Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Offseason report: St. Louis Blues

St Louis Blues v Los Angeles Kings - Game Three

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 03: Alex Pietrangelo #27 and Scott Nichol #12 of the St. Louis Blues talk after the Los Angeles Kings scored a second period goal in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center on May 3, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Getty Images

From July 16-Aug 16, we’ll be profiling all 30 NHL teams by recapping what they did this offseason and previewing their upcoming campaigns.

2011-12 season

49-22-11, 109 points. First in the Central Division, second in the Western Conference.

Additions

Jeff Woywitka, Taylor Chorney

Departures

Jason Arnott (still unsigned), Carlo Colaiacovo (still unsigned)

2012 Draft

1st round, 25th overall — Jordan Schmaltz (Green Bay, USHL)

Looking back

GM Doug Armstrong failed to land any significant unrestricted free agents on July 1, a fact that had many Blues fans upset. However, Armstrong hasn’t been sitting around doing nothing since his team was swept by the Kings in second round.

So far this summer, the Blues have signed highly touted prospect Vladimir Tarasenko to a three year entry-level deal, re-signed RFAs David Perron and Chris Stewart, as well as re-upped with potential UFAs Barret Jackman, Jamie Langenbrunner, and Scott Nichol.

But save for Tarasenko, unless Armstrong makes a move, next year’s lineup could be extremely similar to last year’s.

Looking forward

Armstrong still has to get TJ Oshie under contract, be it via negotiation or arbitration. The Blues would like to get Oshie locked up long-term.

Suffice to say cap space is no problem for Armstrong. In fact, the Blues have yet to reach the cap floor. That said, they need to mindful of the fact Alex Pietrangelo, Kevin Shattenkirk, Chris Stewart, Patrik Berglund and Matt D’Agostini are set to become RFAs next summer, and the first two especially will be in line for big raises.

If there’s one area that must be addressed sooner or later, it’s the back end. Defensemen Jason Garrison and Matt Carle were reportedly targeted, but both chose to sign elsewhere.

Have your say

Vote in our poll and let us know what you think of the Rangers’ 2012-13 outlook in the comments section.

[polldaddy poll="6399519"]