There are a lot of things that are going to happen between now and the training camp sessions prior to the 2026-27 season for the St. Louis Blues. But, it is never too early to speculate, right?
Before the 2026 NHL Draft gets underway at the end of this month, there are plenty of prospects already in the pipeline that are on the path to the NHL. This upcoming training camp in a few months is going to really paint a picture who could crack the opening night roster, make their NHL debut mid-season, or needs more time in the minors.
Let's talk about three prospects that are going to have the most buzz around them and are likely going to push the needle on their NHL expectancy. These are players already drafted by the Blues, and not any of the 2026 Draft selections.
Justin Carbonneau
After a very successful training camp prior to the 2025-26 season, Justin Carbonneau nearly made the roster right after getting drafted 19th overall. It was his decision to go back to the QMJHL and try to compete for a championship.
He used his lessons learned for an incredible season at the CHL level, and then transferred that over to Springfield in their great playoff run. If Carbonneau can have another solid training camp in a few months, expect him to really make things difficult for that second-line left-wing spot, opposite Jordan Kyrou.
Of course, that is if Kyrou is still there on opening night.
Adam Jiricek
This one is probably the one to lock in for the 2026-27 season. Adam Jiricek will be a Blue on opening night in October, and there is not much argument there. The defensive core is under construction, and he is a cornerstone piece of it.
In hopes of Logan Mailloux improving this summer and erasing any kind of growing pains he had in 2025-26, one of them could be opposite Philip Broberg next season in the top-pairing. Jiricek has that kind of ability to jump right in and take on that responsibility.
Adam Jecho
Down the middle, the Blues are in a bit of an interesting situation. Robert Thomas is not going to be going anywhere, and that locks up the first-line center spot. After that, there are Dalibor Dvorsky, Pius Suter, and Jack Finley. Adam Jecho could bump out Finley if head coach Jim Montgomery and GM-to-be Alexander Steen believe they see enough out of him in training camp.
Jecho saw a bit of a downturn in production in 2025-26 for the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL, but that doesn't mean much considering what kind of potential he has. Especially since he was a rockstar at the 2025 U-20 World Junior Championships for Czechia.
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