Vollie, you remind me of notenoughbrewer. I think that ended up being a parody account, but the single-mindedness of the posting is the same. Also, defending a former Captain, ironically.
I can’t get over some of you writing about how much worse the Blues are now as though we’ve seen this roster play already. There are some interesting pieces to craft a line-up with. I think this season is going to be a lot of fun. The two biggest factors for me do not include Pietro leaving. I’d rank that 3rd in terms of impact.
1) How well do the coaches craft lines and effective pairings, special team out of this collection of players. I think the pieces are there to have a very good team or an entirely average team, with good/poor coaching making a big impact either way.
2) Does the team have a solid answer in goal? I’m worried that Binnington may yet turn into a pumpkin and the Blues suffer through one of those seasons like San Jose had where they were a decent team with horrendous goaltending. Nothing can make things unravel faster than a lack of reliability in goal.
3) Pietro’s absence and the ability of Faulk to be a top 4 caliber player as Parayko slides up.
4) Tarasenko being a contributor by the end of the season.....or ever again. I suspect he will work his way back and be a legit scorer again. But I don’t think he’ll draw the defensive attention he used to, and not sure the Blues have enough guns to score enough if Kyrou doesn’t progress, and if Perron doesn’t keep up his career year caliber play. I am kind of holding out hope that Armstrong has a deal with one of the unsigned UFA forwards that won’t be announced until he can place guys on LTIR at the beginning of camp.
I started writing this last night but got tired and couldn't think anymore to finish.
So you think I'm a parody. I don't take too kindly to that.
I can't believe some of the stuff I've read tonight.
Petro is the first Blues captain to lift the Cup. How quickly people forget and It's ok with them to write him off because they like their new toys i.e. Faulk and Krug better. Any team that comes off a cup win Secures their core and you don't let your captain and #1 defenseman walk out the door because DA is too subborn get off his high horse and pay the guy what he rightfully deserves, Just like any other top 5 defenseman. I'm going to pull my hair out if someone says because of Covid. Please do not use that excuse, DA could've easily signed him back after the cup win Army knew what Petro wanted and his ego got fat and went and got Faulk and basically slapped Petro in the face. Because of DA fat ego he set the Blues backwards and people are happy with that? I'd like to hear everyone's answer to that question.
Pietrangelo is/was a lot more important to the Blues than people realize. Also don't forget about Bouwmeester he is also a big loss as well.
1. I like Berube, I think he is a good coach. The team that won the cup was the perfect team for his system. I'm not sure if Berube can adapt to a more offensive system. We shall see.
2. I'm just as worried about the goalie situation as everyone else is. Unless Binny returns to form prepare for a lot of goals against especially with Faulk and Krug on the ice as they can't defend to save their lives, Krug especially.
3. Some posters I've seen here are hoping Faulk will magically overnight return to his Carolina days from 6 years ago. Yeah right!!! In 2014-15 he had 49pts and has regressed since then. He just isn't good. He is never going to live up to what the Blues are paying him.
4. As for Tarasenko, I'm not sure. The guy has had 3 shoulder surgeries now on the same shoulder. I don't think he'll be the same. That's all I'm going to say.