While the St. Louis Blues season hasn’t exactly ended as we approach the trade deadline, it’s tough to get excited over a team that’s still 25th in goals scored with 151 and hasn’t fared much better in goals allowed, where they’re currently 20th in the league with 171.
Yeah, that’s not what fans signed up for in a season that began with some optimism. Optimism that only increased when Jim Montgomery came over from the Boston Bruins to serve as the head coach.
But the poor points total and overall bland hockey doesn’t mean the Blues will sell at the trade deadline. In fact, look for them to sell some, but you can also expect the Blues to be buyers. Before it, really. And don’t just take my word for it.
Bleacher Report hit a home run when talking about the St. Louis Blues
Bleacher Report’s Lyle Richardson set some ideal trade targets for all 32 teams in a recent article, and it’s one that should pique the interest of Blues fans. You’d think that, considering where the Blues currently stand, the team would be in constant selling mode, but that’s not the case from where Richardson’s concerned, stressing the Blues will bring in “affordable young players.”
Richardson cited recent reports from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Nick Kypreos, and given the team’s recent trends, it’s hard to argue. That said, I’d say Richardson, Friedman, and Kypreos are on the right track here, and it’ll give Blues fans reasons for optimism should Armstrong follow through on what this trio’s been saying.
Yeah, this might involve moving a few players who fans may or may not want to see head elsewhere. But if it involves the team enjoying better days later on, nobody’s losing any sleep if a few names from the current lineup are playing in a different city.
The way I look at it is like this: Is there a single seasoned veteran in this lineup, those at or above age 30 plus Jordan Kyrou, that’s helped the Blues claw out of NHL mediocrity? Of course not. So since that’s the case, what’s the point of keeping them around?
Keep retooling and maybe even finish that retool
Something I like about Doug Armstrong is that he’s not one who tries the same thing over and over again and expects a different result, only to get the same results. Instead, if Armstrong sees an issue, he fixes it quickly. And if he sees an opportunity, he’s quick to take it.
While the on-ice results haven’t kicked in yet, you can argue, easily, might I add, that Armstrong’s done a fine job with this retool. He hasn’t torn anything down and has instead made necessary moves when such opportunities have arisen, and there will be opportunities aplenty coming his way.
So, I’ll end with this: Expect the Blues to bring in some solid, young players whose names you probably already know, but may not have anticipated watching play in Arch City. Out with the old Blues, in with the new, and they’ll be another step closer to a big return to the playoffs in 2026.