St. Louis Blues Rumors: 3 Offseason 2nd Line Center Targets

The St. Louis Blues have the tools and personnel to be able to compete for the playoffs next season and will have some cap space to make the necessary additions to their lineup after a number of players were traded. A need that stands out is the lack of a second line center. Pavel Buchnevich should be playing the wing and Brayden Schenn gives the Blues great depth if he's centering the third line. Let's take a look at three who could be targeted in the offseason.

Ryan O'Reilly

A reunion between Ryan O'Reilly and the Blues is not out of the question. He had great years in St. Louis, captaining the team to their first Stanley Cup and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy while doing so. He may have had a down year in St. Louis, but that's his first and only one as a member of the team.

As the Blues have done, they could play O'Reilly or Schenn on the second line as the centerman depending on how they're playing. O'Reilly is still a very good two-way player and even if he's not contributing a ton of points, he's able to shut down opposing players. He won't come as expensive and on a long-term contract. It's something to watch as he liked it in St. Louis.

Sean Monahan

The Montreal Canadiens may not be keeping Sean Monahan after the season even after the great work he did in the 25 games he played for them this season. He started the season healthy and scored six goals and 17 points, but once he got injured, that's when the team started to go downhill. It really emphasized his contribution even though he was seemingly written off by the Calgary Flames.

Monahan won't cost a ton to sign as a free agent and proved that he could be effective in a second line role for the Canadiens. In the not so distant past, he was the Flames' top centerman and provided a lot for them for many years. Again, he and Schenn would be able to flip between lines if needed.

J.T. Compher

The Colorado Avalanche won't have very much cap space to work with for next season as extensions are either starting or more are set to be signed. As J.T. Compher is a UFA and there appears to be his replacement in Alex Newhook pushing for a bigger role with the team, the Avalanche will likely part ways with him in the summer.

Compher currently earns $3.5 million per season, but after putting up 17 goals and 52 points as the most used second line center, he will be looking for a bigger payday. The Blues can take advantage and bring in the 28-year-old who logged over 20:30 of ice time per game. He appears to be in the prime of his career and able to play a high level of hockey when asked to.