Is Now the Time to be Bad for the St. Louis Blues?

Conor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini, Adam Fantilli...

Three potenially franchise altering talents that have recently been drafted by teams at the bottom of the standings. Each of these teams have acheived maybe the hardest part of any rebuild; adding in a truly defining player to help those around him dramatically improve that cities' Stanley Cup aspirations.

James Hagens, Matthew Schaefer, Gavin McKenna...

Three players that also fit that mold that have yet to be drafted by an NHL franchise. Yes, I'm including Matthew Schaefer as this appears to be a defensive player I have yet to see enter the league in some time. He has positional size, excellent two way ability, and elite skating technique. I anticipate him coming into the NHL with Rasmus Dahlin level hype.

Would it behoove the Blues to be bad for once to try and truly set up the future for a long run at not just one Stanley Cup, but at least a half dozen tries at being a true contender? The Blackhawks, Lightning, and Penguins have all won multiple cups in recent memory. Why can't the Blues do this?

You know what all those teams had in common? A #1 overall draft pick (Crosby, Stamkos, and Kane). Not only that but add in Victor Hedman (#2 overall), Evegni Malkin (#2 overall), Jonathan Toews (#3 overall) and Marc-Andre Fleury (#1 overall as a goaltender). Drafting high matters in the NHL. Sure, you can grind out one Cup every 49 years or so (who is counting) but when the talent pool coming in is this good, you MUST take a shot.

Not only that, but in a time when the other sports franchises aren't producing (Cardinals, City SC) wouldn't it be the right time to sell some James Hagens' Blues jerseys? Maybe add in a Gavin McKenna to St. Louis to face his cousin Connor Bedard that just so happens to play for Chicago?

So, you can call it a re-tool or longevity of competitiveness or whatever you want.... but from Bleedin' Blue' perspective it's time to truly take a stand. Let's go out and get the top end talent it takes to win. We all remember when our former captain raised the cup in 2019? That player was drafted in the top 5. These are the players that win, just look at the proof.