Blues let Playoff Hopes Slip

For the fist time in a long time, St. Louis Blues fans were saying before the playoffs started “This is our year.” But with the NHL playoffs nearing the end of the first round, Blues find themselves preparing for exit interviews and summer vacation instead of gearing up for Colorado or Minnesota.

“I think St. Louis deserves a Stanley Cup and this should have been the year that we gave it to them,” T.J. Oshie said after Sunday’s Game 6 loss to Chicago.

The Blues went all-in this year with not only St. Louis on the roster but acquiring rental goalie Ryan Miller at the trade deadline. The move was initially a plus, but it’s up for discussion whether or not it was a success because the Blues lost 10 of their last 12 games dating back to the run-in at the end of the regular season. Maybe if they squeaked out a shootout win or 2 more they would have been playing Minnesota instead of Chicago.

“No offense to you guys, but these interviews are getting a little sickening to have in April and not in June.”- David Backes

Next year will be a make-or-break season for the Blues. The only unit that’s intact is the defense as none of the players are up for free-agency according to CapGeek. But their goaltending situation is the biggest question. Ryan Miller and Brian Elliott are both unrestricted free agents this summer and if the Blues want another shot at a deep playoff run, they have to find a way to keep Miller.

Forwards who are unrestricted free agents include Derek Roy (9 goals-37 points in the regular season), Steve Ott (0-3), and Brenden Morrow (13-25). Restricted free agents include Patrik Berglund (14-32), Valdimir Sobotka (9-33), and Jaden Schwartz (25-56). Depending on how much money they contribute to the goalie position they have to find a way to keep Roy, Berglund, and Schwartz.

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