In two seasons since then, the high expectations haven't materialized. The Blues have missed the postseason in each of the last two springs, and the 2010-11 campaign, in which they went 38-33-11, left them a full 10 points back of Chicago for the Western Conference's final berth.
FACTS & FIGURES
Record: 38-33-11, 87 points, 11th in West
Coach: Davis Payne (3rd season)
Interesting fact: The Blues sold out all 41 home games last season at the Scottrade Center.
Coach: Davis Payne (3rd season)
Interesting fact: The Blues sold out all 41 home games last season at the Scottrade Center.
Combine that with the fact that St. Louis actually had a plus-6 goal differential last season -- a better mark than playoff-bound Phoenix and Anaheim and just one goal less than East finalist Tampa Bay -- and it seems apparent that more than a few breaks might have gone against the Blues. In addition, St. Louis made one of the most impressive in-season moves of the season when it shipped defenseman Erik Johnson, center Jay McClement and a first-round pick to Colorado for right wing Chris Stewart, defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk and a second-round selection. Both newcomers flourished in St. Louis -- Stewart had 23 points in 26 games and Shattenkirk posted 17 points and a plus-7 rating.
Stewart and Shattenkirk will be on the roster from day one, and while Perron isn't expected to be ready for the start of training camp, McDonald and Oshie are healthy and ready to go. General manager Doug Armstrong spent the summer tinkering with his roster with the hope of adding the right pieces to get his team back into the playoffs.
BLUES: 3 QUESTIONS FOR 2011-2012
1. Who will wear the "C"?
The Blues have been without a captain since last season's trade deadline, when they sent Eric Brewer to Tampa Bay. St. Louis should name a new captain this season, and several players are in the mix, including David Backes, Andy McDonald and Barret Jackman, as well as new acquisitions Jamie Langenbrunner and Jason Arnott.
2. What impact will Langenbrunner and Arnott have on the team?
Jamie Langenbrunner, 35, and Jason Arnott, 36, were the big signings this offseason for GM Doug Armstrong. Together, they have won three Stanley Cup rings, and they'll bring a veteran presence of grit and leadership to a young, St. Louis squad. They are both elite leaders who will have an impact on players such as Patrik Berglund and T.J. Oshie.
3. Will Berglund develop into a significant offensive threat?
The 22-year-old signed a two-year contract extension this offseason after establishing new career-highs in 2010-11. There are certainly big expectations for Patrik Berglund, who led the Blues last season with 8 power-play goals. But the Swede, a first-round pick, seems up for the challenge. He'll also benefit from having Arnott around, as the veteran will be a great role model for the youngster, showing him how big centers should play.
-- Emily Kaplan
The Blues have been without a captain since last season's trade deadline, when they sent Eric Brewer to Tampa Bay. St. Louis should name a new captain this season, and several players are in the mix, including David Backes, Andy McDonald and Barret Jackman, as well as new acquisitions Jamie Langenbrunner and Jason Arnott.
2. What impact will Langenbrunner and Arnott have on the team?
Jamie Langenbrunner, 35, and Jason Arnott, 36, were the big signings this offseason for GM Doug Armstrong. Together, they have won three Stanley Cup rings, and they'll bring a veteran presence of grit and leadership to a young, St. Louis squad. They are both elite leaders who will have an impact on players such as Patrik Berglund and T.J. Oshie.
3. Will Berglund develop into a significant offensive threat?
The 22-year-old signed a two-year contract extension this offseason after establishing new career-highs in 2010-11. There are certainly big expectations for Patrik Berglund, who led the Blues last season with 8 power-play goals. But the Swede, a first-round pick, seems up for the challenge. He'll also benefit from having Arnott around, as the veteran will be a great role model for the youngster, showing him how big centers should play.
-- Emily Kaplan
Players who have left the Blues this summer are unlikely to have the same kind of impact on the franchise, but one move that might be overlooked is the loss of backup goalie Ty Conklin, who signed a free-agent deal with Detroit in July. Conklin has generally been a solid netminder throughout his career and with 20 starts last season, he was a significant factor in shouldering the load and helping Halak stay fresh.
St. Louis also may miss right wing Cam Janssen, who provided a physical presence while racking up 131 penalty minutes last season. In parts of four seasons with the Blues, Janssen ably filled the role of an enforcer.
In addition, the Blues lost depth on the blue line as defenseman Nathan Oystrick signed a free-agent deal with the Coyotes.
When it comes to finding the appropriate leadership, often the devil is in the details -- or in the case of St. Louis, two Devils. The most noteworthy acquisitions of the offseason for the Blues were veteran forwards Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner, both of whom started last season with New Jersey, a franchise with which each has won a Stanley Cup. While both were dealt during the season after the Devils' disappointing first half, each has established locker room credentials. Langenbrunner wore the "C" in New Jersey for a period spanning four seasons, while Arnott did the same in Nashville for three seasons. Both signed with the Blues on the same day -- an ironic turn of events considering the players were traded for one another in a swap between New Jersey and Dallas in 2002 that dramatically shook up both franchises.
Arnott and Langenbrunner will be expected to mentor the Blues' young talent. They will have help in 36-year-old center Scott Nichol, whom St. Louis signed this July after he spent two years in San Jose. Nichol and Arnott know each other from their days together in Nashville.
UP-AND-COMING: 3 PLAYERS TO WATCH
Chris Stewart, RW -- Stewart's time in St. Louis started with a bang, as the prototypical power forward scored six goals in his first six games. While he slowed off that torrid pace, he was still nearly a point-per-game player after his trade from Colorado. Stewart will be expected to continue to produce in his first full season with the team.
Jason Arnott, C -- Not many players can claim to have scored an overtime Cup-winner, but Arnott is among the select group, and his championship experience and leadership will be pivotal on a young team. Arnott was brought to Washington at the deadline last season for that exact reason but wasn't re-signed; in St. Louis he could have a large influence on Stewart by teaching the emerging power forward how to use his size and strength to create scoring opportunities.
David Perron, LW -- Perron already had five goals when a concussion ended his 2010-11 season after just 10 games, cutting short what might have been a breakout season. Perron's scoring output had steadily improved the previous three seasons, including a career-high 20 goals in 2009-10. He's not expected to be ready for the start of training camp, but the Blues need Perron to get healthy again and pick up where he left off.
St. Louis has missed the playoffs in five of the last six seasons -- almost incomprehensible for a franchise that did not qualify in only three of its first 38 seasons.
Still, last season's performance has given the fan base ample reason to believe St. Louis will be back in the postseason next spring. The Blues went 6-1-2 in their last nine games in 2010-11, including a 10-3 pasting of the Red Wings in Detroit. But even more encouraging is the anticipation of having McDonald and Oshie healthy for a full season. That, along with the steady production of David Backes, could give St. Louis an offensive boost. Backes was impressive in all facets last season, tying career highs with 31 goals and 31 assists, while posting a career-best plus-32 rating.
There is plenty to get excited about on the back end as well. In his first full season, defenseman Alex Pietrangelo put up 43 points and was plus-18. Pairing him with Shattenkirk could give the Blues an explosive offensive combo.
With strong guidance from Arnott and Langenbrunner and a solid season from Halak, who could improve on last season's .910 save percentage and 2.48 goals-against average, the Blues should, at the very least, be competing for one of the final playoff berths in the West. St. Louis will be challenged by playing in, arguably, the toughest division in the League, as the Central is home to two of the last four Stanley Cup champs in Detroit and Chicago, a strong team in Nashville and a Columbus team that made several big additions this summer. But the Blues still have an exciting, talented lineup, and there will be little excuse if they're not in the postseason mix come April.