Question about St. Louis Blues

[NullDefault]

I've been following the Blues since the lockout (when I'm not watching the B's that is), and I've noticed that they seem to be at a point to contend with most teams in the league. Still, it seems that there is an intangible factor in their game that causes me to think they won't be able to sustain a long run in the playoffs if they were to make it that far. I can't put my finger on it though. Anybody else have any ideas or thoughts on this?

 

[TheRobotDevil]

Don't really follow to much of the blues but if what your saying is true that could be a big part of why they went out and sagged halak.saw allot of his games in the playoffs since the devs exited early and he carried the habs on his back.

 

[puckhead]

quite a common stage of development, imho.

LA went through it last season, Colorado the same thing.
I'd put St Lou at about the same stage as Col, both behind LA on the curve.
basically, you have to get experience in the playoffs before you can expect to win there.

 

[sTyLnK]

There weakness would be a combination of a few things. #1 would most definitely be on the back end like most teams. #2 is yes they are hard working, but because they don't have a superstar player they have to work extra hard to score. Give them a few years though as they have a few players who have been very good and are ready to break out.

 

[NullDefault]

There weakness would be a combination of a few things. #1 would most definitely be on the back end like most teams. #2 is yes they are hard working, but because they don't have a superstar player they have to work extra hard to score. Give them a few years though as they have a few players who have been very good and are ready to break out.

They definitely have a lot of potential, but like you said they are really young on the blue line. Johnson and Pietrangelo being good examples of that. Both are bound to be a force in the near future, but it takes longer to develop as a defenseman than most other positions. I think Halak was a good acquisition to solidify some of the holes they have had over the last two season. I think they will have a solid year and won't have to make a miraculous comeback at the end to clinch a playoff spot but only time will tell. I just feel like this should really be their breakout year, but the lack of offense doesn't inspire a lot of confidence on that front and I think that maybe that's where I get questions about the legitimacy of a run this year.

 

[treple13]

quite a common stage of development, imho.

LA went through it last season, Colorado the same thing.
I'd put St Lou at about the same stage as Col, both behind LA on the curve.
basically, you have to get experience in the playoffs before you can expect to win there.

I think this, although it is a bit worrying that they followed a playoff year with a non-playoff year. At least they were better (in the regular season) than one of the two Stanley Cup finalists last season and both Eastern Conference finalists.

 

[The Q stache]

quite a common stage of development, imho.

LA went through it last season, Colorado the same thing.
I'd put St Lou at about the same stage as Col, both behind LA on the curve.
basically, you have to get experience in the playoffs before you can expect to win there.

This is not always the case, when the Hawks went to the playoffs for the first time in years in the 08-09 season they went all the way to the WCF.

 

[pixburgher66]

This is not always the case, when the Hawks went to the playoffs for the first time in years in the 08-09 season they went all the way to the WCF.

That's because they had superstar talent...the reason they were easily pushed out of the way by the Wings was experience. Then, viola! SCF the next year. The Hawks took a similar path to many of the young teams in the league. I'd agree with the statement that St.Louis is playoff bound, but like Nashville, Colorado, and (IMO) LA, they still lack a little extra experience and that "superstar" threat in the lineup.

 

[Automattic]

Experience, as was already stated. IMO, they could of brought in the right vets over the last couple seasons and had more success. They have brought in talented vets, but not any that are great leaders. That's who the kids need to be around if they are to learn how to be a playoff team again. I like JD, but some moves made and not made are puzzling to me.

 

[NullDefault]

That's because they had superstar talent...the reason they were easily pushed out of the way by the Wings was experience. Then, viola! SCF the next year. The Hawks took a similar path to many of the young teams in the league. I'd agree with the statement that St.Louis is playoff bound, but like Nashville, Colorado, and (IMO) LA, they still lack a little extra experience and that "superstar" threat in the lineup.

I'm really waiting for Oshie and Steen to come into their own as far as talent level for the team. Oshie is a pretty big kid and Steen really seems to have an eye for opportunities and both have tenacity to spare. I expect good things from this core in the next couple of seasons. I agree that veteran leadership would really take this team to the next level.

 

[NullDefault]

I'm really waiting for Oshie and Steen to come into their own as far as talent level for the team. Oshie is a pretty big kid and Steen really seems to have an eye for opportunities and both have tenacity to spare. I expect good things from this core in the next couple of seasons. I agree that veteran leadership would really take this team to the next level.

I think I actually meant to speak about David Perron not Steen, although Steen is a good positional piece for the team as well.