Nathan Walker’s path to a spot on the St. Louis Blues’ fourth line in 2026-27 looks like one of the more intriguing camp battles on the horizon.
With Oskar Sundqvist likely headed down the road to Springfield, Jack Finley is expected to center that bottom unit. That leaves Alexey Toropchenko, Ross Johnston and Walker fighting for two winger spots when training camp opens.
Walker is the name worth watching closely because of what he brought in 2025-26. Even with injury time costing him games and giving youngsters like Otto Stenberg a chance to move up the lineup, No. 26 still appeared in 46 games and produced four goals and seven assists. Over a full season, that pace would have put him on track for a career-high 19 points.
The bigger calling card, though, was his physical game. Walker finished with 179 hits, a total that would have projected to 319 over a full year if he had stayed healthy. That would not only have been a new career high for him, it also would have ranked third in the NHL, ahead of Will Cuylle of the New York Rangers.
The challenge now is that Johnston brings a different kind of appeal. General Manager Alexander Steen went after him in free agency, and there is a real chance Walker ends up as the 13th forward. The attraction of Johnston is obvious when he’s paired with Toropchenko and Finley: the entire line stands over 6-foot-5, which is a lot to throw over the boards.
Walker, though, brings a different kind of edge at 5-foot-9. His quickness and speed could give the Blues another option against faster opponents, especially on nights when Jim Montgomery wants a different look to handle opposing speedsters.
That’s what makes this battle worth following. Montgomery will have decisions to make in camp, and the Blues’ prospects will eventually need minutes too, which could open the door for both Johnston and Walker to sit out some games depending on how the season unfolds.
Still, Walker has already shown he can matter in whatever role he gets. Whether it’s a full season or a half-season, he has a way of making an impact. If he stands out in camp, he can force Montgomery’s hand.
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Robert Thomas Trade Buzz Puts New Pressure On The Blues
Robert Thomas was one of the more closely watched names around the league leading into the 2026 NHL trade deadline, and the discussion around him never quite went away even after St. Louis chose to hold onto him. For the Blues, that decision kept an important center in place, but it also left the door open for more speculation once the next round of roster pressure begins to build.
The interest makes sense because there are clubs still searching for help down the middle, and Thomas fits the profile of a player teams would keep circling if they believe he could change their lineup. Montreal, Los Angeles and Boston have all been mentioned in that conversation as potential fits, which is enough to keep the rumor mill active and the Blues in a familiar spot - trying to manage a valuable asset while the rest of the league keeps calling. [Read more 🡒]
Blues Prospect Is At The Center Of A Frightening Situation
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The university is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the workout, which took place in extreme heat, as questions continue to build around what happened before Mayich went down. For the Blues, the priority now is simple support for Mayich and his family while the broader details are sorted out, but the uncertainty around his condition leaves the story with far more worry than clarity. [Read more 🡒]
Blues Have Some Unexpected Center Prospects Rising Behind Their NHL Core
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What makes the group intriguing is how quickly the internal picture could change if even a couple of those players keep developing on schedule. Some are coming off strong recent stretches, others are still more projection than production, but the common thread is clear: St. Louis has more center talent rising behind the established NHL group than it did not long ago, and the organization will have to decide just how soon those prospects deserve a real chance to force the issue. [Read more 🡒]