Maddox Dagenais wasted no time making an impression in his first taste of pro hockey.
The 16th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft made his St. Louis Blues preseason debut against Dallas, and even in a 2-1 loss, he stood out.
Wearing No. 82, Dagenais looked comfortable right away and showed the kind of tools that made him such an appealing pick in the first place.
At 6-foot-4, he brings size. He skates well.
He has real scoring touch. Those traits were all on display, even though he didn’t get on the board.
More than anything, Dagenais looked fearless with the puck and confident in his first game at this level.
In a little more than 14 minutes of ice time, he tied for second on the team with three shots on goal. Only Justin Carbonneau had more, finishing with four. For a Blues team still looking for more offense, that kind of early showing from Dagenais is exactly the sort of thing that catches attention.
The organization also announced that Dagenais and goaltender Vladimir Proskurin will head back to junior hockey. For Dagenais, that means another season with the Quebec Ramparts before, likely, getting some time with Springfield at the end of the year.
That next junior season could be a big one. He put up 30 goals, 32 assists and 62 points last season, and there’s reason to think he can push past those numbers if his development keeps moving the way it did in this first pro look.
For now, the takeaway is simple: the Blues got a promising first glimpse, and Dagenais looked every bit like a player worth watching.
In Other News...
Dylan Peterson Is Making The Blues Reconsider One Roster Spot
Dylan Peterson gave the Blues something to think about in their preseason meeting with the Dallas Stars, turning in the kind of lively effort that tends to stick with coaches. He finished with three hits, three shots on goal and a takeaway, while also bringing a physical edge that fit the tone of a player trying to carve out a place in the lineup.
Jim Montgomery liked what he saw from Petersons competitiveness and energy, the sort of traits that can make a young forward useful on a checking line. Even so, the more likely path still points to Springfield to start the season with the Thunderbirds, where he can keep developing while the Blues sort through the last spots on the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Blues Just Made An Early Camp Decision Prospects Will Notice
Marc-Andre Gaudets first stop in Blues camp has ended with a familiar demotion, as the organization moved him through waivers and sent him to AHL Springfield. It is an early reminder of how quickly the numbers game can tighten in September, especially for players trying to turn a camp invite or depth role into a longer look with St. Louis.
For the prospects still in the mix, the move matters because every roster cut changes the shape of the competition around them. The Blues now have 39 players left in training camp, and while that still leaves room for more sorting, it also signals that the next wave of decisions is getting closer for anyone hoping to stick. [Read more 🡒]
Blues Camp Battles Are Starting To Reveal A Clear Divide
The first preseason look gave the Blues a little of everything, from Jordan Binnington in net to several likely NHL regulars getting their first game action, including Pius Suter and Alexey Toropchenko. Even in a matchup that carried the usual exhibition caveats, the 2-1 result against Dallas helped sharpen the picture of where the roster stands and how this group wants to play, especially with the team's physical tone showing up early.
It also started to separate the players who looked ready for a bigger role from those who may need more time to round into form. Some prospects turned heads with promising stretches, while others did not leave the same impression, and those early camp evaluations are beginning to matter as the Blues sort through competition for spots and look for the right mix of youth, depth, and grit. [Read more 🡒]