Blues Hit the Olympic Break on a Slide, But a Few Bright Spots Emerge Amid the Struggles
The St. Louis Blues limp into the Olympic break on a tough three-game skid, and the timing couldn’t be worse.
After a pair of gut-punch losses this week - first blowing a 5-1 lead in a 6-5 regulation loss to Nashville, then surrendering a last-minute dagger to Dallas in a 5-4 defeat - the Blues head into a three-week pause with more questions than answers. But even in a rough stretch like this, there were a few standouts worth highlighting.
Let’s take a closer look at three figures who made an impact during a week the Blues would otherwise like to forget.
#3: Colton Parayko - Holding the Blue Line Steady
It took longer than anyone expected, but Colton Parayko finally lit the lamp for the first time this season on Monday. That’s a surprising stat when you remember he netted a career-high 16 goals just last year. Still, even with the offensive drought, Parayko continues to anchor the Blues’ blue line with his trademark defensive reliability.
He leads the team in blocked shots - a staggering 140 and counting - and no one else on the roster has even cracked triple digits. That tells you everything you need to know about his commitment to the defensive zone. He’s not flashy, but he’s foundational.
Now, as he heads to Italy to represent Team Canada in the Olympics, the Blues can only hope that finding the back of the net this week might spark something. If he comes back with a little more offensive confidence, it could be a welcome boost for a St. Louis team that’s struggled to keep pucks out of their own net - and put them in the other.
#2: Pavel Buchnevich - Heating Up at the Right (or Wrong?) Time
Pavel Buchnevich hasn’t had the smoothest season offensively, but this week showed flashes of the player Blues fans know he can be. The 30-year-old winger found his scoring touch in a big way, starting with a two-goal, one-assist outing against Nashville. He followed that up with the opening goal against Dallas on Wednesday and added a strong showing in the faceoff circle, winning 57% of his draws.
That’s the kind of stat line that turns heads - especially with the trade deadline looming.
The Blues are sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference, and all signs point to them being sellers as the deadline approaches. Buchnevich’s name has surfaced in trade chatter, though any move would require his approval due to a no-trade clause. But if he keeps this momentum going after the break, contending teams will come calling.
Whether he stays or goes, Buchnevich’s recent surge is a reminder of the skill he brings to the table - and how valuable that could be down the stretch, either for St. Louis or someone else.
#1: Doug Armstrong - Facing Reality and Making the Tough Calls
Doug Armstrong’s final season as general manager hasn’t gone according to plan, but this week, he made it clear he’s not going to let sentimentality get in the way of smart decisions.
The first domino fell on Wednesday, when the Blues sent Nick Bjugstad to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. It’s not a blockbuster deal, but it’s a clear signal that Armstrong is open for business - and looking toward the future.
This isn’t the first time the Blues have been in this position. Around this time last year, with the 4 Nations Face-Off on the horizon, Armstrong opted to hold onto key players like Brayden Schenn, and the team responded with a playoff push.
But this time, the writing’s on the wall. The Bjugstad deal suggests Armstrong is taking a different approach - and it’s the right one.
Justin Faulk’s trade value is peaking. Schenn is drawing interest again.
Jordan Binnington’s name is circulating, and even core players like Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou are surfacing in rumors. Not everyone will be on the move, but Armstrong is clearly weighing every option with an eye on long-term gains.
It’s not easy to be a seller, especially in your final season at the helm. But Armstrong deserves credit for putting the organization first, even if it means saying goodbye to some familiar faces.
What’s Next?
The Blues won’t hit the ice again until February 26, when they host the Seattle Kraken. In the meantime, all eyes turn to Italy, where five Blues players and several staff members will be chasing Olympic gold.
The break offers a reset - not just for the players, but for the front office as well. With the trade deadline looming and the future of the roster in flux, the next few weeks could shape the next chapter of Blues hockey.
One thing’s clear: the rest of this season isn’t about salvaging a playoff run. It’s about setting the foundation for what comes next. And if this week was any indication, that process is already underway.