The St. Louis Blues have been preaching for two seasons that they're in the middle of a retool. Typically, the definition of a retool is a hockey club coming out publicly and saying they won't be good enough to make the playoffs but won't be bad enough to get a Top 10 pick in the draft.
As a result of the retool, the Blues have been putting Jordan Kyrou in crucial late-game situations to see how he handles the pressure. Kyrou is known for his incredible skating ability, great hands, and wicked shot. He's definitely not known as a defense-first player, but he's shown glimpses of solid defensive play throughout his career.
Drew Bannister did not use Kyrou in a crucial situation against Buffalo
Although Kyrou is not a defense first player, his speed and shot are worth a gamble once it's crunch time in the third period. Kyrou has had a couple of bad turnovers in the final minutes of games that have cost the Blues wins this season. It's not the fact that Kyrou didn't play; it's who Bannister put out on the ice in his place.
Oskar Sundqvist is a great hockey player, but he should not be on the ice in the last minutes of the third period in a tie game. That is a substation you make if you're a team that isn't a retool, which the Blues are currently in.
The Blues need to define their goal for this season
Bannister's coaching style this season has told fans two different things, and this decision in Buffalo highlights it perfectly. If the goal of this season is to retool and not make the playoffs, put Kyrou out there in that situation. Who cares if he fails? Every young player sees growing pains in the NHL.
If they want the playoffs, which would be against everything the organization has told the fans, make the moves that show that. Stop being inconsistent with the decisions you make, because it sends mixed messages to the fans, not knowing what the team is playing for every night.