2023-24 season: 43-33-6, 5th in Central Division, 9th in Western Conference, 16th in league.
A 4-game losing streak brought Craig Berube's tenure with the St. Louis Blues to an end. I thought the end of 2022-23 was a good time to do it, but Doug Armstrong was patient enough, thinking that the right roster would work. But the losses were embarrassing, having never lost by less than 2 goals until Berube was fired. This trend continued, as they only lost 9 games by 1 goal, which could be looked in 2 different ways: It could be looked at that they won a lot of close games, which is an asset needed for playoff time, or it could be looked at that their losses decreased the value of their victories that way. They were a team that finished 10 games above .500, but finished with a -11 goal differential.
Doug Armstrong was very smart and calculated this season and offseason, not wasting away the season in the final 20 games with impulsive seller trades, but by firing Berube when he did in December and replacing him with Drew Bannister, he proved that he believed they had a shot until the very end, and Vegas throwing the regular season nearly worked for them. I doubt they would've beaten Dallas, but a playoff spot would've looked better on Armstrong's resume, as I believe he will be a GM on the hot seat this year. The Blues had 6 20-goal scorers this year, but none of their offense came from the blue line, which is an area they sought out to improve on this offseason. The offseason is a much better time to make moves, and I couldn't go forever without mentioning the offer sheet that I was happy to see screw over Edmonton. Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg have great potential to thrive with the St. Louis Blues, as Edmonton's lack of prospect developing was holding up their development. Broberg will likely be a no. 1 power play defenseman if they don't find anyone better and with Torey Krug being injured, and Holloway should be able to earn 2nd line ice time as a left wing on a team that doesn't have many scoring wingers.
With a new coach and a large roster turnover, I expect a little more out of St. Louis this year. I believe they are capable of increasing their offense, and with a reliable backup in Joel Hofer behind Jordan Binnington, they will still be well off in net. Pierre-Olivier Joseph and Ryan Suter should provide some stability on the blue line, and Doug Armstrong's attitude towards this offseason was that of someone who still believes his team is competitive enough. They are by no means the best there is, but they're a playoff team, and in a Central Division that got a little tougher, they will find their window.
I'm predicting they will finish 46-29-7, 5th in the Central Division, 8th in the Western Conference, and 16th in the league, with the 2WC spot, and that they will be swept in the 1st Round due to a lack of star power.
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