A quick fit for Stastny could signal a strong start for Blues
ST. LOUIS -- Expectations are as high as ever for the Blues heading into the start of training camp next Thursday.
If coming up six points short of the Presidents' Trophy despite a miserable finish in 2013-14 wasn't enough, St. Louis clearly established itself as a Stanley Cup contender with some key signings this offseason. But that doesn't guarantee smooth sailing when the Blues open at home against the New York Rangers on Oct. 9, so here are three things that could determine just how ready St. Louis is to compete with the NHL's best.
FINDING STASTNY'S SPOT
No offseason signing made a bigger splash than that of Paul Stastny, an experienced veteran who immediately improves the Blues' depth at center.
He posted 25 goals and 35 assists last season for Colorado, his highest totals in the last four seasons for both categories. The 28-year-old scored or assisted on half of the Avalanche's 20 goals in the playoffs, even though they lost to Minnesota in seven games in the first round.
"We needed another guy at center that could help us produce," says Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo. "He's a playmaker. He plays on both ends of the ice and he's had a good career, obviously, for a reason."
Stastny's willingness to play defense should make him a good fit in St. Louis, and he has some familiarity with the area as well. Although he's played in Colorado since attending the University of Denver and being drafted 44th overall by the Avs in 2005, Stastny played high school hockey at Chaminade in St. Louis and spent two years with the River City Lancers as an amateur in the United States Hockey League.
He hasn't forgotten about St. Louis, and Pietrangelo says many of the Blues have skated with Stastny when he has come back to the area over the years. T.J. Oshie, David Backes and Kevin Shattenkirk also got some experience with their new teammate when they played together for the United States at the Winter Olympics last February.
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"We're all excited about him coming here," Oshie says. "Everyone knows what he can do on the ice, so he's going to help us out quite a bit."
No one knows yet who will play alongside Stastny, but his experience should help him adjust more quickly than, say, center Jori Lehtera, a Blues addition who arrives from the KHL. Oshie says Stastny was one of just two or three players who hasn't made it out to informal practices yet, and how much he contributes early could be key to how well St. Louis starts the season.
ELLIOTT EMBRACING LARGER ROLE
Most statistics show Brian Elliott has the talent to be a top goalie in the NHL.
Last season, he posted an 18-6-4 record, a 1.96 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage, all of which are similar to his career numbers. Pietrangelo says the eight-year veteran has been ready to be a team's No. 1 goalie for quite some time, and now he'll finally get his chance with the Blues.
"The way he prepares himself for the season, the way he trains, all that," Pietrangelo says. "He's set himself up for this opportunity, and we know that Jake (Allen) is always ready to step up."
The readiness of Allen is a little tougher to gauge, since most of his success has come in the American Hockey League. (Allen did post a 9-4 record with a 2.46 GAA in 15 games as a Blues rookie in the 2012-13 season.) But the bigger question will be whether Elliott can withstand the added rigors and pressures of his larger role, one for which he clearly has the necessary talent.
DOING MORE ON OFFENSE
Defense has defined St. Louis teams under coach Ken Hitchcock, and the Blues have finished in the NHL's top three for fewest goals allowed in two of the last three seasons.
Pietrangelo says that shouldn't change much with the new faces, since the team and the system will mostly stay the same. But Oshie is optimistic that keeping the old philosophy and adding new players capable of creating goals will lead to a more dangerous St. Louis attack.
"I think we're going to be an offensive team," Oshie says. "We're going to be very disciplined defensively, we're going to check really hard, and that's going to lead to a lot of O-zone time and not a lot of D-zone time."
The Blues made significant strides last season to finish sixth in the NHL with 2.91 goals per game, their first time in the top 10 in three seasons under Hitchcock. Getting up over three goals per game could be just what the team needs to take its success to the next level.
You can follow Luke Thompson on Twitter @FS_LukeT or email him at lukegthompson87@gmail.com.
