Welcome to the start of our offseason initiative -- 30 teams in 30 days.
From now until Aug. 14 we’ll be dedicating each day to a new team by recapping the offseason and looking ahead to 2012-13.
There will also be a series of posts looking at key stories, player profiles and burning questions regarding each squad.
Today, we continue with the St. Louis Blues.
After missing the playoffs in all but one post-lockout season, the Blues responded to the early hire of Ken Hitchcock to win the Central Division. They collected 109 standings points (49-22-11) but were ultimately swept by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round.
The Blues’ biggest offseason move might just be re-signing Chris Stewart after a disappointing season. For the most part, GM Doug Armstrong seems content to nurture the team’s promising young players rather than loading up on free agents.
He still has some work to do in keeping everyone together, however, as T.J. Oshie’s arbitration hearing is rapidly approaching while the Blues must make a decision regarding Carlo Colaiacovo.
Can the Blues build on a breakthrough season? Stick around PHT today for more on that and other questions.