The phrases "St. Louis Blues" and "high scoring hockey team" haven't been used together in a positive combination since the days of Brett Hull and more recently Pavol Demitra.
Yes, it's been that long.
However, comments made by the front office shed some light on where the Blues are making tweaks to leech a little more blood from their turnips.
From Lou Korac quoting GM Doug Armstrong: (he covers the Blues for NHL.com)
"Our game is going to be predicated on transition and getting the puck in the middle of the ice and up the ice. We need to try and score a little bit off the rush this year than off the cycle and I think that is something Ken and the players will work on in training camp."
For practically all of Ken Hitchcock's time in St. Louis the system has been structured to play keep away from their goalie. Work in 5 man harmony to move the puck from one zone to the next and keep it as far away as possible from whoever patrols the blue paint that night. It would be a sin to not gain the next line or cough up the puck with a lateral pass in the "critical areas" of the ice.
While the system has produced elevated results on a personal (Jennings Trophy) and team (Central Division title) level, it hasn't delivered in the clutch against some of the NHL's best teams. Those the Blues wish to call peers rather than bullies.
Why? They can't match the likes of LA, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Boston in goal scoring.
...or can they...
The rationale behind making a concerned effort to score more off the rush is not to host a barn burner every game. If they wanted to rekindle the flame lit by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1980's they wouldn't have traded David Perron. Rather, its an attempt to increase the frequency and volume of high percentage scoring chances. Teams like Boston and LA can thrive off of transition and cycle because they have the size and skating ability to pull off both. In general the Blues lack the size (more accurately the willingness to play physical in stereotypical dirty areas) to excel off the cycle. At least in terms of goal scoring instead of keep away.
Additionally, a focus on countering in transition is arguably a more effective use of the high end skating and passing skills owned by the corps of NHL defenseman. Maintaining possession requires a top notch skill set, but speed and skill kill, as in score goals, more in transition than possession.
Who stands to benefit the most from the changes?
Two that come to mind first are the power forwards. David Backes and Chris Stewart.
Both are difficult to contain on the ice thanks to their skating ability combined with a punishing body size and mindset. There have been no shortage strong puck burying seasons for them. Each have 30 goal campaigns on their resume. But attacking more in transition should make that a more common occurrence. Why? For the same reasons that teams struggled to contain the Lucic-Krejci-Horton line over the last few years. Size and speed is hard for most but the very best defenseman to angle off to a corner while they buy time for help to arrive.
References for why they should score more:
Backes beats Luongo -
Stewart with a ridiculous backhander
The afore mentioned defenseman, namely Jay Bouwmeester, Alex Pietrangelo, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Jordan Leopold, could make out well with the change in philosophy. The question is how much? Traditionally Hitchcock and his assistant Brad Shaw have limited their ability to jump in the play. Unless they're down late, they're not taking many risks. That said, if chances are to be taken these four need to be included. All can move the puck quickly and efficiently with their feet and hands. Enabling them to play with a little more Kris Letang or Erik Karlsson flair would not only make fantasy owners happy, but increase the likelihood for odd man opportunities to develop. Attempting to score on a three on two stands to succeed more often than a two on two.
Prospects Poised?
Heading in to the next season, depending upon what transactions occur between now and training camp, the Blues will have two, but up to four, prospect forwards making impacts on the NHL roster.
Vladimir Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz, Dmitrij Jaskin, and Ty Rattie.
All are proven track records of offensive prowess at the junior level. Which is in the best position to breakout?
Even with 11 forwards, 12 if you count Stewart, on one way deals there are spots reserved for Tarasenko and Schwartz. The Blues' pair of 2010 first round picks were solid contributors a various points last season. Tarasenko started out the leading candidate for the Calder, but cooled off following a concussion and conditioning issues. He finished with 8 goals and 19 points in 38 games. Schwartz, who bounced up and down the lineup, ended up with just 7 goals and 13 points in 43 games. But he was one of few steady all around performers in the playoffs.
With Perron moving on to Edmonton there is an opening in the power play units for Schwartz. A reward that is long overdue for the former Colorado College standout who has paid a good bit of his dues as the low man on the experience totem pole. Should Schwartz actually see consistent time with one of the two man advantage units he and Tarasenko would be on similar footing and usage.
A more open system, one where chances can be taken in transition to produce scoring chances, would tend to favor Tarasenko. A wizard with the puck with great vision, soft hands, and the rare "nose for the net" intangible. That said, in terms of consistency and predictability Schwartz edges out his teammate. Throughout the 2013 season he was a relentless puck hound on the forecheck and an ever present backchecker. That style of two-way play is more likely to be rewarded by Hitchcock with prime minutes. Especially given how well he played when paired with Backes in the series against LA.
Just because he works hard, don't slap a grinder label on him. As an undersized player in the USHL with the Tri-City Storm led the league in scoring with 33 goals and 80 points in 60 games. He also tallied 88 points in 60 NCAA games over two season. If given the opportunity to utilize his offensive skills there are fewer reasons to think he won't produce than he will.
Yet, don't count out Tarasenko and he insatiable desire to score goals and win. Assuming he can avoid the injury bug and play through a full season with better conditioning his other rare intangible, "will", should keep him out of the doghouse and producing points. Don't forget that if it wasn't for the dreaded "Russian factor" he would have been drafted right along with Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin. His offensive talents are on par with many of the recent top picks.
Tarasenko narrow edges out Schwartz.
As for Jaskin and Rattie, two lethal scoring threats in their CHL days, they are destined for splitting time between the AHL and the NHL. Neither will likely see enough NHL games to jump ahead of Nos. 9 and 91. Don't be surprised if there is a similar post to this one a year from now debating which one will break out in 2014-15.
Preseason Schedule is Out
Sunday, Sept. 15 at Dallas Stars - 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 18 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (@ Orlando) - 6 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 20 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning - 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 21 vs. Dallas Stars - 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 25 at Minnesota Wild - 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 27 vs. Minnesota Wild - 7 p.m.
The theme remains the same as the Blues have a pair of games against Dallas, Minnesota, and Tampa as a primer to the regular season. Since only the game on Wednesday, September 18th is labeled with a location it's likely that one of the two games against Minnesota ends up tagged as Fanfest.
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Time for your take. Who is better poised to break out of all the NHl ready prospects? Will the tweak Armstrong referenced really bump up the Goals For totals?
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Thanks for reading. As always, please feel free to follow me on Twitter:
@jtquirin 
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