Pivotal Player: Paul Stastny has opportunity to fill voids left in Backes’ wake

Stasty came to the Blues having scored 458 points in 538 games, good for .85 points per game through his career in Colorado. His production has taken somewhat of a dip since moving to Saint Louis, but Stastny has been mostly deployed as a second-line center in a much more defensively sound scheme under Ken Hitchcock, which can help explain the dip in production. He has posted 95 points in 138 games in Saint Louis playing in that altered role, which is still good for .69 points per game. He has also been somewhat limited in games played due to injuries over the two seasons with the Blues. Stastny enters the season at age 30 and will be looking to play 75 games or more for the first time in a Blues sweater.

Stastny has long been a thorn in the side of most teams in the Central Division throughout his career in Colorado, and he will have the perfect opportunity to return to that level in his elevated role this season in St. Louis. For the first time since signing his latest contract, he will be consistently put in the best situation for him to succeed and could be a true difference maker that helps Blues team remain relevant and competitive through a transitional period for the franchise. While on paper, it may appear that they have taken a step back, but a player like Stastny could be the guy to make a difference if he can stay healthy.