Blues’ Roster Reveals Need for Significant Improvements
It’s no secret that the St. Louis Blues have been struggling this season. With a roster that has been underperforming, the blame cannot be solely placed on the coaching staff. General manager Doug Armstrong knows this better than anyone, and the team’s recent record only solidifies that fact.
Under Craig Berube, the Blues played 28 games and had a points percentage of .482. Since interim coach Drew Bannister took over, they have played 31 games and improved slightly to a .581 points percentage. While there has been some improvement under Bannister, the team is still facing many of the same issues that led to Berube’s firing.
When we delve into the numbers, we see that the Blues have made some defensive improvements under Bannister. They have allowed fewer shots and goals against, which can be attributed in part to an improved five-on-five save percentage. However, this defensive focus has come at the cost of their offense, with a decrease in five-on-five goals per 60.
The biggest difference between Berube and Bannister’s tenure has been the power play. Since Bannister took over, the power play has been exponentially better. While it’s difficult to determine how many wins can be attributed to this improvement, it’s clear that the unit’s success has masked some of the team’s ongoing issues.
This brings us to the real problem at hand – the roster itself. Armstrong acknowledged this last year when he made significant moves at the trade deadline, trading away Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan O’Reilly. He knew that rebuilding would take time, but it’s becoming evident that there is still much work to be done.
The inconsistencies of players like Jordan Kyrou raise questions about their future with the team. Kyrou has shown promise but has struggled to find consistency under both coaches. With his full no-trade clause going into effect in 2025, Armstrong may need to consider trading him before it’s too late.
Another player to watch is Pavel Buchnevich. While the Blues would love to keep him on the roster, they may need to consider trading him before the upcoming trade deadline or in the offseason if they can’t reach a long-term agreement.
Beyond these individual players, the Blues need to revamp their entire forward group. Aside from a few bright spots like Jake Neighbours and Alexey Toropchenko, the rest of the top 12 forwards have been underwhelming. The team needs more production from Brayden Schenn and Brandon Saad, and they also need to address Kevin Hayes’ contract situation.
The defense has been a bit more solid this season, with Colton Parayko leading the way. However, Armstrong will need to evaluate whether Nick Leddy, Torey Krug, and Justin Faulk are still the right fit for the team. If not, one of them may need to waive their no-trade clause.
Looking ahead, the Blues face uncertainty in their defensive depth. Pending unrestricted free agent Marco Scandella may be gone by the trade deadline, leaving gaps that need to be filled next season. Matt Kessel has shown promise, but the team has been hesitant to play him. Scott Perunovich’s contract situation is also up in the air.
The one area where the Blues can be confident is in goaltending. Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer have proven themselves capable, and they are expected to return as the tandem next season. However, beyond the goaltending position, there are many question marks.
As the trade deadline approaches, Armstrong may make some moves to address these roster issues. However, it’s clear that more work is needed for the Blues to become competitive again. The team’s inconsistent veterans and lackluster performances have put them in a tough spot. The road to rebuilding may be longer than initially anticipated, but with the right moves and improvements, the Blues can get back on track.
In conclusion, the St. Louis Blues’ roster problems are evident, and it’s clear that the team needs significant improvements. While coaching changes have provided some slight improvements, the underlying issues with the roster cannot be ignored. General manager Doug Armstrong will need to make tough decisions and address these problems head-on if the Blues want to return to their former glory. The upcoming trade deadline will be a critical time for the team as they evaluate their options and make moves to reshape their roster.