St. Louis Blues

Led by its veteran defensemen, a frustrated franchise hopes for an injury-free run

By Mark Beech

Team Page | Predicted Finish: 8

For three years Blues defenseman Chris Pronger competed against the standard he set in 1999-2000, when he won the Hart and Norris trophies. He scored 62 points that season but hasn't topped 47 since, struggling through a series of injuries. In 2002-03 an arthritic left wrist and a torn right ACL forced him to miss all but five regular-season games. Pronger, 29, is so focused on returning to his MVP form that last month he relinquished his team captaincy to 40-year-old fellow blueliner Al MacInnis. "I need to work on being healthy," Pronger says.

Pavol Demitra Elsa/Getty Images SI RANKING (1 best - 30 worst) OFFENSE 4 DEFENSE 5 GOALTENDING 16 POWER PLAY 4 PENALTY KILLING 10 G.M. AND COACH 11

The Blues will be in capable hands with the seemingly ageless MacInnis, who had worn the C in Pronger's absence. Last season MacInnis ranked third in the league in average ice time and led NHL defensemen in scoring (68 points). He also took responsibility for tutoring rookie blueliner Barret Jackman, whose steady play earned him the Calder Trophy. Last month's signing of veteran defenseman Murray Baron gives the Blues plenty of solid protection for goaltender Chris Osgood. "Detroit's added Derian Hatcher," says MacInnis. "Colorado's got Rob Blake and Adam Foote. To have [Pronger] back and with the addition of Murray, it's got to help us."

Up front St. Louis is talented but thin. The first two lines are led by elite centers Pavol Demitra and Doug Weight. However, beyond rugged Keith Tkachuk, there are question marks at left wing. Rookie Peter Sejna and veteran Dallas Drake, who will move over from the right side, will try to provide the answers, as will Sergei Varlamov, who scored 61 points in 72 games for Worcester in the AHL last year.

Pronger's decision to give up the captaincy is indicative of a mounting sense of urgency within the underachieving franchise, which last reached the Stanley Cup finals in 1970. With the potential for a salary cap looming over a club loaded with pricey veterans, it will likely be the last season that this lineup will make a run at the Cup together.

Insider

The attack is buoyed by defensemen -- Al MacInnis, Chris Pronger, Barret Jackman and Alexander Khavanov -- who are outstanding passers. They keep the Blues from being pinned on a forecheck.... Rookie C Peter Sejna, who led the NCAA in scoring last season, has the tools to make an impact in the NHL.... Newly acquired superpest Mike Danton will join Dallas Drake and Jamal Mayers to form a ferocious line that will forecheck opponents mercilessly.

Issue date: October 13, 2003