2017-18 record: 44-32-6 (94 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: Alex Pietrangelo
Missing out on the playoffs is something that the St. Louis Blues don't often do, but when they do, they seem to do it in the most painful fashion possible. Last year, it was getting blown out by the Colorado Avalanche in a game that they had to just win or tie. To ensure that they don't have to deal with that again, they decided to bolster their center depth and make a few other changes. The Blues should be better, but by how much is up to them.
The Blues were in the bottom third of the league in scoring, and much of that was both the lack of center depth and the overall lack of scoring up and down the lineup. The Blues addressed both issues in one fell swoop, as Tyler Bozak and Ryan O'Reilly slot in behind Jaden Schwartz at center, essentially replacing Paul Stastny. They also got Vladimir Tarasenko some needed muscle, as Patrick Maroon is a better scoring version of Ryan Reaves. Despite numerous injuries and Alex Pietrangelo underachieving, the Blues finished 6th in goals against. Much of that was due to Carter Hutton deciding to have a career year. Unfortunately, Hutton is now a member of the Buffalo Sabres, which leaves inconsistent Jake Allen to once again tap into his untapped potential as a starting goalie. Having the defense in front of him healthy again should be help, but if Allen can't find his game, the Blues will have to turn to Chad Johnson, who is even more inconsistent.
Prediction: 3rd in the Central Division
The Blues were a maddening team to figure out last year, some of it due to injuries, some of it due to everyone not named Vladimir Tarasenko having off years. The truth of who the Blues are should be better defined this year, as they addressed needs and should be healthy once again.
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