Do the Blues Have What It Takes?

James Bagos
Sep 21, 2000

The burning off-season question for the St. Louis Blues organization and their fans is "Does this team have what it takes to win the Stanley Cup?" Unfortunately that question won't be answered until team captain Chris Pronger actually hoists the Cup above his head. The Blues can go and win another Presidents trophy but until they get their hands on the trophy that has all the names and teams on it then I don't think anybody in St. Louis will be satisfied.

During their first-round loss to the Sharks there were many things lacking. For one, depth on defense (or their lack of depth) really hurt this team. You can't rely on two defensemen to carry your team for 9 months. It's not possible even if it is marathon men Chris Pronger and Al MacInnis. That's why this team is hoping vet Sean Hill and young Mike Van Ryn will be able to step up and complete a reliable top-4. Pronger and MacInnis will form an outstanding pair that will be one of the tops in the league. Free-agent signee Mike Van Ryn is a solid two-way defender that will provide a little bit of everything for the Blues.

Sean Hill signed a fat off-season contract and the Blues are hoping he can provide them (10-15 goals, 45-50 points) what he did for Carolina last year. He'll take some pressure off of 37-year old Al MacInnis. Gritty veteran Marc Bergevin will likely be the team's 5th defender. Veterans Jeff Finley and Todd Reirden will battle it out with 28-year old Alex Khavanov and Islander castoff Vlad Chebaturkin for the 6th spot. The team will likely let Barret Jackman, Jan Horacek, and Peter Smrek develop in Worcester. Jackman has a chance to make the Blues though if he plays anything like he did last year in Blues camp. If and only if Van Ryn and Hill are as good as advertised this position is solidified and probably good enough to win.

The loss of sniper Pavol Demitra hurt the forward corps badly in the playoffs. Without him (concussion) the team wasn't able to form the Slovak line that was so effective in the regular season. Selke candidate Michal Handzus and young Lubos Bartecko will pair up again alongside Demitra this season and will be their top line. Pierre Turgeon's 66 points in 52 games pro-rate to a remarkable 104 points over a full season. Joining him will likely be promising young winger Jochen Hecht and free agent signee Dallas Drake on the second line.

19-goal scorer Mike Eastwood will center a 3rd line with speedy penalty-killer Scott Young. Candidates for the left wing position on this line are Marty Reasoner who could switch to LW from center, agitator Tyson Nash, checker Craig Conroy and college free agent signee Mark Rycroft. Rycroft was a physical force in college and could help the Blues out this year. Look for Jamal Mayers, who has turned into sort of a less-skilled version of Detroit's Darren McCarty, Pascal Rheaume and enforcer Reed Low on the fourth line or be depth players. Barring any major injuries this position is also solid enough to win. If anything they'll need a Brendan Shanahan power forward-type player. One might be available at the trading deadline in the forms of Bill Guerin and John LeClair.

Roman Turek deservedly took a lot of heat during the playoffs after an outstanding regular season. A brutal goal at center ice by Owen Nolan in Game 7 deflated the team and he'll be looking to prove to critics that he can play in the playoffs. Look for a similar season from Turek. Backup Jamie McLennan was lost through the expansion draft but former Calgary and Buffalo goalie Dwayne Roloson will fill his position. Young goaltender Brent Johnson could fill in if Roloson falters this year. Cody Rudkowsky will likely be Worcester's number one man in the nets and he'll develop into a solid goaltender that could take over the 27-year old Turek's job in a few years. All in all, if Turek can prove critics wrong and turn in a good playoff performance than the goal is solid and good enough to win. Focus on Turek's concentration level come March and the start of April. If he seems a bit off than the Blues could be in trouble.

With all that said, the Blues have enough talent, determination, and discipline to win it all this year. That's a dangerous combination to Western Conference rivals such as Dallas, Colorado and Detroit. If the Blues need a power forward or a couple of defensemen by the trade deadline, look for General Manager Larry Pleau to give them what they need. Anything less than a Stanley Cup this year will be considered a failure in St. Louis so expect them to go all out this year.

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