Doug Armstrong: “You can’t beat the Avalanche in the first round.”

Vincent Larue
Doug Armstrong: “You can’t beat the Avalanche in the first round.”
Credit: screenshot

In St. Louis, the message is clear… and it's not reassuring for fans.

According to reports circulating around the NHL, the Blues are under no illusions. Internally, they're fully aware that, even if they qualify for the playoffs, the ceiling is extremely low. Very low.

“We can't beat the Avalanche in the first round” – Doug Armstrong

That'swhat insider Pierre LeBrun quoted on Onedrive.

Doug Armstrong isn't in “we'll see” mode. He's in realist mode. Pragmatic. The Blues GM is reportedly actively listening to offers for several players on his roster, even though the team is still in the playoff hunt.

Why would he do this? Because, in his eyes, a playoff appearance followed by an early elimination is of no interest.

The Blues are currently 30th in the NHL standings. Also, in 2019, the Blues won the Stanley Cup by qualifying for the playoffs by the skin of their teeth.

As a result, the Blues are quietly becoming a quiet but dangerous seller to the rest of the NHL. Dangerous, because several aspiring teams could try to take advantage of this opening to look for reinforcements.

And there are some interesting names to keep an eye on. We're talking about players like Justin Faulk, Robert Thomas, Colton Parayko, and others.

Without necessarily talking about a complete dismantling, the Blues could monetize established players, under contract, capable of immediately helping an aspiring club. We're talking about a GM who has never been afraid to make unpopular decisions for the long-term good of his organization. The Logan Mailloux – Zackary Bolduc transaction is a case in point.

It's not the first time Armstrong has acted in this way. He's proved it before: when he thinks the window is closed, he doesn't force the issue.

So the message to the rest of the NHL is clear: if you're looking for help to make a real run at the playoffs, call St. Louis. The Blues are listening.

And meanwhile, the question arises: should other teams “down the line” adopt the same mentality? Qualifying for the playoffs just to say you're there… is that really a goal?

In St. Louis, the answer already seems to be yes.


overtime

– Sergei Bobrovsky makes quite a save against Tage Thompson.

– Bad news for the Lightning, Brayden Point leaves the game unable to put any weight on his knee.

– Byron Buxton has been added to Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

facebook icon Share twitter icon Tweet linkedin icon Share
Copied!