Since the hiring of Jim Montgomery, the St. Louis Blues have been playing excellent hockey. The team is 4-1-1 since Montgomery took over behind the bench. The improved play has been exciting for the organization and the fans. However, as we approach the middle of December, one question remains. What is a realistic ceiling for the Blues?
A Realistic Ceiling for the St. Louis Blues
Beware the Honeymoon Phase
The Blues have played great hockey under Montgomery since he took over. The team has played some of their best hockey of the year against some of the league’s top teams. It has certainly been fun to watch.
However, sometimes when a head coach is fired and a new one is hired, there is a period immediately after where a team plays really well. This does not always happen and the reasons vary when it does happen. Sometimes the team sees the change as a wake-up call. Sometimes the players realize that their play has not been what it needs to be, and adjust accordingly. Regardless of the reason, eventually, this honeymoon phase ends. A team will start to hit a slump. Sometimes bad habits rear their ugly head again. Again, what happens is different in each situation.
The point is, while the Blues are playing well now, they will hit a slump again. What goes up, must come down. The honeymoon phase with Montgomery will end at some point. When it does, it will be interesting to see how the team responds.
Do Not Think About 2019
Head coach fired in November/December. A team looking to compete in a talented Central Division. It does sound like the 2018-19 season. Furthermore, just like in 2018-19, Jordan Binnington picked up a monumental win via shutout on the road against an Eastern Conference team, just like his first NHL start. Sure, there are some similarities between the 2018-19 Blues and this year’s Blues.
However, Blues fans should not put much stock into the similarities. The biggest difference between the two seasons is expectations. The Blues went into the 2018-19 season with the expectation that they would be Stanley Cup contenders. They failed to meet expectations early before turning it around and eventually capturing the Stanley Cup. Even rival captain Johnathan Toews noted after the fact the team had high expectations to start the season.
This year’s Blues did not enter the season with such expectations. The team was viewed as a fringe wild card contender at best. In addition, the team is still in the middle of a retool.
Yes, anything can happen. However, do not look too much into any similarities to the 2018-19 Blues.
So, What is a Realistic Ceiling for the Blues?
Now we begin answering the big question. What is a realistic ceiling for the Blue Note?
Talented Roster with an Elite Head Coach
The first thing that needs to be noted is there is talent on the roster. Between the pipes, Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer are one of the best goaltender tandems in the league today. The Blues always have a chance to win regardless of who is in goal. Meanwhile, the team has a strong core of forwards capable of scoring. Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, Pavel Buchnevich, and Brandon Saad are the usual contributors on offence. They have been joined by newcomer Dylan Holloway, who is thriving in his first year wearing the Blue Note. On defence, the Blues have enjoyed the production of fellow newcomer, Philip Broberg.
Last but not least, having Jim Montgomery behind the bench is just what the Blues need during their retool. Montgomery has won with every team he has coached. Furthermore, he has experience coaching the core of this Blues team from when he was an assistant coach with the Blues.
The team has talent and the right head coach for the team. These are key ingredients for any team looking to contend.
Central Division is Talented, Yet Underwhelming
Maybe underwhelming is not the right word to use. However, it does seem some teams are not playing up to their potential this season. On the flip side, there are some surprise teams who are off to strong starts to the season. Will the teams who are off to strong starts come back down to Earth? Will the underwhelming teams turn it around, or is this who they are? If either are true, this does open the door for the Blues within the division. The top three teams in each division qualify for the playoffs. There is an opening for the Blues to possibly make that top-three ranking.
Are the Blues good enough to win the division? Unlikely. However, if the talent clicks under Montgomery, and one of the two aforementioned scenarios happen with divisional opponents, the Blues could be a third-place team.
The Wild Card Picture
There is not too much to say that has not been said already. We knew the Blues were fringe wild card contenders when the season started. Under Montgomery, we can safely label them as simply “contenders.” Currently, the Blues are only a few points out of the final wild card spot.
Stanley Cup?
Sadly, we still cannot label the Blues as Stanley Cup contenders at this time. However, things can always change in hockey.
Recapping the Blues Ceiling
With the talent on the roster and Montgomery behind the bench, the Blues should be considered a team who will make some noise in the division. They will likely not win the division, but could get in the top-three spots if certain things fall into place.
The ceiling has not increased much if you look at it through the lens of someone wanting to contend for a Stanley Cup. However, if you consider the Blues have not made the playoffs in two seasons and are in the middle of a retool, you will realize that this increased ceiling is significant progress for the team.
Of course, to find out for sure, we have to play the games. Drop the puck!
Main Photo: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
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