St. Louis Blues: Do the Blues have the strength needed up the middle?
It’s critical for any hockey team to have a balanced attack and to have depth across the lineup. However, it no secret that having strength down the middle of the ice is what gives teams an edge. The Blues certainly have strength and an edge in goal with the tandem of Binnington and Hofer. But what about the center position?
We have to look no further than the top teams in the league to see how important the center position is and has been over the years. Visions of Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Leon Draisaitl, Auston Matthews, Sidney Crosby (still going strong as he turns 37 next month), Jack Hughes and the Rookie of the Year Connor Bedard.
Each of these centers have the ability to make those around them better as well as putting up top of the scoresheet individual numbers. It is clear to see how important the position is to their teams.
So how do the Blues fair in the center category? Robert Thomas showed last year his ability to be a #1 center, and he should only get better. The second line is where things start to get muddy for the Blues. Brayden Schenn provides veteran leadership and as the Captain commands respect for his grit and determination. For me, center is his best spot, and the second line is his to lose.
Or is your #2 center newly extended Pavel Buchnevich who showed his abilities at center in several games at the end of the season. As the second leading goal scorer (tied with Jake Neighbours) on the team and third overall in points, most of those coming on the wing, one can argue that center may not be his best position.
Personally, I like him on the wing, and it allows him to truly play his two-way game
The recently acquired Radak Faksa had 19 points in 2023-24, so his production will need to improve either as the third line or fourth line center while Oskar Sundquist recovers from his knee injury (return timeline still undetermined). I do like Radak for his faceoff ability and defensive abilities as he does like to block shots and provide the needed physicality for a third or fourth line.
Now who is left to choose from if Sundquist isn’t in the lineup opening night? Is it unproven Zach Dean or the potential of Dalibor Dvorsky…or can Nathan Walker step up with his tenacious drive?
Unless Doug Armstrong has another trade up his sleeve, it will be an interesting preseason to see who rises to the occasion and captures the key center position role for the Blues on opening night. Who’s your favorites for the second, third- and fourth-line centers?
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