Preview: Blues at Kraken | St Louis Blues

When: Tuesday, October 8, 3:30 p.m. CT
Where: Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle
Regard: ESPN, ESPN+
Hear: 101 ESPN, Blues App

QUICK CONCLUSIONS

BLUES Drew Bannister begins his first full season behind an NHL bench after having the “interim” tag removed from his title over the summer. Since replacing Craig Berube last season, Bannister led the Blues to a 30-19-5 record and scored 65 points. Over a full season, Bannister's .602 points percentage would have been projected to be 99 points.

Bannister begins the season with a newly assembled squad. Stars like Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, Pavel Buchnevich, Brayden Schenn, Colton Parayko, Justin Faulk and Jordan Binnington are back, but there are plenty of new additions. Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg were acquired via offer sheets from the Edmonton Oilers, while Raden Faksa (Dallas), Alexandre Texier (Columbus) and Mathieu Joseph (Ottawa) were all acquired via offseason trades. GM Doug Armstrong also signed free agent defensemen Ryan Suter and Pierre-Olivier Joseph, potentially giving the Blues seven players who could make their Blues debut in Tuesday's season opener.

Armstrong wants to get his team back to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.

OCTOPUS After a second-round playoff run in the 2022-23 season, the Seattle Kraken did not qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the 2023-24 season, finishing sixth in the Pacific Division with a record of 34-35-15 .

The club replaced Dave Hakstol – the first coach in Kraken history – by signing Dan Bylsma in May. Bylsma won a Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, but spent the last two seasons as coach of Seattle's AHL affiliate.

The Kraken will look to bolster their offense after finishing 29th in the NHL in goals scored last season (2.61 goals per game). Jared McCann and Oliver Björkstrand were the only players to break the 20-goal mark for the Kraken.

In July, Seattle bolstered the team by adding free agent Chandler Stephenson and defenseman Brandon Montour, who won a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers.

Former Blues Jaden Schwartz and Vince Dunn return for the Kraken and will likely play a big role in whether Seattle reaches the postseason again.