The St. Louis Blues fell short of their ultimate goal last season, but still managed to take major strides in advancing to the Western Conference Final, an accomplishment that's eluded the club for 15 years.
Now, with last season's postseason run in the rearview mirror, the Blues are looking ahead to next year with a significantly different roster.
Longtime captain David Backes left for the Boston Bruins, Troy Brouwer signed with the Calgary Flames, joining former St. Louis goaltender Brian Elliott.
With several key cogs now in different places, the Blues have to rely on a smaller, younger roster to contend once again, something general manager Doug Armstrong isn't particularly concerned with.
"It's a different group," Armstrong told Nick Cotsonika of NHL.com. "We've been a little bit on autopilot the last couple of years, just bringing back a good group year in and year out. This is the first time we've had some change, and I think everyone's excited about it."
Among the youth St. Louis employs is sniper Vladimir Tarasenko, only 24-years-old, along with emerging forward Robby Fabbri, 20, and blossoming top-four defenseman Colton Parayko, 23.
"I think the game is getting faster, and youth is being served," Armstrong said. "I think we were going to transfer to this regardless."
Much of the onus will fall on Tarasenko's shoulders, as the team's most dynamic forward, and Armstrong believes a growing role for the Russian will do him and the team well.
"He'll be really good, and he expects to be really good, and we need him to be really good," Armstrong said.
Having eliminated division rivals Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars in the postseason, the new-look Blues will surely have targets on their backs in the mighty Central Division come October.
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