NHL
The St. Louis Blues Go Marching Into the 2018-19 Season With High Hopes as They Look for Their First Stanley Cup in Franchise History.
Two months into the season, the St. Louis Blues were tied for First place in the league. But after the great start, St. Louis missed the playoffs by one point. Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong had some moves to make after a disappointing end to the year. The same season that saw the Blues match their best start in Franchise History (10-2-1). Armstrong had hate flying his way from fans around St. Louis… until July 1. On July 1, Doug Armstrong made the changes that gives the Blues the best chance they have had in years to get that elusive Stanley Cup.
Have the Blues Gotten Better?
The St. Louis Blues used all the money they could in order to get better and, on paper, it looks great. Teams that spend to the cap often get rewarded. So that is what Doug Armstrong did. He spent everything he could to better the team until the Blues had no more money to pay Jordan Schmaltz. Then Doug Armstrong made the boldest move of this offseason. By acquiring Ryan O’Reilly, the Blues were set to go.
Additions
On July 1 the Blues added Tyler Bozak to add depth down the middle. In 81 games with Toronto, Bozak amounted 43 points, 32 of which were assists. David Perron was re-added for the third time. Third times a charm? Perron played 70 games last year with Vegas and scored 16 goals and added 50 assists.
The dust had settled on July 1 and everyone thought the night was done. Then Doug Armstrong blows the rough off the every house and building in Missouri by trading for Ryan O’Reilly. You can find the details for the trade here. O’Reilly played 81 games for the Sabres last year and scored 24 goals and totaled 61 points. O’Reilly will help out the Blues’ silent Power Play. 15 of Ryan O’Reilly’s 24 goals came on the Power Play.
On July 9, Patrick Maroon was announced as the fifth signing for the Blues this offseason. Maroon inked a one year deal worth $1.75 million. Maroon played in 74 games last year and scored 17 goals and assisted 26 times. Patrick Maroon played on the first line for the Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils last year.
The St. Louis Blues signed Chad Johnson to the same contract as Patrick Maroon this offseason. Johnson played in 36 games last year with Buffalo and posted a GAA of 3.55 and saved 89.1 percent of shots faced.
Subtractions
Tage Thompson played 41 games and totaled nine points ( three goals, six assists). Berglund and Sobotka combined for 57 points. Doug Armstrong admitted that both Berglund and Sobotka were signed to bad contracts. Kyle Brodziak and Scottie Upshall both signed with teams this offseason. Brodziak signed with Edmonton and Upshall has a Professional Tryout with the Edmonton.
Carter Hutton was the man many fans wanted back in St. Louis. Hutton signed a three year deal in Buffalo on July 1 and will get the starting spot that he deserves. In 32 games this past year, Hutton posted a 2.09 Goals Against Average and a .931 Save Percentage which were both tops in the league last year.
Where the St. Louis Blues Stand
The St. Louis Blues may have the best Net Gain of any team this year at 95. On paper, this team is ready to do some damage. The Blues have made the Central Division a three-team division. While possibly being able to keep pace with Winnipeg and Nashville, the Blues have firmly grasped the third spot in the Central Division in my predictions.
The only soft spot is Goaltending. Jake Allen has to be better than last year as Chad Johnson will not be the Hutton that the Blues the past two years. Doug Armstrong has many times that Allen is the guy. If the Blues want to win a Cup Allen needs to stand strong in the crease through the entire season.
As a Blues fan, this is going to be a fun year to watch and I cannot wait for October.
Social Media
Follow Jared on Twitter: @jared_pettus_00
Photo Credit
Photo Courtesy of AlphaCoders
