The St. Louis Blues may have to set their eyes on a few free agents this offseason if they want to reach another level and move past the first round of the playoffs in 2025-26.
Here are three targets the Blues should consider to push themselves to being Stanley Cup contenders.
Sam Bennett
The Florida Panthers have a 2-1 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final against Edmonton, and one of the most significant contributors will be seeking a new deal this offseason. Sam Bennett, who is making a strong case for the Conn Smythe trophy, should be the Blues' number one target this offseason.
Bennett had 25 goals and 26 assists for 51 points this season. More importantly, he has led the Panthers in this playoff with 14 goals and six assists for 20 points. That is precisely what the Blues need at center to couple with Robert Thomas as a 1-2 punch. He is going to be worth a big bag of cash, but it will be manageable with the bump in the Salary Cap.
Dante Fabro
The Blues are also in desperate need of a defenseman. With Justin Faulk possibly being on the trade block, Nick Leddy perhaps moving as well, Ryan Suter facing retirement questions, and Torey Krug’s tenure in St. Louis being unofficially over, there are some holes on the blue line.
As a part of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Fabro had nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points. It's not a bad deal for an up-and-coming defenseman with a lot of upside. He could be a solid replacement for Faulk should General Manager Doug Armstrong decide that is the best course.
Ryan Lindgren
An emphasis on defense is apparent for next season, as the Blues will have significant holes to fill. As tough as the Blues are, there is one more player to add to the fight card, and he is a Main-eventer. Ryan Lindgren would be a perfect fit with this franchise.
After spending the last seven years with the New York Rangers, he was traded to Colorado mid-season. Lindgren has experience in the playoffs as a top-pair defenseman and can play in all facets of the game. This should be a no-brainer for next season.