St. Louis Blues: 5 burning questions for 2018-19 season

DENVER, CO - APRIL 07: Goaltender Jake Allen #34 of the St. Louis Blues stands in net prior to the game against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on April 7, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Blues 5-2. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Derek Cain/NHLI via Getty Images /

4. Just How Good Is Ryan O’Reilly?

The St. Louis Blues have been looking a long time for center depth. They finally got a top-tier center last year in Brayden Schenn. He led the team in assists (42) and points (70). However, the Blues still lacked a shutdown center. Particularly after they traded Paul Stastny to the Winnipeg Jets. The loss of Kyle Brodziak left the Blues without someone to handle a shutdown role.

Perhaps that’s why they traded for Buffalo Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly. He’s one of the best defensive centers in the league. Not only that, O’Reilly’s discipline is elite. Despite playing over 20 minutes per game in each of the past three seasons, he has spent just 20 minutes in the penalty box during that time. Last year, O’Reilly played 1,668 minutes (the most of his career), yet only committed one minor penalty.

For the first time since he was with the Colorado Avalanche, the Lady Byng Trophy runner-up will be playing for a competitive team. One that expects to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. O’Reilly and Schenn form arguably the best center duo in the Central Division. Factor in Bozak, who can do a lot of damage in a sheltered role, and suddenly, the Blues have outstanding center depth.

O’Reilly will be the coffee stirrer for St. Louis next season. The better his line can do at shutting down opponents’ top scoring lines and handling defensive zone starts, the more favorable scenarios the lines led by Schenn and Bozak will get.

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