Philip Broberg, Joel Hofer, and the Youth Movement Powering the Blues' Future
There haven’t been many silver linings for the St. Louis Blues this season, but Philip Broberg has been one of them-and then some.
The 24-year-old Swedish defenseman has taken a significant leap forward, establishing himself not only as the team’s most reliable blue-liner but arguably its most impactful player overall. Since arriving via a bold offseason offer sheet from Edmonton less than two years ago, Broberg has done everything asked of him and more, earning a six-year extension that gives the Blues a foundational piece on the back end.
This isn’t just a promising young player flashing potential-Broberg has already become the guy in St. Louis.
He’s logging nearly 23 minutes a night, leading the team in ice time, and taking on the toughest matchups in the league. We’re talking about top-tier assignments against the likes of Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, and Broberg is not only holding his own-he’s thriving.
He’s the only Blues skater with a positive plus-minus (sitting at +1) among those who’ve played over 20 games, which says a lot considering the team’s overall struggles. For context, a veteran like Cam Fowler is at -21 in the same span.
Head coach Jim Montgomery isn’t shy about leaning on Broberg in every situation-5-on-5, penalty kill, power play, even 3-on-3 overtime. That kind of trust doesn’t come easy, and Broberg has earned it shift by shift.
He’s not just passing the eye test; the advanced metrics back it up too. It’s clear: Broberg is the future of the Blues’ blue line, and with his new deal in place, the front office has the flexibility to build around him without breaking the bank.
Joel Hofer’s Bounce-Back Season
Goaltending has been a rollercoaster for the Blues this year, but Joel Hofer is doing his best to stabilize the ride. He began the season in a familiar spot-backing up Jordan Binnington, just as he has the past three seasons-but things didn’t start smoothly.
Hofer’s early numbers were rough: a .790 save percentage and 4.25 goals against per game. At that point, questions were swirling about whether he could ever be a reliable NHL starter.
But Hofer didn’t flinch. Over the past three months, he’s flipped the script entirely. Since late November, he’s been one of the most statistically effective goaltenders in the league, gradually seizing the starting job and giving the Blues a reason to believe in their future between the pipes.
With Binnington continuing to struggle, Hofer has stepped up in a big way. His calm presence and technical sharpness have brought a sense of control to the crease that’s been missing for much of the season.
The conversation in St. Louis has shifted from "Can Hofer handle the job?"
to "Who backs him up now?" That’s how convincing his turnaround has been.
And make no mistake-when you have a young goaltender performing at this level, you don’t move him. Doug Armstrong knows that. Hofer’s emergence has given the Blues a clear direction in net, and it’s one less question mark for a team trying to retool on the fly.
The Youth Movement Is Here to Stay
Injuries and underperformance from the Blues’ veteran core have opened the door for the next generation, and the kids are making the most of it. Otto Stenberg, Dalibor Dvorsky, Jake Neighbours, and Jimmy Snuggerud aren’t just filling in-they’re carving out roles that look like long-term fits.
These aren’t trade chips. They’re building blocks.
The Blues have a chance to shape a roster around this young core, and the smart money says they’ll hold onto these pieces tightly. If big moves are coming-and they likely are-expect them to involve veterans like Jordan Kyrou, Brayden Schenn, or Justin Faulk. These are players who still have value, but may not align with the team’s timeline for contention.
The idea is clear: retool around the youth, not at their expense. The Blues aren’t looking for a full teardown.
They’re aiming to stay competitive while setting the stage for a legitimate Stanley Cup window later in the decade. That means giving players like Stenberg, Dvorsky, Neighbours, and Snuggerud the ice time and development runway they need-while using veteran assets to bring in complementary pieces.
The 2025-26 season hasn’t gone the way St. Louis hoped, but there’s a foundation forming.
Between Broberg’s emergence, Hofer’s resilience, and the rise of the young core, there’s reason to believe the Blues are closer to turning the corner than their record might suggest. If the front office plays its cards right, this could be the group that brings the Note back into serious contention-sooner than later.