For the 2019-20 St. Louis Blues it wasn't so much that they had a Stanley Cup hangover after taking home the chalice the season prior, they still looked like one of the top contenders when the bubble-encased 2020 NHL postseason began. But then, the wheels started to fall off.
The offseason was tumultuous. The team signed top free agent defenseman Torey Krug, but as a result, they didn't keep captain Alex Pietrangelo (who signed with their new division rivals, the Vegas Golden Knights). What should fans expect out of the Blues this season? Here's everything you need to know for 2020-21:
Big question: What does Torey Krug offer, and what did Alex Pietrangelo take with him?
The massive change for the Blues this offseason was the departure of Pietrangelo to the Golden Knights -- the Blues refused to give him a no-movement clause in a new deal, among other factors -- and the arrival of his replacement Torey Krug from the Boston Bruins, as the latter signed a seven-year, $45 million free-agent deal.
Pietrangelo had his most productive offensive season in 2019-20 (0.74 points per game), while remaining a solid defender in all situations. Krug is a better offensive player, and an elite power-play quarterback, who isn't a defensive liability but also isn't Pietrangelo's equal on that end of the ice. They also lost a team captain in Pietrangelo, but found an exceptional replacement in Ryan O'Reilly.
Did realignment hurt or help?
Helped. The Blues petitioned the NHL to be placed in the West, preferring later start times than the slew of Eastern time zone teams in the new Central Division. Plus, they enter as one of the top three teams in a top-heavy division.
Offseason comings and goings, plus the cap situation
Besides the Krug/Pietrangelo switcheroo, the Blues made a few other significant moves. Jake Allen, the former starter-turned-dependable tandem goalie, was traded to Montreal. That leaves Ville Husso to spell Jordan Binnington this season. Mike Hoffman, who lingered on the free-agent market longer than anticipated, brings his goal-scoring prowess and specious defense to the roster, helping to soften the loss of Vladimir Tarasenko to further should surgery complications.
Speaking of injuries, Alex Steen retired after lingering back issues. Kyle Clifford, meanwhile, was added to the team's bottom six. The Blues are over the cap, but will be under through the use of long-term injured reserve.
Bold prediction
Goaltending hogs the conversation. Binnington expectedly regressed to the mean in his second regular season and then unexpectedly had a terrible postseason (0-5, .851 save percentage). Now he enters the season with an unproven backup. It's a critical season for the 27-year-old goalie, as his contract is up this summer; even more critical is whether he can come through for the Blues while playing the vast majority of the games.
Breakout candidate: Robert Thomas
The 21-year-old jumped to 0.64 points per game last season although his ice time increased by only 1:30. He's slotted to be the team's second-line center and play with scoring ace Hoffman. Not a bad place to be the season before hitting restricted free agency.
Biggest strength: Ryan O'Reilly
The 29-year-old center is one of the best all-around players in the NHL, combining a solid offensive game (0.86 points per game) with his status as a perennial Selke Trophy candidate. His goal-scoring pace took a tumble last season after clearing 20 goals in four straight seasons.
Biggest weakness: Lack of Tarasenko
The winger will be reevaluated in February, and hopefully his shoulder issues aren't chronic. He had underwent his third surgery in 28 months back last August. The Blues managed to put together a heck of a season without him in 2019-20, finishing first in the Central with him limited to 10 games. But the difference between St. Louis being a good team and a championship team could rest on his shoulder.
Blues in NHL Rank
No. 44: Ryan O'Reilly
No. 63: Torey Krug, D
No. 72: Vladimir Tarasenko, RW
No. 82: Jordan Binnington, G
Prospect perspective
Pipeline ranking: 28
Prospects in the top 100: No. 59 Scott Perunovich (D), honorable mentions Klim Kostin (C) and Joel Hofer (G)
Fantasy facts to know
Following up his sparkling debut the previous season, Binnington was altogether solid in his sophomore campaign between the pipes for the Blues ... until the playoffs, where he stunk up the bubble with zero wins and a 4.72 goals-against average. Now it's up to fantasy managers to decide whether they're all in on Binnington as the Blues' everyday go-to, now that Jake Allen is in Montreal.
Much will be asked of St. Louis newbie Torey Krug following the departure of perennial blue-line heavyweight Pietrangelo. Pegged to slide in on the Blues' top power play in place of Pietrangelo, the former Bruins defenseman is in position to see a similar rate to the 0.82 points per game he has scored over his past two seasons -- with a heavy percentage counting with the man advantage. While Boston's power play ranked second in the league last season, St. Louis was right behind them in third place.
Young Robert Thomas boasts sneaky sleeper value as top-line replacement for Tarasenko, who remains sidelined until at least February in recovery from another round of shoulder surgery. Skating alongside Brayden Schenn and Jaden Schwartz, as he often did in 2019-20, Thomas could collect near a point per game in his third full NHL season. The 21-year-old winger is still improving as a player. -- Victoria Matiash