RHP Sergio Romo in the mix

The St. Louis Blues had 111 points in the 2013-2014 season, the second-most in franchise history and most since 1999-2000, yet a first-round playoff elimination leaves obvious room for improvement. Off-Season Game Plan examines a team that is knocking on the door with the top contenders in the Western Conference, but needs something to take the next step forward. A Top-10 puck possession team, the Blues were very good on special teams too (eighth in power play percentage, second in penalty killing percentage), so they didnt have glaring weaknesses going into their first-round series with Chicago. If there was one area of concern, it might have been goaltending, as the Blues finished the year with a .913 save percentage, tied for 13th. They traded for Ryan Miller, in the hopes that he would be the answer, but Miller posted a .901 save percentage in 25 (regular season plus playoff) games with the Blues, which didnt alleviate goaltending concerns and prompted the Blues to re-sign Brian Elliott and mark Jake Allen for promotion. Going with inexpensive goaltending does open up the possibility that the Blues can more readily upgrade their lineup, perhaps with an improvement in the second-line centre spot. While the Blues were tied for sixth in the league with 2.92 goals per game, there is still room to elevate their skill level if they are going to compete with the best. Its not as though the Blues are incapable of competing with their current roster -- they were challenging for first place overall before losing the last six games of the regular season -- but its difficult to justify making no improvements to a team that has made it out of the first round once since 2002. The TSN.ca Rating is an efficiency rating based on per-game statistics including goals and assists -- weighted for strength (ie. power play, even, shorthanded) -- Corsi, adjusted for zone starts, quality of competition and quality of teammates, hits, blocked shots, penalty differential and faceoffs. Generally, a replacement-level player is around a 60, a top six forward and top four defenceman will be around 70, stars will be over 80 and MVP candidates could go over 90. Sidney Crosby finished at the top of the 2013-2014 regular season ratings at 87.12. Salary cap information all comes from the indispensable www.capgeek.com. CF% = Corsi percentage (ie. percentage of 5-on-5 shot attempts), via www.extraskater.com. GM/COACHDoug Armstrong/Ken Hitchcock Returning Forwards Player Rating GP G A PTS CF% Cap Hit Alexander Steen 81.02 68 33 29 62 57.1% $5.8M David Backes 76.16 74 27 30 57 55.5% $4.5M T.J. Oshie 73.65 79 21 39 60 54.5% $4.175M Vladimir Tarasenko 73.20 64 21 22 43 58.1% $900K Maxim Lapierre 60.70 71 9 6 15 44.9% $1.1M Magnus Paajarvi 60.17 55 6 6 12 53.1% $1.2M Ryan Reaves 55.82 63 2 6 8 45.9% $1.125M Chris Porter 55.29 22 0 1 1 47.8% $675K Free Agent Forwards Player Rating GP G A PTS CF% Class 13-14 Cap Hit Patrik Berglund 64.84 78 14 18 32 54.7% RFA $3.25M Vladimir Sobotka 69.18 61 9 24 33 56.7% RFA $1.3M Jaden Schwartz 73.91 80 25 31 56 56.5% RFA $1.167M Derek Roy 63.58 75 9 28 37 52.0% UFA $4.0M Steve Ott 60.05 82 9 14 23 44.5% UFA $2.95M Brenden Morrow 61.06 71 13 12 25 48.5% UFA $1.5M Alexander Steen has developed into one of the best two-way forwards in the game, and he set career-highs in goals (33) and points (62), despite missing 14 games with injuries last season. Hes due for some shooting percentage regression, but Steen is also one of 18 players to put up at least 3.0 shots per game in each of the past four seasons. Hard-nosed centre David Backes rebounded from a down season in 2012-2013 with a career-best 0.77 points per game last season, and Backes and Steen were part of an exclusive group to play against high calibre of competition, start more shifts in the defensive zone and finish with better than plus-10 shot attempts per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 play. Hes ever-so-slightly below the best two-way centres in the game because hes good, not great, offensively. T.J. Oshie gained lots of fame for his shootout exploits against Russia in the Olympics, but he had a breakthrough NHL season too, staying healthy enough to set career-highs in goals (21), assists (39) and points (60) while putting up strong possession stats while spending most of his time alongside Backes and Steen. If the Blues have a breakout offensive star in-house, it could be Vladimir Tarasenko, the sturdy winger who has been productive enough, with 62 points in 102 games through his first two seasons, but hes in elite company when it comes to puck possession over that time, with the Blues getting 58.0% of the 5-on-5 shot attempts with Tarasenko on the ice over the last two years. An agitator who is fed defensive zone starts, Maxim Lapierre consistently gets crushed in terms of puck possession. He is one of 13 forwards to have at least 20 goals and 250 penalty minutes over the past three seasons. While his first season in St. Louis wasnt very productive, Magnus Paajarvi played a career-low 10:15 per game and his possession stats were still good enough to believe that the 23-year-old can make it work in a top-nine role. Theres no doubting Ryan Reaves toughness. Hes dropped the gloves 38 times in 194 games over the past four seasons, and while he doesnt always get killed in puck possession, he did last season. Hes a marginal fourth-liner, which makes it a little difficult to justify a four-year contract, so thats a strong commitment from the team. 30-year-old Chris Porter is forever battling to hold a spot in the Blues lineup, playing 143 games over the past four seasons, and he may well be up and down again next season, but hes on a one-way contract, so Porter has a chance to earn regular fourth-line work. While some players endure a sophomore slump, Jaden Schwartz made a quantum leap forward, jumping from 13 points in 45 games as a rookie to 56 points in 80 games last season, putting up stellar possession numbers along the way. His coach compares him to Zach Parise, which is high praise, and reason to think that the Blues would be inclined to sign Schwartz to a long-term contract. Though he has earned his keep as a checking centre, Vladimir Sobotka was given more offensive opportunities last season and came up with a career-high 33 points in 61 games, while playing a career-high 16:45 per game. He also had excellent possession stats. Patrik Berglunds production see-saw was on the down portion last year, which should be reason for optimism next sason, yet he had strong possession numbers last season too. Hes big and skilled, yet hasnt scored more than 40 points in any of the past three years and hes capable of meeting that threshold at the very least. The Blues got a jump on next season by inking Joakim Lindstrom, a 30-year-old forward who had five points in 16 games with Colorado in 2011-2012, but has 137 points in 129 Swedish Hockey League games since. It wouldnt be fair to place high expectations on Lindstrom, but if he improves the forward depth, thats a start. For a team that didnt score enough, the Blues most likely target this summer should be a way to improve their attack. Whether thats a free agent signing like Thomas Vanek or trading for a high-priced centre like Jason Spezza or Eric Staal, its a need that needs to be addressed. Returning Defence Player Rating GP G A PTS CF% Cap Hit Alex Pietrangelo 75.72 81 8 43 51 54.9% $6.5M Kevin Shattenkirk 73.55 81 10 35 45 55.1% $4.25M Jay Bouwmeester 69.03 82 4 33 37 53.8% $5.4M Barret Jackman 63.43 79 3 12 15 52.9% $3.167M Ian Cole 62.61 46 3 8 11 49.0% $825K Roman Polak 62.42 72 4 9 13 49.4% $2.75M Jordan Leopold 61.19 27 1 5 6 53.1% $2.25M Free Agent Defence Player Rating GP G A PTS CF% Class 13-14 Cap Hit Carlo Colaiacovo 59.12 25 1 3 4 51.7% UFA $750K One of the games premier blueliners, Alex Pietrangelo has top-tier possession stats and over the past four seasons is one of seven defencemen to record at least 100 points with a rating of plus-50 or better. The 24-year-old is goign to be in the Norris Trophy discussion for years to come. He may be overshadowed, somewhat, by Pietrangelo, but Kevin Shattenkirk is a terrific puck-moving defenceman, who also has great possession numbers and, over the past three years, his 111 points is tied for 12th among defencemen. After some underwhelming years in Calgary, Jay Bouwmeester had 37 points for the Blues last season, his most 2008-2009 when he was playing in Florida. As always, he played against the oppositions best forwards and, playing for a strong Blues team, actually had positive possession stats too. An easier workload, while playing a career-low 17:56 per game, helped Barret Jackman to a more effective campaign in 2013-2014. The 33-year-old adds toughness in a mind-the-store defensive role. The 18th overall pick in 2007, Ian Cole hasnt been able to hold down a regular role with the Blues. Maybe he fits in the top six with another club, but this isnt an easy lineup for Cole to crack. A rugged defensive defenceman, Roman Polak has limited puck skills and that has resulted in mediocre possession stats that, in relative terms, are notably worse than his teammates. There does seem to be some recognition of the limits to Polaks game, however, as his ice time per game has decreased every season since 2008-2009, going down to 17:20 per game last season. Ankle and hand injuries kept Jordan Leopold out of the lineup for much of the 2013-2014 season, and he didnt play much when he was healthy -- a career-low 15:36 per game. The Blues are Leopolds sixth NHL team and the veteran may want to consider a seventh unless St. Louis is prepared to play him more. Returning Goaltender Player Rating GP W L OTL GAA SV% Cap Hit Brian Elliott 65.91 31 18 6 2 1.96 .922 $2.5M Free Agent Goaltender Player Rating GP W L OTL GAA SV% Class 13-14 Cap Hit Ryan Miller 69.09 59 25 30 4 2.64 .918 UFA $6.25M When the Blues made the decision to re-sign Brian Elliott, they certainly put themselves in position to have an economical goaltending tandem next year, with Elliott and Jake Allen likely to share the crease. For the first three years of his career, Elliott struggled, but hes been much better -- which facing a lesser workload -- in the past three seasons. Even so, is he good enough to anchor a team with Stanley Cup aspirations? A second-round pick in 2008, Jake Allen has been groomed plenty for an NHL job, spending four seasons in the AHL, with a 15-game stint in St. Louis in 2012-2013. He has a .917 save percentage in 172 AHL games, including .928 in 52 games last season, so the 23-year-old is ready for his chance to play in the NHL regularly. Top Prospects Player Pos. Team/League Stats Dmitrij Jaskin RW Chicago (AHL) 15-14-29, +7, 42 GP Ty Rattie RW Chicago (AHL) 31-17-48, +5, 72 GP Jake Allen G Chicago (AHL) 2.03 GAA, .928 SV%, 52 GP Joel Edmundson D Chicago (AHL) 4-4-8, +14, 64 GP Tommy Vannelli D Chicago (AHL) 14-27-41, +4, 60 GP Jordan Schmaltz D North Dakota (NCHC) 6-18-24, +1, 41 GP Colton Parayko D Alaska (WCHA) 7-19-26, +15, 37 GP Jordan Binnington G Kalamazoo (ECHL) 2.35 GAA, .922 SV%, 40 GP Jani Hakanpaa D Chicago (AHL) 4-4-8, +20, 54 GP Zach Pochiro C Prince George (WHL) 27-39-66, -14, 63 GP Ryan Tesink LW Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL) 13-23-36, -3, 47 GP A second-round pick in 2011, Dmitrij Jaskin has already skated in 20 games with the Blues, and while hes managed only two points, he hasnt looked out of place. With 19 goals and 38 points in 51 (regular season plus playoff) AHL games, Jaskin is likely ready to make the jump. Also a second-round pick from 2011 (nine spots ahead of Jaskin), Ty Rattie showed that his junior goal-scoring exploits were no fluke. After scoring 144 goals in 173 (regular season plus playoff) games in his last two WHL seasons, Rattie notched 31 goals in 72 AHL games as a rookie pro. He could use further development, and get stronger, but his offensive skill could accelerate his timeline. Its been a long, sometimes uneven road for top goalie prospect Jake Allen, yet hes still just 23. If, as expected, he starts the year in St. Louis, the next question will be how long before he takes over the starters role? Drafted with a second-round pick in 2011, Joel Edmundson is a 6-foot-4 defensive defenceman who had a solid first pro season in Chicago and may be as close as any Blues blueline prospect to getting called up. Taken in the second round of last summers draft, Tommy Vannelli is an offensive defenceman who had a nice year in the WHL. He needs to refine his game, improving his play without the puck, but Vannellis skating presents upside. Drafted in the first round, 25th overall, in 2012, Jordan Schmaltz has been making progress at North Dakota, and will continue there. He may not have first-round pedigree, but hes a fine puck-moving prospect. A third-round pick in 2012, Colton Parayko is a puck-moving defenceman with good size. Hes 6-foot-6 and has improved in two years at Alaska. Blocked for AHL playing time by Allen, Jordan Binnington spent his first pro year in the ECHL, and played well enough that the 2011 third-round pick ought to get his AHL shot next season. 6-foot-5 defenceman Jani Hakanpaa was a fourth-round pick in 2010 and has made the move to North America, putting up a dozen points in 68 AHL games. A disturber drafted in the fourth round last summer, Zach Pochiro needs to get stronger, but had a fine year in the WHL last season and will get to see if he can agitate in the same manner as a pro. Picked in the sixth round in 2011, Ryan Tesink has had trouble staying healthy, but can skate and has enough skill to warrant watching his progress. Blues advanced stats and player usage chart from Extra Skater DRAFT21st - Ivan Barbashev, Roland McKeown, David Pastrnak FREE AGENCYAccording to www.capgeek.com, the Blues have approximately $48.6M committed to the 2014-2015 salary cap for 18 players. Check out my possible Blues lineup for next season on Cap Geek here. Needs: Two top nine forwards, depth forwards, depth defence, backup goaltender.What I said the Blues needed last year: One top six forward, depth forwards, depth defenceman.They added: Derek Roy, Brenden Morrow, Maxim Lapierre, Magnus Paajarvi, Jordan Leopold. TRADE MARKETPatrik Berglund, Magnus Paajarvi, Jordan Leopold, Ian Cole. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. NHL Jerseys Outlet . So heres what I do when I want to get into the baseball mood—I delve into "The Baseball Project". Custom NHL Jerseys . Burris threw for 247 yards in one half of a game -- on pace for a nearly 500-yard outing -- as the Redblacks downed the woeful Montreal Alouettes 26-10 in CFL pre-season play Friday night at Percival Molson Stadium. https://www.chinanhljerseys.us/. Kadri was dressed in a green jersey at Thursdays practice and skated as an extra forward on the teams fourth line as the Leafs. NHL Jerseys Sale .com) - The Toronto Raptors are paying Rudy Gay a visit on Wednesday night when they head into the Sleep Train Arena to take on the Sacramento Kings. NHL Jerseys China .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings take aim at an eighth straight victory on Monday night as they wrap up a road trip versus the Calgary Flames.SAN FRANCISCO - Homer Bailey heard frequent reminders that he had a no-hit bid in progress. Not anyone on the Cincinnati bench mentioned it, however. "I wasnt really thinking about it, other than the fan just above our dugout who kept yelling at me about it," Bailey said. "That was nice of him." Bailey made a strong bid for yet another no-hitter, shutting down San Francisco until Buster Poseys two-out single in the seventh inning and pitching the Reds past the Giants 4-0 Sunday. Bailey has thrown no-hitters in each of the last two seasons, and did it against the Giants at home last July 2. He came close to pitching the latest gem at AT&T Park — the ballpark was the scene of Tim Lincecums no-hitter Wednesday against San Diego. "I had pretty good stuff, got a lot of early outs and we scored enough runs," Bailey said. "It was our lucky day, I guess." Bailey (8-4) finished with a three-hitter as the Reds completed their first four-game sweep in San Francisco since 1972 at Candlestick Park. Billy Hamilton, Brandon Phillips, Brayan Pena and Skip Schumaker drove in runs as the Reds won their season-best fifth straight and eighth in nine overall. The Giants were swept in a four-game series for the first time in their ballpark that opened in 2000. San Francisco has lost 15 of 19 while watching its lead dwindle in the NL West. "We got them at the right time," Schumaker said. "Its still a playoff team, in my opinion. They are too good of a team. Im just happy to get out of here while they were struggling a little bit." Bailey walked one and struck out seven in his fourth career shutout and sixth complete game. Bailey walked Gregor Blanco leading off the fourth, but later caught him taking off early for third base and threw him out. That was all the Giants got into Posey singled cleanly to right-centre field. Pablo Sandovals bloop single moved Posey to third, but Bailey struck out Michael Morse looking to end the inning. "We ran into four starters as dominant as four starters Ive ever seen before," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "They caught everything we hit. They are as hot as any team, and as cold as we are, its what we have to deal with.dddddddddddd" Bailey was trying to become just the sixth pitcher with at least three career no-hitters. Nolan Ryan leads that list with seven. "He pitched efficiently and we played great defence," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "When the outs are coming so early in the count, he has a chance." Tim Hudson (7-5) allowed two runs on five hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out six. Hes lost his last two starts at home after opening the season with seven straight wins. "My delivery felt a lot better and my timing was good," Hudson said. "They had one or two opportunities to score and they took advantage. I felt like I made a pretty good pitch on Hamilton. Every little run counts in a game like this." Hamiltons two-out double in the third drove in the Reds first run, and with the way Hudson was pitching — he retired 12 of 13 following the double — Bailey needed to be nearly perfect. The Reds tacked on three runs in the ninth against Jeremy Affledt, who took over for Hudson after Todd Frazier started the frame with a single. Affledt balked, hit a batter, threw a wild pitch, allowed three hits and an inherited runner to score and got his only out on Phillips sacrifice fly. NOTES: Bochy announced before the game he would be going with a closer-by-committee for the time being, with RHP Sergio Romo in the mix. "I think its time to tweak it a little bit, get guys on track," Bochy said. ... Giants 1B Brandon Belt (thumb) could rejoin the team Friday in San Diego, but not likely before then. ... Lincecum (6-5, 4.42) makes his first start since throwing his second career no-hitter. Hell face the Cardinals and Marco Gonzales (0-0, 9.00) on Tuesday night. ... Mat Latos (1-0, 2.89) will start Monday nights game in San Diego for the Reds. ... The Reds have won their last five series and are 6-0-1 in their past seven. ... Hamiltons 16th double gives him the lead among NL rookies, breaking a tie with Arizonas Chris Owings, who is on the DL. ... The other pitchers with three or more no-hitters: Sandy Koufax with four and Cy Young, Bob Feller and 1880s pitcher Larry Corcoran with three. ' ' '