How firm a grasp do Blues have on the Cup?

By Jim den Hollander

Midwesthockey.info editor

One of my work colleagues has been poking fun at me ever since they hoisted Lord Stanley’s mug in early June – for good reason.

Since starting Midwesthockey.info several seasons ago, I have become somewhat attached to the five NHL teams that I try to provide information on. At the risk of not appearing impartial, I have to say, the Blues have been perhaps the most interesting and fun team to cover.

In recent seasons, I have been highly critical of nearly every move made by management. It seemed to me that since the team’s impressive run to the Conference finals a few years back, they had backpedaled – clearly, I was wrong.

My first mistake was being critical during that first summer when captain David Backes and goaltender Brian Elliot were allowed to walk away after being (in my mind) key players in the best playoff run in decades.

Being sellers at the Trade deadline – trading Kevin Shattenkirk in 2017 and Paul Stastny the following year were moves that didn’t sit well with me. My age is showing here as all the above complaints are made about a team that was working with salary cap issues, or at least trying to make the best financial move possible at the time (i.e. – free agent contract pending) and I am probably a decade behind on that way of thinking.

But the team also operated without an AHL affiliate in 2017-18 and just looking like a bumbling, stumbling joke to me at that time.

When the Blues hit the NHL basement this past January, I made sure to remind me friend of all the stuff I said over the past three seasons. He has been reminding me of those comments since they hoisted the cup in June.

Which bring me to my look at the 2019-20 Blues.

Just how firm a grasp does this team have on the Cup?
Guess we’ll find out in the months ahead.

The season ended well but had some definite low points as well.

The best move might have been bringing in Craig Berube as head coach, but I am going to wait until this time next year before passing quick judgement.

The Penguins went through a similar run not that long ago, seeing a major change after a late season coaching change that ultimately helped them deliver back to back June parades.

There is certainly a talented core on this team both offensively and defensively. A rookie led the way between the pipes showing poise well beyond his years. Can Jordan Binnington keep up that type of play for a full season? Many people are already saying yes.

Nobody likes to admit they were wrong. In this case, I am happy to concede as it was glorious to see the first every Stanley Cup party in Missouri.

But I might just have a wary eye on St. Louis again in the fall. After all, it is the Show Me State.

In the weeks ahead, I will take a look at off season moves and the season ahead. For now, I just wanted to relate the sort of mental relationship I have had with one of the Midwest NHL teams.