NHL 19: St. Louis Blues Player Ratings, Roster & Top Prospects

(Image Source: EA Sports)

Despite not making it to the playoffs last season, the St. Louis Blues have top-class players in all of the right areas, and they should be a postseason contender in 2019. But they’ve struggled for consistency and goal scoring, putting them as a dark horse contender this season. In NHL 19, however, you should find enough ability in the lines to pull the Blues into a wild card place. 

Vladimir Tarasenko, Right Wing, 90 OVR

Age: 26Role: SniperHeight: 183cmWeight: 102kgShoots: LeftBest Stats: 94 Deking, Wrist Shot Accuracy. 93 Hand-Eye, Passing, Puck Control, Offensive Awareness 

The Russian wing is struggling this season, with only 17 goals and 32 points through 48 games, but Vladimir Tarasenko is still widely considered to be one of the most dangerous snipers in the NHL. Regardless of his form this season, his 33 goals and 66 points were enough to grant him 90-plus ratings across everything puck skills, shooting, and speed. 

Alex Pietrangelo, Defenseman, 89 OVR

Age: 28Role: Two-WayHeight: 191cmWeight: 95kgShoots: RightBest Stats: 93 Defensive Awareness. 92 Passing. 91 Offensive Awareness, Slap Shot Power 

Alex Pietrangelo is well-known for his minute-munching, two-way play, being just as potent in the offensive end as he is stingy in the defensive end. For what he lacks in speed, Pietrangelo more than makes up for in defensive awareness, stick checking, and offensive awareness in the game, with his passing also being of particular use when looking to start a breakaway via a certain superstar, speedy winger.

Jake Allen, Goaltender, 84 OVR

Age: 28Role: HybridHeight: 188cmWeight: 92kgShoots: LeftBest Stats: 89 Speed. 88 Agility, Breakaway, Glove Low, Stick Low 

Once a breakout star goaltender, Jake Allen has struggled to live up to what looked like very lofty potential. Last season, he was greatly outclassed by supposed backup Carter Hutton, and this season rookie Jordan Binnington is showing up the 28-year-old. Allen may not be the starter in St. Louis for many more seasons, and in NHL 19, it may be worth making a switch if you wish to strengthen the team.

From the Day 1, September 13 update, this is how the St. Louis Blues’ first lines start. While there is plenty of speed and scoring ability in the lines, the Blues are in desperate need of a playmaker who can unleash the likes of Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz. Ryan O’Reilly is one of the best two-way centers in the NHL, but his defense-first setup will hinder the offensive potential of a line that boasts one of the league’s top snipers. 

NHL 19 St. Louis Blues Roster

Patrick Maroon (81) – Ryan O’Reilly (86) – Vladimir Tarasenko (90)Joel Edmundson (81) – Alex Pietrangelo (89)Jake Allen (84)

Klim Kostin, Center, 76 OVR

Age: 19Role: Power ForwardHeight: 191cmWeight: 89kgShoots: LeftPotential: Top 6 med

On a team filled with two-way centers, bar the promising Ivan Barbashev, Klim Kostin can bring a welcomed dose of deviation up the middle. Kostin needs a bit of time to harness his already decent attributes, but eventually, his lofty speed, strength, shooting, and passing attributes will come of great use. In real life, Kostin has featured as a right wing, so that may be a way that you could go to get him into the lines.

The Blues’ prospect pool consists of many low-end prospects as well as a few potentially very useful youngsters. However, many of their better youngsters are two-way centers, which the team does not need. Ville Husso develops into a very good goalie in the game, and could already be seen as backup-worthy, while the playmaking skill of Jordan Kyrou is needed as soon as possible, but his overall rating is still far too low.

NHL 19 St. Louis Blues Top Prospects