head coach: Joel Quenneville

roster: C - Pierre Turgeon, Darren Turcotte, Harry York, Craig Conroy, Robert Petrovicky. LW - Geoff Courtnall, Tony Twist, Scott Pellerin, Pavol Demitra, Terry Yake. RW - Brett Hull, Joe Murphy, Jim Campbell, Rudy Poescheck. D - Al MacInnis, Chris Pronger, Steve Duchesne, Marc Bergevin, Ricard Persson, Chris McAlpine, Alexander Godynyuk, Jamie Rivers. G - Grant Fuhr, Jamie McLennan.
*-Unsigned free agent.

injuries: None.

transactions: XX/XX - Announced the retirement of Craig MacTavish. 07/01 - Released goaltender Jon Casey, defenseman Trent Yawney, left wing Sergio Momesso and right wing Rob Pearson. 07/02 - Fired assistant general manager Bob Berry. 07/08 - Signed free agent right wing Rudy Poeschek (Tampa Bay) to a three-year contract. 07/25 - Acquired center Darren Turcotte from the San Jose Sharks for forward Stephane Matteau. 08/04 - Re-signed center Pierre Turgeon to a one-year contract. 08/12 - Re-signed free agent center Craig Conroy; signed forwards Terry Yake, Blair Atcheynum and Bruce Ramsay. 08/27 - Acquired defenseman Steve Duchesne from the Ottawa Senators for defenseman Igor Kravchuk. 08/29 - Agreed to terms with right wing Shayne Toporowski. 09/11 - Agreed to terms with defenseman Rory Fitzpatrick, right wing Chris Kenady and center Jochen Hecht.

standings:

1996-97 FINAL RESULTS
RECORD:     
 OVERALL      36-35-11
 HOME         17-20-4
 ROAD         19-15-7        
POINTS:             83 (12th)
GOALS SCORED:      236 (14th)   
GOALS AGAINST:     239 (14th)
POWER PLAY:      15.3% (15th)
PENALTY KILLING: 83.4% (14th) 

game results:

PRE-SEASON RESULTS
9/14 Dallas             L 4-1   

team news:

by Michael Dell, editor-in-chief

BLUES SINGING NEW TUNE

Now that the Dark Ages of Mike Keenan have passed, the St. Louis Blues can go about trying to rebuild from the wreckage. Coach Joel Quenneville and new GM Larry Pleau have a lot of work ahead of them, but the Blues just might surprise a few people this season.

OFFENSE: Happy Hull

Of course, the most important member of the St. Louis Blues remains Brett Hull. There have been some wacky trade rumors circulating this summer, but don't believe the hype. Hull will wear the blue note. If he were to leave town, fans would probably burn the Kiel Center. Part of the trade speculation was fueled by Hull's becoming an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Both sides are currently trying to iron out a contract extension worth about $5 million a season. With Keenan no longer around to cause Hull grief, the superstar sniper could be in store for his first 50-goal season since 1993-94.

Pierre Turgeon will once again be acting as Hull's setup man. Turgeon is known more for his bullet wrist shot than his passing, but he can make some plays. It took the duo a while to warm up last season after Turgeon came over from Montreal, but once they did they got hot in a hurry. Geoff Courtnall also had a weak season salvaged somewhat by moving up to play on their left side. For a few weeks there, the Hull-Turgeon-Courtnall line was the best in hockey. If they can rekindle that magic, the Blues will have a fearsome top scoring line.

The club traded Stephane Matteau to San Jose this summer in exchange for Darren Turcotte. The 29-year-old Turcotte still has plenty of speed and should give the club a second line center that can score, something it lacked last season. How much he'll score is somewhat questionable, but he should be good for between 20 and 30 goals. Jim Campbell, last year's rookie sensation, will be skating the right side on the second line. Campbell found a home in St. Louis after never getting a chance with the Canadiens or Ducks. His 23 goals in 68 games last season were no joke. He's got some skills. He could crack 30. Joe Murphy will likely round out the second line and could be the key to the entire St. Louis season. With Murphy's speed and shot, he should be 30 goals in the bank every year. Unfortunately, his work ethic is rarely on a level with his talent. He had just 20 goals and 45 points last season. That's simply not enough for a player of his caliber.

Campbell was the most heralded rookie last year, but good ol' Harry York had a nice initial season, as well. While Campbell's stock in trade is scoring goals, York's all about working hard and finishing his checks. He's not the fastest skater in the world, but he's extremely sturdy on his blades. When he hits, it's usually the other guy that goes flying. He still has some learning to do about playing center in the NHL, but he has the makeup to be a great checking line center.

The rest of the spots on offense are pretty much wide open. And there are plenty of jobs available, with Craig MacTavish having retired, Mike Peluso and Steve Leach traded, and Sergio Momesso and Rob Pearson released. Scott Pellerin and Craig Conroy should have jobs locked up thanks to their work towards the end of last season. The duo teamed up to be one of the club's top penalty- killing pairs and should be back in similar roles. The club could get some scoring help in the forms of Robert Petrovicky and Pavol Demitra. Both are extremely skilled players that could put up some points if given a chance. The only problem is that they're both on the small side and aren't exactly known for their defense. And of course Tony Twist will be back to bust heads. And let the issue be settled right now, Tony Twist is the best fighter in hockey.

Hull, Turgeon, Courtnall, Campbell, Turcotte, and Murphy give the Blues a lot of talent in the top six forwards. There's six potential 30-goal guys right there. Will all of them get 30? Well, no. But the potential is there. Combine that with some capable checkers in York, Conroy, and Pellerin, and the Blues could have some success.

DEFENSE: Top Heavy

Larry Pleau didn't waste any time in making his first outright steal as a GM, trading the steady but unspectacular Igor Kravchuk to Ottawa for Steve Duchesne. The 32-year-old Duchesne will be making his second tour of duty with the Blues (1993-95) and should give the club another scoring threat from the blue line. Duchesne had 19 goals with the Senators last season and has gone over 20 three times in his career. He can log lots of ice time and play in all situations. His heavy shot and pinpoint passing make him one of the best power-play quarterbacks in the game. His presence will also take some of the heat off Al MacInnis. Teams won't be able to just drape all over MacInnis when Duchesne is out at the other point. With Duchesne on board, MacInnis could also be spared some ice time in order to keep his 34-year- old body fresh for the playoffs.

Chris Pronger's ice time won't drop. The 23-year-old is probably strong enough to go a full 60 if needed. Pronger has developed into one of the game's most dominating defenseman, logging more ice time than any other skater in the league, with the possible exception of Chris Chelios. And he's done it all while under the burden known as the guy who cost the city Brendan Shanahan. Keenan doesn't deserve much praise for anything he did in St. Louis, but he did stick with Pronger during the tough times after the trade and he gave him all the ice time he could handle. Now that the early growing pains are over, all that experience on the ice is paying off.

Pronger, MacInnis, and Duchesne give the Blues an impressive top three defenders. But the blue line is top heavy, without much depth after the big three. Marc Bergevin is a good, steady veteran that can adequately fill the four hole. After that, it's pretty much anybody's guess. Ricard Persson, Libor Zabransky, Chris McAlpine, Rory Fitzpatrick, and Jamie Rivers will all be vying for the final slots.

GOALTENDING: Fuhr's Lonesome

St. Louis' goaltending will be in good hands as long as Grant Fuhr stays healthy. The 35-year-old is the ironhorse of goaltending, appearing in 152 games the past two seasons. All the work hasn't dulled his skills any. Fuhr is as agile and quick as the day he entered the league way back in 1981. Part of the reason why he has to play so much, tho', is that St. Louis hasn't had a good backup since Guy Hebert left in 1993-94. Jon Casey had the gig recently, but he got cut loose this off-season. That leaves the job up for grabs between former Islander Jamie McLennan and Rich Parent, who helped lead the Detroit Vipers to an IHL championship. Money is on Parent to win out.

GEE, THAT'S SWELL

* A lot of potential in the top six forwards.

* Pronger, MacInnis, and Duchesne are three of the best defensemen in the game.

* Keenan's gone and Quenneville's in charge.

TROUBLE

* Murphy and Courtnall are chronic underachievers.

* Defense lacks depth.

* If Fuhr gets hurt they're done.

1997-98 OUTLOOK: The Blues need to get some production from Murphy and Courtnall to be successful. If they come through, the offense should be in good shape. The power play should be scary with MacInnis and Duchesne at the points and Hull and Turgeon down low. As long as Fuhr stays healthy, the Blues could be a factor.

PREDICTION: Fourth in the Central and in the playoffs. But depending on what happens with Fedorov in Detroit, they could sneak up to third or even second.

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