1998-99 record: 37-32-13, 87 points, 2nd Central Division
Coach: Joel Quenneville (110-76-28, three seasons with Blues)
New faces: G Roman Turek, C Marty Reasoner, C Jochen Hecht, D Libor Prochazka
Losses: G Jim Carey, C Terry Yake, G Grant Fuhr
Strengths: In Quenneville, the Blues have one of the best young coaches in the business. He has instilled a tenacious work ethic that makes St. Louis more than the sum of its parts. The Blues didn't miss a beat after losing RW Brett Hull, challenging first-place Detroit for most of the season despite injuries to several key players. The defense pairing of Norris Trophy winner Al MacInnis and Chris Pronger is as good as it gets. Quenneville gets contributions from everyone as nine players scored at least 10 goals. RW Pavol Demitra emerged as an offensive star, finishing 10th in the league in scoring and second with 10 game-winning goals. The Blues finally are reaping the benefits of a minor league system that was dormant for years. Hecht should be the next graduate to reach St. Louis. Players like LW Scott Pellerin and C Craig Conroy helped the Blues rank second in penalty-killing. The acquisition of Turek from Dallas addresses a major weakness – goaltending.
Weaknesses: Beyond MacInnis and Pronger, the Blues are shaky on defense. It's no wonder MacInnis and Pronger log so much ice time with the likes of Marc Bergevin, Ricard Persson, Bryan Helmer and Chris McAlpine patrolling the blue line. If St. Louis is to make a run at the Red Wings again, players like C Pierre Turgeon and LW Geoff Courtnall have to remain healthy. Turgeon missed 15 games last season, and Courtnall was sidelined for all but 24. RW Jim Campbell is coming off a disastrous 1998-99 in which he missed 27 games and managed only four goals. This could be his make or break campaign. The Blues could miss the toughness of LW Tony Twist, who was injured in a summer motorcycle accident and will sit out the entire season.