With a busy draft week and the start of free agency in the rearview mirror, the St. Louis Blues moved on from two forwards while adding four. In GM Alex Steen’s first weeks at the helm, many wonder if he has something bigger up his sleeve.
As the 2025-26 season quickly devolved into one to forget, the Blues began unleashing the kids. This was especially the case up top, as captain Brayden Schenn was sent to the Islanders. Doug Armstrong prioritized giving opportunities to players aged 25 or younger, including a full-time role for Dalibor Dvorsky, the debut of Otto Stenberg, and waiver claims for Jonatan Berggren and Jack Finley.
All of those players are still on the team, including Berggren, who signed a one-year extension. One departing forward is Jonathan Drouin. After being part of the Schenn trade, the former No. 3 overall pick was bought out of his contract, a move Armstrong never made in his time running the Blues.
The Blues Added Quality and Quantity
Since the season ended, the Blues traded Jordan Kyrou to the Capitals in exchange for a package that included Connor McMichael. Additionally, they brought in Mason McTavish, signed Ross Johnston, and signed Dillon Dube, who spent this past season with AHL Springfield, to a one-way contract.
As it stands, the Blues will have 15 NHL-caliber forwards on their roster when RFA McMichael signs a contract extension. That number doesn’t include 2025 first-round pick Justin Carbonneau, who scored 51 goals in the QMJHL last season.
If Carbonneau doesn’t see the NHL this season, it’s not a problem for the Blues. It’s a very common practice for teams to bring in depth pieces to add competition for a spot. Last year, the Blues brought in Pius Suter and Nick Bjugstad with Dvorsky waiting. This year, they traded for Brandon Carlo with Adam Jiricek on the cusp of starting his NHL career. Not only does this create competition in camp, but it also provides a safety net to prevent a young player from being put in a role they’re not ready for.
Someone Will Have To Miss the Cut
The Blues will most likely carry 14 forwards and seven defensemen to start the season. There are more prospects in the AHL, like Zach Dean, Dylan Peterson and Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, who could all fight for a fourth-line spot but could also fall victim to the numbers game. The two most likely candidates appear to be Stenberg or Suter.
Stenberg impressed in 32 NHL games last season, with 10 points, but he’s an easy choice given the numbers. The Blues have plenty of wing options, with McMichael likely slotting into the second-line left-wing role. Stenberg could get the 2024-25 Zach Bolduc treatment, where he starts the season as the odd man out but, once he gets his opportunity, never gives it up for the rest of the season.
Suter Is a Possible Casualty
Suter, meanwhile, could serve as a trade candidate. The Swiss centerman is 30 and has one year left at a reasonable $4.125m cap hit. Right now, with Robert Thomas, McTavish and Dvorsky locked in at center, he likely slots as the Blues’ fourth-line center. Is that worth his cap hit?
He could play the wing as well, but isn’t the strongest skater and doesn’t drive much of his own offense. He thrives as a third-line, 200-foot, responsible center – a player archetype teams are constantly searching for.
It’s important to note that these additions are valuable to the Blues. Johnston is a fourth-line heavyweight who will have no issue standing up for the young players. The Blues haven’t had a true enforcer in recent years, but there’s still a place for them in the league. Dube has obvious baggage from his role in the 2018 Hockey Canada trial, but on the ice, he is an improvement as a potential fourth-line winger, if nothing else.
Steen, much like his predecessor, has been coy about whether or not more moves are coming. They are connected to Alexander Nikishin from the Hurricanes, but nothing is imminent. The St. Louis Blues are continuing to build organizational depth and have three months to assemble the best roster they can.
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