Stanley Cups: 0

2011-'12 record: 49-22-1-10, 109 points (1st in Central, 2nd in West)

2011-'12 playoffs: Def. San Jose Sharks 4-1; lost to Los Angeles Kings 4-0.

Coach: Ken Hitchcock (576-365-169, 16th NHL year, 4th team)

Top returning scorer: RW David Backes (24 goals, 30 assists, 54 points)

Top returning goalie: Jaroslav Halak (26-12-7, 1.97, .926)

Key additions: D Jeff Woywitka; C Andrew Murray.

Key subtractions: C Jason Arnott; D Carlo Colaiacovo; RW B.J. Crombeen; D Kent Huskins.

Goaltending: Both Halak and partner Brian Elliott (1.56) posted goals-against averages under two as the Blues captured the Jennings Trophy and posted the NHL’s lowest GAA for the first time since 1999-2000 and just the third time in franchise history.

Player to watch: RW Vladimir Tarasenko. Blues’ top pick in the 2010 entry draft, is a four-year veteran of the KHL at age 20. He was tied for eighth in KHL scoring last season with 23-24-47 totals in 54 games and also was second in scoring for Russia’s 2011 world junior team with 11 points in seven games.

Icing: At end of last season, GM Doug Armstrong and Hitchcock challenged players in team meeting to prove that 2011-12 was a new culture and not just a one-hit wonder . . . RW Chris Stewart will look to rebound. He scored 15 goals last season after back-to-back 28-goal campaigns . . . Blues won division last season despite the lengthy injury absences of top forwards David Perron, Alex Steen and Andy McDonald.

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