The Blues ended the year 2011 with a disappointing loss to their long time rivals the Detroit Red Wings, and will now look toward the New Year as they sit in 6th place in the Western Conference
The Blues have a lot of things going for them right now (hard to believe after tonight's game), and have a lot to look forward to in the coming year but their ultimate goal presents a challenge for them very early in 2012.
Obviously the Blues are hoping to find themselves in the playoffs and ultimately they want the most prized possession in hockey--The Stanley Cup.
The Blues have received a late Christmas gift from the NHL schedule makers as they open up the New Year playing 9 of 11 at Scottrade Center, and for a team that is 14-3-2 at home this is truly a blessing.
After January, the Blues will have to start finding ways to win on the road but will also have to make some hard decisions as the trade deadline begins to creep closer.
The trade deadline will be very interesting for the Blues as they have to decide if they feel they can make a playoff run, and ultimately compete once they are in the playoffs with their current roster.
I won’t bore you with excruciating details of who could be moved, or who won’t be moved, but I've heard from several NHL beat/news reporters that say 1) the Blues will buyers and 2) Armstrong will definitely be looking to add "pieces" to Blues roster.
After the trade deadline, another obstacle comes the Blues way in the form of the NCAA men's basketball tournament. Yes, this affects the Blues heavily (as it does every year) and the Blues will find that they are rarely at Scottrade center in the month of March.
After March, the Blues are hopefully in the top 8 of the Western Conference and competing for Lord Stanley's Cup.
As I wrap up this article of things to come for the Blues I want to end positively by saying the Blues have shown they can compete with the best teams the league has to offer, and they've done it while battling injuries. The Blues are a team that has potential to grow even better, but with guidance from Hitchcock, changes being made when necessary by Doug Armstrong and a stable owner taking the reins, they hope that 2012 is the year the cup comes to St. Louis.