First off, congrats to the Blues for a great season, and there is no shame in losing to the defending champions. Unfortunately, these were two of the best teams in the league this year, both having the misfortune to bump into each other in the first round, and one of them had to go home. It is true what they say, that in order to win, you must first learn how to lose. As a Hawks fan myself, I saw the Hawks go through this very thing, as guys like Toews, Kane, Sharp, Hossa, Bufyglien, Campbell, Keith, Seabrook and Hjalmarsson, just to name a few, had to go through the growing pains before becoming the team they are today.

Two key things doomed the Blues this year. The first was gambling on Miller, who is only arguably at this point in his career, a small step up from the Halak/Elliot combo. They needed goal scoring, and did not go out and get it. Vanek was had for a song by the Canadiens...why did the Blues not get him? The second, was the losing streak at the end of the year, that took them from a possible match-up with the Wild, to a match-up instead, with the Hawks...no disrespect to the Wild either.

The Blues have dealt away a lot of picks, but they still have room to grow with the young guys on their roster now (Tarasenko and Schwartz), and with guys like Rattie still to come. The future is not all that bleak for the Blues, but they must be careful with their next set of moves. A new GM for sure, and possibly replacing Hitchcock, whose shelf life is now up in St. Louis. They must get some game breaking talent up front (Vanek?), and/or need some more heart and soul (Callahan?). Steen and Backes are good players, but they have already hit their potential.

At the end of the day, the Blues will kick themselves for being up two games in two straight years, and not closing the deal, but when they look back at their season after taking some time off, they should be proud.

It's a good thing that he traded away Perron... The guy just can't score...
- OilDerek

It's a good thing that he traded away Perron... The guy just can't score...
- OilDerek

First off, congrats to the Blues for a great season, and there is no shame in losing to the defending champions. Unfortunately, these were two of the best teams in the league this year, both having the misfortune to bump into each other in the first round, and one of them had to go home. It is true what they say, that in order to win, you must first learn how to lose. As a Hawks fan myself, I saw the Hawks go through this very thing, as guys like Toews, Kane, Sharp, Hossa, Bufyglien, Campbell, Keith, Seabrook and Hjalmarsson, just to name a few, had to go through the growing pains before becoming the team they are today.

Two key things doomed the Blues this year. The first was gambling on Miller, who is only arguably at this point in his career, a small step up from the Halak/Elliot combo. They needed goal scoring, and did not go out and get it. Vanek was had for a song by the Canadiens...why did the Blues not get him? The second, was the losing streak at the end of the year, that took them from a possible match-up with the Wild, to a match-up instead, with the Hawks...no disrespect to the Wild either.

The Blues have dealt away a lot of picks, but they still have room to grow with the young guys on their roster now (Tarasenko and Schwartz), and with guys like Rattie still to come. The future is not all that bleak for the Blues, but they must be careful with their next set of moves. A new GM for sure, and possibly replacing Hitchcock, whose shelf life is now up in St. Louis. They must get some game breaking talent up front (Vanek?), and/or need some more heart and soul (Callahan?). Steen and Backes are good players, but they have already hit their potential.

At the end of the day, the Blues will kick themselves for being up two games in two straight years, and not closing the deal, but when they look back at their season after taking some time off, they should be proud.
- plyrs99

You should show up in the Hawks thread and post more often.

You'll never win a cup with Steen as your best forward. The Blues just don't have the elite finishers other Western Contenders do.

You'll never win a cup with Backes as your Captain. The Blues just don't have the quality on-ice leadership other Western Contenders do.
- RogerRoeper

Fixed.

Neither Vanek or Moulson would have fit on this Blues team. I am guessing the Blues are going to dump a lot of money on Stastny.

Neither Vanek or Moulson would have fit on this Blues team. I am guessing the Blues are going to dump a lot of money on Stastny.
- faustus1500

I agree. That will probably be the most logical move by Armstrong.

It would be a mistake to overpay for Stastny though. Just more gasoline on the dumpster fire in STL.

Adam Oates, Barry Trotz, either of them maybe

So, what are the chances the blues make a panic move in the offseason and give up a good package for a guy like Jason Spezza?

First off, congrats to the Blues for a great season, and there is no shame in losing to the defending champions. Unfortunately, these were two of the best teams in the league this year, both having the misfortune to bump into each other in the first round, and one of them had to go home. It is true what they say, that in order to win, you must first learn how to lose. As a Hawks fan myself, I saw the Hawks go through this very thing, as guys like Toews, Kane, Sharp, Hossa, Bufyglien, Campbell, Keith, Seabrook and Hjalmarsson, just to name a few, had to go through the growing pains before becoming the team they are today.

Two key things doomed the Blues this year. The first was gambling on Miller, who is only arguably at this point in his career, a small step up from the Halak/Elliot combo. They needed goal scoring, and did not go out and get it. Vanek was had for a song by the Canadiens...why did the Blues not get him? The second, was the losing streak at the end of the year, that took them from a possible match-up with the Wild, to a match-up instead, with the Hawks...no disrespect to the Wild either.

The Blues have dealt away a lot of picks, but they still have room to grow with the young guys on their roster now (Tarasenko and Schwartz), and with guys like Rattie still to come. The future is not all that bleak for the Blues, but they must be careful with their next set of moves. A new GM for sure, and possibly replacing Hitchcock, whose shelf life is now up in St. Louis. They must get some game breaking talent up front (Vanek?), and/or need some more heart and soul (Callahan?). Steen and Backes are good players, but they have already hit their potential.

At the end of the day, the Blues will kick themselves for being up two games in two straight years, and not closing the deal, but when they look back at their season after taking some time off, they should be proud.
- plyrs99

Great post! Gone are Miller, Ott, Roy, & Lapierre. Welcome Jaskin, Rattie, & Cracknell/ Porter full time. Schwartz is a playmaker. Maybe they chase Stastny and let Berglund go. I'd think that if Berglund is willing to settle into a Trent Klatt- like role he could be a plus contributor.

So, what are the chances the blues make a panic move in the offseason and give up a good package for a guy like Jason Spezza?
- TommyDeVito

(frank) that poop

Fixed.
- Ogilthorpe2

Leadership is overrated. you win with talent.

Adam Oates, Barry Trotz, either of them maybe
- Goblues86

You'd want Oates instead of Hitchcock?

Adam Oates, Barry Trotz, either of them maybe
- Goblues86

I hope the Blues hire either one. Neither Oates or Trotz will lead this team anywhere.

I agree. That will probably be the most logical move by Armstrong.

It would be a mistake to overpay for Stastny though. Just more gasoline on the dumpster fire in STL.
- Trust In Jarmo

Isn't the word out there that Statsny is considering staying in Colorado?

Leadership is overrated. you win with talent.
- RogerRoeper

How's that working out for the Leafs?

Adam Oates, Barry Trotz, either of them maybe
- Goblues86

Trotz should have a lot of interest. Coming into a Blues hockey team would be a great place to land. Great series, happy the way it ended. Kicked a little more fight into the hawks, thanks for that.

Randall Ritchey: Blues Eliminated From Stanley Cup Playoffs
The Chicago Blackhawks eliminated the St. Louis Blues in game six of the Stanley Cup playoffs this afternoon. So many problems for the Blues, but again, the lack of scoring goals is the issue.
- Randall_Ritchey

Well written Randall, hope you get well soon...

Leadership is overrated. you win with talent.
- RogerRoeper

disagree 100%.

talent never hurts, but you win by playing playoff hockey all year long and gel as a team.

that is the problem with these teams making big moves at the deadline. when was the last time Boston or Chicago made big moves at the deadline?

Hate to say I told you so... Actually, I really don't.

Miller stunk it up when he needed to shine the brightest on certain shots during big parts of games. A lot of soft goals. And like I said in February, Miller is not any better than Halak.

And Halak was another joke that your GM Doug Armstrong gave up a 1st round pick for just a few years back.

Now you lose another 1st round pick for Ryan Miller. Do you sign Miller? Who knows. But if you sign Ryan Miller prior to the draft...you lose ANOTHER 1st round pick. All for a guy who has proven for a decade that Ryan Miller does NOT shine bright in the NHL Playoffs.

Another 1st round pick in 2013 was given up for Jay Bum-meester. 0 points and a -1 in the playoffs for a guy that is paid $6.6 Million this year by your brilliant GM Doug Armstrong. A d-men in Jay that was suppose to be the 1A D-men with Pietrangelo. What a joke.

Your GM has more than cemented his legacy for the Blues. He is what I told you 5 years ago when you promoted him to GM during the 2009-2010 season...he has proven NOTHING. And traded a half of dozen of Jarmo's draft picks for Halak, Miller, Bouwmeester and other crap. Not to mention that since the 2010 draft when Jarmo drafted you Schwartz and Tarasenko and than Jarmo left...Armstrong has traded the Blues 1st round picks from 2011, 2013, 2015 and possibly 2016 picks away.

Your "brilliant GM" Doug Armstrong mortgaging off the future and trading assets for nothing substantial.

You can say what you want about me. You can defend Armstrong to the minute he leaves STL.

But the facts will never change. "Dougie/Armey" took an unbelivable core group and gutted the team. Doug Armstrong traded assets and also future 1st round picks for overpaid garbage who has NEVER proven themselves in the playoffs.

The thing that killed the Blues this round was Miller was not as solid as Crawford. And the Blues did not have the scoring depth like the Hawks did.

Enjoy watching Lars Eller, Carl Soderberg and Erik Johnson in the next round of the playoffs.

You should have Trusted In Jarmo and promoted Jarmo to GM like he was promised.

Karma.

And the Curse of Scotty Bowman lives on.
- Trust In Jarmo

Why are you so angry?

Congrats to the Blues on a great season. It was a great series. All pettiness and bickering aside, great job by both teams, the closest series I think in the NHL. This series could have gone either way from the opening puck drop until the end of game 6. See the Blue Notes in the fall! Taresenko was a beast in the series!

Go Hawks!

Blues are much like Nashville...constantly underachieving and zero Cups. This is how we felt after getting Forsberg and losing in Round 1. It finally cost Trotz, but not sure if it should cost Kangaroo, I mean, Hitchcock.

The players you named as acquisition potential, Vanek & Moulson, would have made a world of difference. I was puzzled at the deal for Miller not thinking once goalie was the Blues issue.

Fixed.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agreed. Backes cannot be the captain of any team. I don't know if firing Hitchcock is the answer there, but dialing back on the total goonery would help that team regardless of who the coach is. Having a majority of any team's salary locked up in d-men and a goalie while the top 6 forwards are a little thin on offensive production is also not a great blueprint. I would consider dealing a d-man for a forward. Miller didn't have a great series but it's not his fault you guys lost. I don't know where he lands if STL doesn't resign him though.