Jack Finley Claimed by Blues: A Homecoming Years in the Making
As NHL teams finalized moves ahead of the Olympic roster freeze, the St. Louis Blues made a quietly meaningful addition-claiming 6-foot-6 center Jack Finley off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning. And for Finley, this isn’t just a new chapter-it’s a return home.
The 23-year-old was born in St. Louis during his father Jeff Finley’s tenure with the Blues, and now, over two decades later, he’ll don the same sweater his dad once wore. It’s a full-circle moment for a player still carving out his place in the league.
Drafted 57th overall by Tampa Bay in the 2020 NHL Draft, Finley has spent his entire professional career within the Lightning organization. He made his NHL debut just over a year ago, on January 14, 2025, in Boston.
Since then, he’s appeared in 23 NHL games, recording two goals and an assist this season. His production may not leap off the stat sheet, but there are signs of a player still developing-and one whose size and two-way potential continue to intrigue.
This season, Finley has averaged 8:25 of ice time per game with Tampa Bay, posting a +2 rating. He’s taken 11 shots on goal and found the back of the net twice-once against the Panthers on November 15 and again on December 20 versus the Hurricanes. While those numbers are modest, they reflect a young player working to find consistency in a limited role.
Finley also saw time in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch this season, where he tallied a goal and two assists in just three games before being sidelined in November with an undisclosed injury. Last season, he put together a solid campaign in the AHL with 14 goals and 14 assists across 40 games-proof that he can contribute when given steady minutes.
What makes this move especially compelling is the personal layer. Finley isn’t just joining a new team-he’s returning to the city where his hockey journey began, surrounded by the legacy of his father’s NHL career.
For the Blues, this is a low-risk pickup with potential upside. For Finley, it’s a chance to reset, reconnect, and maybe even reignite his path in the league.
The Olympic break now gives him time to settle in, get healthy, and prepare for the next phase. And when NHL action resumes, don’t be surprised if St. Louis gives the hometown kid a real shot to show what he can do.