NHL Central Division: Team Offense Comparison For 2016-17

No. 2: St. Louis Blues

And maybe I have the Blues too high. But I think they have so many strong and/or capable offensive pieces that they have to be better than the 224 goals they scored last season — less than Nashville (228), Chicago (235) and Dallas (267).

More from Editorials

• Blackhawks: Changes to the coaching staff are a step in the right direction
• Chicago Blackhawks: Reasons for optimism and cause for concern
• Blackhawks: Kick off four game road trip against Kraken
• Recapping the Jeremy Colliton era with the Chicago Blackhawks
• Chicago Blackhawks have a lingering goalie problem

It starts with Vladimir Tarasenko, who I’m really high on and who I really wish didn’t play for the Blues as a result. He has a chance to be a league scoring leader at some point, as the Russian posted 74 points last season in dazzling fashion.

Alexander Steen is really good when healthy, and the same can be said for Patrik Berglund. David Perron is fine. Jori Lehtera and Jaden Schwartz make up a great line with Tarasenko. Paul Stastny still has something to offer (again, when healthy), while youngsters like Robby Fabbri, Ty Rattie and Dmitrij Jaskin have something to offer.

And the blue line isn’t devoid of offensive talent either. That’s a huge part of Kevin Shattenkirk‘s game, while Alex Pietrangelo can do it all from the back end.

Under Ken Hitchcock, the offense just struggled to go last season. Injuries also didn’t help. But the Blues have the ability to role at least three solid lines moving forward with push from the blue line.

Next: Number 1