Team: 2022-23 St. Louis Blues

Initial Creation Date: Dec. 5, 2022

Published: Dec. 5, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

The Blues need to try to walk back some of the roster decisions made by Doug Armstrong since they won the Cup and attempt to strengthen those areas that have been neglected. DA has screwed the pooch, but neither the fan base or ownership wants to go through a rebuild. This roster is way too soft. Here are my observations and suggestions.

First, the Blues have not featured an elite defenseman since Petro left. Doubt that you’ll ever go deep in the playoffs without one and Chychrun is probably the best available option. Get him. Second, Torey Krug is a luxury that this team cannot afford - an undersized, immensely talented offensive defenseman. He can’t be your #1 LHD. Find a way to get him to waive his NTC and move him. Third, ROR has been a shell of himself without Perron. Either get DP back or move O’Reilly. I prefer the former. These guys know how to play the game right and can still be dominant. The team needs their stability. Fourth, while I believe ROR and DP are the kind of players who make those around them better, I don’t feel that can be said for pending FA Tarasenko. And, it doesn’t sound as though anyone believes he’s returning anyway. Move him. Fifth, find another big LHD that can skate. If he can move the puck, great, but you need to be far tougher to play against than we currently are. Also, the big guys are more likely to survive a long playoff run. The smaller guys, the softer guys, and up getting hurt, e.g. Krug and Leddy. I would not be opposed to approaching Montreal for Edmundson, but I am open to suggestions. Sixth, Jordan Kyrou has a ton of potential, but after four years of playing for Berube and Ott, frequently along side ROR and Brayden Schenn, he clearly doesn’t get it. Unfortunately, it may be years, if ever before this mega millionaire buys in. Move him.

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