Get out of the funk

Team: 2021-22 St. Louis Blues

Initial Creation Date: Mar. 9, 2022

Published: Mar. 9, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Just some thoughts on how I would approach things:

- With the deadline approaching I wouldn't be looking at external options until this team shows more buy-in. The top teams in the west are on another level right now so the Blues are going to have to find it in themselves to convince the GM to add. We all know that is how Armstrong operates, he's said it for the past 5 or so deadlines.

- I'd look for internal tweaks in the next couple weeks:
Krug has been brutal, team worst 36% xG% in the last 6 games. I think he and Parayko could unlock some synergies considering how poor Parayko has been with his outlet passing/exits and how poor Krug has been net-front and defending in his own end. I know these pairings don't give Chief a "shutdown" pairing to match up with but it ain't like anyone is shutting things down as it is... not generating nearly enough offense out of the back either.

Perunovich - what the heck is going on? Why are all Berube's comments cryptic and subtly demeaning? Am I taking crazy pills? The dude played his conditioning stint and was eligible to come off LTIR Feb 17th. For a team that can't break the puck out of their own zone, how is he not ready to get another shot?

Kyrou - he was riding a 7-game pt streak when 95% of his shifts have been complete garbage. He needs to get back into form or a wake up call to the press box will come soon. I'm sure Chief is more concerned with his overall play than his production down the stretch.

Kostin - I thought he was a little more noticeable in the last few weeks so I was surprised to see him sent down. My guess is that since he and Joshua were the only waiver-exempt options, they had to go down to deliver the message that the poor play was irritating. He should come back up, and if he doesn't clean up his overall game he should become trade bait sooner than later. Don't want him to run out of runway and get tossed aside for nothing.

Brown - not sure if they're scared of losing the conditional pick by playing him in 30 games, but he was solid in every game they put him in earlier in the year, especially when he got time with ROR.

Walman - his skating helps out a ton, but his feet can be quicker than his head. I think he has to take a back seat to Bortuzzo simply for the PK.

Binnington - I don't mind him getting more action but it should still be Husso's net, especially to snap out of this funk. Ville has stolen plenty of games this year, keep riding.

What do you think of the lines/pairs to try to turn the tables? Would you start looking for external options? Are they going to fall apart to the point of a deadline sell?