The opening of training camp is just days away. And that’s great news for St. Louis Blues fans. The opening of camp means that hockey is here and the season is ready to begin.
With camp beginning, some players face pressure to really show up. If they fail to live up to expectations, it could cost them a spot on the club.
That’s why three names stand out as players who have the most to lose as the Blues get ready for training camp this fall.
3 Blues players with most to lose at camp
Tyler Tucker
Tyler Tucker is a bit of an evident name on this list. He’s on the bubble, particularly as the Blues look to bring in younger players to take up valuable roster spots. One of the guys pushing for a full-time role this season will be Theo Lindstein. Another young blueliner who could make a name for himself is Adam Jiricek.
If Lindstein and Jiricek really impress, Tucker could be the odd man out. And that’s no bueno for the 26-year-old. He’s in the final year of his current contract, and a disappointing camp could see him land on waivers.
While there’s a chance that someone could pick him up should he hit the wire, a bad camp could pretty much doom his chances of a full-time role and a new contract.
A strong camp from Tucker, even if Jiricek impresses, will buy him time with the Blues. It will be up to Tucker to hold on to his lineup spot for the remainder of the season.
Otto Stenberg
It seems like the time has come for Stenberg to make the team. The 21-year-old is among the Blues’ top prospects and should be pushing for playing time. In fact, Stenberg should be pushing to land a full-time lineup spot.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see Stenberg claim a top-six winger spot. Why not? He has the skills and the pedigree to insert himself into the Blues’ most talented forward group.
But if Stenberg can’t impress, he’ll head down to Springfield. Now, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. However, seeing Stenberg full-time in the AHL could raise questions about his viability as a top NHL forward. While there is an argument for the Blues to be careful with Stenberg, it’s time that the Swedish forward shows he’s ready for the NHL.
If he can’t show that, Other prospects may pass him on the organization’s depth chart.
Pius Suter
This offseason’s acquisitions shoved Suter down the depth chart. The Swiss center was once a potential 2C in St. Louis. Now, he’s more of a bottom-six depth piece.
That’s fine as long as he can prove his value wherever he plays in the lineup.
But if he can’t, Suter could find himself on the outside looking in. That situation could become even more apparent if Stenberg, Felix Trudeau, Justin Carbonneau, or Aleksanteri Kaskimaki makes a case to join the NHL.
Suter is in the final year of his contract at $4.125 million. That cap hit won’t be easy to move. But there might be some team out there devastated by injuries. And if that’s indeed the case, Suter could find himself packing his bags before the end of the season.
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