Blues Enter Reset Mode: What’s Next for St. Louis After a Lost Season
The St. Louis Blues aren’t mathematically eliminated from the playoffs just yet-but let’s be real.
With 25 games left and a 20-28-9 record through 57 games, this season is effectively over. The Blues are sitting at 49 points, second-worst in the NHL, ahead of only the Vancouver Canucks.
In a Central Division stacked at the top, St. Louis has fallen flat, and the focus now shifts from the postseason to the future.
The Trade Deadline: Armstrong’s Final Move
All eyes turn to the March trade deadline, and this one carries extra weight for the organization. General Manager Doug Armstrong has already made the first move, shipping Nick Bjugstad to the New Jersey Devils before the Olympic roster freeze. Bjugstad had just signed last summer and still had a year left on his deal, so moving him this early was a clear message: the teardown is on, and no one is untouchable.
This will be Armstrong’s final trade deadline as GM, with Alex Steen already named as his successor. That makes this deadline not just about the present, but about setting the table for the future.
Armstrong can’t afford to make short-sighted deals-he’s handing off the keys to Steen, and the return on any trades involving core players like Robert Thomas or Jordan Kyrou has to be significant. These are players in their prime, young enough to be part of the next competitive Blues team.
If they’re moved, the return needs to be franchise-altering.
Beyond the big names, there are other veterans who could be on the move. Jordan Binnington, fresh off Olympic duty, is one name to watch.
So are Justin Faulk and captain Brayden Schenn. While these players might not fetch top-tier assets, the Blues can’t afford to give them away for pennies.
Every piece matters in a rebuild, and getting solid value in return is how you build a foundation.
Youth Movement Incoming
Once the trade deadline passes, expect the kids to take center stage. Dalibor Dvorsky and Jimmy Snuggerud should see their ice time increase significantly.
Otto Stenberg could be recalled, and if Dylan Holloway is healthy, he needs a long look. Philip Broberg, already extended and representing Sweden at the Olympics, will also be a key part of the youth movement.
This stretch run is all about development. With veterans likely on the move, the Blues have a chance to throw their prospects into the fire and let them learn on the fly.
It’s not always pretty, but it’s the kind of experience that accelerates growth. If St.
Louis wants to fast-track its return to relevance, it starts by giving these young players meaningful minutes against top-tier competition.
Draft Capital and the Road Ahead
If the standings hold, the Blues are on track for a top-five draft pick-maybe even the No. 1 overall selection, which would be just the second in franchise history. That’s the kind of draft position that can change the direction of a team overnight.
There are several high-end prospects in this class, and hitting on this pick is non-negotiable. This is where rebuilds are won or lost.
There’s also a fun wrinkle to watch: the possibility of drafting Ivar Stenberg, Otto’s brother. It’s a long shot, but the idea of having siblings in the same organization adds a layer of intrigue and chemistry that fans love.
And the trade activity won’t stop at the deadline. Players who aren’t moved in March could still be dealt in the offseason.
Many have term left on their contracts, making them viable trade chips even after the season ends. That gives Alex Steen a chance to step into his new role and start shaping the team in his vision.
His first real test as GM will come this summer, and the decisions he makes will help define the next era of Blues hockey.
The Big Picture
Yes, it’s a tough time to be a Blues fan. The team is near the bottom of the standings, the playoff dream is dead, and beloved veterans could be on their way out.
But there’s also a sense of opportunity in the air. The organization has a chance to reset, to retool with purpose, and to build something new around a promising group of young players and future draft picks.
The season may be lost, but the future isn’t. The next few months will be critical-both in terms of who stays, who goes, and how the Blues position themselves for a rebound.
The rebuild is underway. Now it’s about getting it right.