St. Louis Blues
Additions: Bill Guerin, Dan Hinote, Jay McKee, Doug Weight, Martin Rucinsky, Manny Legace
Subtractions: Patrick Lalime, Mark Rycroft, Jeff Hoggan, Dean McAmmond, Kevin Dallman, Brendan Buckley, Trevor Byrne
Analysis
St. Louis managed to beat out Pittsburgh, Columbus and Chicago for last place last year, ending a streak of playoff appearances that was almost legendary. Admitting the season was a lost cause, they traded away Dough Weight at the trade deadline. True to his word, and fresh off his Stanley Cup victory, Weight returned to the Blues once free agency began. They also picked up Bill Guerin for a paltry $2 million, thogh incentives in his contract could push his salary closer to $4 million before the season is up - and I’m sure St. Louis would be happy to have to pay those incentives. Weight proved something last year and this year Guerin has something to prove. Keith Tkachuk played only 41 games but managed 36 points playing on a very poor team. He is also entering the last year of his contract. Could this be the end of his career in St. Louis? Tough to tell. The three American All-Stars should form a formidable front line, provided they can stay healthy.
In net, Manny Legace will likely be considered the backup out of training camp, as St. Louis will want to give young Jason Bacashuhui every opportunity to grow and develop. However, Legace is a capable goaltender who will provide a mentoring, solidifying influence, and a guy who will be a competent backup or a more than acceptable starter depending on how the youngster performs. Legace’s numbers will not be as solid as last year (playing for Detroit is better than playing against them) but he’s got the right attitude to deal with that and do the best he can.
Jay McKee is a very solid defenceman, but I think he may be asked to do too much in St. Louis. Last year he played for a Buffalo team that was deep at every position, a team that rolled four lines and three pairs on defence. In St. Louis Jay Mckee steps in as the second highest paid player. He makes more than Dough Weight. He makes more than Manny Legace. He makes nearly as much as Backman and Brewer combined, the two men directly behind him on the blueline depth chart. St. Louis made a long term, significant commitment to McKee and he will be expected to earn it. I expect this deal will pay off. McKee played plenty of minutes for Buffalo, blocked a ton of pucks, and was counted upon in important situations night in and night out. He will be counted on even more this year, and should thrive on the challenges he will face. However, McKee is not going to drag his team over the substantial hump to the playoffs.
St. Louis will improve greatly as a team next season, but they will still struggle mightily to climb from the basement and will fall well short of the playoffs for the second straight year.