The Blackhawks and Blues have added another chapter to a rivalry that already seems permanently wired together.
St. Louis made the first move by naming its 25th captain in franchise history, and Chicago answered by naming its 37th captain. The result gives both teams a clear face for what comes next, and it sets up another long run of Connor Bedard and Robert Thomas seeing plenty of each other in the Central Division.
That captain pairing comes with one major difference: age. Thomas is in his prime and moving toward what could be his best years, while Bedard is already a superstar at just 21 years old. Both clubs were looking to identify the player who can represent their future, and they got that done over the summer.
The on-ice matchup between the two won’t happen right away, though. Bedard is expected to be out for a few months after a shoulder injury, which means the anticipated captain-vs.-captain opening faceoff will have to wait. That leaves Thomas with a cleaner runway to start the season without having to deal with one of the NHL’s top centers across from him.
Even with both teams sitting in the bottom half of the league in recent years, the rivalry has stayed tight and competitive. Now the outlook around both franchises is brighter, and the idea of these teams meeting regularly with young stars and designated leaders in place gives the Central Division a fresh edge.
Chicago’s move to elevate its next captain also comes as the Blackhawks continue to add skill. St.
Louis, meanwhile, is leaning into a different kind of identity. The Blues’ youth is expected to emerge soon, and their fourth line could feature a heavy, physical trio in Alexey Toropchenko, Jack Finley, and Ross Johnston.
The toughness and intensity have returned to the Blue Note, and Pius Suter is another player who could bring a nastier edge as well.
The long view is what makes this interesting. Both teams have young players coming into their own or just entering the league, and the next decade could bring plenty of battles for every point as they chase the top of the Central Division.
Every team in the division now has a captain, and the race to see which one can carry his club furthest is officially on.
In Other News...
Blues Camp Is Already Hinting At One Tough Opening Night Call
On the second day of Blues training camp, the shape of the opening-night picture did not budge. Group A stayed intact, which says plenty this early in September, especially when that group is being treated as the closest thing to an NHL lineup. Head coach Jim Montgomery seems comfortable with the current forward and defense combinations, with Mason McTavish still handling second-line center duties and Theo Lindstein continuing to press for a regular role on the blue line alongside Colton Parayko.
The longer this setup holds, the clearer the competition gets for everyone on the outside looking in. The Group B skaters have not yet made a compelling enough case to climb into the main mix, and the path into the roster picture is starting to narrow for some of the younger defensemen and depth forwards. For now, the Blues are spending camp time confirming rather than rearranging, and that leaves a few players running out of chances to change Montgomerys mind. [Read more 🡒]
Logan Mailloux Enters Blues Camp With Little Room For Error
Logan Mailloux finished last season in a much better place than where he started, working his way onto the Blues blue line after a slow opening stretch and a short stay in the AHL. That late push put him in the conversation for a more permanent NHL job, which is no small thing for a young defenseman trying to turn a strong finish into real standing heading into camp.
Now comes the harder part. St. Louis has plenty of young defensemen in the mix, and the coaching staff will be watching Mailloux closely as it sorts out who earns the next round of minutes and responsibility. The camp battle should tell a lot about where he fits, and whether his momentum from last season is enough to separate him from the pack. [Read more 🡒]
Blues Put Real Pressure On Pavel Buchnevich This Camp
Pavel Buchnevich is starting camp in a place that says plenty about where the Blues want more from him. Jim Montgomery has him working with Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael, a spot that still keeps Buchnevich in the middle of the forward picture but also makes clear the club is not handing him anything on reputation alone. His point-per-game production has trended down over the last three seasons, and St. Louis is looking for a sharper offensive return from one of its most established scorers.
The pressure is there for more than just hockey reasons. Buchnevich carries a major financial commitment and a no-trade clause, which only raises the stakes as younger players push for bigger roles. For the Blues, the question is not whether he can still help, but whether he can do enough to stay in the top six and justify the kind of season the team now needs from him. [Read more 🡒]