The St. Louis Blues are getting closer to playing National Hockey League hockey in their brand new uniforms. With that said, there is an aura surrounding this team that they might be entering a territory that they have not been in since winning their lone Stanley Cup in 2018-19.
Can the Blues make it back to the Stanley Cup playoffs and contend for a Stanley Cup? How far-fetched is it to think that?
Let's talk about it.
Crazy to think?
Is it crazy to think that a team that was slated as being a mid-card team in the NHL would now all of a sudden be a Stanley Cup contender? Yeah, probably. But, it is hard to ignore what is happening every night at the Enterprise Center as nothing more than magical. Something is brewing in Missouri, and it can't miss hockey.
Despite the Florida Panthers taking the last two Stanley Cups over in the Eastern Conference, there are still a lot of heavyweight contenders in the West. Vegas, Edmonton, Los Angeles over in the Pacific, and let's not forget the probable top-three teams in the Central Division, Dallas, Colorado, and Winnipeg.
But if the Blues were to sneak back into a wildcard spot, there is a legitimate chance for them to run the table. Had a last-second heartbreak in game seven not happen back in June, we would all be singing a different tune about how last season truly went.
The Blues are ferocious, skilled, and have a chip on their shoulder that sets them apart from someone else. It is almost like the constant belittlement from the rest of the NHL that they are not to be considered as a top-tier team is just fuel to the fire. Couple that with some eager youngsters that are playing well advanced into their early career, and some grizzled veterans that are trying to go for glory one last time, and it is a perfect recipe for a solid hockey club.
So, how far-fetched is it to believe that this team can run the gauntlet in 2025-26? Pretty much, but not as crazy as you would think. There is a chance there, a small one. But all you need is a chance, right?