St. Louis Blues: Deal or No Deal?

As the trade deadline looms over the NHL, the St. Louis Blues are in an enviable position. 

Challenging for their first post-lockout playoff position, the Blues have some decisions to make in the next few days. 

Oddly enough, there are three scenarios that the next three games will determine.

Will the Blues will be buyers, sellers, or stand pat at the deadline?

Scenario No. 1

The Blues come out and win the next three games.  If they do beat the Red Wings on the eve of the deadline look for a good move to improve the scoring.  Nothing that compromises the talent we have in the pool, just enough to make the rest of the guys think,"we can do this."

Scenario No. 2

The Blues win the next two and lose to the Red Wings.  This will make JD and Co. think real hard about moving a package, but they stick to the plan and stand pat at the deadline.

Scenario No. 3

The Blues only win one game of the next three.  Round trip to Boston anyone?  This would make the Blues sellers and we could see Tkachuk, Hinote, McKee, Statsny, and Legace moving.  Not all of them will be on their way out of town but the Blues would entertain any offers at this point.

Summary

As one of the best teams in the league since the All-Star break, the Blues will be in the running for the playoffs until the end.  The last stretch of the season is on the road, but there seems to be a common theme with this team.  They never quit!  The tents could have been taken down a two months ago with all the injuries, but they are still right there. 

The perfect scenario, and what I believe, is the Blues make the eighth seed and upset the Sharks.  Round two brings the Red Wings and the end to a surprising season. 

This second-round match up will bring out the best in the Blues for years to come.  Oshie, Berglund, and Perron will never want to feel like that again—and the worm will have turned on the Red Wings.