Murray Baron, D (FA-Van); Mike Danton, C (T-NJ); George Halkidis, D (FA); Levente Szuper, G (FA-Cgy)
Fred Brathwaite, G (FA-CBJ); Valeri Bure, RW (W-Fla); Daniel Corso, C (FA-Ott); Tom Koivisto, D (FA-Europe); Tyson Nash, LW (T-Phx); Martin Rucinsky, LW (FA-NYR); Cory Stillman, LW (T-TB)
After using seven goaltenders last season because of injuries, the St. Louis Blues finally have their goaltending tandem in Chris Osgood and Brent Johnson.
Osgood, who was acquired at last season's trade deadline, is an extremely mobile, technically gifted goaltender, but he's struggled with his consistency in the past few seasons. If he can find that, he should provide St. Louis with the netminding they've been missing.
Johnson was the Blues No. 1 goaltender to start the 2002-03 season, but a high-ankle sprain sidelined him for a good portion of the year. He's a big goalie at six-foot-two and 200 pounds, and though he has raw talent, he lacks the mental toughness needed in a No. 1 guy.
Can Osgood and Johnson play consistently this season? If not, Blues general manager Larry Pleau may have to make a move for a proven No. 1. Lucky for Osgood and Johnson, with the all-star blueline in front of them, they can get away with an "off" night.
The big story with the Blues is the return of all-star defenceman Chris Pronger for the full season. Pronger missed all but five regular season games last year while he recovered from offseason knee and wrist surgeries. Pronger handed the Blues captaincy over to veteran blueline partner Al MacInnis for this year so that he can concentrate on finding his game again.
With Pronger back, MacInnis won't have to shoulder the defensive and leadership responsibilities on his own. Not that he was having any difficulties.
MacInnis shows no signs of slowing down as he enters his 21st NHL season. He logged almost 27 minutes per game and was the team's second-leading scorer with 68 points last season. He also played a key role in mentoring Calder Trophy winning rookie Barret Jackman.
Jackman was truly a prize for the Blues last season, scoring three goals and 16 assists with a plus-23 rating in his debut year. But more importantly, he earned the experience of being on the ice in key situations throughout the season and the playoffs. He's easily the team's third best defenceman.
Add in Bryce Salvador and free-agent signee Murray Baron and the Blues are balanced on the blueline.
The Blues don't just have all-stars on defence. Up front, the always-deadly threesome of Keith Tkachuk, Pavol Demitra and Scott Mellanby is back and should continue to give opponents headaches.
Demitra had 93 points for the Blues last season and had Tkachuk not missed 26 games due to injury, he would have been among the league's top scorers as well. He had 31 goals and 55 points in 56 games.
Doug Weight was sensational in the playoffs and despite some injuries in the regular season still managed 67 points in 70 games. Dallas Drake is one of the team's lone returning left wingers, as Cory Stillman, Martin Rucinsky, Tyson Nash and Shjon Podein have all moved on.
Centre Petr Cajanek was impressive in his rookie campaign with nine goals and 29 assists in just 51 games and a plus-16 rating. Peter Sejna, last year's Hobey Baker Award winner as the top player in American collegiate hockey, joins Cajanek as another up-and-coming star.
Out for nearly all of last season recovering from knee and wrist surgeries, Pronger is back. He is without a doubt the team's top defenceman. He's capable of playing 30 minutes a game, meaning less pressure for MacInnis and Jackman. The former Norris and Hart Trophy winner averaged just over 50 points per season between 1998 and 2002. If he can repeat those numbers, St. Louis will be back among the Western Conference leaders.
