The St. Louis Blues are stuck in the middle - not quite rebuilding, not quite contending - and their record hovering below .500 reflects that.
There’s talent on the roster, but the pieces aren’t quite clicking, and the bigger picture is starting to come into focus. Some of the players once viewed as foundational are now looking more like trade chips than cornerstones.
But amid the inconsistency and frustration, one player has emerged as a bright spot: Philip Broberg. The 24-year-old defenseman has quietly - or maybe not so quietly - taken over as the team’s most impactful blueliner.
And with his entry-level contract set to expire after the 2025-26 season, the Blues are going to have to open the checkbook if they want to keep him in St. Louis long-term.
Broberg’s Rise - and What It Means for the Rest of the D-Core
Broberg’s development has been one of the few clear wins for the Blues this season. He’s logging big minutes - often upwards of 27 a night - and producing at a steady clip, with 10 points (2 goals, 8 assists) already on the board.
But his value goes beyond the box score. He’s playing with poise, moving the puck efficiently, and showing the kind of two-way reliability that coaches dream about.
In a season where little has gone according to plan, Broberg has been a stabilizing force.
That emergence has ripple effects. If Broberg is the new No. 1, what does that mean for the rest of the defensive unit - especially veterans like Colton Parayko and Justin Faulk?
Colton Parayko: Still a Fit or Time to Move On?
Let’s start with Parayko. Once viewed as the future of the Blues' blue line, his play has taken a noticeable dip this season.
The big-bodied defender hasn’t looked like the same player who used to dominate in transition and shut down top lines. It’s been a gradual decline over the past couple of years, but this season feels like a breaking point.
And that’s where Broberg’s ascent complicates things. If the Blues are ready to hand over top-pair minutes and responsibilities to the younger, more dynamic Broberg, Parayko’s role - and his $6.5 million cap hit through 2030 - becomes harder to justify.
He’s not a bad player, but he’s no longer the guy you build your blue line around. With limited cap space and a team in transition, that could make him expendable.
Justin Faulk: On the Bubble
Then there’s Faulk. His contract runs through the end of next season, and while he hasn’t fallen off as sharply as Parayko, he also hasn’t been the impact player the Blues need him to be.
He’s still capable, but the consistency just isn’t there. Whether the Blues view him as part of the future or a trade candidate will likely depend on how the rest of the season shakes out - and how much confidence they have in Broberg to carry the load.
The Money Crunch Is Coming
And here’s the other wrinkle: the salary cap. Broberg is going to get paid.
Maybe not top-of-the-market money, but certainly a significant raise. And with Cam Fowler’s cap hit jumping from $4 million to $6.1 million next season, the Blues will have to make some tough decisions.
Can they afford to keep Broberg, Parayko, Faulk, and Fowler all on the books? Probably not - at least not without sacrificing elsewhere on the roster.
That’s where new general manager Alexander Steen comes in. He’ll have to decide whether to go all-in on Broberg as the face of the defense or try to strike a balance by keeping some of the veterans around.
It’s not an easy call. Overpaying young players too early can backfire, especially if the pressure of a big contract affects their development.
But Broberg has shown enough this season to suggest he’s ready for a bigger role - and a bigger paycheck.
What’s Next?
The Blues are at a crossroads. Broberg looks like a foundational piece, but building around him means reshuffling the rest of the deck.
Parayko’s value may never be higher than it is right now, and Faulk’s expiring deal could make him a trade chip at the deadline or next summer. If the Blues want to reset their blue line and build something sustainable, now might be the time to make those moves.
There’s no doubt Broberg has earned a long look as the team’s top defenseman. The question is whether the Blues are ready to commit - not just with minutes, but with money and a long-term vision.
If they are, it could be the start of a new era on the St. Louis blue line.
If not, they risk getting stuck in the same cycle that’s left them in NHL limbo.