2014-15 records: 51-24-7 (109 points)
Lost to Minnesota in Conference quarterfinals
Captain: David Backes
It's the same ol' song and dance for the St. Louis Blues, as they were their usual spectacular self in the regular season. However, once the playoffs began, it was another early exit for the Blues, as they have yet to make the Conference Finals since 2001 and have been eliminated in the opening round three years in a row and counting. Few changes were made for the Blues, and unless you count T.J. Oshie for Troy Brouwer, the Blues' fortunes rest on the usual cast of playoff underachievers.
Up front, Vladimir Tarasenko emerged as a major scoring threat and was one of the very few Blues that showed up for the playoffs. The 8-year contract extension was well deserved, and he will be the face of the team for years to come. However, Alexander Steen, Jaden Schwartz, and David Backes accounted for three goals combined in the playoffs, and this was after each scored 20-plus goals individually. Brouwer will be counted on to bring some playoff mojo to a team that is severely lacking in it. Defensively, the unit was less than the sum of the parts despite Kevin Shattenkirk and Alex Pietrangelo's best efforts. There's still depth on this unit, but Jay Bouwmeester will need a rebound season and they will need to replace some of the toughness that left when the Blues decided not to re-sign Barret Jackman. Brian Elliott and Jake Allen return as the goalies, and while both are good, neither has truly seized the starting role, and that may take a toll at some point. Special teams are top-10 across the board, which is one thing the Blues have nothing to worry about.
Prediction: 1st in the Central Division
The Blues will make the playoffs once again, but given their playoff failures, anything short of the Stanley Cup Finals could signal major changes behind the bench and with player personnel.
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