Amanda: The Blues have more centers than they know what to do with, and one of them might be on the move before opening night. We're breaking down the biggest roster battles in St. Louis today.
Paul: And we're not just talking about who gets the fourth-line minutes. This is about the future of the franchise.
Amanda: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, home of the St. Louis Blues. I'm Amanda, joined as always by Paul. If you're a Blues fan, this is your daily fix.
Paul: We're two weeks out from the season opener against Dallas, and the roster is far from settled.
Amanda: Today we're diving into three things: the center logjam and what it means for Connor McMichael, the battle on the wings, and our predictions for who makes the final cut.
Paul: And we'll check in on those predictions we made yesterday about McMichael and the Central Division.
Amanda: Let's start with the center position, because it's absolutely loaded. Look at this list: Robert Thomas, Mason McTavish, Connor McMichael, Pius Suter, Oskar Sundqvist, Dylan Peterson, Jack Finley, and now Dillon Dube. That's eight natural centers.
Paul: And you can't play eight centers. Something's got to give, and that's where the real battle is.
Amanda: So who's the odd man out? Or who's moving to the wing?
Paul: Well, Thomas and McTavish are your top two, no question. McMichael, we said yesterday, is going to be a top-six forward and put up 25 goals. He just signed a six-year, $40.5 million deal, so he's not going anywhere.
Amanda: Right, that contract locks him in. So where does he slot?
Paul: I think he's your second-line center, probably with Pavel Buchnevich on his wing. That gives you some serious scoring punch behind Thomas.
Amanda: That leaves Suter, Sundqvist, Peterson, Finley, and Dube fighting for the bottom-six spots.
Paul: Exactly. And that's where the real competition is. Sundqvist is a veteran, he's reliable defensively. Suter can play center or wing, he's versatile. But Dube is the wild card.
Amanda: Dillon Dube, fresh off signing a free agent deal. But he's been out of the league for over a year. What does he bring?
Paul: He's a former second-round pick, has some offensive skill, but his game has really gone downhill. The question is whether he can earn a spot on merit, not just because of his name.
Amanda: So you think he's on the bubble?
Paul: Absolutely. He's got to beat out Peterson and Finley, and those guys are younger, cheaper, and haven't had the off-ice distractions.
Amanda: Let's talk about Dylan Peterson and Jack Finley. What do they bring to the table?
Paul: Peterson is a big body, good on the forecheck, can contribute offensively. Finley is more of a defensive-minded center, good on the penalty kill. They're the kind of guys who can play a fourth-line role and not hurt you.
Amanda: So the battle is really for one or two spots. Who do you see taking them?
Paul: I think Sundqvist and Suter are safe. They bring experience and versatility. That leaves Dube, Peterson, and Finley fighting for what might be the last forward spot, if there even is one.
Amanda: And that's where it gets interesting. We'll come back to that in segment three. But first, let's talk about the wings. Stick with us.
Amanda: Welcome back. We've got a logjam at center, but the wings are just as crowded. Let's break down the left and right sides.
Paul: On the left, you've got Buchnevich, Dylan Holloway, Jake Neighbours, Ross Johnston, and Nathan Walker. That's a lot of bodies for probably three or four spots.
Amanda: Buchnevich is a lock, he's a top-line guy. Holloway had a breakout year last season, he's in the top six. Neighbours is a fan favorite, he's got a good shot. So who's fighting for the fourth-line left wing?
Paul: Johnston and Walker. Johnston brings toughness, he's a heavyweight. Walker is a speedster, can kill penalties, and he's a great locker room guy. It's a classic battle between grit and speed.
Amanda: Which way do you lean?
Paul: I think Walker's versatility gives him the edge. He can play up and down the lineup, and he's a better penalty killer. But Johnston's physicality might be needed against teams like the Stars.
Amanda: Now the right side: Jonatan Berggren, Dalibor Dvorsky, Julien Gauthier, Hugh McGing, Jimmy Snuggerud, and Alexey Toropchenko. That's six guys for maybe two spots.
Paul: This is the most intriguing battle. Toropchenko is a lock, he's a great defensive forward and he's got speed. Snuggerud is a top prospect, he's probably going to make the team and play a scoring role.
Amanda: So that leaves Berggren, Dvorsky, Gauthier, and McGing fighting for one or two spots.
Paul: Berggren is a former second-round pick, he's got offensive skill but he's been inconsistent. Dvorsky is a young guy with a high ceiling, he might need more time in the minors. Gauthier is a big body, can play a grinding role. McGing is a depth guy.
Amanda: Who's your pick to grab that last spot?
Paul: I think Berggren gets the nod because he's got the most offensive upside. But if he doesn't show up in training camp, Dvorsky could steal it.
Amanda: Let's not forget about the blue line. We didn't even mention that yet.
Paul: Right, the defense has its own battles. You've got Parayko, Fowler, Carlo, Broberg, Mailloux, Rosen, Tucker. That's seven guys for six or seven spots.
Amanda: Parayko and Fowler are locks. Carlo is a big addition, he's a shutdown guy. Broberg had a great playoff run, he's in. So who's fighting for the last spot?
Paul: Mailloux, Rosen, and Tucker. Mailloux is a young offensive defenseman, he's got a big shot. Rosen is a veteran, he's steady. Tucker is a physical guy, good on the penalty kill.
Amanda: So it's a three-way battle for one spot, maybe two if they carry seven defensemen.
Paul: Exactly. And the goaltending situation is interesting too. Binnington is the starter, Hofer is the backup, and Romanov is in the system. No real battle there, but it's worth watching.
Amanda: Alright, we've got a lot to unpack. We'll make our final predictions after the break. Stick with us.
Amanda: Welcome back. Time for our roster-cut predictions and who's trending up or down. Paul, let's start with the centers. Who's on the outside looking in?
Paul: I think Dube is the odd man out. Peterson and Finley are younger and cheaper, and they haven't had the off-ice issues. Dube is a feel-good story, but this is a business.
Amanda: That's a bold call. He just signed a contract, so would they really cut him?
Paul: It's not a huge cap hit, and they can send him to the minors. It's about merit, and I think he gets outplayed in camp.
Amanda: Okay, so on the left wing, who's out?
Paul: I think Johnston is the odd man out. Walker is more versatile, and the team needs speed more than toughness.
Amanda: And on the right?
Paul: I'm going to say Gauthier and McGing are out. Berggren and Dvorsky make it, with Dvorsky maybe getting a nine-game tryout before they decide.
Amanda: So your final forward group has some new faces. Let's talk about who's trending up.
Paul: Trending up: McMichael, obviously. He's going to get a big opportunity. Holloway is trending up after his breakout. And Snuggerud is a prospect who's knocking on the door.
Amanda: Who's trending down?
Paul: Dube, for sure. And maybe Sundqvist? He's getting older, and the game is getting faster. But he's still valuable.
Amanda: Let's talk about the defense. Who's the last man in?
Paul: I think Rosen takes the seventh spot. He's a reliable veteran, and they might want to give Mailloux more time in the minors to develop his offense.
Amanda: So Tucker is out? That's tough, he's a fan favorite.
Paul: It's a numbers game. They have too many defensemen, and someone has to go.
Amanda: Last thing: we made a prediction yesterday that the Blues finish fourth in the Central and make the playoffs as a wild card. Do we still feel good about that?
Paul: I do. The roster is deeper than last year, and the goaltending should be solid. But the Central is tough. Dallas, Colorado, Nashville, Winnipeg... it's a dogfight.
Amanda: Alright, we'll see. We'll revisit that in October. Thanks for listening, and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with your fellow Blues fans. Go Blues!
Paul: And as always, we'll be right here every day with the latest on your St. Louis Blues. See you tomorrow.