St. Louis Blues

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Last season: 37-33-12, missed playoffs.

COACH: Jim Montgomery (72-51-19 in two seasons, 252-135-52 with three teams overall).

SEASON OPENER: Oct. 2 at Dallas.

DEPARTURES: F Jordan Kyrou, F Jonathan Drouin.

ADDITIONS: F Mason McTavish, F Connor McMichael, F Ross Johnston.

GOALIES: Joel Hofer (24-13-5, 2.61 goals-against average, .910 save percentage), Jordan Binnington (13-20-7, 3.33, .873).

What to expect

The Blues are in the midst of an organizational transition, with Alex Steen taking over as general manager for Doug Armstrong, who is staying around but giving up day-to-day duties. Only a handful of players are left from the team that won the Stanley Cup in 2019, and a youth movement is underway.

The Blues were looking to be sellers at the trade deadline, made a run within a few points of a playoff spot but then moved on from Kyrou in the summer to get McMichael and more from Washington. In a brutal Central Division, St. Louis is probably just on the outside looking in unless several players overachieve, but the focus seems to be on building for the not-too-distant future.

Strengths and weaknesses

The good: Hofer looks like he is ready to take the starting job from Binnington, who is entering the final year of his contract at 33. New captain Robert Thomas is coming off a point-a-game season, including recording 31 in 22 games after returning from injury on March 1. Montgomery is a coach who gets the best out of his players and can tailor his style to the talent at his disposal.

The not so good: The Blues ranked 26th out of 32 teams on the power play at 17.6% and 25th on the penalty kill at 76.7%. Colorado, Minnesota and Dallas are far better, and Winnipeg and Utah may also be.

Players to watch

McTavish gets a fresh start and perhaps a bigger opportunity than he got in Anaheim. Same for McMichael, who signed a six-year, $40.5 million contract after joining from Washington. Two years since poaching defenseman Philip Broberg and winger Dylan Holloway from Edmonton with offer sheets, they are now key pieces in St. Louis. Parayko after choosing to stay gets to show he can still be a difference-maker, even if it is with a slightly smaller role. Thomas has to drive the bus, which he did as one of the most productive players in the NHL over the final six weeks last season.

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