The St. Louis Blues are, essentially, eliminated from playoff contention. Money Puck has their odds at 4.3 percent, and their 29-30-11 record doesn't inspire much confidence that they'll be able to pull off a miracle run down the stretch. Tonight, the Blues face teenage phenom Macklin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks--and the way Celebrini's changed the course of the Sharks franchise makes one think maybe the Blues should do the same. The Blues are in the running for the top pick after a lousy season, and winning the draft lottery could radically alter the course of the franchise.
To recap what Celebrini has done for the Sharks: in his sophomore season, he's scored 35 goals and tallied 61 assists for 95 points--the next highest scoring Shark is Will Smith with 47 points. It's a long shot, but the Sharks still have a 9.3 percent chance of reaching the postseason per Money Puck, which is impressive for a team that's supposed to be knee-deep in a painful rebuild. One first-overall pick and the Sharks went from the dregs of the league to one of the best stories of the season.
For the Blues, perhaps a better comparison is the New York Islanders. The Isles were an aimless team with a thin prospect pool; then, they won the lottery and drafted Matthew Schaefer first overall in 2025, and have spent most of the 2025-26 season in a playoff spot. The Blues aren't bereft of talent, and a strong finish could force management to consider retooling rather than fully selling off for a painful rebuild.
If the Blues were to win the lottery and draft one of Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg (brother of Otto, already in the system), adding one of those players to this lineup could put them back in the playoff conversation. They've got strong goaltending in place and solid depth, but lack that elite, high-end talent at the top of the lineup outside of Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou. A first-overall selection could completely change how the Blues approach the offseason and fortify a roster that's already got some good pieces. Tonight, Blues fans will see firsthand what a first-overall pick can do as they face off against Celebrini and the Sharks.