St Louis Blues Fantasy Outlook 2011/2012
This is shaping up to be a great preview into the future of this organization. The blues have been stockpiling talent over the last few years of shrewd drafting by John Davidson and his scouting staff. This season should show us which players are going to become legit fantasy options and which players may never get consistent top six minutes. With a lot of quality prospects coming up through the pipelines there is a small window of opportunity left for some of these players to secure their spots in the top six.
Projected Lines for the 2011/2012 Season
LW C RW
McDonald Backes Stewart
D’Agostini Berglund Oshie
Steen Arnott Langenbrunner
Sobotka Nichol Crombeen
D
Colaiacovo Pietrangelo
Jackman Shattenkirk
Polak Nikitin
G
Halak
Elliott
Up front the Blues have good depth on their forward lines in case of injuries. If David Perron remains out for this season their will be a battle on the second line. Currently they have four different options they could try out on that line. D’Agostini had success during the end of the season with Berglund and Oshie. He should get the opportunity to regain his spot in the top six. Steen, Langenbrunner and even Sobotka could be pushing hard for some quality ice time. Steen has shown glimpses of ability to produce when given the chance. Last year he recorded 51 points which could help his case of being considered a top six forward. This group of forwards has had their fair share of injuries of the past few seasons and need to have a season off the injury reserve if the Blues want to make the long jump up the standings.
On the back end the Blues look to have a good mix of offensive punch along with good defensive defensemen. Shattenkirk and Pietrangelo should continue to man the points on the PP and provide offence. Colaiacovo has shown he can produce when in the lineup, but his biggest challenge remains his injury concerns. He has never played more then 70 games a year and looks to be a lifelong band aid boy. He could be a legit 40 point option if he could ever play a full season.
In goal Halak looks to have the top job locked up. He came out of the gates last year playing like the previous years playoffs. He was beginning to look like he could become a top tier fantasy option until he ran into a stint of injuries. If Halak can stay healthy for the year he should see around 60 starts and could possibly break the 30 win mark.
Newcomers and Possible Impact
Jason Arnott- He looks to be on the last leg of his career. He has been brought in for more of a vetern presence and help with the penalty kill. Arnott in most formats should have little to no value, unless it is a fairly deep league that counts extended stats.
Jamie Langenbrunner- Here is another veteran that is in a similar situation to Arnott. Langenbrunner could slide into the top six with either a taste of power play time or a regular shift in the top six when injuries mount. Langenbrunner could be a decent waiver wire pickup if injuries amount.
Scott Nichol- Yet another depth pickup to help with the penalty kills and face off department. Unless you are in need desperate need of help in the face off category this player shouldn’t cross your mind on most days.
Brian Elliott- He is trying to get his career back on track after an abysmal year in the Mile High City. After having a fairly successful season in Ottawa with 29 wins, his career got side tracked last year. At this point it’s looking as if he has a long road back to starter eligibility but a solid year as a back up could mean a lot for his career. Look for around 10 wins and limited chances to get consecutive starts barring injuries.