Randall Ritchey: What Do The Blues Do With The Newly Acquired Depth? The St. Louis Blues have a lot of depth going into the 2014-2015 season. With guys like Joakim Lindstrom, Patrik Berglund, Peter Mueller, Magnus Paajarvi, Ty Rattie, and Dmitrij Jaskin all battling for third line spots, there isn't space for everyone. How will the Blues sort it out?

Fully loaded team. Win a cup.

Not so fast. Don't assume anything about the fourth line.

Reaves, Ott and Lapierre are way below average players. I'd rather have a fourth line with Paajarvi and Mueller.

If it were me and I had all that depth, I would try to win a championship.

You will miss Sobotka.

If it were me and I had all that depth, I would try to win a championship.
- Jeropotato

What do you think they are doing?

never been a fan of Lapierre like to see him go along with Hitchcock and keep Mueller, Lidstrom and Paajarvi.

never been a fan of Lapierre like to see him go along with Hitchcock and keep Mueller, Lidstrom and Paajarvi.
- bird diggler

Who do you want to replace Hitch?

Honestly Hitch had been great here in St Louis. I don't understand the fans calling for his job.

You will miss Sobotka.
- Only_A_Ladd

I'm sure Stastny will help them get over it.

No team had the depth to deal with as many injuries as the Blues had at the end of last season.

The depth added this year is geared more towards puck possession and offense. As are the blue line additions.

I would not discount Mueller too quickly. Though his head is what worries everyone and his willingness to go to the tough areas. He may have been signed to hedge bets against Lehtra showing any short comings.

I prefer Rattie over Jaskin as at the NHL level Jaskin chases the play too often due to his lack of foot speed.

Rattie should be completely NHL ready by January. But Hitch does not favor young players.

The real questions should be who is getting moved for a first rounder come draft time?

never been a fan of Lapierre like to see him go along with Hitchcock and keep Mueller, Lidstrom and Paajarvi.
- bird diggler

I agree. Hitch has shown an inability to make changes necessary in the play offs.

@Carcus The former Dman currenty behind the bench would be a great choice for a new head coach--Brad Shaw.

You will miss Sobotka.
- Only_A_Ladd

As much as I love Sobie it will be nice actually having a second line center this year. So no, we will not miss him nor his cap hit.

I agree. Hitch has shown an inability to make changes necessary in the play offs.

@Carcus The former Dman currenty behind the bench would be a great choice for a new head coach--Brad Shaw.
- BluemanGuruu

I would rather stick with Hitch. He is a better coach than many Blues fans want to give him credit for.

I would rather stick with Hitch. He is a better coach than many Blues fans want to give him credit for.
- carcus

ONE MORE YEAR OF HITCH AND IF IT DOESNT WORK DEEP IN TO MAY JUNE THIS YEAR HE IS GONE

The Blues have invited @BizNasty2point0 to a tryout at training camp. >>> http://t.co/vePPYAdeNC #stlblues http://t.co/7zmjP8hrZe

I'm sure Stastny will help them get over it.
- Jeropotato

Oh, they play the same center spot and roll?

Oh, they play the same center spot and roll?
- Only_A_Ladd

His spot is covered. The Blues will not miss him since he didn't want to be here.

We have more than enough quality players on this team. Too many actually. I liked Sobotka a lot, but he won't be missed. I really think he is going to miss being here though after a few weeks in the KHL.

His spot is covered. The Blues will not miss him since he didn't want to be here.

We have more than enough quality players on this team. Too many actually. I liked Sobotka a lot, but he won't be missed. I really think he is going to miss being here though after a few weeks in the KHL.
- carcus

This ^

His spot is covered. The Blues will not miss him since he didn't want to be here.

We have more than enough quality players on this team. Too many actually. I liked Sobotka a lot, but he won't be missed. I really think he is going to miss being here though after a few weeks in the KHL.
- carcus

This is something everyone can agree upon.

The Blues have invited @BizNasty2point0 to a tryout at training camp. >>> http://t.co/vePPYAdeNC #stlblues http://t.co/7zmjP8hrZe


- carcus

WHY??????

NOW WE HAVE OTT LAPIERRE AND BIZnASTY IN CAMP

Can Paajarvi be sent down without clearing waivers?

Can Paajarvi be sent down without clearing waivers?
- bluenoter

DONT THINK SO

Remember that if Schwartz isn't here for the first few games, all 3 make the team and get an extended tryout in real games.

Remember that if Schwartz isn't here for the first few games, all 3 make the team and get an extended tryout in real games.
- bluenoter

SCHWARTZ WILL BE SIGNED AND I FEEL PAAJARVI WILL BE TRADED WITH BERGLUND AND JASKIN WILL MAKE THE CLUB

The Blues would really be trading low with those two at this point. I think both are better than they looked at times last year. I'm just not sure that's in the best interest of the long term. Paajarvi had to reboot after his mishandling, but it can be done. I just wish he could go to Chicago and dominate for awhile with some of those young players, then come back toward the middle/end of the season with confidence.

By then, Berglund may increase his trade value as well.