The St. Louis Blues are in a weird position at this point in the season. They are within striking distance of two completely different things, and that is making this 2025-26 campaign messy.
At 19-22-8 for 45 points, the Blues currently have the fourth-best odds, at 9.5%, of securing the number one overall pick at next season's NHL draft. But, they are also five points out of securing the second wildcard spot for a playoff appearance for the second year in a row.
Recently, the New York Rangers released a very important update to fans stating their intent at making a better hockey team for next season. This "Letter" signifies to the fans that they are just as disappointed, but cannot possibly fathom a playoff appearance with their current roster.
Should the Blues take a page out of the Rangers' book and declare their intentions for the rest of this season?
Blues “Letter” of intent
If General Manager Doug Armstrong were to make such a statement, what direction would he declare this team to be in? With the Olympics on the way, and then the Trade Deadline soon after, and the constant mentioning of their core group needing to be nuked and redone, the arrow is pointing toward following the Rangers into the "we are losers" category.
Five points is not a whole lot of points to be behind, but is it even worth it? The second wildcard spot is going into the playoffs on such a high that is going to be snuffed out by a sweep to Colorado.
The core group of Jordan Kyrou, Robert Thomas, Colton Parayko, and Jordan Binnington has not been great this season. Each has failed this team in more ways than one, and their time in the 'Lou is limited.
Establishing some kind of direction and position on the future
It is important for the Blues to establish how exactly they are going to play these next few months. With some kind of direction, fans can be put at ease, as well as the players. Particularly the younger crowd in Jimmy Snuggerud, Dalibor Dvorsky, and Philip Broberg, who are the future of this team.
Armstrong is going to have his hands full with the Olympics next month, but something has to be done about the Blues' season. This most recent 5-0 shutout loss to Edmonton, after a fantastic victory against Carolina, was a real shocker. The fans deserve some sort of answer for this wild and unpredictable season.