St. Louis Blues: 2018-19 was exceptional, but prepare for more greatness soon
The St. Louis Blues have a rich history, and up until 2018-19 were never Stanley Cup Champions. The 2019 Cup year marked a significant change in the team's history and set a new standard.
Call it a curse or bad luck, but the St. Louis Blues were one of the teams that couldn't figure out how to win a Cup until the 2018-19 Cup team defied all odds and won Game 7 in Boston in the Stanley Cup Finals.
The end result was the victory of a Blues team that had previously made it to the finals but had always fallen short.
Last week, we commemorated the anniversary of winning the championship.
St. Louis Blues fans expect more Cups
Ask any hockey fan around the league, and the St. Louis Blues will come up as one of the most loyal fan bases and one of the most competitive teams in NHL history.
While they weren't part of the original six, they came in the expansion in 1967 and almost immediately achieved success, losing to the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins in the finals.
1968: Stanley Cup Finals loss to Montreal Canadiens
1969: Stanley Cup Finals loss to Montreal Canadiens
1970: Stanley Cup Finals loss to Boston Bruins
2019: Stanley Cup Finals win over Boston Bruins
The current team is molded differently, under a new head coach in Drew Bannister, and few Cup stars remain from 2019.
But once you wear the Blues jersey, expectations grow, and greatness can begin.
The franchise has been home to some of the most talented players in NHL history, from Brett Hull to modern-day goaltender Jordan Binnington.
The current GM, Doug Armstrong, boasts an exceptional NHL resume and has zero tolerance for losing.
The Blues have a product on the ice that competes, and if it doesn't, they make quick changes.
The Blues, like the iconic St. Louis Cardinals, have maintained a truly impressive legacy in professional sports.
While the team needs to add to its win tally in finals appearances, fans know when the Blues hit the ice, they are getting a top-level NHL talent and one that is expected always to make the playoffs.
The St. Louis Blues aren't done yet. The Blues have a young team centered around Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, and Jake Neighbours. They're also waiting for more promising prospects and have one of the best goaltending duos in the league.
It's playoffs or busts next season. But more tellingly, there's a new expectation brewing in St. Louis, and it's one centered on returning to the finals and continuing an already impressive legacy built on championship wins.
The Blues aren't done yet.
feed