The St. Louis Blues are still a team full of question marks, some big, others small, but where do they stand when compared to the rest of the Central Division as we close in on the regular season?
It might be hard to have faith in your team if you’re a Blues fan, but this could ironically be one of those seasons when having a bad hockey team could work in one’s favor. Why is that? I elaborate more with some quick thoughts about the Blues and the rest of the Central Division as we close in on the new season.
8 - Minnesota Wild
Setting the stage for a rebuild may be in the Minnesota Wild’s near future, likely foreshadowing a season of trading away talent while looking to build a young core. While it should be a throwaway campaign in St. Paul, it’s always fun to watch teams set the stage for the future.
7 - St. Louis Blues
The Blues looked so flat in preseason before last night’s win over the Dallas Stars that they regressed here. Maybe it foreshadows an exodus of a few longtime players, as I’ve laid out previously, and that won’t be the worst thing in the world.
6 - Chicago Blackhawks
We finally have optimism in Chicago, but cautious optimism is the better term here. The Hawks should be fun to watch early with their new talents taking the ice, but will that consensus hold all season?
5 - Utah Hockey Club
Arguably the most underrated team in the league, the Utah Hockey Club has the talent, coaching, and stability to sneak into the playoffs. Sure, they made some gutsy moves in the offseason and put up some gutsy performances in the preseason, so I’m confident with putting them in fifth here.
4 - Winnipeg Jets
The Jets need to stay healthy and find ways to keep pressure off goaltender Connor Hellebuyck this season. Until that happens, it’s tough to put a ton of faith in them despite their sensational regular season in 2023-24.
3 - Nashville Predators
Is it “All or Nothing” in Nashville this season? It seems to be the case on paper, but what the Predators did this offseason is the classic case of either working for the better or not working at all. That said, there’s a lot to like about the Preds, given the added talent in the lineup.
2 - Colorado Avalanche
I almost put the Avalanche in the top spot, as I continue to believe they’re the deepest team in the Central Division. But until their goaltending proves it can put up championship-caliber play, I’m ranking them one slot below Dallas.
1 - Dallas Stars
Nobody in the Central Division has been more consistent, and even if Jason Robertson misses time, I’m not overtly concerned here. Once he’s back in a green sweater, the Stars should once again factor in as one of the most complete teams in the Western Conference.