from Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch,

... Here’s a word to consider: Dynasty.

The label is thrown around carelessly in sports, often applied where it doesn’t belong. And maybe it’s reckless to suggest it in this context. But part of me wonders if the Blues could become eligible.

Winning back-to-back Stanley Cup championships is a first cousin of impossible. Consecutive championships claimed by Pittsburgh in 2016 and 2017 remain the only example of a repeat since the arrival of the league’s salary cap. Those Penguins were the first to successfully defend their title since the 1997 and 1998 Detroit Red Wings. (For context, Robert Thomas wasn’t alive to see Detroit’s repeat.)

It’s challenging, and that’s an understatement. But the Blues should have a legitimate shot.

They have their coach in Craig Berube. They have their goalie in Jordan Binnington. They have a roster crammed with players who know what it takes to win at the highest level. That might be the biggest collective strength of this team now. It understands what can only be taught by experience. And at least for now, all members are expected to be healthy for camp. Just don’t be surprised if veterans are eased into action.

“We publicly stated (last offseason) we thought we were entering a new five-year window,” Armstrong said.

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