The St. Louis Blues Enter the Season Up Against an Improved Central Division
By Kyle Graden
Despite a double offer sheet win, another highly ranked defenseman drafted, and some new veterans signed it looks as though the Blues will face stiff competition in the Central Division this season. With Torey Krug out for the season, an aging defensive core, and some inconsistency amongst the forward group will the Blues be able to keep pace with these seven teams?
Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks will be improved. There is little doubt that they will have significantly more points than they have had the past two seasons. Adding in top six forwards like Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi should see the Blues' rival put forth a more balanced lineup throughout the season. Veteran additions like Alec Martinez, TJ Brodie, Pat Maroon, and Laurent Brossoit will help keep Chicago out of the scenario they were in much of last season when they were short-handed due to injuries and poor roster construction. Will this be a playoff team? That's unlikely, however they shouldn't be taken lightly and project to be a 70-80 point team.
Colorado Avalanche
Colorado isn't the imposing powerhouse they were when they had a healthy captain and some of the best depth in the league, but they remain on the short list of Stanley Cup favorites due to their immense star power. Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen can win games on their own most nights and that is why they'll enter the season near the top of any ranking service. They should vie for the division crown and could push their point mark into the 110 range.
Dallas Stars
Make no mistake about it, the retirement of Joe Pavelski is going to hurt. While the roster that Dallas has is as good as any in the league, the veteran leadership on and off the ice of the future hall of famer will be felt. Jason Robertson, Wyatt Johnston, and Miro Heiskanen should will the Stars into a 105-108 point mark when all is said and done though.
Minnesota Wild
Here is a team that the Blues should be very aware of. The Wild and Blues project similarly for the upcoming season and it should be interesting to see which team takes an edge on one another. The Wild are talented and have drafted well of late, however they seem to lack that game breaking combination of players to reach higher status. Will Kiril the Thrill and company return to the playoffs or will they fall down the division hierarchy? The answer is likely to be somewhere in the middle. Pencil the Wild in for an 85-95 point season.