From early on this season it seemed safe to assume that the Blues were going to be buyers when the trade deadline began to loom. The surplus of defensemen offered, so the thought went, the chance to move on a goal scoring forward. However, that would be contingent upon the Blues being within legitimate striking distance of the playoffs.
So that's the question: Are the Blues in the playoff race. I think the answer is "yes" but only barely.
Team GP Pts
1. * Detroit 51 78
2. * San Jose 49 61
3. * Minnesota 50 59
4. Dallas 53 61
5. Anaheim 53 60
6. Calgary 50 58
7. Vancouver 50 57
8. Colorado 50 56
9. Columbus 51 56
10. Nashville 50 55
11. Phoenix 49 54
12. St. Louis 48 51
13. Edmonton 52 51
14. Chicago 50 50
15. Los Angeles 51 42
So at the All-Star break the Blues are five points out of 8th with (as happens every year for some unknown reason) games in hand. Unfortunately, the West is really bunched up this year with only LA being well and truly out of contention, so there is not a lot of wiggle room. In fact, if the Blues don't narrow the gap and get to at least 10th place in the next five or six games they are probably too late. Those games will be; #1 at Toronto, #2 vs. Anaheim, #3 vs. Colorado, #4 vs. Tampa, #5 at Dallas, and #6 vs. Minnesota. Yes, those are four games at home to two on the road, but it is not an easy stretch. True, Toronto and Tampa are Eastern Conference bottom feeeders, but the games against Anaheim and Colorado, and Dallas and Minnesota are on back to back days. Realistically the Blues will need to win four of these and pick up a point in a fifth game to climb over two teams in the standings.
It's a stretch.
The trade deadline is on Feb. 26th, but the Blues should decide earlier to buy or sell, and I think the answer they have to reach is to be sellers. The only other option I see open to them is to make a move now over the All Star break with another team desperate to get into playoff contention. If the Blues can pick up some scoring punch it would give them a fighting chance. But it is hard to see who that trading partner would be. It could have been Washington, but with Nylander going down for the season I don't see them thinking they have the depth to move a forward. The Rangers don't have anyone we'd want (sorry Shanny.) The Islanders have the same scoring problems we have, and Boston probably wouldn't be too keen on another defenseman for a forward swap with the Blues. I don't blame them a bit.
In the West the options are fewer. Only Colorado seems to have extra forwards to move, assuming Ryan Smyth is on pace to return by the end of February. Andrew Burnette could be useful.
That's about it and it will never happen.
That being the case I'd say the Blues have a 5-10% chance of making the playoffs this season.
So that's the question: Are the Blues in the playoff race. I think the answer is "yes" but only barely.
Team GP Pts
1. * Detroit 51 78
2. * San Jose 49 61
3. * Minnesota 50 59
4. Dallas 53 61
5. Anaheim 53 60
6. Calgary 50 58
7. Vancouver 50 57
8. Colorado 50 56
9. Columbus 51 56
10. Nashville 50 55
11. Phoenix 49 54
12. St. Louis 48 51
13. Edmonton 52 51
14. Chicago 50 50
15. Los Angeles 51 42
So at the All-Star break the Blues are five points out of 8th with (as happens every year for some unknown reason) games in hand. Unfortunately, the West is really bunched up this year with only LA being well and truly out of contention, so there is not a lot of wiggle room. In fact, if the Blues don't narrow the gap and get to at least 10th place in the next five or six games they are probably too late. Those games will be; #1 at Toronto, #2 vs. Anaheim, #3 vs. Colorado, #4 vs. Tampa, #5 at Dallas, and #6 vs. Minnesota. Yes, those are four games at home to two on the road, but it is not an easy stretch. True, Toronto and Tampa are Eastern Conference bottom feeeders, but the games against Anaheim and Colorado, and Dallas and Minnesota are on back to back days. Realistically the Blues will need to win four of these and pick up a point in a fifth game to climb over two teams in the standings.
It's a stretch.
The trade deadline is on Feb. 26th, but the Blues should decide earlier to buy or sell, and I think the answer they have to reach is to be sellers. The only other option I see open to them is to make a move now over the All Star break with another team desperate to get into playoff contention. If the Blues can pick up some scoring punch it would give them a fighting chance. But it is hard to see who that trading partner would be. It could have been Washington, but with Nylander going down for the season I don't see them thinking they have the depth to move a forward. The Rangers don't have anyone we'd want (sorry Shanny.) The Islanders have the same scoring problems we have, and Boston probably wouldn't be too keen on another defenseman for a forward swap with the Blues. I don't blame them a bit.
In the West the options are fewer. Only Colorado seems to have extra forwards to move, assuming Ryan Smyth is on pace to return by the end of February. Andrew Burnette could be useful.
That's about it and it will never happen.
That being the case I'd say the Blues have a 5-10% chance of making the playoffs this season.
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