The St. Louis Blues are aiming to find their way back into the postseason in 2026-27, and the direction from Alex Steen’s first offseason as general manager made that clear.
But the front office can only do so much. For this team to actually contend, the on-ice group has to match the organization’s plan.
That leaves three major boxes the Blues need to check.
First, the franchise has to fully buy into the Robert Thomas era. Naming Thomas captain was the right call, but it can’t stop at a letter stitched onto his sweater. The team needs to build around his leadership and make him the center of everything they do.
There’s no sign the Blues are resisting that. Still, once a player gets the “C,” the tone inside a team can shift.
If St. Louis rallies behind Thomas, the impact should show up on the ice.
The one concern is health. Thomas dealt with injury issues last season, and if that happens again, the Blues could lose their footing. In that case, the rest of the official leadership group would have to absorb more of the load.
The second priority is getting real growth from the young players. That includes Jake Neighbours, Dalibor Dvorsky, Jimmy Snuggerud, and Theo Lindstein.
Mason McTavish may be the biggest name in that group. The 23-year-old drew criticism in Anaheim last season for inconsistent play, which helped set up his move to St.
Louis and brought even more attention his way. Now he has to show Anaheim was the issue, not him.
If he clicks in St. Louis, the questions about whether he can be a top-six center should fade fast.
The other young pieces have their own jobs to do. Snuggerud needs to prove he belongs on the top line.
Neighbours has to show he can be a complete forward. Dvorsky needs to demonstrate he’s ready for the NHL.
If those players can move past prospect status, that’s a win for the Blues’ long-term plan and their immediate hopes this season.
Then there’s the blue line, which may end up deciding a lot more than people think. Goaltending has gotten plenty of attention, but none of that matters much if the defense can’t hold up.
Philip Broberg looks like the closest thing to a sure bet, but even he has to prove he’s ready to grow into a true number-one defenseman. Around him, veterans Cam Fowler, Colton Parayko, and Brandon Carlo will need to handle the demands of the season.
The younger defensemen could wind up being just as important. That group includes Lindstein, Logan Mailloux, and possibly Adam Jiricek.
Mailloux is the one under the brightest spotlight. If he can’t secure a full-time role, the Blues may not wait around long before looking elsewhere.
Lindstein has more runway, but St. Louis doesn’t exactly have a wave of ready-made replacements coming through the system.
That’s why the younger defensemen have to work. If they don’t, the Blues may have to go shopping for another blueliner.
In Other News...
Blues Prospects Are Forcing Attention Earlier Than Expected
September has barely settled in, but a few Blues prospects are already giving the organization something to track from afar. The update from Sept. 20 spans the KHL, VHL and junior ranks, with Dmitri Buchelnikov, Matvei Korotky, Lars Steiner, Ondrej Kos and Mikhail Fyodorov all showing signs of progress in their own lanes while the Ontario Hockey League season is beginning to stir for players such as Colin Fitzgerald and Nick Bogas.
Buchelnikovs early scoring with CSKA Moskva is the most eye-catching part of the overseas snapshot, and Korotkys stop-and-start path between the KHL and VHL is another reminder that development does not always move in a straight line. Add in the early contributions from the junior side, and the Blues are seeing more of their young depth than expected this soon, even if the bigger question is which of these starts can turn into something lasting as the season unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
Blues Put Real Pressure On One Preseason Test In Dallas
The Blues head into their preseason game in Dallas with a lineup that looks a little more like October than September, as several NHL regulars are set for their first appearance of the season. It is the kind of test that matters more than the final score, especially for a team trying to get its top players, and its structure, moving in the right direction before the games start counting.
Adam Jiricek is among the names worth watching as he continues to push for a role on the blue line, while Robert Thomas anchors the first line and gives the club a familiar center to build around. Joel Hofer is also expected to get the start in goal, another reminder that the Blues are using this trip to Dallas to sort out the pieces they plan to lean on when the regular season arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Theo Lindstein Just Turned Up The Heat On A Blues Roster Battle
The Blues are only one preseason game into their evaluation of the blue line, but Theo Lindstein has already made the competition feel a little more urgent. St. Louis is sorting through a defensive group with spots still available, and Lindsteins strong first impression has put him squarely in the mix as the club begins narrowing down its options.
Adam Jiricek remains part of the picture, and the next preseason game should offer a clearer look at how the battle is shaping up. With final roster decisions still ahead, the Blues have time to weigh each performance, but Lindstein has at least given the staff something to think about early in the process. [Read more 🡒]