St. Louis Blues head coach Jim Montgomery has a significant responsibility on his shoulders in September.
The start of training camp will lead to crucial decisions based on the team’s best interests. That situation means focusing on the right choices for the team’s overall success in 2026-27.
On the whole, several lineup spots are spoken for. We know newly minted captain Robert Thomas is a lock. So are other young stars like Dylan Holloway, Jake Neighbours, and Jimmy Snuggerud.
On defense, Philip Broberg looks set to remain as the team’s top blueliner. Other blueline locks are expected to be veterans Brandon Carlo and Colton Parayko.
But beyond that, there may be some interesting questions Montgomery will have to answer.
Blues season could come down to goaltending
Arguably, the biggest decision Montgomery will have to make in camp will be the team’s starting goalie. It looks like Joel Hofer should get the nod. But if Jordan Binnington returns to his former self, the decision could be a difficult one.
If Binnington outplays Hofer in camp, Montgomery may have no other choice but to roll with the veteran. If so, what would that do to Hofer’s development?
Let’s assume the Blues have two great goalies. Well, the decision might not go beyond a tandem system. But if Hofer’s confidence suffers, the Blues may have to address the situation immediately.
That’s a doom-and-gloom scenario.
Let’s keep things realistic. Hofer should continue his current path, allowing the rising star to establish himself as the team’s starter. If Binnington plays well, that situation would only support the Blues’ quest to return to the playoffs this season.
Montgomery has to figure out how prospects fit into the picture
The top-six forward group shouldn’t have any major surprises. Thomas and Mason McTavish should handle the top two slots down the middle. Holloway, Snuggerud, Connor McMichael, and Pavel Buchnevich should round out the rest of the top six.
But it will be the bottom six that should see some interesting challenges. We can pencil in Neighbours and Dvorsky as two young players who should get a full-time role. Depending on their performance, they could push McMichael or Buchnevich down the depth chart.
However, Otto Stenberg, Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, and Felix Trudeau could push for a spot on the team. If that’s the case, who comes out? Free-agent signing Ross Johnston looks set on the fourth line. Potentially, one of Jack Finley, Pius Suter, and Alexey Toropchenko could see their minutes dwindle.
The same goes for the blue line. Cam Fowler and Tyler Tucker might be skating on thin ice. Their tenuous grasp on lineup spots could come under even more fire if Adam Jiricek proves he’s ready for prime time.
Ultimately, Montgomery may choose to keep the prospects in the AHL to start the season. But there’s no question that if veterans struggle and the kids show they’re ready, some vets might not have much of a runway in the NHL.
There’s little margin for error
At the end of the day, there’s little margin for error in St. Louis. The Blues play in one of the toughest divisions in the NHL, if not the toughest. That’s why there is really only one shot to get it right.
Assuming that the top three spots in the Central Division are spoken for, the Blues won’t have much time to figure things out.
If things don’t work out well for some players, Montgomery won’t likely waste much time giving younger players an opportunity to show that they’re ready for the NHL.
What we could end up seeing is a young, dynamic team pushing for relevance among some of the NHL’s most notable powerhouses.
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