Autumn is just around the corner, and with it, hockey season. Training camp starts next Thursday, followed by four preseason games as the players and coaching staff alike prepare for the long season ahead.
As we near the start of camp, here are three things to look forward to when we see the St. Louis Blues take the ice before the start of the 2026-27 season and, ultimately, whittle down the number of players to a 23-man roster.
The youth movement
The Blues have a pretty formidable crop of young players in their pipeline, capped off with a robust 2026 draft class that should produce at least a couple of NHL-caliber players. It's unlikely any of the players taken this summer will crack the Blues' crowded lineup, with Tynan Lawrence returning to the NCAA and others returning to the leagues of their respective countries. There are, however, plenty of players from previous drafts that'll be competing for a spot in the lineup on opening night.
Several young Blues should be roster locks, like Jimmy Snuggerud and Dalibor Dvorsky up front and Logan Mailloux on the back end. Any of them underperforming enough in training camp to get demoted to the Springfield Thunderbirds in the AHL would be deemed a colossal step back. The real competition starts with the next tier of prospects.
Adam Jiricek joined the Thunderbirds for six games in their playoff run at the tail end of last season. He didn't register any points, but he's looking like a solid player as he gets ready for his first full pro season--could he beat out fellow youngster Theo Lindstein for a spot in the opening night lineup? Up front, can Otto Stenberg build on last season's cup of coffee with the Blues and lock down a roster spot? Having a number of young players with a puncher's chance to make the team makes training camp refreshing.
The new leadership group
The Blues recently unveiled their new-look leadership group, with Robert Thomas as captain of the team. A few new players are wearing "As" on their sweaters now, too: offer-sheet success stories Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway, and heart-and-soul forward Jake Neighbours.
Giving three 25-and-under players letters is a big deal--it signals that the Blues are serious about transitioning to a youth-led team. We may not see an immediate on-ice difference from these fresh voices, but you can bet there will likely be a positive vibe shift among the players. It'll be fascinating to see how these young players step into their new roles.
The new additions
It was a busy summer for the Blues, and they made a pair of major trades: adding Mason McTavish and sending Jordan Kyrou to the Washington Capitals for, primarily, Connor McMichael. On the blue line, the Blues traded for Brandon Carlo after his stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs didn't go so hot, reuniting him with head coach Jim Montgomery. This will be our first look at these players in Blues uniforms, and we'll get an idea of how they're going to fit into the lineup during camp.
Free agency was, unsurprisingly, a bit quieter for the Blues, and their only major signing was enforcer Ross Johnston. We probably won't see too many of his antics in training camp (teammates don't typically fight each other at practice), but the preseason games should give us an opportunity to see how his presence bolsters the confidence of his teammates, knowing they won't be easily pushed around.
Last season was a disappointment, but already training camp looks like a breath of fresh air. It's a tough road to the playoffs for the Blues, but a wave of fresh faces and a revamped leadership group should provide some levity, even if things don't break the Blues' way this year.
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