We’re rolling through some catching up across the Central Division as we count down to training camp for the Blackhawks. Yesterday, we looked at the changes in the desert with the Arizona Coyotes. Now, let’s make the road trip to St. Louis and look at how the Blues changes since the end of last season.
Jordan Binnington will continue to be an enigma in net for the Blues, but it really boils down to how the two young skaters they’re building around — Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas — take another step forward this season. To say last year was a disappointment is an understatement, and the Blues didn’t add much in free agency or via trade.
Head Coach: Craig Berube
2022-23 Record: 37-38-7 (81 points — 6th in the Central)
2022-23 Offensive Leaders
Goals: Jordan Kyrou (37)
Assists: Robert Thomas (47)
Points: Kyrou (73)
Current Cap Hit: ($293,571 available cap space)
Roster Additions: Kevin Hayes, Wyatt Kalynuk, Malcolm Subban
Roster Losses: Logan Brown, Brady Lyle, Tyler Pitlick, Steven Santini, Matthew Highmore𝔉, Nathan Todd
Prospect Pool Rank (The Athletic):
Key Rookies/Prospects: Dali♐bor Dvorsky, Jimmy Snuggerud, Otto Sten♈berg, Jake Neighbours
Outlook
Kyrou, Thomas and Brayden Schenn — three of the Blues’ top four point producers last year — have at least five years remaining on their current contracts. The fourth player at the top of their stat list, Pavel Buchnevich, has two years remaining. This is going to be the group they dance with for the coming years. So get used to it — and learn how to beat it.
News earlier this week that Torey Krug got hurt already isn’t good for a defensive group that left a lot to be desired last year. They have also reportedly been shopping Colton Parayko all summer despite giving him a big money extension. This is a roster that could still see some transition this season, even though they’re trying to sell the vision that they can get back into the playoffs. Note they have almost no cap space to play with already to start the year.
