The St. Louis Blues just went through a really big change in their organization, and it happened at the very top of the food chain. General Manager and President of Hockey Operations Doug Armstrong handed over his first title to Alexander Steen on July 1, and a new era has begun.
Coincidentally, that also happened to be the first day of Free Agency around the National Hockey League. Deals were made everywhere, including some by the Blues in an effort to start pushing this team in the right direction.
Let's give an overall grade for Steen on his first day as the General Manager.
Grade: B+
The signing of Ross Johnston and the re-signing of Jonatan Berggren were the highlights of the day. Those are two solid pieces, and nothing as spectacular as re-signing Alexander Ovechkin for his 21st NHL season, like the Washington Capitals did, but that is exactly what fans should have wanted from Steen.
This free agency class was not crazy special. Yes, there were a few out there to go and get, but at what cost? The direction of going younger would have been completely ruined with a signing such as Radko Gudas with Florida over the next six years as a 36-year-old. It would not have aligned with any of the Blues' current plans, and not doing much more than what they did is a perfect example of not overdoing because everyone else is.
Florida still has an open Stanley Cup window, while the Blues are on the outside looking in.
Steen put on his new hat with a positive B+ grade, as there was really one signing that he should have pushed to try and get done. That was the deal for Jaden Schwartz to come back home to St. Louis, rather than going to Colorado. The new GM has been bringing back old faces to the organization, and for now, it is working. Why not bring back a fan-favorite?
There is one more free agent that has yet to be claimed, and his potential signing pushes Steen into an A rating. Vladimir Tarasenko had a fantastic season in 2025-26 with Minnesota and can do the same and more with the Blues. He could get a hometown, short-term deal to help bring up-and-coming wingers like Justin Carbonneau and 2026 sixth-round selection Lars Steiner.
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