5 Biggest Priorities for Blues Heading into Free Agency

Apr 11, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; St. Louis Blues center Keith Aucoin (15) skates against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

3. Extra Center Depth

Possibilities: Keith Aucoin, Adam Cracknell, Manny Malhotra, Brad Malone, Joe Vitale

All indications are that the Blues are prepared to move on from the lower-line veteran forwards that were part of the team last year, such as Brenden Morrow, Derek Roy, and Steve Ott. However, the loss of Roy and Ott removes two guys from the roster who were capable of taking face-offs. The current group of centers includes Maxim Lapierre, restricted free agent Vladimir Sobotka, and David Backes and Patrik Berglund, both of whom the team experimented with moving to wing last season. Wingers Alex Steen and Chris Porter have played center in the past, but it’s probably not ideal to have either of them at the position for an extended period of time.

With this in mind, the Blues might want to go get a player who can take face-offs and is willing to wait in Chicago until an opportunity prevents itself. The 35-year-old Aucoin, who spent nearly all of last season in the AHL, might be a good guy to re-sign and keep around for depth. There might not be a guaranteed spot for Cracknell on the 23-man roster to begin the season, but he’s had success when he’s been given chances at the NHL level, and he has been able to play center in a pinch before.