Go back to October 2024 and the Blues barely look like the same team. Seven months fly by, but when you dig deep, some things change so dramatically that they’ve become something new, different, and better. It’s like a character arc in an epic fantasy novel, except hockey is no epic fantasy. It’s reality, and, at times, reality is an awesome thing.
The Blues started the year with Drew Bannister at the helm, while star defenseman Cam Fowler was playing for the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks. Jim Montgomery was still in Boston, ready and raring to take the Bruins back to the playoffs. Meanwhile, newcomers Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway were coming off of a good camp, but that’s about all we knew about them.
Here in May 2025, the Blues look like they’ll be perennial playoff contenders. Before the 4 Nations Face-Off, they looked about how everyone expected them to: a bland team that showed flashes, one that wasn’t good, but not bad enough to fully write off. But during that 12-game winning streak, it’d become official: the Blues had arrived.
Blues arrived in 2024-25, setting the stage for a Central Division takeover
Regardless of what happens between the Blues and Jets tonight, you’re still looking at a team that took Winnipeg to the brink. And one that exposed its supposedly legendary goaltender’s greatest weaknesses. Most bottom-seeded teams never figure out their top-seeded opponents in any sport, and the Blues forced the Jets to play their game most of the time.
They also faced a lot of adversity since last summer, when Torey Krug went down for the season before he even stepped onto the ice. Robert Thomas, Philip Broberg, and Nick Leddy all missed extended time. Oh, and let’s not forget that they came into the playoffs without their second-best regular-season scorer, Dylan Holloway.
So, if they can at least take the Jets to the brink, and they did, and still play decent hockey while struggling with injuries, what would a healthy Blues team look like? Next season, we’ll find out, with the likes of Jimmy Snuggerud and potentially Dalibor Dvorsky joining in the fun. And speaking of Snuggerud, two goals, four points, and a plus-3 rating is a good place to start.
Blues raised the stakes for 2025-26 and beyond
If they go out and beat Winnipeg, your St. Louis Blues raised the floor even more in 2025-26. And to be honest, you look at their lineup and ask, “What more do they need?” While Doug Armstrong may not have liked this lineup earlier in the season, they’re a well-coached group that did remarkable things this season.
Yeah, you need to keep adding to this team, but I’m only adding players who will help the Blues win championships, and that means bringing in another big hitter or two. A gritty blueliner who thrives on third-pairing minutes, or a bottom-six forward known for winning puck battles and landing body checks.
Maybe add another player to the defensive rotation if Ryan Suter isn’t interested in coming back for his age-41 campaign, or if they lose a player or two in unrestricted free agency. But how many of these players would you be willing to let walk after they helped the Blues play such good hockey that they even shocked the most optimistic fans?