Heading into this season, no one really knew what to expect from the St. Louis Blues. This was a team with the makings of a solid core but lacked the sort of identity that characterizes Stanley Cup contenders.
As such, fans and analysts didn’t really know where the Blues were headed. Were they going to be a fast-paced, skilled team? Or were they a grinding, hard-working team that won games by forechecking relentlessly?
Those questions, among others, did not get answers in the early going. The Blues seemed stuck in neutral for much of the first quarter of the season and didn’t look poised to have a breakout season, that is until something substantial changed.
When the Blues cut ties with Drew Bannister and hired Jim Montgomery, it signaled the need for an identity that fit the club’s aspirations. Montgomery brought a solid track record into the mix, leading the Blues toward developing its true self.
This development was more of a discovery. Developing an identity doesn’t happen over the course of the season. It’s the type of thing that takes several years. In the Blues’ case, it was a process of discovery, unlocking the potential that led the team to an unlikely 12-game winning streak earlier in the year.
Now, does this mean the St. Louis Blues are ready to hoist another Stanley Cup next season? Not necessarily. There has been enough turnover from 2019 to today, to where the Blues will need more time to settle into their current persona.
But in the meantime, the Blues could be one of the most exciting teams next season.
St. Louis Blues went through a rebuild without anyone noticing
The dreaded R-word rightfully scares the daylights out of fans. Rebuilds can take more than a decade to bear fruit.
Teams like the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks have seemingly made little progress despite picking in the top three for the last handful of drafts.
But in the Blues’ case, they took somewhat of a depleted prospect pool and aging core and transformed it into a successful turnaround in less than three seasons. Yes, there were a couple of tough years sandwiched between the Blues’ last playoff appearance and this season.
The progress, however, has been palpable.
The team has a solid core with Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, Philip Broberg, and Dylan Holloway. It has solid veteran leadership with players like captain Brayden Schenn, Pavel Buchnevich, and Colton Parayko.
Perhaps the biggest X-factor is having one of the most underrated goalies in the league in Jordan Binnington. Of course, Binnington has a Cup on his resume, but he gets so little credit for the things he does throughout the season.
In fact, this postseason, he clearly outplayed presumptive Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck. It was too bad that the Blues couldn’t win Game 7 and complete the stunning upset.
Be that as it may, Blues fans should look at this season with encouragement. The Blues look poised to become a solid playoff contender for the foreseeable future.