Blues hockey 2021–22
With the 2021–22 NHL season quickly approaching, I thought I'd give my thoughts/opinions on the upcoming Blues season and how I expect the season to go. I can't lie to you guys; I have high hopes, just like most Blues fans should; I mean, how could you not? This new top six looks promising with new additions via free agency and the infusion of youth coming to the scene after a disappointing playoff last April to a dominant Colorado Avalanche team in four games. This team seems to be trending in the right direction.
General manager Doug Armstrong certainly didn't sit on his hands expecting change going into the offseason. He knew the current roster wasn't enough, adding players such as Pavel Buchnevich and Brandon Saad, as well as bringing in James Neal for a good ole PTO. As an RFA, Buchnevich liked what he saw and inked up for another four years coming off an underrated 20 goal, 28 assist season in just 56 games played. Brandon Saad has bounced around since winning two cups with Chicago in '13 and '15, but he remains an influential player on both sides of the puck. I have an excellent feeling that Buchnevich and Schenn will be a connection for years to come, and Saad will be a very complementary player to ROR and Perron. They all bring the style of hockey Blues fans want to see. They drive the play, attack the front of the net, and are all-around smart-minded hockey players.
Defensively not much was added; management seems to be banking on developing players such as Niko Mikkola and Jake Walman. Scott Perunovich is an exciting piece to this backend. The second-round pick back in 2018 spent the last three seasons playing college hockey for the University of Minnesota-Duluth, winning a Hobey Baker back in 2020. He most likely spends the first couple of months in AHL racking up the points and confidence. I would still like to see our team add a physical defenseman who can control that net's front. Chara would've been nice, but he wanted to stay on the east coast.
Jordan Binnington is the most significant factor going into the season; a lot rides on his shoulders after posting league average numbers in 42 GP with a .265 GAA and .910 SV%. He can and must be the guy for this team from now on after signing a 6x6 last season. Binner has had his struggles in the past, mostly surrounding his over-commitment to the puck and rebound control. Husso will be an exciting backup option for the Blues this season. The 25-year-old stands at 6 foot 2 inches tall. Drafted in the 4th round back in 2014 and spent the past four seasons developing in our AHL systems posting substantial numbers. With a short NHL season under his belt, it's a bit too early to judge Ville's play as backup, but going 9–6–1 with a 3.20 GAA and .893 SV% isn't necessarily appealing. In my mind, Blues fans should trust Ville on back-to-back nights and when playing lesser than average teams when Binner needs a night off. That rounds out to about 25–30 games.
