November 26, 2024 | 1:07pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

BLUES STUDYING MARKET FOR SCORING FORWARD?

Robert Thomas, forward

The St. Louis Blues are 28th in the NHL in goals-for per game, an area management may address if they continue to struggle to put the puck in the net consistently this season.

Having made a coaching change on Sunday, relieving Drew Bannister of his duties and signing Jim Montgomery to a five-year contract to become a team’s new Head Coach, the Blues are believed to be monitoring the trade market for some extra offence.

Robert Thomas returned from injury last week and has picked up three assists in four games, but more is needed from him and the rest of the group in St. Louis.

During Monday’s late edition of “The Latest,” Dennis Bernstein and David Pagnotta addressed the Blues’ search for outside help, but noted a move is not considered imminent.

“If you get to Game 30 and Game 35 and you’re still struggling offensively, I think you have to look some other options. Maybe down the middle, maybe a 2-3 center or scoring winger, as well,” Bernstein said.

“If they’re that aggressive with the coach, where you fired a coach after 22 games, you’ve got to be that aggressive with your roster.”

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Blues GM Doug Armstrong is not afraid to make bold moves, be it on or off the ice. The Blues have just under $5.5 million in current salary cap space, as per PuckPedia, giving them some flexibility to add to their roster now if the right deal falls into place.

“I think they are looking. Army is looking to add some offence to this group,” Pagnotta said. “They’re willing to make moves. They have been riddled a little bit with injuries on the backend, as well. But (at the time of taping) they’re 30th in the National Hockey League in goals-for per game. And Doug Armstrong and Alex Steen want to address that at some point.”

The Blues aren’t the only club in search of extra fire power, as the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators are also rumoured to be scoring the market for a goal-scorer.