The St. Louis Blues might not be at the forefront of fantasy hockey discussions for the upcoming 2024-25 season, especially after a lackluster performance last year. However, that doesn’t mean they lack potential stars who could reach the coveted 100-point mark. If you’re a Blues fan, you likely have a few players in mind already.
With one key player securing a new contract and another showing promising development, there’s still plenty of talent available in Gateway City for your fantasy roster. So, which three Blues players should you keep an eye on this season? Let’s dive into the details, starting with a forward expected to lead the team in scoring once again.
Robert Thomas
First up is Robert Thomas, who had an impressive season last year, racking up 86 points. He’s a player who could easily hit the 35-goal mark this time around. What makes Thomas particularly appealing in fantasy hockey is not just his offensive contributions but also his ability to create opportunities and steal pucks. With projected ice time of around 20.5 to 21 minutes per game, if he stays healthy, this could be his breakout season. Expect him to be a sought-after pick in larger leagues, while he should still be available in the middle rounds of smaller leagues.
Pavel Buchnevich
Next, we have Pavel Buchnevich, who recently signed a new contract that adds accountability to his game. After scoring 63 points last season, he has the potential to surpass the 70-point threshold again, especially with a solid supporting cast around him. In larger leagues, Buchnevich is likely to be a mid-round pick, but in smaller leagues, he could slip to the later rounds. If he does, don’t hesitate to grab him as a valuable addition to your lineup.
Jake Neighbours
Lastly, keep an eye on Jake Neighbours. Last season, he scored 27 goals and finished with 38 points, showing flashes of his potential. He’s definitely a player to watch as he could build on that performance. However, his ice time is a bit uncertain, as he might find himself in a middle or bottom-six role. This could impact his value, but if he gets the opportunity, he could be a great sleeper pick in the later rounds of your draft.
Conclusion
While the Blues may not be the hottest team in fantasy hockey this season, players like Robert Thomas, Pavel Buchnevich, and Jake Neighbours have the potential to provide significant value. As the season approaches, keep an eye on training camps and preseason performances to gauge player positioning and line combinations. This will help you identify any emerging talents and make informed decisions for your fantasy team. Happy drafting!
With offer sheets, the St. Louis Blues have guts that other teams lack.
The St. Louis Blues have made a daring move by extending offer sheets to Edmonton Oilers players Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. While this might seem like a standard signing at first glance, it demonstrates the Blues’ willingness to take risks.
Historically, teams have been hesitant to pursue offer sheets for restricted free agents, often due to fears of retaliation and the potential for a cycle of teams poaching each other’s prospects. However, the Blues have chosen to take this gamble. As of now, the outcome remains uncertain—whether these two talented players will join the Blues or if the Oilers will match the offers.
What is clear is that Blues general manager Doug Armstrong is displaying strategic acumen. By targeting two players capable of filling top-six roles, he has put the Oilers in a difficult position. The Oilers are currently facing a tight salary cap situation, with limited funds available to sign their players. Armstrong’s approach means he could either gain two valuable assets or force the Oilers into a challenging cap scenario.
Concerns about retaliation from the Oilers seem unfounded, as they will likely focus on retaining their star players rather than worrying about any Blues restricted free agents in the near future.
It’s surprising that more teams haven’t leveraged this strategy. While there’s an unspoken agreement among teams to allow each other to retain their restricted free agents, if you believe a player can enhance your roster and the other team is financially constrained, why not take the chance?
Although signing these players may cost the Blues some draft picks, they have accumulated enough to absorb the loss without significant impact. Overall, this is a clever maneuver with minimal downside.
While it may create a crowded defensive lineup, fostering competition during training camp could benefit a team that has struggled to support its goaltenders in recent seasons.
As we await the outcome, it’s clear that Armstrong’s strategy is a smart one, and it deserves recognition.
Here’s why the St. Louis Blues offer-sheeted two players from the Oilers.
An offer sheet is a contract proposal made by one team to a restricted free agent (RFA) who is still under the rights of another team. Once the offer sheet is submitted, the original team has seven days to either match the contract or lose the player.
To discourage teams from matching offers, the NHL has a compensation system in place. If the original team chooses not to match, the signing team must provide compensation. In this case, if the St. Louis Blues were to sign Philip Broberg, they would forfeit a second-round pick in the 2025 draft, and for Dylan Holloway, they would give up a third-round pick in the same draft.
Player Profiles
Dylan Holloway was selected 14th overall in the 2020 draft. His development has faced challenges within the Edmonton Oilers organization, partly due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19, which affected many young players in the CHL with canceled games. Additionally, there has been limited opportunity for him in the Oilers’ lineup. If Edmonton opts not to match the offer, acquiring Holloway would be a significant win for the Blues, as he is still young and brimming with potential.
Philip Broberg, drafted eighth overall in 2019, was initially seen as a future elite defenseman. However, he has struggled to find his footing and has primarily served as the seventh defenseman in the Oilers’ lineup. The Blues hope to rekindle the promise he showed as a prospect in 2019, and they have the opportunity to give him the playing time he needs. While $4.5 million may seem steep for Broberg, teams often have to pay a premium to secure a player who could be a great fit.
Overall, I believe Doug Armstrong has made a savvy move. Historically, few general managers have had the boldness to utilize offer sheets, but Armstrong has taken that step and targeted the right team—the Oilers, who are currently over the salary cap. It will be interesting to see how this situation unfolds, but I would be thrilled if either of these players ends up in a Blues uniform.
The St. Louis Blues’ Comparative Analysis with Their Central Division Opponents
The Central Division is arguably the most competitive group of teams in the NHL, with many of its members consistently vying for playoff spots. For the St. Louis Blues, being part of this conversation means they need to secure a top-three finish, moving away from the middle or lower tiers where they have found themselves in recent seasons. So, how does St. Louis measure up against their divisional rivals?
Dallas Stars: The Green Nightmare
The Blues could learn a thing or two from the Dallas Stars about building a successful playoff team, as the Stars have made consecutive appearances in the Western Conference Finals over the past two seasons. Dallas excels in nearly every aspect, boasting a strong blend of young talent and experienced players still performing at a high level. They are likely St. Louis’ biggest rivals, and their fanbase is often considered one of the most challenging in the league.
Winnipeg Jets: The Northern Air Raid
The Winnipeg Jets remain one of the youngest teams in the NHL, but in their brief 13-year history, they have made a name for themselves by reaching the playoffs several times. Their offensive firepower, led by Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, and Nikolaj Ehlers, has been a key factor in their success. With most of their top scorers still under 30, Winnipeg has a bright future ahead. This season’s matchups may be tighter than before, but the Jets still hold the upper hand.
Colorado Avalanche: A Painful Memory for Blues Fans
The Colorado Avalanche are a team that Blues fans remember all too well, having eliminated St. Louis in a dramatic six-game series during the 2021-22 playoffs. Since then, the Avalanche have only improved, winning the Stanley Cup the same year they knocked out the Blues. Under coach Jared Bednar, Colorado has become a model of consistency in the Western Conference, reaching at least the second round of the playoffs every year except one since he took over. With stars like Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar, Colorado is a formidable opponent that should not be underestimated.
Chicago Blackhawks: Not Swayed by Bedard Hype
The Chicago Blackhawks, long-time rivals of the Blues, had an even worse season than St. Louis in 2023-24, much to the delight of Blues fans. Despite the excitement surrounding rookie Connor Bedard, the Blackhawks failed to make a playoff run or even secure a postseason appearance. They haven’t advanced past the first round in nearly a decade, and their current playoff drought is longer than St. Louis’, stretching back to the 2019-20 season. With several key players in their mid-30s, including Nick Foligno and Tyler Johnson, Chicago’s window for success is closing, making St. Louis a stronger contender in their matchups.
Nashville Predators: A Wild Card
Nashville is another rival for St. Louis, but their future is uncertain. The Predators made significant free agency signings this summer, and it remains to be seen whether they can capitalize on those moves or if the Blues’ young core will outsmart them. Like Chicago, Nashville has several top scorers in their mid-30s, making their games against St. Louis intriguing to watch.
Other Central Division Rivals
The Blues have a clearer advantage over the Minnesota Wild and the newly rebranded Utah Hockey Club (formerly the Arizona Coyotes). The Wild are likely facing a rebuild soon, while the Utah franchise has seen little change in recent years aside from their arena situation.
In summary, the Central Division is filled with tough competition, and for the Blues to rise above, they must improve their standing against these rivals.
For the St. Louis Blues, signing Tyson Barrie would be worse than being naive.
Just when it seemed the St. Louis Blues had escaped the rumor mill regarding defensemen, they find themselves back in it with discussions about Tyson Barrie. While Jim Parsons from The Hockey Writers mentioned the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins as potential suitors for Barrie as a seventh defenseman, he also suggested that the Blues might consider him as a “possible replacement for Torey Krug.”
Can we please put an end to this speculation? General manager Doug Armstrong has already signed Ryan Suter, who could effectively fill Krug’s role and is likely in the final stages of his career.
However, Barrie is not Suter, and his track record shows that he may not be the right fit. Signing him would be a short-sighted decision, especially since the Blues are in the midst of a roster retool. With several young defensemen eager for a chance at the NHL level, bringing in Barrie would be counterproductive.
The Blues need to focus on getting younger on defense rather than adding more veterans. If Krug is out for an extended period, this presents a chance to give young players like Scott Perunovich, Pierre-Olivier Joseph, and Matthew Kessel more ice time. These players could contribute to the team’s long-term success far more effectively than Barrie could.
If the Blues were to sign Barrie, they would already have Colton Parayko, Nick Leddy, Justin Faulk, and Ryan Suter in their lineup, meaning five out of seven defensemen projected for opening night would be 31 or older. It would be more beneficial for the team to utilize their current roster.
Given the Blues’ slim chances of making the playoffs this season, signing Barrie wouldn’t significantly improve their odds. The focus for the 2024-25 season should be on youth development, and bringing in Tyson Barrie would only set the Blues back from that goal.
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