Conference: Western
Division: Central
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Offseason
Additions: Thomas Greiss, Noel Acciari, Josh Leivo, Matthew Highmore
Subtractions: David Perron, Ville Husso, Tyler Bozak, Dakota Joshua, Charlie Lindgren
The Blues lost their best goaltender from last season in Husso and one of their top scorers in Perron, with only career backup Greiss really coming in to make an impact. They'll rely on their key forwards to step it up, most notably Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou.
Injury Report
Probable For Opener: -None-
Questionable For Opener: -None-
Out To Begin Season: Alexei Toropchenko (Shoulder), Marco Scandella (Hip)
Out For Season: Scott Perunovich (Shoulder)
Losing Perunovich for likely the entire season and Scandella for most of the regular season will really test the depth of St Louis' blueline. Toropchenko will be out until at least December, leaving a void in the bottom-six to begin the season.
Projected Lineup
(league ranks in parentheses)
Forwards (14th)
Brandon Saad - Ryan O'Reilly - Jordan Kyrou
Pavel Buchnevich - Robert Thomas - Vladimir Tarasenko
Ivan Barbashev - Brayden Schenn - Logan Brown
Matthew Highmore - Noel Acciari - Josh Leivo
Defense (16th)
Nick Leddy - Colton Parayko
Torey Krug - Justin Faulk
Niko Mikkola - Robert Bortuzzo
Goalies (23rd)
Jordan Binnington
Thomas Greiss
The Blues' forwards still run eight solid deep, despite losing David Perron and Tyler Bozak. Combine that with a returning defense (albeit slightly thinner due to injury), and the Blues look like the same solid team they've proven to be over the last few seasons.
Binnington needs to reclaim the starter's net after faltering last season, but, if he can, St. Louis should be one of the better defensive teams in the league.
Dynamic Players
Snipers: -None-
Playmakers: Jordan Kyrou | Brayden Schenn | Robert Thomas | Ivan Barbashev
Volume Shooters: Vladimir Tarasenko | Noel Acciari
Play-Drivers: -None-
Shutdown Defenders: -None-
Shot Blockers: -None-
Hitters: Noel Acciari
Enforcers: Noel Acciari
Penalty Drawers: Jordan Kyrou
PP Specialists: Ryan O'Reilly | Torey Krug
PK Specialists: -None-
Faceoff Specialists: Ryan O'Reilly | Noel Acciari
Fantasy Impact
Studs: Vladimir Tarasenko
Duds: -None-
Sleepers: Jordan Kyrou
Other Roster Worthy: Jordan Binnington, Pavel Buchnevich, Ryan O'Reilly, Brayden Schenn, Robert Thomas
The St. Louis top-nine forwards are basically interchangeable, but Tarasenko is the known fantasy stud of the group with Kyrou also potentially joining him.
We're banking on Binnington getting a vast majority of the starts, giving him a volume advantage of some better goalies stuck in a tandem.
As far as daily fantasy, it will be seen if the Blues score enough to provide enough value. The Buchnevich-Thomas-Tarasenko line was a good value for part of last season, and Torey Krug is usually a cheap powerplay value as well.
2022-2023 PuckLuck Projections | | | | | | | | |
PLAYER | POS | G | A | PTS | W | GA | SV | SO |
Vladimir Tarasenko | F | 35 | 50 | 85 | | | | |
Jordan Kyrou | F | 29 | 55 | 83 | | | | |
Jordan Binnington | G | | | | 30 | 152 | 1472 | 4 |
Pavel Buchnevich | F | 29 | 36 | 64 | | | | |
Brayden Schenn | F | 23 | 47 | 69 | | | | |
Robert Thomas | F | 22 | 52 | 74 | | | | |
Ryan O'Reilly | F | 24 | 40 | 64 | | | | |
Betting Impact
PuckLuck Projection: 92 points
Floor: 77 points Ceiling: 104 points
Projection Data Confidence: 72%
(League Average: 70%)
PuckLuck Odds:
Stanley Cup: +2000
President's Trophy: +2000
Conference: +750
Division: +750
DraftKings Sportsbook Lines:
Stanley Cup: +4000
President's Trophy: +6500
Conference: +1800
Division: +1200
Another team stuck in the same division as the Colorado Avalanche, it's tough to take a futures flier on the Blues. We currently have them at about 47% to make the playoffs, and have a lower floor this season then years previous.
As far as day to day betting, St. Louis will likely have lower over/under sets at the beginning of the season, so it might be a little run on overs to start the year if Kyrou and Tarasenko can score at premium rates.
Season Outlook
Division Projection: 5th
Conference Projection: 10th
League Projection: 18th
Playoffs? In the hunt
If the Blues can stay relatively healthy, they'll likely be in contention to return to the playoffs late into the season. If not, their depth and young talent will really be tested. The Central Division projects to be tight, so there will certainly be no shortage of storylines and competition this season in St. Louis.
Will the St. Louis Blues make the playoffs?
Yes
No