The next day, Hitchcock was even more impressed.

“He played over 20 minutes and didn’t slow down,” Hitchcock said Tuesday, “didn’t lose energy, wasn’t tired. We watched him closely today and he came back with more energy today. So obviously the work he’s put in in the offseason has really advanced his level of on-ice fitness. He doesn’t get tired, he doesn’t wear down, the next day isn’t a drag. He’s put a helluva lot of work in to maintain a high level of play and not drop off. He dropped off a lot last year. The next day, he was lethargic at times. His level is pretty high right now.”

If this is a new thing for Berglund, the other change got a slight preview last season and Hitchcock liked enough of what he saw that he wants to give Berglund more of a look at left wing this season. (The Blues also added two centers, Paul Stastny and Jori Lehtera, in the offseason, facilitating a move of Berglund.)

“When he plays center,” Hitchcock said, “he has the puck way more, he slows the game down, controls the puck. When he plays as a winger, he breaks ahead of the play, he’s very dynamic off the rush. He’s a big body coming at you with a lot of speed. He’s coming at you off the rush. He’s a pretty dynamic player, so he’s very effective.