New Additions: D Logan Mailloux (from MTL), F Nick Bjugstad (2yr x $1.75M AAV), F Pius Suter (2yr x $4.125M AAV)

Subtractions: F Zachary Bolduc (to MTL), D Nick Leddy (to SJS), F Radek Faksa (to DAL), D Ryan Suter (FA)

Retentions/Extensions: G Joel Hofer (2yr x $3.4M AAV), F Nathan Walker (2yr x $887.5k AAV), D Cam Fowler (3yr x $6.1M AAV)

The St. Louis Blues were less than three seconds away from advancing to the second round last season. They held a 3-1 lead over the Winnipeg Jets in game seven of the first round series, and with just under two minutes to go, their lead was shortened to just one goal. With a bit of time left to kill, the Blues were just hoping they could hold on, as the Presidents’ Trophy winning Jets were dominating the end of regulation trying to tie the game. It seemed as though they had run out of time, but with five seconds left, Winnipeg made a beautiful play that resulted in Cole Perfetti tying the game right before regulation time expired. Still, the Blues had a chance to win the game in overtime, but it was not meant to be, as they were defeated 4-3 in double overtime, ending their season.

The Blues were not supposed to be in that situation. I am not referring to taking the best team in the regular season last year to game seven overtime, but in the playoffs in general. In late February, the team had a losing record, and were on the outside looking in when it came to the playoffs. But reminiscent of their 2019 Cup winning team, they caught fire in the second half of the year, and went 19-4-3 after the Four Nations Faceoff, which included a franchise record 12 game winning streak. They clinched the final spot in the playoffs in the last week of the season, and were a team that no one wanted to face in the first round, as no team in the league was playing better than them at that time. Although the team was not able to make a run at this cup this time, the second half of the season was very encouraging at what is to come in St. Louis

In a surprise move, the Boston Bruins fired Jim Montgomery early last season, after the team got off to a slow start. Montgomery was the Jack Adams Award winner in 2022-23 after coaching the Bruins to an NHL record 65 wins in the regular season. Additionally he had an upbeat personality that made him a very likable figure in Boston. With him on the open market, the Blues jumped on the opportunity to bring him in as head coach, and less than a week after getting fired in Boston, he was hired in St. Louis. He proved to be the perfect fit to lead this group, and appears to be the team’s coach for the foreseeable future.

The Blues had the foundation built for a winning team. Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou both are just entering their prime and set to provide stability on offense for years to come. Other offensive pieces like Pavel Buchnevich and captain Brayden Schenn are also capable scoring forwards that play a top six role. On defense, Colton Parayko is one of the more underrated two-way players in the league, and Justin Faulk has been a solid top two pairing defenceman for about a decade. In net, they obviously had Jordan Binnington who has been the team’s starting goalie since taking over in the 2018-19 Cup winning season. While the Blues foundation was strong, it was their additions that elevated the team to the next level last season.

In a strategic cap related move, the Blues offered contracts to two Edmonton RFAs last offseason, forward Dylan Holloway and defenceman Philip Broberg. Knowing the team had a lack of money, and would likely not be able to keep both, it was a clever way of acquiring some young talent. The Oilers scrambled trying to free up the space to match the offers, but ultimately, both of the former first round picks were headed to St. Louis. Broberg, the 8th overall pick in 2019, had been slowly developing in the Oilers system, and was primed to become a full time player in 2024-25. He was a great addition for the Blues blueline, as he recorded 8 goals and 29 points in 68 games. Holloway was the bigger story though, as the 14th overall pick in 2020 had shown flashes in Edmonton, but was never able to secure a top line role. He was given all the opportunity to succeed in St. Louis and had a breakout season recording 26 goals and 63 points in 77 games. Unfortunately an injury kept him out of the playoffs, and his presence was missed. Both players are going to be RFAs at the end of this season, and the Blues will surely prioritize locking both players up on long term deals.

Longtime Anaheim Ducks defenceman Cam Fowler was brought into town in December. After fourteen and a half years playing for the same team, Fowler played the best hockey of his career after being traded, recording 36 points in 51 games as a Blue. If he played all 82 games at that pace, he would have set a career high with 57 points. He was even better in the playoffs as he led the team in scoring with 10 points in their first round series. The team has already signed him to a three year extension that kicks in after this year. He is poised to continue his production and be the defenceman on the team’s top powerplay unit.

Jimmy Snuggerud inked his ELC after finishing his season in college, and played a big role for the team out of the gate. The 21 year old forward should start the season playing in the top six and on the top powerplay unit. He flashed his potential, recording 4 points in 7 regular games, and adding another 4 points in the playoffs, two of which were goals on Connor Hellebuyck. He has a quick release and pin point accuracy, I would not be surprised if he was one of the team’s leaders in goals this season.

The team did not stop adding in the offseason, only making three notable additions, but ones that should improve the roster. The team traded Zachary Bolduc for Logan Mailloux. Bolduc was very good last year scoring 19 goals, but with all the pieces they had on offense, found himself as a trade piece. Mailloux is a very controversial player, as he was involved in off ice scrutiny before he was drafted. Nonetheless, he is a very talented defenceman, particularly on the offensive side. The PP1 spot belongs to Fowler for now, but he could very well end up on the top unit by season’s end. The other two additions are both on offense, bringing in Pius Suter and Nick Bjugstad to strengthen the team’s center depth. Suter has been a solid middle six forward throughout his five years in the NHL, and after recording career highs with 25 goals and 46 points last year in Vancouver, he was a free agent forward desired by many. Bjugstad is more designed to play on the fourth line, providing size and solid defensive play. That being said, he is more than able to help out offensively too, as he actually has career highs comparable to Suter (24 goals in 14-15, and 49 points in 17-18).

Now I do not think that the momentum from last season will fully carry over to this season, as it is hard to replicate the energy and confidence that a team has when they are as hot as the Blues were to close out the year. But this team fully believes they are a playoff team, not only that but a contender. After the crazy ending against Winnipeg last season, this team is playing to get back to where they were, and rewrite the story. A team with a healthy mix of youth and experience, coached by Jim Montgomery, playing with something to prove, makes the Blues one of the most exciting teams to watch in 2025-26.