So, what now?

[Pokecheque]

I still think Armstrong's gonna run this thing into the damn mountain, but we will see.

Hitch's final season in the NHL. If he doesn't get it done next year, I expect there'll be more people than just him headed out the door.

Is it telling that Muller decided to bolt St. Louis or did he just think Montreal was the better gig?

[Pokecheque]

Good God...what a terrible couple weeks for St. Loo fans.

First, Mike Yeo named as the heir apparent to Hitch.

http://www.startribune.com/mike-yeo-to- ... 382698161/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Then, Dreger posts this:

Shattenkirk watch is on. Seems unlikely Blues will be able to extend him. Boston among those most interested in trade, but interest is high.

https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger/status ... 4290360321" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[E.L.]

Blooz are 3-7 in their last 10. Hitch fired, Yeo takes over. Allen, he of the multi-year extension, is mentally broken.

[Pokecheque]

Keep goin' Army! You've almost done it!

[Pokecheque]

Well, might have to eat a bit of crow given how well St. Louis made out last week. They managed to free some salary by losing Perron in the expansion draft, upgraded at C by swapping Lehtera for B. Schenn, then dealt a goon for a 1st round pick they used for a kid (Kostin) who was projected to go much higher. Not bad. Now he's just gotta lock up Parayko to a deal and the Blues are in good shape.

Still...I don't think they have the right coach nor do they have the right goaltender. But they are a good enough team to make the playoffs at the very least and haven't really torpedoed the future.

[Pokecheque]

Well, might have to eat a bit of crow given how well St. Louis made out last week. They managed to free some salary by losing Perron in the expansion draft, upgraded at C by swapping Lehtera for B. Schenn, then dealt a goon for a 1st round pick they used for a kid (Kostin) who was projected to go much higher. Not bad. Now he's just gotta lock up Parayko to a deal and the Blues are in good shape.

Still...I don't think they have the right coach nor do they have the right goaltender. But they are a good enough team to make the playoffs at the very least and haven't really torpedoed the future.

So to recap, they missed the playoffs by a point, but I suppose Armstrong essentially pulled the plug when he dealt Stastny so it's hard to say this was an outright failure.

Also, somehow Perron managed to find a new level to his game no one thought he had, and now he's a free agent.

No idea what the offseason plans are. On the surface, they appear to want to look at in-house players/prospects to fill in holes (2nd line center, backup goalie) and they have an AHL affiliate all to themselves now, so there's plenty of spots. But they have the cap room/prospects to make a huge splash in the free agent/trade market if they wish to do so.

[E.L.]

They're another all-in for JT team, especially since they can't really be players for the second-best C option...

If they can find takers for Berglund and Sobotka's contracts, they'll be happy. It'll free up money for a Bozak-type. Plekanec is a low-cost option for them.

Internally, they'll pray for health for Fabbri and Schwartz. Thomas and Kyrou will be penciled into the lineup as rookies. NCAA stars Nolan Stevens and Erik Foley might be ready too. This team has a lot of young talent I like.

Bouwmeester will wind his career down as a bottom pairing guy. Husso will get a chance to take the job from Allen.

They're probably on the market for a centre and a defenceman, but they could roll the dice and hope Thomas is ready to be a star.

[E.L.]

I like where this team is at. Solid top 9 with a bunch of youngsters with potential.

Just need the goalies to work out.

[E.L.]

No team is closer to the cap, if you can believe it. If they win, it'll be because of their impressive depth.

Schwartz-Schenn-Tarasenko
Fabbri-O'Reilly-Kyrou
Maroon-Bozak-Perron
Barbashev-Thomas-Steen
Jaskin

Edmundson-Pietrangelo
Dunn-Parayko
Schmaltz-Bouwmeester
Gunnarsson

Allenjohnsonhusso

[Pokecheque]

I seriously did not see this team tied for dead last in the NHL with Los Angeles (which I also didn't see coming).

One victory and three losses since the new guy took over. Maybe the coach wasn't the problem.

[E.L.]

Same old story: trash goalies. Allen and Johnson are under the goalie Mendoza line, save pct-wise, and Husso isn't faring much better in Peoria...errr... San Antonio.

[Pokecheque]

Blues reportedly put up an insane number of missed shots. They're getting desperate and not playing with any sort of confidence. That happens when you can't trust the guy between the pipes behind you.

I'm still curious as to why Armstrong is still the guy calling the shots, he shouldn't be allowed to make another move, period. But I'm an Avs fan so I'm actually quite all right with him staying aboard.

[Pokecheque]

Stop. Panic Time!

Jordan Binnington, who at one point was the #5 goalie in the organizational depth chart, gets a callup in hopes he can fix the dire goaltending situation in STL.

[Pokecheque]

Well...looks like St. Louie is playin' his swan song...I don't have the link but according to The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford, everyone...and I mean EVERYONE is up for grabs, including Vladimir Tarasenko.

[E.L.]

This thing has gone sideways in a hurry. Thought they made out like bandits in the offseason. Clearly I know nothing.

The Blooz and the Flyers just need to finally get their goalies. Enough is enough.

[Pokecheque]

Turns out the only force that can stop the Blues at this point is Jake Allen

[E.L.]

The Motherfunking finals, that's what's now!

[Chris18]

The Motherfunking finals, that's what's now!

Maybe if they win we'll bother to assign a mod!

[E.L.]

The Motherfunking finals, that's what's now!

Maybe if they win we'll bother to assign a mod!

No mods, the Blues will forever be wild and free.

[Pokecheque]

Self Control is a better Laura Branigan song anyway.