3 Moves The St. Louis Blues Need To Make This Off-Season

The Blues have to turn things around. After winning the Stanley Cup in 2019, the team has been bounced out of the first round two postseasons in a row. This postseason was particularly disappointing, as they were easily swept by the Colorado Avalanche. They also have a lot going against them going into this off-season, too. Yet, if they make the right decisions, it can be a successful one for the team.

Here are three moves that they must make this summer.

Trade Vladimir Tarasenko: The Blues need to trade Vladimir Tarasenko this summer. The 29-year-old winger has requested a trade and at this stage, it makes sense to get it done. He has two years left at a $7.5 million cap hit, so the team can use that money to help the team elsewhere. He also has played only 34 games over these last two seasons because of injuries. In 24 games this season, he scored four goals and only registered 14 points. A change of scenery is needed immensely, and they still should get a decent amount back for him. Teams are always looking for top-six scoring wingers.

Sign Top-Six Winger: The Blues are in a particularly rough position, as they are can lose both Mike Hoffman and Jaden Schwartz to free agency. With the team needing to get rid of Tarasenko, they should be open to re-signing at least one of them now. Yet, they need to be aggressive with free agents this off-season regardless of what happens on that front. There luckily are a plethora of wingers set to hit the market. Some of these include Brandon Saad, Zach Hyman, Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri.

Extend Schwartz And/Or Hoffman: As previously stated, the Blues should work hard not to lose both Hoffman and Schwartz. This happening would take away a lot of firepower from their forward group, especially with Tarasenko already requesting a trade. Losing three key forwards would be extremely difficult for the Blues, especially with them wanting to be contenders again. Therefore, bringing one back seems to be a true necessity.