The St. Louis Blues are back at it against the Dallas Stars, and this time the group on the ice should look a lot closer to what the regular season version will be. After opening the preseason with a prospect-heavy lineup, the Blues are set to give more of their NHL regulars a chance to get moving in Dallas.
With the preseason moving fast, the next three games matter more by the day. And on this night, three names stand out as the ones worth tracking.
Adam Jiricek is first on the list, and the opportunity is right in front of him. With Theo Lindstein’s strong camp and preseason showing, Jiricek now gets his turn to make a case for the opening-night roster.
He is being viewed as the top prospect defenseman, and this is the kind of game that can either strengthen that standing or shift momentum toward Lindstein. If Jiricek delivers against the Stars, the final two preseason games suddenly become a lot more interesting.
Robert Thomas will also be easy to spot, especially with the “C” attached. He is skating with Jimmy Snuggerud and Dylan Holloway on the top line, and that group is expected to hit the ice with plenty of chemistry right away.
Thomas is making his first unofficial appearance as Blues captain, and it marks another step in how far he has come with the franchise. It is preseason on paper, but the moment still carries real meaning.
Then there is Joel Hofer, who gets the chance to respond after Jordan Binnington’s rough outing in the first game of this two-game set with Dallas. Hofer has remained somewhat under the radar despite the reputation he has built, but that could start to change here.
The Blues are counting on him to be the starter for the 2026-27 season, and a sharp showing now would only help him settle in. That matters even more because the club is leaning on No. 30 with Binnington’s future uncertain.
Hofer should also have a defense in front of him that looks more like the real thing, with Adam Jiricek, Philip Broberg, and Logan Mailloux all in the mix. For him, this is about getting comfortable behind a lineup that should be close to what he sees once the games start counting.
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 🡒]
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 🡒]
Blues Still Face The Same Frustrating Question Despite New Additions
The Blues have spent the offseason trying to add more punch and balance, but the conversation around this roster keeps coming back to the same place. The Athletics early look at the 2026-27 picture still sees a team built around a strong top line, a promising starting goalie and a few new faces who could help reshape the middle of the lineup, with Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael among the additions expected to matter most.
Pavel Buchnevich also looms large as a possible rebound candidate, which only adds to the sense that St. Louis has enough talent to stay in the mix if the pieces fit. Still, the bigger issue is whether the Blues have truly solved the depth problems that have held them back, especially on defense and in net, where the margin for error remains thin and the path back to the playoffs still looks unsettled. [Read more 🡒]