2023-24 St. Louis Blues

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Oct 12, 2023

New season, new thread.

From some of the preseason talk, it sounds like it could be a long season for the Blues. Schenn is the new captain for this season.

band camp · Oct 12, 2023

Defense didn't improve much.

Ghost77 · Oct 12, 2023

I'm not really a Blues fan but born in and now back to living in the STL area. Was watching the news last night and they had this quote from the GM:

"I'd love to get third place," Armstrong said. "I see Dallas and I see Colorado as a different maturation part in their organizations. They seem to be a half a letter to a full letter grade ahead, but then I look at Minnesota, I look at what Winnipeg's going through, I look at what Nashville's going through and then you have Chicago and Arizona. Chicago's maybe entering a different spot and Arizona's trying to come out of the spot that Chicago's going into. I think third might be an easier thing to get than one of two wildcard spots."

I'm all about honesty from coaches and the front office but damn, probably not the best choice of words at this point to get your fanbase excited for the season!

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Oct 12, 2023

band camp said:
Defense didn't improve much.

The thought is that the new assistant coach Mike Weber will help fix the issues they had in that area last season.

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Oct 12, 2023

Ghost77 said:
I'm not really a Blues fan but born in and now back to living in the STL area. Was watching the news last night and they had this quote from the GM:

"I'd love to get third place," Armstrong said. "I see Dallas and I see Colorado as a different maturation part in their organizations. They seem to be a half a letter to a full letter grade ahead, but then I look at Minnesota, I look at what Winnipeg's going through, I look at what Nashville's going through and then you have Chicago and Arizona. Chicago's maybe entering a different spot and Arizona's trying to come out of the spot that Chicago's going into. I think third might be an easier thing to get than one of two wildcard spots."

I'm all about honesty from coaches and the front office but damn, probably not the best choice of words at this point to get your fanbase excited for the season!

He's not entirely wrong though. Dallas went to the West final last year. Colorado won the Cup 2 seasons ago so those two teams are in a different spot with their roster than the Blues. Minnesota I'm still not as sold on as they're still in salary cap hell for another season. Winnipeg I wouldn't have been sold on until their recent extensions they signed players too. Nashville will be a bit of a wild card (no pun intended) in the division. I can't take Arizona serious until they get into an actual NHL arena and Chicago is probably at least a couple seasons away from being a playoff contender, even with Bedard.

whatahack · Oct 12, 2023

I don't know why, but I am optimistic about this year

JimILL75 · Oct 12, 2023

If they stay somewhat healthy, they go four lines deep this year, some size and toughness. The D is not as tough as I prefer but Tucker might make a difference. Have some depth at center that is good, veteran guys. I think our biggest problem might be at winning face offs. What do I know I thought we would go to a bowl game this year and it is going to take some luck and a great effort, guess I am not as smart as I look.

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Oct 12, 2023

Blues lose in a shootout at Dallas. It's just one game but the defense looked a lot better than it did most of last season. Also good to steal a point on the road against a team that's expected to be one of the best teams in the West.

GILL-INOIS · Oct 13, 2023

Binnington brought his A game

D looked improved at times but definitely going to have problem with physical teams around the net. If we lose one or two big name offensive guys to injury I see us having a long season. Blues making the playoffs is overachieving....really hope we can surprise some people because I don't want to see them possibly put Berube on the hot seat.

band camp · Oct 13, 2023

Looked pretty good against a top team on the road. Good overall effort.
I didn't have Tucker on my 1st goal scorer of season card.

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Oct 13, 2023

GILL-INOIS said:
Blues making the playoffs is overachieving....really hope we can surprise some people because I don't want to see them possibly put Berube on the hot seat.

Some of the sportswriters out of St. Louis I've heard think the first 10 games of the season and how they start will help decide what they do with Berube. They don't necessarily think he'll be on the hot seat but the temperature could get warmer if they struggle.

GILL-INOIS · Oct 13, 2023

IlliniFaninHoosierLand said:
Some of the sportswriters out of St. Louis I've heard think the first 10 games of the season and how they start will help decide what they do with Berube. They don't necessarily think he'll be on the hot seat but the temperature could get warmer if they struggle.

Yeah that is the sad part if only after 10 games.....already means he is on the hot seat lol

I have my season tickets and support the Blues either way. We have had much worse times than this but I am not fond of the construction of this team. Quality 4 lines but missing big time players at the top.

Joel Goodson · Oct 13, 2023

Ghost77 said:
I'm not really a Blues fan but born in and now back to living in the STL area. Was watching the news last night and they had this quote from the GM:

"I'd love to get third place," Armstrong said. "I see Dallas and I see Colorado as a different maturation part in their organizations. They seem to be a half a letter to a full letter grade ahead, but then I look at Minnesota, I look at what Winnipeg's going through, I look at what Nashville's going through and then you have Chicago and Arizona. Chicago's maybe entering a different spot and Arizona's trying to come out of the spot that Chicago's going into. I think third might be an easier thing to get than one of two wildcard spots."

I'm all about honesty from coaches and the front office but damn, probably not the best choice of words at this point to get your fanbase excited for the season!

I find it quite refreshing when a GM/coach speaks candidly. FWLIW, I don't think Armstrong went out on limb here.

band camp · Oct 13, 2023

If Armstrong comes out and calls this team "elite", where would you be on that statement?
I respect his honesty.

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Oct 13, 2023

GILL-INOIS said:
Yeah that is the sad part if only after 10 games.....already means he is on the hot seat lol

Not at all. I mean, Berube is the 5th longest tenured coach in the NHL right now (which also shows how much of a churn there is in the league with coaches year over year). The sportstalker I was listening to (Ben Frederickson, maybe?) didn't think Berube was on the hot seat right now going into the season but that if the team struggles then his seat could start to get to warm. The biggest issues this team had last season was a lack of buy in from the players and poor defensive play. For one game at least, it appears to not be an issue.

GILL-INOIS · Oct 14, 2023

IlliniFaninHoosierLand said:
Not at all. I mean, Berube is the 5th longest tenured coach in the NHL right now (which also shows how much of a churn there is in the league with coaches year over year). The sportstalker I was listening to (Ben Frederickson, maybe?) didn't think Berube was on the hot seat right now going into the season but that if the team struggles then his seat could start to get to warm. The biggest issues this team had last season was a lack of buy in from the players and poor defensive play. For one game at least, it appears to not be an issue.

I was joking

Coaches always take the fall. Armstrong may have screwed the pooch on building this team but the "fall guy" is the coach.

whatahack · Oct 23, 2023

Not sure why, but I am cautiously optimistic about this season.

Definitely need to improve both sides of the special teams though...

LGB!!!

whatahack · Nov 1, 2023

Panger on the broadcast...

whatahack · Nov 3, 2023

What a schizophrenic team

GILL-INOIS · Nov 4, 2023

whatahack said:
What a schizophrenic team

I don't look for it to change this year. Prescription.....More Cowbell

Colorado and Dallas are clear cut favorites in the division. Only good thing is division is wide open and weak after the top powers

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Nov 4, 2023

GILL-INOIS said:
Colorado and Dallas are clear cut favorites in the division. Only good thing is division is wide open and weak after the top powers

Weird. It's almost as if Army's comments heading into the season regarding the division were spot on.

GILL-INOIS · Nov 4, 2023

IlliniFaninHoosierLand said:
Weird. It's almost as if Army's comments heading into the season regarding the division were spot on.

Almost like the construction of this team. Just one of those years you try to make it through.

Won't be surprised with any spot we land in. Overachieve if we make the playoffs.

whatahack · Nov 4, 2023

WTF...this team.

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Nov 4, 2023

whatahack said:
WTF...this team.

Hey hey...the Blues is, er are, alright.

whatahack · Nov 9, 2023

How in the hell can a team go 0 for 7 on the power play. That is just ridiculous