Like clockwork, Patrik Berglund is playing like he should. At 6'4" and 210 pounds, Berglund rarely uses his size to his advantage until the latter stages of the NHL season. Last year he came on about this time and infused belief back into many Blues fans with most of his 22 goals and 30 assists coming down the stretch. His powerhouse performance continued in the 2011 World Championships, where he received MVP consideration.But also like clockwork, he began the current NHL season flat again. He was nonexistent for the first 50 games. His defensive play was average at best, and he showed little enthusiasm on the ice.
Last year, assistant coach Scott Mellanby allegedly lit a fire under Berglund with his own unique-style of heart-to-heart with the young Blues forward (think of the language that was used). It worked well, but if you are an NHL player, do you constantly need a coach questioning your manhood to get you going? Do the Blues want that kind of player on the roster?
Cup contenders have self-motivated players, and THAT is what it's all about. This fan is not interested in a good season, MVP awards, breakout players, attendance, entertainment value of games, etc. He's interested in a big shinny silver trophy making its way down Market. And I only want players that are interested in that path as well (i.e. David Backes and Perron).
So for the Blues, the big question this season is: Will Berglund's fire keep burning in the playoffs? If it does, I will take the slow start. Cup contenders always have a hot goal scorer in the playoffs. But notoriously, skill players such as Berglund do not fair well in the post season. Time and space, something that Berglund should create with his size but often does not, will be limited to "nowhere to be found" in the postseason. His play in last year's World Championships was encouraging, but that was when he was playing for Sweden, not St. Louis.
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