Team: 2024-25 St. Louis Blues

Initial Creation Date: Mar. 5, 2024

Published: Mar. 6, 2024

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

It's been proven time and time again that this roster simply can't compete. It's time to admit defeat and start the rebuild. The rebuild doesn't have to be long but still veterans need to be moved and young players need to be given a chance to play and freely make mistakes.

A big problem with the Blues is outside of their top line (which is great), they don't have another high danger scoring line. The remaining 9 players in the forward group are all complementary players, not play drivers, and hence struggle to generate much by themselves. That's on army. While all bottom 9 players would probably be fine and in most cases even look good next to more skilled players, they won't get that here.

Defensively, the Blues need to find a way to move 2 of Krug, Leddy, and Faulk. They can't all be in the same defense together. I think Leddy is actually fine as long as he's not in a top pair, shut down role. Both Krug and Faulk need more of a defensive partner and are awful together. I'd like to move both and open those spots for the younger dmen.

Notes on the roster below:

The top line puts a lot of faith in Snuggerud to make the jump to the NHL and be an impact player.
The 2nd line would be one of, if not the, fastest lines in the league and would just be a fun line to watch.
The 3rd line is the veteran line. They would ideally be put in more of a shut down role.
The 4th line remains an identity line.

The top pair defense is something I've always liked. Every time Perunovich and Parayko are together they look great. Parayko needs to play with an offensive minded dman and Perunovich is just that. Another thought I had is signing Forsling to a 6x6 deal as a UFA but the Blues might be done giving long term contracts to dmen for a bit.
The 2nd pair defense could take some defensive responsibility and be solid offensively.
The 3rd pair defense is more of a defensive unit. Having Holl isn't ideal but you could buy him out in the next offseason if needed. Holl, Tucker, and Rosen could all rotate as the 6th dman.

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