St. Louis Blues
A preview of the 2026-27 NHL season for the St. Louis Blues, including predictions from VSiN NHL Expert Jonathan Davis. For all other NHL team previews, check out our NHL page.
Key Additions: Mason McTavish, Connor McMichael, Brandon Carlo, Ross Johnston, Alex Steen (GM)
Key Departures: Jordan Kyrou, Jonathan Drouin, Doug Armstrong (GM)
Overview
They say you don’t make the playoffs in October, but you can take yourself out of contention with a disastrous start. The Blues set themselves back in October with a seven-game losing streak, and losing eight of 11 in January further hurt their playoff aspirations. They did manage to win 16 of their last 23 games and were one of three teams that finished with 86 points, but still four points out of a playoff spot. The Blues will have a new man at the top as Alex Steen takes over from Doug Armstrong as the team’s new general manager.
Offense
In Robert Thomas, the Blues are set at the number one center position, and they hope they have found their second line center for the foreseeable future with the acquisition of Mason McTavish from the Anaheim Ducks. McTavish saw his numbers dip last season, scoring just 17 goals and 41 points (22 goals, 52 points the season prior) and even missing time as a healthy scratch at times. The Blues hope a change in area codes is what the third overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft needs. The Blues acquired Connor McMichael from the Washington Capitals in exchange for Jordan Kyrou. A natural center, McMichael played both center and wing in Washington. The two additions should boost the Blues offense that finished 24th overall in goals scored last season and further complement Dylan Holloway, Jimmy Snuggerud and Pavel Buchnevich, who all reached the 20-goal mark last season.
Defense
The Blues allowed 254 goals, tying them with the Detroit Red Wings for the 19th-most goals surrendered. Offer-sheeting Philip Broberg three summers ago has proven to be a great pickup. Broberg quickly developed into a top-pairing defenseman and led all Blues defensemen in average time on ice. Logan Mailloux, acquired from Montreal last season, showed signs late last season that he can be trusted to play with Broberg on the top pair. It bodes well for the Blues, as both players are just 23 years old. They will be joined by another 23-year-old in Theo Lindstein (17 games last season) along with veterans Colton Parayko, Cam Fowler and Brandon Carlo.
For those who like to play puck lines and team totals, 25 of their 45 losses (53%) were by two goals or more, but 30 of their 45 losses (67%) saw them give up four goals or more.
Goaltending
If only the Blues could get the Jordan Binnington that played for Canada in the 4 Nations tournament and in last year’s Olympics, and not the one that had just 13 wins (fewest in his eight seasons) in 39 starts, a goals against average of 3.33 and a sub-.900 save percentage. Binnington is in the final year of his contract ($6 million AAV) and has a 10-team no-trade list. If the Blues are legit playoff contenders, then I don’t see them trying to trade him. If not, there will be plenty of takers. Joel Hofer is also in the final year of his deal but is a restricted free agent and arbitration-eligible. Hofer gave up slightly more than half a goal less per 60 minutes than Binnington and had a better save percentage.
Player to Watch
Blues fans got a taste of Dalibor Dvorsky last season as the 21-year-old scored 12 goals in his first NHL season and had 3 goals and six points for Slovakia at the 2026 Olympics. A season prior, he put up 21 goals in the American Hockey League, coming off a 45-goal season with the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League that helped make him the 10th selection in the 2023 NHL Draft. Keep an eye on him for anytime goals, especially early in the season, when the sportsbooks likely haven’t made the necessary adjustments.
Outlook
I expect the Blues to be playing relevant games into late March and early April as they challenge for a playoff spot. If their blueline holds up, they should be one of eight teams playing for a shot at the Stanley Cup. Blues (+260) to make the playoffs is worth a small play.
Team Futures
Regular Season Points: 84.5 (Over -125, Under -105)
To Make the Playoffs: (+260)
To Miss the Playoffs: (-340)
To Win the Division: (+4500)
To Win the Western Conference: (+6000)
To Win the Stanley Cup: (+25000)
2025-26 Recap
Record: 37-33-12
Over/Under: 37-44-1
Home Favorite: 9-9 // Home Dog: 10-9
Road Favorite: 3-8 // Road Dog: 13-17
Win Score 4 or more: 15 of 37 // Lose Give Up 4 or more: 30 of 45
Puck Line Wins: 19 of 37 // Puck Line Losses: 24 of 45
Front End Back-to-Back: 6-7 / Back End Back-to-Back: 7-6
Points Leader: Robert Thomas – 64
Goal Leader: Robert Thomas – 25
Teams First Goal Leader: Jimmy Snuggerud – 8, Dylan Holloway and Jake Neighbours – 7
Assist Leader: Jimmy Snuggerud
Depth Chart
Forwards
Dylan Holloway / Robert Thomas / Jimmy Snuggerud
Connor McMichael/ Mason McTavish / Pavel Buchnevich
Jake Neighbours / Pius Suter / Dalibor Dvorsky
Ross Johnston / Jack Finley / Alexei Toropchenko
Defense
Philip Broberg / Logan Mailloux
Theo Lindstein / Colton Parayko
Cam Fowler / Brandon Carlo
Goalies
Jordan Binnington / Joel Hofer
