The St. Louis Blues are about to get an early read on several of their top prospects when they head to Chicago for a two-game rookie showcase against the Blackhawks. The clubs play Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. and again Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. at USG Arena inside the Blackhawks Ice Center.
Before that trip, the Blues will practice Sept. 12 and 13 at Centene Community Ice Center. Main training camp opens Sept. 17, which makes this a useful stop on the calendar for young players trying to stand out before the real competition starts.
Here are five prospects worth tracking in Chicago, starting with the one who looks closest to an NHL job.
Aleksanteri Kaskimaki sits at the top of the list because he already has the kind of pro experience that separates him from a lot of the other names in the group. The 22-year-old forward spent most of last season with Springfield and produced 20 goals and 24 assists for 44 points in 64 AHL games, finishing second on the team in both goals and points.
He also got five NHL games with the Blues after a recall last season. Kaskimaki has the skating, the center-wing versatility, and the offensive growth to keep pushing his case.
He may not be locked into anything when camp opens, but he’s the one here who looks closest to forcing the issue.
Justin Carbonneau is another big one to watch, and for obvious reasons. The 2025 first-round pick was electric in his final QMJHL season with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, piling up 51 goals and 80 points in 60 games.
His 51 goals tied for the league lead and earned him the Mario Lemieux Trophy as the QMJHL’s top goal scorer. He then added 20 points in 17 playoff games before appearing in three Calder Cup playoff games with Springfield.
Carbonneau’s shot, hands, and ability to attack off the rush already jump off the page. The real question now is how that offense holds up against faster, stronger competition.
Colin Ralph may not grab attention the same way, but his profile is built for the next level. The 2024 second-round pick spent last season at Michigan State, where he had one goal and 10 assists in 37 games while helping the Spartans win the Big Ten regular-season championship.
He also played for the United States at the 2025 World Junior Championship and came home with a gold medal. At 6-foot-4, Ralph brings the size the Blues want on the back end, but his skating is what makes him especially interesting.
He moves well, defends with his feet, and used his reach and positioning to be one of Michigan State’s better defensive players. He signed his entry-level contract in April and reported to Springfield, so this showcase is another step in the transition.
Felix Trudeau comes into the event after one of the best seasons of his college career. The 23-year-old forward scored 25 goals and finished with 48 points in 39 games for Sacred Heart, ranking second nationally in goals and leading the country with 12 power-play goals.
He was named the Atlantic Hockey America Player of the Year, made the First All-Star Team, and became a Hobey Baker Award top-10 finalist. After signing with the Blues in March, Trudeau also played eight AHL games with Springfield and posted one goal and one assist.
At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, he has the frame to handle pro hockey. Now he has to keep proving his scoring can travel.
Lukas Fischer rounds out the group after a strong year in the OHL. The 2024 second-round pick put up eight goals and 36 assists for 44 points in 65 games split between the Sarnia Sting and Soo Greyhounds.
Those 44 points ranked 15th among OHL defensemen, and his 36 assists tied for 11th. Fischer has already logged three AHL games during the 2024-25 season, but this is a bigger stage to show how far his game has come.
He brings size, puck movement, and enough offense from the blue line to make him a defenseman worth following closely.
Two games won’t settle anything for the Blues, but they will tell the organization a lot about where these prospects stand heading into camp. For each of them, Chicago is a chance to make a statement before the next round of roster battles begins.
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