid to shoot the puck. That’s something the Blues need. Joshua has already endeared himself to fans with his physicality and willingness to mix it up. I would not be shocked to see him start the season with the Blues.
Overall, it is hard to go wrong with any of the potential lineups. It is exciting to feel like you can plug and play anyone just about anywhere.
dark. Next. Is Jordan Binnington a question mark for 2021-22?
If the Blues are forced to break up any of their “pairs”, that just increases your options. Let us not forget that Oskar Sundqvist will be back sometime in November.
If Berube can find a way to keep these guys hungry and fighting for ice time, this team could be dangerous, even if it does not have the top-end talent of the Colorado’s of the world.