Fansided

5 NHL sellers that need to be stripped down for parts

By C.L. Kohuss

NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 31: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers makes a save during the game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on January 31, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 31: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers makes a save during the game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on January 31, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 15: Vladimir Tarasenko #91 of the St. Louis Blues skates against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on January 15, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Islanders defeated the Blues 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 15: Vladimir Tarasenko #91 of the St. Louis Blues skates against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on January 15, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Islanders defeated the Blues 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

4. St. Louis Blues

The St. Louis Blues aren’t far off from a playoff spot, but being lumped into a truly wild Western Conference is only masking what needs to be said: St. Louis doesn’t likely have the goods to contend even if it did somehow make the postseason.

For starters, the depth simply isn’t there.

While Vladimir Tarasenko has come on lately, it hasn’t been the easiest season. Rumors have circulated for a while that he could be traded. He’s also gone long stretches of games multiple times without scoring a goal, which is a rough spot for a team already 20th in that category.

To boot, only three other players aside from Tarasenko are even on pace to eclipse 40 points.

One might argue that the Blues are a forward or two away from solving these issues, except that it’s not the only problem.

Outside of Jordan Binnington, the goaltending (Jake Allen) has been abysmal, and that’s with giving up only 28 shots a game. They’re also absolutely average on the penalty kill and powerplay. It would take a bevy of moves to solve this team right now or to move them from mediocre to even good enough to win a playoff series.

If the Blues choose to sell—and they should—the likeliest assets to go will be Tarasenko and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, though the latter would have to waive his no-trade clause. Both would net massive returns. They could also deal Brayden Schenn. He will be a free agent after next season and has scored only nine goals after 25-plus the previous three seasons.

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