After having traded Jaroslav Halak for Ryan Miller prior to the trade deadline last season, and subsequently deciding to part ways with the latter, the St. Louis Blues head into next season with the likely goaltending duo of Brian Elliott and Jake Allen.

Elliott, 29, is a veteran of 235 NHL games, with a career save percentage of .911. His resume, however, includes 18 postseason games wherein his save percentage drops to .898, a number that certainly won't cut it for a Stanley Cup contender like the Blues.

Allen, 23, was drafted 34th overall by the Blues in 2008, and while his AHL numbers - highlighted by a .928 save percentage in 52 games in 2013-14 - suggest he's ready of at least backing up in the NHL, he brings only 15 games of experience with St. Louis to the table.

All of the above notwithstanding, head coach Ken Hitchcock appears more than ready to enter a new season with these two options in net, as told to Dan Rosen of NHL.com:

Well, I'm a big believer in Brian Elliott. I know how good Jake is and I know how good he's going to be, but there's going to be an adjustment phase for Jake because he's only played 10 games in the NHL. We know how talented he is. He's had a great career in the American [Hockey] League, but he's still got the daily adjustment he has to go through. I'm a big believer that Brian has gotten better since he's been here and I thought last year was his best year. When we traded for Ryan Miller we were obligated to give Ryan every opportunity, but nobody lost sight of how good Brian Elliott was the whole year. Jake is the perfect example of a player who has earned the right to enter the National Hockey League. He's earned the right to do this, but whether the adjustment takes two weeks or two months, there's still going to be an adjustment phase. We're going to have to be patient with him and get him so he can get his feet wet. We can't just expect a guy to walk out of the American Hockey League and say, 'OK, I'm here, ready to play every game.' This is the first time Brian gets to carry the ball for a little while and I think you're going to see Brian play better because he knows he's going to be really counted on now. I look at Brian as No. 1. Whether Jake is a 1A or a 2, we're going to find that out, but right now Brian is No. 1 and our hope is Jake is 1A.

With the way the Central Division is shaping up, the Blues will need top-level goaltending in order to compete, whether it be from Elliott, Allen, or otherwise.