Each off-season brings choices for a team’s front office. Many choices are harder to deal with than others, and the Blues’ top three unrestricted free agents haven’t made Doug Armstrong’s job any easier.
Mike Hoffman, who didn’t fit into coach Craig Berube’s system that well, was a healthy scratch several times, and who was rumored as trade bait up until the deadline, helped revitalize the Blues anemic power play straight into a finishing position as sixth best in the league. It’s difficult for the Blues to manage their playoff push without that punch.
Jaden Schwartz missed 16 games and saw his point production dwindle sharply in the 40 games he did play (8G, 13A).