The St. Louis Blues are Out-Rebuilding the Chicago Blackhawks

Doug Armstrong is showing the league how to do it. Just 4 years after winning the Stanley Cup, Armstrong is making the correct moves. He isn't trying to extend playoff streaks by buying middle 6 forwards or selling good prospects to try and hold onto a wild card spot.

No, St. Louis and Doug Armstrong see a decline in team play and identified whom to trade and just went out and got it done. Vladimir Tarasenko, Ryan O'Reilly, Niko Mikkola, and Noel Acciari just netted the Blues two 1st, a 2nd, a 3rd, two 4ths, Sammy Blais, Hunter Skinner, Mikhail Abramov, and Adam Gaudette. For 4 players that didn't fit into their plans, that's what we call great moves.

They did these deals ahead of the "crunch tiime" of the trade deadline too. Now, with extra games to play with a depleted roster St. Louis can start to creep down the standings and secure a top pick in what appears to be a historic draft. Adding that (top pick) prospect to cornerstones Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou should prove to be an outstanding trio to start over with.

There are still some pending issues Armstrong will have to contend with: An aging defensive core that all have long term left and a goalie that is overpaid and has 5 years left on his deal. I am not worried though as Doug Armstrong has proven with these last 2 deals to be able to be clever in his deals. Colton Parayko could be a player that would interest alot of teams and seems like he would accept a deal. With 5 / 32.5m after this season remaining at age 29, would a contending team take that on? I believe a team would and St. Louis would add to their prospect pool even further.

The Blues also have some excellent prospects either just starting off with the NHL club or about to be ready. Jimmy Snuggerud is at the top of that list. Take his draft position out of it, because if there was an immediate re-draft he would firmly be a top 10 pick. I expect him to be a top 6 mainstay really quickly. Jake Neighbours is enjoying a good start to his career as well.

It's Zac Bolduc that has fans excited though as he has 92 goals in his last 112 games in the Q. That's certainly something that doesn't happen very often. Those 3 young forwards are joined in the system by some young defenseman like Buchinger, Gaudet, Tucker, Lyle, Loof, and Perunovich. Vadim Zherenko also looks like a projected NHL goalie to boot.

The above mentioned players, with a young cornerstone duo, and adding in the recent bevy of top draft picks (3 1sts in 2023 now) should make this St. Louis Blues team a big obstacle for our Blackhawks in the near future. The upcoming lottery for Connor Bedard is one we are already all nervous about, but what if he was wearing a Blues sweater (oh no he didn't just say that)?

So yes, I'm a little worried right now that we are being "out rebuilt" by Doug Armstrong and the St. Louis Blues. Tick Tock Kyle, get moving!