The St. Louis Blues have found themselves battling for a playoff spot and that means they’re playing meaningful games in March. Yeah, that phrase sounds great, and there are a few reasons why this is the case.
But there’s another reason that didn’t hit me until just now of why the Blues are playing such good hockey. Or, playing such good hockey since they rolled with Jim Montgomery as the head coach and, not long after, traded for a certain player.
The player in question arrived in time for the Blues December 14th matchup against the Dallas Stars. They lost that game 2-1 in overtime, but starting evening, this team has been 17-13-5 since, good for 39 points in 35 games.
On acquisition helped get the St. Louis Blues here needs recognition
In case you’ve forgotten, the Blues made a trade for Cam Fowler, who in 34 of those 35 games - he missed the most recent matchup - has put up 21 points and seven goals, good for a 14.9 shooting percentage.
For retooling teams like the Blues, I’m often iffy on players like Fowler, who is in his age-33 season. But in a year when we’ve seen Torey Krug out indefinitely, Nick Leddy miss significant time, and now, Colton Parayko, someone like Fowler is a godsend.
He’s someone the Blues needed not just to pick up the slack others left behind, but he’s a seasoned veteran who’d help oversee the retool taking place here. Fowler’s excelled on all fronts, and for that, he deserves recognition, especially now as the Blues seek a playoff return.
Veteran leadership will be paramount for the Blues as playoffs loom
It’s tough to see a scenario in which Colton Parayko returns this season. In a best-case scenario, the Blues make the playoffs and Parayko’s cleared to resume when the first round arrives. Still, that’s a long shot, considering six weeks looks like the minimum in which we’ll see Parayko shelved.
It’s a downer because Parayko was one of this team’s most accomplished veterans and he enjoyed a strong season. In 62 games, Parayko led all Blues defensemen in points with 35, while accumulating 15 goals and a plus-8 rating.
That said, it’s down to veterans like Fowler, alongside Brayden Schenn, Ryan Suter, Jordan Binnington, and Nick Leddy to lead this team if they want to end up in the playoffs. Fowler’s productivity and his leadership have more than proven their worth in what’s become a rather exciting roller coaster of a season for the Blues. And if he helps get this team to the playoffs, trade season was a win, even if it took place three months before the March 7th deadline.